Clark College Theatre begins its 2018-2019 season with The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl.

A 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist, The Clean House is a romantic comedy about loss, love, change, and redemption. A career-oriented doctor has hired a quirky Brazilian maid who hates to clean and instead longs to be a comedienne. The doctor is deserted by her husband, who leaves her for his mistress, a passionate, older woman upon whom he recently performed a mastectomy. Sarah Ruhl’s play reminds us that there is humor and beauty to be found in life’s most unlikely messes.

This production’s cast includes:  Danielle Neblock, Becky Morin, Amy Baldwin, Kyle Reese, and Dee Harris.  The director is Mark Owsley. With the exception of Dee Harris, who is an employee of Clark College, all cast members are current students.

This show contains adult themes, language, and content.

Show Dates: November 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. All show times are at 7:30 p.m. in the Decker Theatre, Frost Arts Center, on Clark College’s main campus. Maps and directions are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

Ticket Information: Students (with ID) $10; Alumni (with membership) $10; Senior Citizens $12; General Admission $15. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp, or call 360-992-2815.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Penguin Union Building room 013, as soon as possible.

President Bob Knight welcomes Oswald back to campus after a summer makeover. The new Oswald was revealed at Opening Day on September 17.

Oswald the Penguin has been Clark College’s mascot since the college was first founded—in fact, he was donated by the college’s very first student. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t changed his feathers from time to time. This fall, Oswald will be receiving his first makeover in 17 years.

“We love Oswald—everybody does,” said Athletics Director Chris Jacob. “But the current costume is hard to move in. We needed to help him get into a form that allowed him to cheer at games, to run out onto the court or field, and to be able to interact with people a little more.

“Basically,” Jacob added, “we sent Oswald to the gym over the summer, and he’s come back more toned and agile.”

Jokes aside, the process of redesigning the beloved mascot required input from many members of the college community, including Student Life, Admissions, Athletics, Communications and Marketing, and the Associated Students of Clark College. Starting in March, the work group discussed how to make Oswald better able to perform his duties as an ambassador of the college at games, special events, and in the community. A key issue was making the costume less burdensome for the students who wear it, while ensuring he remained the fun and approachable penguin that makes him a family favorite at community events.

“With the old costume, the feet were these giant things that made it hard to move without falling over,” said Student Life Program Support Supervisor Sami Lelo. “We would always need to have two students available if we wanted Oswald at an event—one to wear the costume, and the other to lead Oswald around by the hand so he didn’t bump into things or trip.”

Oswald’s new costume can be put on without help.

The new costume’s feet slip over the tops of the performer’s own shoes, allowing them to wear athletic shoes for easier movement. Its arms and legs are also easier to move, allowing for better mobility—no need for a guide anymore. Also, the new costume can be donned without assistance, making it easier for Oswald to appear at events all over campus and the community.

The new Oswald will get his official reveal at the college’s annual Opening Day employee event that kicks off the new academic year, on September 17. At that point, the old costume will be officially retired and put into storage.

Cartoon images of the old Oswald, complete with tie and running shoes, will still appear in print and online media … for now.

“It’s inevitable that, once people get used to Oswald’s new look, they’re going to want to have images of him available to put on invitations, flyers, etc.,” said Clark College Senior Graphic Designer Jenny Shadley. “We’ll be ready for those requests when they start to come in.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Pharmacy Technician students in the Columbia Credit Union Simulation Pharmacy

Clark College’s Pharmacy Technician program has been ranked No. 1 in the nation by Washington Monthly in its annual “College Rankings” issue.

The issue, which is published in September, traditionally ranks four-year colleges and universities based on a range of criteria. However, this year marks the first time the Washington, D.C.-based magazine ranked vocational certificate programs, using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s “gainful employment” database.

Clark College’s Pharmacy Technician program is based in the college’s location at Washington State University Vancouver. Students learn in the program’s state-of-the-art Columbia Credit Union Simulation Pharmacy, as well as in externship placements with local employers. Local employers were also consulted in building the program’s curriculum, so that graduates learn the skills needed in today’s health care marketplace.

“We were already confident of our Pharmacy Technician program’s reputation in this region, but are tremendously proud to see its excellence recognized on a national level,” said Brenda Walstead, dean of business and health sciences. “Our faculty work hard to create a program that produces the kind of skilled technicians that modern pharmacies need.”

The full Washington Monthly article may be viewed at https://washingtonmonthly.com/2018college-guide.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Many offices and student services at Clark College will be largely closed to the public for a collegewide staff training on Tuesday, August 21 and Wednesday, August 22. Classes will continue as normally scheduled. Additionally, Child & Family Studies (child care), the Clark College Bookstore, all libraries (including Cannell and the iCommons at CTC), and Tutoring Services will remain open. However, most other business offices (including Cashier’s Office, Human Resources, Facilities Services, etc.) and student services (including Advising, Financial Aid, Student Life, etc.) will be closed all day for both days.

