In an age of selfies and snapchats, the story of Clark College’s commencement ceremony didn’t just take place in Sleep Country Amphitheater–there was a whole virtual version of the story being shared on social media. This year, the college invited participants to use the hashtag #2014Clark in their commencement posts, and everyone–graduates, family members, friends, professors, even trustees–got into the act. We gathered our favorites here. Together, they tell a tale of joy, inspiration, and pride.

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Ah, life in the Pacific Northwest! After a month of unseasonably sunny days, the Friday of Spring Thing featured rain and clouds. But like true Northwesterners, the Penguin Nation was undaunted by a little “liquid sunshine” pouring down on the annual event that celebrates the end of the academic year and the countdown to Commencement for our graduating students. Celebrants enjoyed free food and treats, inflatable obstacle courses, games, a climbing wall, and numerous other activities organized and provided by the Associated Students of Clark College. Here are a few scenes from a fun-filled day.

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Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Members of the 142nd Wing of the Portland Air National Guard formed the color guard that opened the Veterans Resource Center ribbon-cutting event on May 22.

On May 22, the Thursday before Memorial Day, Clark College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its recently opened Veterans Resource Center (VRC). The event began with a color guard and the singing of the National Anthem by student Petya Grozeva. VRC Coordinator Kurt Kolch introduced the event by reminding guests that unlike Veterans Day, which honors those among us who have served in the military, Memorial Day is a day to remember those men and women who died while serving.

Physics professor Dick Shamrell, a 25-year Air Force veteran, spoke about how veterans resource centers like Clark’s helped him and his wife to succeed at second careers outside of the military. He also described how his military experience enriches his teaching–when asked by a student what the speed of sound was, for example, he can accurately describe what is is like to go twice that speed.

A ceremonial ribbon to the VRC’s doorway was cut by Clark College President Bob Knight, student veteran Alex Peraza, VRC donor Jane Hagelstein and Jennifer Rhoads, president of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, which contributed $30,000 toward the VRC in November. The Vancouver Barracks Historical Society provided military uniforms and maps relevant to the region for guests to view.

Peraza, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served as an infantryman in Iraq, is in his second year at Clark pursuing a Associate of Applied Technology degree in electrical engineering; after graduating from Clark, he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree at Washington State University Vancouver. A single father of three children, he said he is motivated to continue his studies “not only by my children’s needs, but by my nation’s needs,” citing President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address that connected the country’s success to an increase in graduates from fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

“The people at the Veteran Resource Center at Clark College are the reason why I have been so successful in the past and moving forward,” Peraza added. “From [Veterans Affairs Program Specialist] Mike Gibson to [VetCorps Navigator] Tim McPharlin, as well as supporting staff, all have helped me navigate the hurdles and obstacles of being a student veteran.”

Approximately 700 veterans enroll at Clark College every quarter, about 500 of whom use GI Bill benefits to help pay for tuition, fees, housing, books and supplies.

More photos from the event at our Flickr page.

Video: Clark College/Nick Bremer Korb
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley  

Monday, March 3, four Clark College Bookstore employees visited Crestline Elementary School’s temporary location, which was created after the school was destroyed in a fire last year. Their mission: To distribute to the school’s kindergarten and first-grade students the 190 copies of the Dr. Seuss classic One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish that the Bookstore had gathered through its annual Seuss-a-Palooza book drive. They also read the book aloud to classrooms as part of Read Across America Day.

“The best part of the event is always seeing the look on the children’s faces when you hand them a book and tell them that it is their very own to keep and take home to share with their family and friends,” said Bookstore buyer Kaina Barba, who visited Crestline with his colleagues Michael Owenby, Ashley Anderson, and Michal Neubauer. Indeed, many children gasped when they received their books, peppering the Bookstore staff with questions like “how did you get all these books here?” and “I really get to take this book home?”

“The children were absolutely thrilled to receive books of their own,” said Crestline Budget Secretary Lori Boyd. “Many of our students come from homes where there is not extra money to purchase books, and having their very own, brand-new book to keep is a special treat.”

In addition to the Bookstore’s Crestline visit, 56 Clark students participated in Read Across America Day by reading to children at Harney and Fruit Valley elementary schools through Clark’s Volunteer & Service Learning program.

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Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Before we toss those 2013 calendars in the recycling bin, we wanted to pause for a moment to savor the year that was. Members of the college’s Communications and Marketing staff went through the Clark College Flickr site and pulled out some of their favorite images from the past year. Whether it’s a challenging Theatre production, a response to rural residents asking for more educational opportunities, or the proud smile on a scholarship recipient’s face, these photographs tell the story of the college’s ongoing mission to enhance the community through learning. We can’t wait to see where that story takes us in 2014!

2013 State of the College

President Bob Knight explored the strengths and challenges of Clark during his annual State of the College address in January 2013.

Basic Education Open House

Winter quarter 2013 opened with a big change for Clark's Adult Basic Education/English as a Second Language services, which moved from Town Plaza to the T Building on the main campus.

51st Annual Jazz Festival

Seattle's Roosevelt High School I took the 2013 Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes Award during the 51st Annual Jazz Festival in January.

MLK Keynote Speaker Dr. Darryl Brice Clark College

Martin Luther King Jr Day Keynote Speaker Dr. Darryl Brice spoke at Clark College on Tuesday, January 22.

Theatre musical production: RENT

Clark College gained praise for its ambitious production of this Tony Award-winning musical during winter quarter.

Spencer West: The Power of We

In March, Spencer West shared his inspirational story of his climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Classes in the Gorge Information Nights

In March, Clark officials met with members of the Stevenson-Carson and White Salmon communities to discuss offering classes in the Columbia River Gorge.

