Clark College’s Model United Nations team earned honors at the 72^nd session of Model United Nationals of the Far West, A Force for Good: Global Health and Development for a Sustainable Future from April 21-25 at Whittier College in Burlingame, California. Clark competed against 29 other colleges, most of them four-year institutions. See a list of all participating colleges and their assignments here. 

Model UN activities were on hiatus during the COVID pandemic. 

“It’s been three long agonizing years since the last Model UN Far West,” said Professor Joseph Cavalli, Model UN program director at Clark. “I am ecstatic to report that your Clark College MUN team won honors this this year, picking up where we left off in 2019. This year, in a highly competitive field, Clark College represented Malta and Vietnam.” 

Topics included promoting the safe use of nuclear technology in the eradication of marine microplastics, protecting civilians—especially those with disabilities—in combat zones, and human rights and unilateral coercive measures such as sanctions. 

Model United Nations is a simulation program in which hundreds of thousands of students worldwide participate in model sessions of the United Nations to advance their understanding of the principles and means by which international relations are maintained.  

Clark’s student delegates recognized 

“Special kudos go student delegates Kathryn Johnston, Lanie Smith, and Casey Figone,” said Professor Cavalli. “All three received the Mike McBride Outstanding Resolution Certificate Third Committee for their position paper on UCMs (unilateral coercive measures).” 

Additionally, Kathryn Johnston and Lanie Smith were selected to chair committees at the MUNFW conference in 2024.  

Professor Cavalli added, “Lanie was asked to chair one of the most challenging committees in the MUN universe, the Security Council. This is a big, big deal. Chairing a committee at MUNFW has always been the exclusive purview of the elite California universities as well as Arizona State and University of Arizona respectively. Keep in mind 95% of the student delegates competing are political science and prelaw majors.” 

He added that on Clark’s Model UN Team, “Lanie, Kathryn, and Casey are physics, engineering, and computer science majors respectively. It is nice to see STEM mix it up with the liberal arts.”

In February, Clark’s Model UN team attended the NW Model UN Conference in Portland, its first in-person conference since the pandemic. Clark’s team represented Japan, Kenya, and Latvia. Topics included sustainable mountain development, Human Rights Council periodic reviews of Haiti, Japan and Israel as well as nonproliferation regarding the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.   

Two of Clark’s Model UN team members had been chosen to serve as leaders for the Portland conference. Casey Figone was Assistant Secretary-General of Conference Services. Lani Smith was Director of the Security Council, a much coveted position.  

Next, Clark’s team will compete in Northwest Model United Nations conference November 17-19 in Seattle. 

To participate in Clark’s Model UN team:  

• Model UN typically meets weekly during the academic year. 
• To get involved, contact Professor Joseph Cavalli at jcavalli@clark.edu 

UN and Model UN Facts: 

• The United Nations was founded in 1945. 
• Hear the Secretary General’s message to Model UN here 
• Learn more about Model UN here 

Penguins fly!

Or rather, one “Little Penguin” rocket flew on April 28, with the help of four Clark Aerospace students.

Every spring, the college’s Aerospace program travels to the scrappy sagebrush landscape of Brothers, Oregon, a premier launch site for high-altitude rocket projects, 40 miles east of Bend. Their mission: Launch the rockets they have built during the academic year.

Clark’s team arrived in two cars filled with rockets, tools, four students, and Xiunu “Sophie” Lin, physics professor and director of Clark’s Aerospace Program.

First, student Tyler Lawrence launched his rocket, and it was safely recovered. This achievement marked Tyler’s L1 High Power Rocket Certification.

Great outcome!

Next, the team launched their rocket, dubbed “Little Penguin,” which is 12 feet long, 5 inches in diameter and weighing about 45 pounds. According to the team’s simulations, the rocket with an M-1939 motor could potentially reach a high point of about 16,000 feet (called “apogee” in rocket lingo).

Little Penguin: All Systems Go!

Following a simple countdown, the team launched Little Penguin around 5 p.m. Wow, did that Little Penguin fly!

Professor Lin said, “It took off with tremendous power, producing a shock wave that could be felt 500 feet away from the launch site. The rocket soared straight into the blue sky with a beautiful straight line before disappearing.”

After a rocket is launched, it’s crucial for the team to follow its trajectory visually, so they later can find where it lands. When they lose sight of a rocket, the team uses a radio receiver to follow the signal of a radio tracker attached to the rocket’s nose cone.

But the signal they picked up was weak, indicating that the rocket must have drifted far from the launch site. The students, Professor Lin and the team’s mentor, Jack Caynon started driving, and stopping every few minutes to check the signals and direction before driving forward.