Bruce Elgort

Clark College computer technology instructor Bruce Elgort recently received grants from the national organizations Teach Access and the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), as well as the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), to incorporate accessibility principles into computer science curriculum.

Elgort was just one of 13 faculty members across the nation to receive this grant and the only instructor from a community college to do so. He plans to use the funds to enhance his current curriculum so that it expands its teaching of Universal Design principles.

“We teach accessibility in our HTML classes—you know, ‘add a description to all your images so people using screen-reader technology know what they are,’” Elgort said. “It’s time to start taking accessibility further. It’s time to create forms for people with cognitive disabilities, or physical disabilities that go beyond visual impairment.”

The topic is deeply personal for Elgort, who is visually impaired himself. “I am a user of accessibility,” he said. “I am someone who is challenged as a user of technology.”

Funded by Teach Access and PEAT, the Teach Access Curriculum Development Award totals $5,000. The SBCTC is matching that grant with an additional $5,000. Elgort plans to use the funds to develop curriculum enhancements over the summer, and have them ready to share with other faculty in the fall.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have a faculty member like Bruce working at Clark College. His strong commitment to ensuring everyone can use technology is commendable. With the Teach Access and PEAT grant, which SBCTC is matching, Bruce can impact an entire industry by making sure future web developers are equipped to develop accessible technology as soon as they enter the field,” said Jess Thompson, program administrator for accessible technology initiatives at SBCTC.

About Bruce Elgort

Bruce Elgort began his career as an electrical engineer and then moved into the world of enterprise information technology. He was responsible for designing and developing collaborative computing solutions to serve global businesses. Elgort also started one of the largest open-source communities for IBM’s Collaboration Software division. He is a popular speaker at conferences and industry events. As an entrepreneur, he created the award-winning IdeaJam idea-management software. Elgort began teaching at Clark College in 2013 and has earned the college’s prestigious Exceptional Faculty Award in 2014 and 2018.

About Clark College

Located in Vancouver’s Central Park and serving more than 12,000 students per quarter, Clark College is Southwest Washington’s oldest public institution of higher education. The college currently offers classes at two satellite locations: one on the Washington State University Vancouver campus and one in the Columbia Tech Center in East Vancouver. Additionally, its Economic & Community Development program is housed in the Columbia Bank building in downtown Vancouver.

About Teach Access

Teach Access is a unique collaboration among members of higher education, the technology industry and advocates for accessibility, with a shared goal of making technology broadly accessible by infusing accessibility into higher education, with enhanced training and collaborations with people with disabilities. Teach Access includes members from leading tech companies, academic institutions and disability advocacy organizations and other non-profit institutions. Teach Access operates as a fiscal sponsorship fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). To learn more visit teachaccess.org or email info@teachaccess.org.

About the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is led by a governor-appointed board and provides leadership, advocacy, and coordination for Washington’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Each year, about 374,000 students train for the workforce, prepare to transfer to a university, gain basic math and English skills, or pursue continuing education.

The skies above Sleep Country Amphitheater filled with heavy gray clouds on June 21, but nothing could dampen the bright spirits of the more than 700 students participating in Clark College’s 2018 Commencement ceremony.

Members of the college’s 82nd graduating class encompassed every imaginable background, age bracket, and life goal. Approximately 75 of them wore the light blue robes that indicated they were celebrating their high school diploma or GED completion; another two dozen or so wore the white robes reserved for those receiving their Bachelor of Applied Science degree. The class included a record 476 Running Start graduates who were graduating from high school and college simultaneously; meanwhile, other graduates were old enough to have children of their own–and, in at least a couple cases, dressed them in matching royal-blue robes so that they could cross the stage as a family.

All told, more than 2,300 degrees and certificates were conferred upon the Class of 2018.

As the ceremony began, however, it became clear that certain themes held these graduates together. When President Bob Knight asked all graduates who had worked while attending Clark to stand, almost the entire class rose to their feet. When he next asked the first-generation college graduates to rise, the result was only slightly less unanimous.

Valeria Flores

Student speaker Valeria Flores spoke about her experiences as the first in her family to attend college. “Being a first-generation student in college is like learning a foreign language,” she said. “You don’t become fluent overnight. I had no idea where to begin. I did not know that I could apply for FAFSA. I didn’t know how to register for classes, or even how to find my classes.”

Flores went on to say that she did eventually find her path through college, and that working at the college’s child care facility had led her to decide on a career as a speech pathologist, a path that would require her to continue her education to a master’s degree.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, retired Evergreen Public Schools superintendent John D. Deeder, spoke of his own experiences as a first-generation college student. “I recall that 51 years ago tonight, I finished my junior college career in Couer d’Alene, Idaho,” he said. “It was a big deal, because I was the first in my family to ever graduate beyond high school. It opened so many doors–I can’t tell you how important this night is for you.”

