New statistics from economic report shows University’s value to local community

Kenmore, Wash. (October 12, 2011) –Bastyr University is pleased to report some good news during these difficult financial times. The results from a new study show that the economic impact the school has on the local community was more than $136 million in 2010.

“As the University fulfills its mission in educating future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences, it also serves as a significant economic engine for our Kenmore community, King County and Washington state,” said Bastyr University President Daniel K. Church, PhD. “We are proud that Bastyr University, which began over thirty years ago as a fledgling professional school with about 30 students, has experienced the type of growth reported in this important study.”

The University Economic Impact Study, conducted by Hebert Research of Bellevue (Wash.), and presented to Kenmore City Council members Monday, found that Bastyr University infused dollars into the local economy in a number of ways, including:

• The economic activity associated with the University’s operations
• The economic activity associated with investment projects
• The economic activity created by the University’s teaching clinic
• The spending by students who would not otherwise live in the area were it not for Bastyr University
• The economic activity generated by local alumni

“Whether it’s money spent at local businesses by our students, faculty and staff members, creating jobs through on-campus construction projects or seeing our alumni rent commercial property and hire staff for their own businesses, to know Bastyr University is playing a role in keeping the King County economy moving in a positive direction is tremendously satisfying,” President Church added.

ABOUT BASTYR UNIVERSITY
Bastyr University, located north of Seattle, Washington, is an accredited institution, internationally recognized as a pioneer in natural medicine. Bastyr is the largest university for natural health arts and sciences in the U.S., combining a multidisciplinary curriculum with leading-edge research and clinical training to educate future leaders in fields such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and whole food nutrition. Founded in 1978 as the John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University now offers more than 15 accredited degree and certificate programs. Bastyr was the nation’s first natural health arts and sciences university to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Bastyr University Research Institute plays a key role in the growth of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research. The University’s teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, offers quality natural health care to the greater Seattle community while providing essential clinical training for students. For additional information about Bastyr University and its teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, visit www.bastyr.edu or www.bastyrcenter.org.