Mature Learning turns 40

On March 29, Mature Learning celebrated its 40th anniversary with a half-day event at CTC.

Washington State Science Olympiad

On April 13, Clark hosted students from Washington state high schools and middle schools competing in more than 50 different events at the Washington State Science Olympiad.

Library Snapshot Day

On April 17, Clark College Libraries celebrated Library Snapshot Day with the unveiling of new READ posters featuring members of the Clark College community.

Sakura Festival

Prof. April Duvic leads the Women's Choral Ensemble during the 2013 Sakura Festival in April.

Career Days: Clothing Closet

Career Days 2013 began with the Career Clothing Closet, which provides students with free professional clothing for the career-related events to come.

Artist-in-Residence Shantell Martin

Shantell Martin's residency at Clark College culminated with a digital drawing performance with Clark College student jazz musicians Max Wike, David Floratos and James Powers in the Archer Gallery.

Alumni Student Dinner

George Welsh and President Bob Knight congratulate Outstanding Alumni Award recipient Prof. Michael Greenwood '61 at the Alumni Student Dinner in June.

Pheonix Unveiling and Student Art Show

Kesha Fisher, left, unwrapped new issues of Clark's literary and arts journal, Phoenix, at its unveiling in May.

Spring Thing

ASCC celebrated the end of spring quarter with its annual Spring Thing celebration.

Commencement 2013

Little did Ramona Vercher know as she waited in line to participate in Commencement that she would be named the Presidential Scholarship recipient during the ceremony.

GED/High School Completion Ceremony 2013

Dena Brill celebrates after receiving her GED during the GED/High School Completion Ceremony. Brill is the first ABE graduate to become president of the Associated Students of Clark College.

Opening Day

In September, before the beginning of fall quarter, Clark College employees and trustees greeted Opening Day with awards, updates, and a little dancing.

Columbia Credit Union Simulation Pharmacy Simulation Lab Opening

Clark College President Robert K. Knight and Columbia Credit Union President Steve Kenny cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the simulation pharmacy.

Student Staff Softball Game

On October 3, students and staff participated in the annual students vs. staff softball game--and, bucking tradition, Team Staff won, with help from new softball coach Mandy Hill.

Elementary Science Olympiad

Students from Harney Elementary School at the Benthic Bugs competition during November's Elementary Science Olympiad.

Educating for the Seventh Generation

Dancing at Clark's annual celebration of indigenous cultures in November.

Theatre presents: "Curse of the Starving Class"

The final moments of the "Curse of the Starving Class" by Sam Shepard, Clark College Theatre's fall quarter production.

"Attend" by Mike Rathbun

Mike Rathbun hand-crafted his custom installation "Attend" and painstakingly assembled it inside Archer Gallery.

International Education Week

German professor Julian Nelson, right, translates as one of his students reads a German children's poem during the International Read-In, a part of Clark's observation of International Education Week in November.

On Friday, November 1, the aroma of fry bread wafted through Gaiser Student Center as Clark College hosted its annual “Educating for the Seventh Generation,” a celebration of Native American cultures and mini-powwow. The event included food, music, dancing, and socializing among the estimated 275 guests.

Native American flautist Isaac Trimble provided music as guests arrived. Then emcee Sande Allman and arena director Ed Goodell got the event started. Clark College President Bob Knight and Clark College Trustee Jack Burkman welcomed the assembled guests on behalf of the college and its trustees; Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt also offered a welcome from the city. Native American military veterans led the grand entry, after which there was an invocation and then an honoring of the recently passed. Clark College Facilities Services fiscal specialist Lori Jimerson spoke in memory of longtime Clark employee and supporter Bob Moser, who died in December 2012. Moser was a strong supporter of Clark’s Native American student group when it was first receiving charter in the early 1990s.

Much of the rest of the evening was given to dancing, including a “Tiny Tots” dance hosted by Child and Family Services and a series of exhibitions of the powwow dance styles of all the tribes in attendance. Guests also enjoyed “Indian Tacos” served in the adjoining cafeteria, while drummers provided music for the occasion. The dancing continued late into the evening, with a diverse range of dancers–from grandchildren to grandparents, some dressed in full regalia and others in jeans and T-shirts.

This is the fifth year that Clark College has coordinated and hosted an event in honor of Native American Heritage Month. It is one of four signature events hosted by the college annually to celebrate diverse cultures. According to organizers, the title references “a responsibility to pass on and teach the future seven generations to protect our resources, culture and heritage.”

A selection of photos are below. Click here to view the full Flickr album.

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On Saturday, November 2, Clark College’s main campus was fizzing like a lab beaker as hundreds of students participated in the Southwest Washington Elementary Science Olympiad. Almost 300 third-through-fifth grade students from 19 local elementary schools participated in the half-day event, which included five competitions: Green Eggs Go Bam!, Chopper Challenge, Tug-o-War Gunk, Benthic Bugs, and Buoyant Barges. (See complete results from the contest.) In addition to hosting the event, Clark provided more than 60 volunteers, most of them students. This was Clark’s sixth year of hosting the event, which helps promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) among young learners.
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Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

View photos from this event on Flickr.

On October 3, the Clark College community came together for an annual tradition, the Students vs. Staff softball game. One change to the tradition: After years of being held during spring quarter, this event was moved to fall quarter. (Expect another competition, possibly kickball, to take its place during spring quarter.) Another change: After many years as the underdogs, Team Staff (which also includes faculty) came away with the victory, trouncing Team Student 13-4. Team Staff owed some of their success to new softball coach Mandy Hill’s able leadership, as well as Health and Physical Education instructor Alan Wiest’s impressive tally of four home runs.

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