John Deeder

Deeder also spoke about the importance of education in broadening people’s perspectives. “I really believe we need to be more tolerant, we need to be more inclusive, we need to be better listeners, we need to be accepting of differences in every way–cultural, religious, political, social, etcetera,” he said. “If we do that, this society and the world that you’re going to lead in the next few years will be a better place, and that is critical.”

As is traditional, the ceremony was occasion to announce two major awards. Early in ceremony, President Knight announced the names of the recipients of the 2018 Exceptional Faculty Awards: computer technology instructor Bruce Elgort; English as a Second Language professor Sara Gallow; music professor Richard Inouye; mathematics professor Dr. Kanchan Mathur; and addiction counselor education instructor Don Wissusik. Later during the ceremony, he announced that graduate Grace Moe was the recipient of the 2018-2019 Community College Presidents’ Award in Honor of Val Ogden. This annual scholarship is given to a Clark College graduate who demonstrates leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement. The scholarship award provides full-time tuition at WSUV and is renewable for one additional year, essentially providing full tuition to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Grace Moe

Thanks to the Clark College Foundation, scholarship finalists Chad Lipka and Mckenna Pozsgai also received $1,000 each to attend WSUV.

The ceremony ended with the traditional sounding of bagpipes. And as for those looming storm clouds? By the time the last graduate had crossed the stage, they’d broken up to reveal patches of golden sunshine. And when the graduates left the amphitheater and headed toward what their new futures held, they walked into the last golden rays of a gentle sunset, with the cheers of family and faculty greeting them on every side.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. To see more photos, visit our Flickr album. 

Alina Gonzalez, left, and Madison Moore, center, stand with a classmate as they wait to receive their high school diplomas at Clark College’s 2018 Commencement.

At 22 years old, Madison Moore was ready to receive her high school diploma at Clark College’s 82nd Commencement ceremony—beyond ready, really. She knew that not having graduated from high school had held her back in job searches and other opportunities.

Now she was just moments away from entering the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater so she could walk across the stage and be recognized for her achievement. There was only one thing to fear: “As long as I don’t fall, I’m good,” she said, laughing.

“If you do, it’s OK,” said her friend Alina Gonzalez. “You just get up and keep going.”

It was apt advice for this graduating class. Each robed figure waiting to enter the amphitheater—more than 700 in all—contained their own story of resilience and endurance, whether they were earning a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree.

Gonzalez had needed both qualities herself to earn her second high school diploma, this time in a second language (her first had been earned in her native Mexico). “The English was hard for me,” she said. “I can tell you, there were times when I cried, it was so hard. But you know, I think I’m going to be graduating with a 4.0 [GPA].”

Not only that, both of her daughters would also be graduating that night with associate degrees that they had earned through Running Start. More than 470 members of the Class of 2018 were graduating through that program, which allows high school students to earn college credit and, in some cases, enter four-year universities as rising juniors.

Emily Hain, who began taking classes at Clark while still in high school, and Elizbeth Browne, who simply said it had “been a while” since she was last in school, take a moment to rest before graduating at Clark’s 2018 Commencement.

Not everyone took the fast lane through college, however. For Maegen Davidson, whose graduation cap was adorned with the message “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” the journey had taken four years. Because she’d had to work while attending Clark, she’d needed extra time to earn her associate degree in Medical Office Technician and certificates in Medical Reception and in Medical Billing and Coding—and, technically, she still had a couple more classes to take over the summer, though she was being allowed to walk with her classmates.

“It feels so good to know I’m right there,” she said, pinching her fingers together to show how close she was to earning her degree.

“Yeah, she’s only been posting about it on Facebook like 20 times a day,” cracked a friend standing beside her.

“Well, hey!” laughed Davidson. “Some things are worth making a big deal about!”

For others, simply getting to college had taken a while. Originally, Elizbeth Browne had come to Clark just to learn some American Sign Language to help her in her work with toddler-age foster children. But once at the college, she decided instead to pursue an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Now she was wrestling with how to get her honors and Clark tassels to both hang from her mortarboard cap. After graduation, she said, she planned to become a “traveling granny nanny.”

Browne was not the only graduate who was older than what’s frequently considered “college age.” Wayne Schmasow was a Vietnam veteran earning his fourth college degree, this one in network technology. “I think I might come back to earn a certificate in Network Plus,” he added.

Daughter-and-father team Edna Stultz and Wayne Schmasow get ready to graduate at Clark’s 2018 Commencement.

Beside him stood his daughter, Edna Stultz, who was earning her associate degree in pharmacy technician leadership. Both had woven feathers into their regalia to honor their Native American heritage. As she stood waiting to graduate, Stultz was approached by her daughter, who took a string of beads from her to give to a friend who was also graduating.