After driving for an hour or two, they eventually picked up a stronger signal. It came from a sagebrush-covered field behind a barbed wire fence. The sun had already set. The team crawled beneath the fence and walked uphill for a mile, where they found Little Penguin 11 miles northeast of the launch site.

Little Penguin broke Clark’s record

Keith Stansbury, the prior director of the college’s Aerospace program, said “an 11-mile recovery is a record for Clark. Eleven miles and we got it back! Phenomenal!”

“Recovering the rocket 11 miles from the launch site is almost a miracle,” said Professor Lin. “The recovery may not have been successful on our very first flight test, but we collected our first set of flight data to analyze and improve our rocket for future flights.”

The team examined the errant Little Penguin and discovered that an insufficient weld led to the bulkhead detaching from the fin cans, causing the rocket to drift in strong winds. The team plans to scrutinize the flight data to glean further insight.

Their next mission: competing at the SpacePort America Cup competition, the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering conference and competition, held June 19-24 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

“Our students learned good lessons from this flight,” said Professor Lin. “The perseverance they showed during the search of the rocket was impressive and amazing. As a team, we are determined to fail as many times as necessary before we can succeed at the SpacePort America Cup competition.”

Watch the Rocket Launch.
Photos by Carla Caynon, courtesy of the Rocket Club.

Archer Gallery was buzzing as dozens of student artists stood in front of their creations and talked to art appreciators about their work.

The opening reception and awards ceremony for the Art Student Annual exhibition of Clark College art students drew students, faculty, staff, family members and the community.

Although the gallery’s student art show returned to an in-person event last year, it was subdued. This year, it was noisy. The space was filled with conversations and people connecting over art.

“This is the first student art exhibit that feels like we’re back,” said Grant Hottle, art department chair. “We have an astonishing level of work here. Our art faculty are great. We have an extraordinary group of students who work hard.”

There were 150 submissions of student work for this year’s show; 65 pieces were chosen, said Archer Gallery Director Kendra Larson. Students created their work in the past year. Their art professors curated the work.

“The strength and breath of this artwork reflects the hard work, dedication, and unique voices of our amazing Clark Students,” said Larson. “It was a fun celebration of all the art students and their hard work.”

Artwork will be on display from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday until the closing reception on June 9.

Awards prizes were provided by Blick Art Materials, Georgies Ceramics and Clay, Gamblin Paint, Clay Art Center, PICA, McClain’s Printmaking, Collage, ProPhoto Supply, and Blue Moon Camera and Machine.

Award Winners

The awards juror was Prudence Roberts, writer, curator, and art historian. Here are her choices:

• Most Ambitious – Samantha Garcia Ortiz, for “Wine & Cheese Glasses Master Study”
• Solo Show Award – Lissette Torson
• Most Poignant – Syd Ness, for “Self Portrait”
• Best in Photography – Richard Cole, for “This Too shall Pass”
• Second in Photography – Tahnee Calderon Hernandez, for “Win a Prize”
• Third in Photography – Julia Smook, for “Lab”
• Best in Drawing – Colin Johnson, for “A Quiet Place”
• Second in Drawing – Chelsie Cannon, for “10 things I Thought Were Good Ideas at the Time”
• Best in Painting – Lissette Torson, for “Growth”
• Second in Painting – Juan Carlos Garcia, for “Civilization”
• Best in Ceramics – Denise Ostlund, for “Beyond Belief #2”

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Have you heard the latest buzz?

Just in time for Earth Day, Clark College was certified as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program on April 20, joining 165 other college campuses and 179 cities across the country united to make their landscape attractive to pollinators.

“Through a variety of sustainability initiatives, college students, faculty, and staff have championed creating environmentally friendly campuses,” said Clark College President, Dr. Karin Edwards. “I was fortunate to help sow wildflower seeds on campus in early spring. I anticipate that we will be enjoying beautiful native wildflowers—and seeing more bees on campus—in the coming months.” 

Biology Professor Steven Clark is coordinating the college’s Bee Campus initiative and has led the college in laying groundwork, such as planting native wildflowers, to make the campus more attractive to bees and other pollinators.

“Bee Campus helps bees because we provide food and habitat for bees,” Clark said. “But it may help humans more because we learn how to live in harmony with nature.”

Pollinators—including mason bees, bumblebees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, and hummingbirds are essential for the planet. They are responsible for the reproduction of almost 90% of the world’s flowering plant species and 30% of our food.