For Stultz and Schmasow, Clark truly was a family affair: Schmasow’s wife (and Stultz’s mother) Anna Schmasow works at the college and earned her degree there as well. Stultz said that along with her family support, she appreciated the support provided by her program’s cohort model.

“Having the same classmates for three quarters was amazing and helpful,” she said. “Everybody wanted you to make it.”

Stultz also appreciated the opportunities to put what she was learning into practice, both through Clark’s simulated pharmacy and through externships. “The hands-on experience, that was a fantastic opportunity,” she said.

Raymond Gutierrez, far left poses with some Diesel Technology classmates at Clark College’s 2018 Commencement.

Raymond Gutierrez also enjoyed getting to learn on-the-job skills and work with cutting-edge equipment in his Diesel Technology program. He fondly recalled the wireless helmets he and his classmates had worn that allowed them to communicate while working on heavy equipment.

Gutierrez came to Clark after the birth of his child. “I had a baby, so I had to start thinking about a career,” said the former auto-body and -paint worker. “I went to diesel because so many things are diesel these days, there are lots of jobs.”

Gutierrez said he appreciated how much his family supported him while he pursued his degree. “I’m going to be the first in my family to graduate from college, so they were really behind me,” he said. “It became a priority for me.”

Now that he was almost about to walk across the stage as a Clark graduate, Gutierrez said, “I feel good. I feel happy. You know, people say, ‘Oh, if I can do it, you can do it,’ and you think ‘whatever,’ right? But you know what? I did it!”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. For more photos from the 2018 Commencement, see our Flickr album.

Grace Moe is congratulated by President Bob Knight at the 2018 Commencement ceremony.

This year’s recipient of the Community College Presidents’ Award in Honor of Val Ogden was Grace Moe, who graduated with an Associate of Arts transfer degree. “She has shown an exemplary work ethic, participating in student government and volunteering with community organizations while maintaining a high GPA,” said Clark College President Robert K. Knight in announcing the scholarship during the college’s 2018 Commencement ceremony.

Moe came to Clark College through the Running Start program, which allows high school students to earn college credit. A first-generation college student, Moe has excelled at Clark, serving as the president of the Associated Students of Clark College (student government) and earning a cumulative GPA of 3.82. In addition, she has volunteered with Friends of Trees, the Clark County Food Bank, and New Heights Church.

Moe, 17, says that this scholarship will allow her to complete her bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing in two years, when she will be 19 years old; because her parents are unable to financially contribute to her college tuition, without the scholarship she would have had to attend WSUV part-time in order to earn enough to cover the costs. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she intends to spend a year volunteering with her church before beginning a career at a local business.

“My roots are definitely ingrained in this area,” said Moe, who has lived in Vancouver her whole life. “I plan to give back to the community that raised me, by working in the area so that I can continue to volunteer and serve for Vancouver.”

Because Moe was already sitting on stage during the Commencement ceremony in her capacity as ASCC president, Knight invited her to the podium as he announced the scholarship. “You’ve been a wonderful leader and I know we’re going to hear a lot more about you,” he said.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley.

The 2018 Exceptional Faculty Award recipients are: computer technology instructor Bruce Elgort; English as a Second Language professor Sara Gallow; music professor Richard Inouye; mathematics professor Dr. Kanchan Mathur; and addiction counselor education instructor Don Wissusik.

During the 2018 Commencement ceremony, President Robert K. Knight announced the names of the recipients of the 2018 Clark College Exceptional Faculty Awards. The awards are presented annually to full-time and part-time faculty members. Nominations can be submitted by Clark College students, faculty, classified employees, administrators, alumni, Board members, and Foundation directors.

The awards are made possible through an endowed trust fund established by the Washington State Legislature and the Clark College Exceptional Faculty Endowment Fund, which was established in 1993. That fund provides recognition of exemplary work performance, positive impact on students, professional commitment, and other contributions to the college.

This year’s Exceptional Faculty members are:

• Bruce Elgort, computer technology instructor
• Sara Gallow, English as a Second Language professor
• Richard Inouye, music professor
• Dr. Kanchan Mathur, mathematics professor
• Don Wissusik, addiction counselor education instructor

Bruce Elgort

If there is one word to describe computer technology instructor Bruce Elgort, it is probably “connected.” He stays connected to his students through email, social media, and online tools. “Never in the history of teaching has a professor been more available to his students,” raved one student in their nomination.

Elgort is also connected to local industry through his long career in tech, which includes high-level positions at major companies like Sharp and Underwriters Laboratories, as well as launching his own successful software company. And he creates connections in his community, regularly attending (and sometimes speaking at) conferences and inviting others to come with him. “I can’t count the number of events I’ve attended because Bruce posted something on Slack or Facebook—or gave me a digital nudge saying, ‘You should go to this!’” wrote another student.

Small wonder, then, that Elgort has gathered a significant fan base at Clark since beginning to teach here in 2012. Indeed, this is his second time winning an Exceptional Faculty Award at the college; the first time was in 2013. Elgort says that, since then, he’s become involved in numerous Clark committees and initiatives. In other words, he’s become more, well, connected to Clark—and clearly Clark is all the stronger for it.

Sara Gallow

When Sara Gallow began her teaching career, she imagined it would be a way to travel the globe. But one day, while teaching English in Japan, she read a newspaper article about a program in the U.S. teaching English to immigrants and refugees; instantly, she realized that was what she wanted to do. Within a year, she was living in Portland and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) at area colleges, including Clark.

Clearly, it was the right fit: Gallow was hired full-time in 1999 and has been here ever since. Currently, she serves as chair of the Transitional Studies division and has been described as the division’s “consistency, vision, driving force, and backbone.” Under her leadership, Transitional Studies has redesigned all of its ESL and basic education courses, as well as developed a new program serving inmates in the Clark County Jail.

Throughout her career, however, Gallow’s first love remains teaching. “My students teach me strength, persistence, and humility,” she says. “I’ve had doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and musicians in my classes. I’ve had students who weren’t able to finish elementary school and others who have escaped war. All of them came to this country for a better life, and for one quarter they trusted me to teach them English and help them reach their goals—it’s truly an honor to be their teacher.”

Richard Inouye

It’s hard to imagine Clark College’s exemplary concert band and jazz ensemble without their fearless band leader, music professor Richard Inouye. Since 2007, Inouye, who is retiring this June, has not only led the band but also raised its musical reputation in order to recruit top notch student musicians to attend Clark. Additionally, he has directed Clark’s annual Jazz Festival, which has grown to attract more than 50 middle and high school bands from around the region.

Inouye has a long professional career in music, beginning with teaching band in Colorado public schools and followed by a 20-year career in the United States Air Force Academy Band as a saxophonist, music director, and band leader. He also served on the music performance faculty at The Colorado College for eight years before moving to Vancouver to begin teaching at Clark.

“Although Rich can come across as stern and direct, he’s also got a soft heart, often coaching and mentoring students on his own time and with his own resources,” wrote one nominator. “He believes in giving students second chances, within parameters designed to help them become successful.”

“He wants us all to be responsible, of course, but he will lend a hand whenever needed,” wrote one student. “He continues to push us to be the best we can be—in band and outside of band.”

Dr. Kanchan Mathur

“I enjoy everything about math,” says mathematics professor Dr. Kanchan Mathur. “The clarity of thought it brings, the seemingly unrelated quantities that come together in a beautiful formula, the numerous applications of it, the elegant proofs of theorems, the history behind some of the most important developments—and, well, numbers in general.”

Dr. Mathur is all too aware, however, that not all her students feel the same way. “Math should not be intimidating, but it is, sadly,” she says. A tenured professor at Clark since 2008, she helps students overcome their math hurdles by making herself available outside of the classroom for one-on-one help with tricky concepts—and with other challenges they face.

“In addition to her dedication to our students’ academic success, she also genuinely care about their well-being,” wrote one nominator, point out that Dr. Mathur stocks a variety of snacks in the Mathematics Department office for hungry students.

In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. Mathur has served as the Mathematics Department’s scheduler. She also works with local schools to hold several math competitions and to get young students excited about mathematics and higher education. And she’s teamed up with other math faculty on many of the department’s math-themed events, like its annual Pi Day celebration and its “Read a Math Book to your Child” campaign on Bring Your Child to Work Day.

Donald Wissusik

For almost two decades, Donald Wissusik has made the long commute to Vancouver from Newberg, Oregon, to teach evening classes to students in Clark’s Addiction Counselor Education (ACED) program. That he has done so on top of his full-time job as a clinical services manager in addiction medicine for Kaiser Permanente speaks to his dedication to teaching.

“The wisdom from his many years of experience, along with his gentle and kind demeanor, makes him very approachable and makes us students feel valued,” wrote one nominator. “Don has made a huge impact on me, and I will carry his words of wisdom with me into my professional career.”

Wissusik’s own career is coming to a close, as he is retiring from Clark this year. (He retired from Kaiser in 2016.) But his legacy will continue at Clark through his many years as a volunteer on the ACED’s advisory committee, which helps ensure the program’s outcomes match employers’ needs.

“I am very honored and amazed to receive this award,” Wissusik says. “I have tried to be guided by being mindful of how I wanted to be mentored when I started this career over 40 years ago.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Shelly Williams

Congratulations to Shelly Williams, recipient of the 2018 Spring Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award!