As part of the college’s Bee Campus initiative, it is offering opportunities for student research and service learning. Faculty, staff, and students have worked together to study and create pollinator habitat with native plants.

As a certified Bee Campus, Clark College will offer education to students and community members about the region’s native pollinators, potentially via biology labs, community science research contributions, environmental science service learning, Continuing Ed seminars, and Bee Units offered to nearby elementary schools.

During Clark’s Take Your Child to Work Day event on April 27, he led a group of college employees and their children on a bee walk just outside the front door of the STEM Building. Within minutes the kids were identifying and counting mason bees, bumblebees and more.

Professor Clark will teach two Clark College community education courses focused on bees and their habitat. Bee Walks and Bee Lives begins May 26. Bee Walks and Bee Biology begins June 6. Both courses include classroom time followed by a “bee walk” around campus.

Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA are initiatives of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a Portland-based nonprofit. Bee City USA’s mission is to galvanize communities and college campuses to sustain pollinators by providing healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants that are free of pesticides.

For more information, visit:

• Clark College’s Bee Campus USA initiative
• Bee Campus USA
• Four simple ways to help pollinators

Three Clark College students are among those being recognized for their academic excellence and community service.  

Alexandria (Lexi) Kneipp overcame her social anxiety by stepping up to be a leader, first in high school and now as a Phi Theta Kappa officer. Volunteering has helped her become more connected to the college and her neighborhood community. She enjoys leading and assisting others in navigating difficulties or making someone’s life easier. After she graduates this spring, she will transfer to Western Washington University to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. 

Lexi received another PTK honor by being selected as a Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a bronze medallion. She will be recognized at the PTK International Conference and the All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, both in April.  

As one of the top 16 award recipients of the PTK’s All-Washington Academic Team, she will receive a $750 scholarship from Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECC). 

Bruce Adams was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. It significantly impacted him and his ability to do his job as a lab courier. His new career goal became to have a career again. He is determined to earn his degree. As he returned to college, Bruce initially was concerned about online learning, but the resources available for virtual learning eliminated his fears. He will graduate this fall with honors in the Health Information Management program and looks forward to returning to the workforce. 

Ella Merusic was motivated by her parents, who worked hard to overcome difficulties in life for her benefit. They gave her the support she needed to improve her life and future. Ella is looking forward to graduating with honors in Biological and Biomedical Sciences this summer. She plans to transfer to Washington State University to continue her studies to become a software designer/engineer who can better others’ lives through her work. 

The top three recipients will be announced at the Washington State Conference. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Association of College Trustees (ACT). The ceremony will be livestreamed via the SPSCC YouTube channel. 

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

For the second year in a row, the Clark College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community colleges, was ranked first place in the region and received the Distinguished Chapter Award. Three of its PTK members were nominated to the All-Washington Academic Team, and the chapter took top honors in PTK’s regional Hallmark Awards. 

Clark College also ranked first place in two other categories: 

• First Place College Project – First Generation College Student Day 
• First Place Paragon Award for New Advisors – Heather Leasure  

“Being a PTK and Clark College alumni myself, I am excited to receive the Paragon award for new advisors,” said Leasure, Student Communication & Retention Manager and PTK co-advisor. “I look forward to all the wonderful things we will be doing in 2023, including winning distinguished chapter again and more.”  

Photos courtesy of Heather Leasure

On September 12, Clark College employees came together to celebrate the start of the 2022-23 academic year, with its first in-person Opening Day since 2019. President Edwards said that although she has been at Clark College for over 2 years, this was the first in-person opening day celebration, and she was loving it!

A video introducing executive cabinet members featured Chris Layfield driving each member around campus with Oswald (Clark College’s penguin mascot). They shared why they work at Clark College and even had a little fun sharing their favorite songs in a short sing-along with Chris and Oswald.

President Edwards presented the progress of the equity-centered strategic plan. To learn more about the process and where we are, visit: https://www.clark.edu/about/governance/strategic_plan/index.php

Based on the institutional priorities and the equity-centered strategic plan, the president’s work plan will guide her efforts into 2023. President Edwards also gave an update on Boschma Farms.

“We are very close to having the design of the building, which will house 5 general purpose classrooms, student support spaces, offices, conference rooms, and of course our advanced manufacturing, high bay area. The facility is smaller than we planned, but we’re still able to accommodate the courses and programs,” she shared.

A new initiative at the college, Clark Cares, was unveiled with a video (https://youtu.be/iPbuvj3ZIVs). It featured some of the things staff can and currently do to show our students we care about them and their Clark experience.