Williams is a Program Coordinator in the Fine Art Division and is described as someone who brings “energy, enthusiasm, and dedication” to the Music Department. Her nominators said, “Her dedication to the department and college is an invaluable and immeasurable resource to Clark and the greater Vancouver community. The reputation the Clark Music Department and Clark College Jazz Festival holds throughout the nation clearly demonstrates the excellence Shelly demonstrates in her execution of her duties.”

Shelly has many noted accomplishments, one of which is her role as the festival coordinator for the annual Clark College Jazz Festival. The three-day Clark College Jazz Festival is the largest community music event in Southwest Washington during winter. The festival showcases Clark College to over 1,200 middle and high school students as well as over 3,000 community audience members. The festival welcomed Shelly as an official member of the festival administrative team in 2015. One nominator said, “The organization, resourcefulness, and vitality she has added to the festival has helped bring exponential community awareness to Clark College, and her adept management of the student managers and volunteers adds another level of educational resource to the department, one that cannot be taught in the classroom.”

Although scheduling and coordination of Music Department events and the festival are part of Williams’s job, she goes above and beyond her required responsibilities because, nominators say, she sees the viability of this event to Clark College and the community.

Williams brings skills from her prior experience as business manager of the Columbia Symphony which have been invaluable assets when it comes to raising funds for scholarships and to recruiting and retaining students. “From her first month at Clark, Shelly’s enthusiasm for raising awareness and funds for the various music programs was apparent,” wrote Vivian Cheadle Manning, Director of Development at Clark College Foundation. “She wants the best for the students and is willing to work at making both fundraising and public promotion key to her duties–and fun for those of us who get to work with her. She understands the value of relationships, community involvement, and education.”

Below are other supportive statements from faculty, staff, and students:

• “Shelly is one of the most generous and uplifting people I have had the pleasure to work with, but she is also a true professional in her ability to take care of business. After running the jazz festival for a couple of years by myself, bringing Shelly on board as the coordinator was a blessing and her contributions have been integral to the festival’s success. Working with her in the department, Shelly has the uncanny ability to see a need, develop strategies to fill the need, present her strategies to fill the need to the department, and successfully implement the strategy for the benefit of everyone. It is a privilege to work with someone of this caliber and I hope the committee will give her the consideration she deserves!” – Rich Inouye, Band and Jazz Festival Director
• “I have worked with Shelly for the last three years and she is wonderful to work with. She is a huge asset to the music department keeping everyone organized. Shelly assists with the details of the Jazz Festival, ensuring paperwork is submitted in a timely manner so participating folks get their stipends. She organizes the money and verifies that all is correct and accounted for. She is passionate about the students doing what she can to keep them engaged. The music department is honored to have such a wonderful and caring person supporting them.” – Chris Plamondon, Foundation Accounting Manager
• “Shelly goes the extra mile for all of us. Her work with the orchestra in assisting to solicit ads for the program is tireless. She is always glad to help regardless of the request. She has frequently gone beyond the call of duty to assist in organizing such as the Faculty Recital to raise funds for applied lesson scholarships. Her cheerful nature is consistent no matter what the situation! When she is unsure of the answer to a problem or question, she does not hesitate to research for the solution. Her concern for the needs of our students is boundless in nature!” – Don Appert, Orchestra Director
• “Shelly Williams goes the extra mile for students here at Clark, reaches for that extra inch to make sure we have a bearable if not amazing college experience. I am amazed by her desire to help every student with something as simple as a pencil, to a ride to class when something goes wrong, and everything in between.” – band student
• “Shelly Williams is an extraordinary member of the Clark College music program. She goes out of her way and does everything she can to ensure smooth operation of the various bands. Shelly is genuine, and cares for the well-being of the many students here at Clark.” – dental hygiene student
• “Shelly Williams is an incredible individual who has exceedingly aided me in my endeavors, as well as those of my peers. Whenever you are stressed out, worried, or need somebody to talk to, Shelly is the person to help point you into the right direction.” – orchestra student
• “Shelly approaches every day with a positive outlook and a smile. Shelly is infallibly positive and is able to find the good in any situation. Her presence alone helps to uplift the morale of our team and the sweet treats she regularly shares only further increases our spirits.  Shelly has demonstrated an increased awareness and has changed practices to accommodate budget, ethics, and diversity issues, as these are important issues on campus.” – Kate Ireland, SOFA Admin Services Manager
• “She’s always positive! She is the most positive and upbeat person I’ve ever met! She can find the bright side in any situation, and always sees the cup half-full and never half-empty. She genuinely cares for students and puts their needs first! With her, they can share their fears, needs, stories, jokes—the list goes on! Not only has she become their trusted confidant, but their friend, too. She has proved to be an invaluable and extremely dedicated member of the Music Department. It would be lost without her!” – Vanessa Meyer, SOFA Senior Secretary

Congratulations, as well, to all nominees for the Spring 2018 Quarter Classified Staff Excellence Award:

Elizabeth (Beth) Ernst is a Secretary Senior for the Health & Physical Education (HPE) Division and is described as someone who is knowledgeable, involved, supportive, collaborative, and helpful. As the first line of contact with many students, Ernst is always eager to offer assistance. Her positive attitude and smile are contagious to all who come through the HPE department. In her time at Clark, Ernst has been described as “a pillar of strength for the HPE division.”

One nominator said, “Beth regularly goes beyond the call of duty to perform her daily responsibilities; she does so graciously while making HPE faculty feel supported and while being present and attentive to the needs of students and community members. Her consistency in excellence has been a tremendous addition to our work and student learning. Not only is Beth present and always in a good mood, she goes well beyond what is expected of her. We can think of numerous occasions when Beth has gone the extra mile to respond to community member or prospective student questions; when Beth has personally worked with individual students to help them navigate the college system; and when Beth has supported faculty/staff with quick proofreading, printing support, computer assistance, and project completion. In taking the time to recognize Beth’s outstanding customer service to the college, her support and dedication serve as an integral function in the day-to-day and long-term operation of the HPE Division and the college as a whole.”

Other comments about Beth include:

• “Beth has been a wonderful addition to our department since her very first day here. She has a calm and joyful manner when meeting and greeting students, faculty, and anyone else who comes through her office door. She has become very knowledgeable with procedures, processes, and paperwork not only for our department but also across campus, with students needing enrollment paperwork, etc.”
• “An example of her excellent skill-set in dealing with people is exemplified in this student testimonial: ‘I was confused about what paperwork I needed to enroll in a class. I ended up in Beth’s office asking for help. Beth took the time to help me, asked me what I was trying to do, came from behind her desk, and showed me where the paperwork to do that was. She then gave me the proper form and gave me directions as to where to find the instructor who was teaching that class.’”
• “Her willingness to be committed to the many activities that we are involved in within the HPE Division, give us a central person who has a handle on supplies needed, supporting paperwork, and or the proper budget from which to access funds. This makes our lives as faculty easier, allowing our focus on teaching and the delivery of the information to the students.”
• “Her timeliness, her quality of work, her willingness to help faculty who are not as familiar with software, computers, and the like, has also been appreciated by staff members. They feel like her guidance has always been one that is positive, helpful and without judgement. This creates a peaceful, collaborative work environment, which has made the HPE Division more productive, friendlier and responsive to the college and the students served here.”

Thao Schmidt is a Human Resources Consultant 2 for the Human Resources Department and is described as someone who “consistently performs with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism. Often, Thao is quick to offer help, volunteer for projects and she contributes suggestions for improvement. She also helps the Human Resources department in maintaining a positive, professional and service-oriented atmosphere.

Her nominator said, “One example of Thao’s excellent work performance is the most recent seniority list. Due to some College Bargaining Agreement (CBA) changes, the format of the seniority list changed and it required extensive research on conversion from hours worked to dates and notification to employees. Thao sought clarification on the CBA language and followed guidelines provided by the appropriate parties, partnered with Information Technology Services (ITS) and oversaw the conversion from hours to dates. She documented changes to dates, resolved discrepancies, and provided a comprehensive, clear and accurate seniority list.  In addition, she was efficient and conducted several meetings with ITS and HR Management to provide updates on the progress of the project and requested feedback. After several weeks of work, she conducted a detailed revision of the final seniority dates and submitted a comprehensive, clear and accurate seniority list.”

Other comments about Thao include:

• “The new process that Thao developed has saved the department many work hours, and provides an effective way to produce the seniority list in years to come.”

Sherry Smith is the Admin Services Manager B for Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) and is described as someone who is respectful, positive, helpful, professional, collegial, and always ready and willing to assist. While fostering a welcoming atmosphere, she shows a genuine interest and ability in helping students with a multitude of issues. One nominator said, “On a couple of occasions on the way to meetings, I have watched her notice students struggling or looking lost and then immediately stop and help them or make sure they were okay. Sometimes when students were lost, she had even walked them to their classrooms.”

Smith is also known as someone to ask if you need to learn about the proper college procedure to accomplish a task. No matter how busy she is, Smith is always willing to share her in-depth knowledge about how the college works.