Brad Avakian, vice president of human resources, presented the years of service awards to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years by reading their names. Employees with service over 25 years were invited to come to the front to receive their certificates. All years of service awards also come with monetary compensation based on the number of years served.

The 30 Year employees honored were: Tina Barsotti, George Cole, Tracy Nehnevaj, Kristeen Nichols, and at 35 Years: Mark Owsley.

Exceptional Faculty Awards

The award honorees were announced at Commencement in June and were honored at Opening Day.

Kathrine Anastasi, libraries, was honored for her work at Larch Corrections to research, develop, and supply the best materials for their library.  

Dr. Amy Castellano, phlebotomy, was honored for her work in the classroom supporting and respecting students, her attention to the wellbeing of her students, and her commitment to students understanding the subjects she was teaching.   

Steven Clark, biology, was honored for his work in the classroom, creating deep interest in biology, openness to learn from his students, and acknowledging their work in meaningful ways.

Erielle Lamb, surveying & geomatics, was honored for her work in the classroom, letting students make mistakes, making complicated calculations fun and interesting, and sharing stories so that students could relate the schoolwork to their planned career. 

Luanne Lundberg, career & academic prep, honored for her work making math understandable even for students with learning disabilities, instilling confidence in her students that would break them out of poverty. She also developed a pathway from CAP to MTH in 2016. She was a co-leader in the collaboration with the math department to develop outcomes and curriculum and kept us student-focused.

Gail Robinson, English, was honored for the extra help she offers her students in and out of the classroom, building their confidence in writing and offering specific, concrete feedback so that her student’s writing skills can grow.

Annual Exceptional Classified Staff Awards

Chris Layfield receiving his award.

Chris Layfield, Admin Services Manager in Security and Safety, was honored for his service to all those who pass through the doors of Gaiser Hall, often guiding them physically to where they need to go or contacting a department or person they need to talk to. Students often have come back to the desk to comment on how Chris’ help is what made them stay at Clark. He has served on hiring committees, the Security and Safety Committee, and the Social Equity Committee and is a WPEA steward,

Jessica Sanders, Program Support Supervisor in Transitional Studies was honored for her work in supporting students and faculty. Her extensive knowledge of Transitional Studies, and providing supplies to students, and finding new ways to do this during the pandemic has been instrumental to students and colleagues. Her exemplary service to students who often speak English as a second language is done with respect and care. She supplies faculty with valuable recruitment and inclusion data to help them better serve their students.

Exceptional Administrative-Exempt Award

Alyssa Voyles, Associate Director of Employee Equity, Outreach, and Engagement in the Office of Diversity and Equity, was honored for her work in coordinating events, stepping in to help the ODEI team, adding new workshops, supporting others through co-facilitating of workshops, and her dedication to equity. She also has been instrumental in working beyond her team by stepping in as interim director of communications in Communications and Marketing, serving on the Boschma Farms team, and helping staff form Employee Resource Groups (ERG) to help build a stronger community and sense of belonging to Clark College

Lora Whitfield Social Equity Award

Christina Smith and Cydney Topping worked together to create and co-lead the Anti-Racism Faculty Learning Community (FLC) in the English Department. This FLC is based on cutting-edge research on anti-racism and culturally responsive teaching. Their research, conducted in the Fall term and implemented in Winter and Spring, is at the highest levels of data-informed education. 

While faculty are the intended recipients of this service they provide, students will be the true beneficiaries. In following their leads, implementing the strategies they are sharing, and continuing our own growth as faculty, the field of English Studies, including rhetoric and composition, will overcome centuries of implicit bias and colonial mindset that faculty in English have felt duty bound to uphold in the service of other programs, despite our qualms about the inequities of “Standard Written English” as a marker of academic achievement. 

Opening Day at Clark

The event included refreshments provided by iQ Credit Union, Welcome Week shirts, Clark Cares buttons, and information from the “O Squad.” Additionally, there was an opportunity to have employee photos taken and visit with colleagues. The Clark College Foundation also provided lunch from Big Town Hero and Kona Ice at the Anderson Fountain.

Opening Day is part of a multi-day orientation and training for faculty organized by the Clark College Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). The Keynote address was given on Tuesday, September 13, by Melissa Williams, Policy Associate/ Interim Director for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Clark College alumnus.

Photos: Jenny Shadley/Clark College
More photos from this event can be found on Flickr.

Clark College honored its 86th graduating class at the 2022 Clark College Commencement ceremony held Thursday evening, June 16, at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater. The college conferred over 1,900 degrees and certificates for the next generation of our community’s workers, leaders, and scholars.  

The ceremony featured remarks written by President Dr. Karin Edwards and focused on the power of persistence and resilience, “It’s the power of persistence that builds resiliency. It’s a power that assures you can overcome any challenge.”  

Highlights from this year’s ceremony include:  

• Approximately 550 of the college’s 1,965 graduates participated in the commencement ceremony. 
• This year’s graduating class included 319 Running Start graduates.  
• The college conferred its first Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity degrees at the ceremony. This comes on the heels of announcing its 5th BAS degree program, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education.  
• The ceremony honored students graduating with bachelor’s or associate degrees and those earning certificates, high school diplomas, and/or GED completion.  
• During the ceremony, Vice President of Instruction Paul Wickline announced the recipients of the 2022 Exceptional Faculty Awards: libraries professor Katy Anastasi; phlebotomy professor Dr. Amy Castellano; biology professor Steven Clark; surveying and geomatics professor Erielle Lamb; and English professor Gail Robinson.
• The student speaker was Associate of Arts degree recipient Alex Reid.  

2021-2022 Community College Presidents’ Award

Graduate Madelyn Hennerty was the recipient of the 2021-2022 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 Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) and is renewable for one additional year, essentially providing full tuition to complete a bachelor’s degree. Hennerty is an excellent example of the resiliency and tenacity of first-generation college degree earners. She worked throughout high school to help support her family and eventually saved enough to pay for her first year of tuition at Clark College.  

Photographs

Video of the Ceremony

Clark College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community colleges, has been hard at work this year. Two of its members have been nominated to the All-Washington Academic Team, and the chapter took top honors in PTK’s regional Hallmark Awards.

“I am so excited that our chapter is being recognized at the regional level and I’m looking forward to attending [the annual PTK conference] Catalyst in April to see how we rank internationally,” said PTK advisor Darci Feider, who earned a regional PTK Paragon Award for new advisor. The chapter also ranked No. 1 regionally for its college project (supporting a fall return to campus) and distinguished theme, and No. 3 for its Honors in Action project. Additionally, three officers–Isabel Henkes, Jadyn Pahlka, and Nathan Pham–were recognized with regional awards. See the full list of regional awards here.

In addition to these regional awards, earlier this year Clark College President Karin Edwards was named a PTK Paragon President.

Alpha Sighma Phi (the name of Clark College’s PTK chapter) has even more accomplishments to celebrate. Two of its members have been nominated to the 2022 All-Washington Academic Team. On May 12, students Anne LeGrave and Jordan Peterson will represent Clark College at the 25th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, honoring 80 students from Washington State for their academic excellence and community service.

Top students from 33 of Washington state’s community and technical colleges will be honored at the annual ceremony, which will be held virtually on Zoom; each receives a medal and a $225 scholarship from KeyBank and becomes eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors as well as transfer scholarships from four-year colleges and universities. Gov. Jay Inslee, who will be providing a video speech for the event, will also issue a signed proclamation declaring May12, 2022 to be All-Washington Academic Team Day.

Read more about both students below.

Anne LeGrave

Anne LeGrave has had her share of challenges trying to pursue her education during the COVID-19 pandemic. A single mother, she has had to take online classes while caring for her toddler daughter. However, she hasn’t let those challenges keep her from her dream of earning a college degree in business administration. Described by one professor as a “model student,” she continues to earn good grades while working to build a better life for herself and her daughter.

Jordan Peterson

Jordan Peterson is a Running Start student attending Clark College while still high school, with a passion for supporting her community. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced her school to move to remote learning, she realized some of her classmates were having trouble adjusting. She created an online study group that allowed students to connect with each other and overcome technological and academic challenges. Jordan is pursuing a degree in biology as part of her plan to become a doctor.

Clark College President Dr. Karin Edwards was recently named a Paragon President by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting students, including high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.  

“This award is especially meaningful to me because I was nominated by our students,” said Dr. Edwards. “Nomination and selection for this award is recognition that PTK and other students know they have my support.” 

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs must be new in their role, having served less than three years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once. These 20 recipients were selected from among 426 college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs eligible to receive this award. 

“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and have made it a priority to keep students engaged throughout the pandemic,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Their nomination is evidence of the gratitude their PTK students feel for supporting them and students like them—even during the most difficult times.”  

All PTK Paragon Presidents will be recognized during PTK Catalyst 2022, the Society’s annual convention in Denver, Colorado, on April 7-9. 

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college. Learn more at www.clark.edu.  

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds. 

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.