Other comments about Smith include:

• “Sherry consistently shines in her attitude, teamwork, and support of others. She is the key employee for making sure that all operational aspects of the STEM Unit, the largest instructional unit at Clark College, runs smoothly. For example, she provides in-depth counsel and assistance to the deans, division chairs, department heads, adjunct coordinators, directors, and program managers in the areas of a) appropriate personnel practices and adherence to AHE and WPEA contracts, b) institutional policies and procedures, c) appropriate uses of the many different funding sources that support the STEM Unit, and d) STEM Unit procedures, practices, and history. The high level of work she provides goes above and beyond the call of duty. I often have a need with a short timeline turn-around, and she is always able to accommodate those requests. Lastly, she is creative and efficient in accomplishing tasks. Much of the last year we have been short-staffed for one reason or another, and she has managed these staffing shortages creatively and efficiently.”
• “Sherry Smith has been an employee at Clark College for 15-plus years. I have had the good fortune of working closely with her these past few years, which has given me the opportunity of witnessing her exemplary work ethic. One way that is evident is through her continued commitment to supporting students. While fostering a welcoming atmosphere, she shows a genuine interest and ability in helping them with a multitude of issues. As a result, they are compelled to reach out to her. It is not out of the ordinary for Sherry to step out of the office for one purpose and then return with another; many times when she returned, she would have students who needed assistance in tow. On a couple of occasions on the way to meetings, I have watched her notice students struggling or looking lost and then immediately stop and help them or make sure they were okay. Sometimes when students were lost, she had even walked them to their classrooms. It seems that when students cross her path with an issue, she makes the time to ensure their needs are met rather than delegate the task to her staff, even though her schedule is always seemingly very hectic. Sherry understands that students are a very important element of her job, and I believe she really does care about them. She knows that they are also a critical component to the success of Clark College.”
• “Sherry goes above and beyond the call of duty by taking the time to meet with each support staff on a weekly basis to enable them time to discuss projects, concerns and feel connected. She is a good listener, very supportive, and a team builder!”
• “Sherry has been my supervisor for 12 ½ years. She is absolutely AWESOME to work with. I can’t imagine working for anyone else on campus. If I ever need assistance in resolving an issue, she is always there for guidance. She isn’t a micro-manager. She has always been approachable and will always listen. She also leads by setting a good example and has a great work ethic. I admire and respect her as a person and a great supervisor.”
• “Sherry is the ‘go to’ person in STEM for everything. Most importantly, when we were preparing to move into the STEM building Sherry took the lead. Sherry was the liaison for faculty and staff, making sure we had what we needed to make the processes as smooth as possible. This was an immense relief to faculty, as we knew with Sherry in charge nothing would get overlooked. Then once moved in, she made sure to address any issues that came up and always checked in with us, caring about how everything was working. Sherry has strong ethics and is extremely well respected for her diligence and hard work. In one statement, the STEM unit would not function smoothly without Sherry.”
• “Sherry is a real asset to the college and the unit. Her willingness to solve problems and her extensive knowledge of Clark College has been critical to our ability to do our jobs. She is always positive and a pleasure to work with.”

Peggy Sweesy is a Program Assistant for Transitional Studies/BEECH Unit and is described as someone who “willingly tackles any task I hand to her, finding the best approach to complete it while continuing to provide a high level of service with her regular tasks.” Peggy is also known to be pleasant to work with as well as encouraging and caring. One nominator said, “I know if you were to ask anyone who knows her, Peggy’s positive demeanor and sunny disposition would be the first things they would mention. If I am having a tough day, she can help me see the positive side of things and make me laugh. She is truly one of the things that make Clark a great place to work for me!”

Other comments about Peggy include:

• “Peggy cares deeply about doing a good job. We know we can count on her stability and dedication, everyone feels safe and comfortable with her. She helps to create a positive atmosphere here.” — Jeri Kemmer, BEECH Unit Operations Manager
• “I wish I had more time to write all the things I appreciate about Peggy. I think foremost is her cheerfulness and willingness to listen to requests (even if they aren’t necessarily in her purview). I always feel comfortable communicating with Peggy. She listens with care/caring. On short notice and with many many requests for help, she came through in a timely manner recently. This has happened on numerous occasions. She was careful about using a cardboard box she needed for moving things around from a classroom. Checking first to see if anyone needed it, and afterwards promptly replacing it. (she is very thoughtful and considerate)” — Jackie Allen-Bond, Transitional Studies Faculty
• “Great choice. Peggy is an amazing team player dedicated to supporting each of us so that we can serve our students well. I appreciate her dedication and support.” — Sam May-Varas, Transitional Studies Faculty
• “Peggy is the most positive, upbeat, always-a-smile, willing-to-help staff person I have ever worked with. She has excellent follow-through and always goes the extra mile. She is both very professional and very personable. Everyone loves her and she is an absolute joy to work with. She is a wonderful listener. “ — Les Rivera, Transitional Studies Faculty
• “Peggy always displays a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and positive energy. She is an inspiration to others and you always feel better after spending time with her. She is truly a ray of sunshine and a joy to work with.” — Gayle Lee, Transitional Studies Staff
• “I just want to say that Peggy is one of the most amazing ladies I have ever met. She is dedicated, respectful, and very friendly. It is simply a joy to work with her!!!” — Marilú DeYoung, Transitional Studies Office Assistant