Clark employees enter O’Connell Sports Complex to attend Opening Day.

Fall was in the air on Monday, September 18. Not only did the day see the first substantial rainfall in months—a change welcomed by many, with their thoughts on this summer’s devastating wildfire season—but it was also the occasion for Clark College faculty and staff to gather once again and greet a new academic year at the college’s annual Opening Day celebration.

The event highlighted a year in which the college will be, in many ways, re-envisioning itself. President Bob Knight opened his remarks with lessons that he and other college leadership had gained Dr. Margaret Wheatley’s book, Who Do We Choose to Be?: Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity. “In a world that is sometimes chaotic at best, every day, faculty and staff have the opportunity to do extraordinary things that change the lives of students, improve the community, and ultimately impact our world,” he said, adding that the college is adapting to expand those opportunities.

Board of Trustees Chair Jada Rupley echoed that theme, discussing the board’s role in approving the college’s Strategic and Academic plans that are designed, in large part, to help boost student retention and completion rates. “Now the hard work is what needs to be done—and that’s your work,” she said.

Knight went on to enumerate some of aspects of that work, including the college’s progress toward the Guided Pathways model of higher education, which has led to the creation of a new “Areas of Study” map that changes the way current programs are organized. He also talked about new systems put in place to provide shared governance at the college, as well as continued work toward realizing the college’s Social Equity Plan.

In speaking about social equity, Knight addressed the plight of Clark students covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a currently threatened program that provides limited protection to undocumented immigrants who grew up in the United States. “Our DACA students are welcome here at Clark College,” said Knight. He continued over the noise of a standing ovation, “We’re an open-access college and we’re here for everyone!”

Knight received another standing ovation shortly afterward when he announced the opening of the college’s new Penguin Pantry, an on-campus food bank that began serving students this summer. “This new service recognizes that our students make difficult choices with their money every day, and we don’t want hunger to limit a student’s ability to learn,” he said.

Knight also looked forward to the McClaskey Culinary Institute opening later in the year—“We’ll be eating there very soon, so hang on”—and thanked the Clark College Foundation for its support in funding the new facility.

President Bob Knight congratulates Clark alumna Dr. Inva Begolli during the college’s 2017 Opening Day.

Then, in a reminder of what the college has already accomplished, he invited Dr. Inva Begolli to join him at the podium. Begolli, who graduated from Clark in 2011 after fleeing her native Albania, earned a full scholarship to continue her education at Washington State University. Earlier this year, she earned her doctorate in Pharmacy from Pacific University. “This lady is an example of what we do here at Clark College,” said Knight. “She wants to be the Health Minister of Albania one day, and I believe she will be.”

Knight said that another way the college is adapting to meet its students is through a months-long rebranding effort. “As we continue to struggle through an enrollment crisis, it is important to take a step back and evaluate who we are, if others know who we are, and most importantly, if who we are matches who or what people think we are,” he said.

Employees received weekly planners with key brand messages inside them and viewed a video covering key elements of the brand. As is Opening Day tradition, a music video featuring employees was unveiled, and employees were honored with awards, Presidential Coins, and service-anniversary recognitions. The event ended with lunch in Gaiser Student Center.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Oswald greets visitors to the 2016 Clark County Fair.

Clark College will again be participating in the Clark County Fair, which runs August 4-13.

Faculty, staff, and students from across the college will lead family-friendly activities and competitions that highlight Clark’s educational and extracurricular offerings as a part of this year’s fair theme of “Game On!” Each day of the fair will feature a different department, ranging from Alumni Relations to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

Clark’s activity schedule for the fair is as follows:

• Friday, August 4: Faculty and staff from across Clark College will lead games of Penguin Toss & Trivia with the chance to win prizes.
• Saturday, August 5: Alumni Relations will be offering a range of giveaways with their Prize Wheel, as well as information about upcoming alumni events.
• Sunday, August 6: STEM faculty and the student club N.E.R.D. (Not Even Remotely Dorky) Girls will be helping fairgoers build kinetic butterflies and paper LED circuits and leading a Fruit & Vegetable card game.
• Monday, August 7: The Automotive Technology department is challenging people’s fine motor skills with their Dexterity Boxes.
• Tuesday, August 8: Poetry faculty from the English department will be creating “Poetry on Demand” using unique prompt words provided by fairgoers.
• Wednesday, August 9: Staff from Human Resources and the Office of Diversity and Equity are getting to know fair attendees with a question-and-answer game called “Keep It Real.”
• Thursday, August 10: The Athletics department will be running games of mini-basketball, with prizes available.
• Friday, August 11: Representatives from the Health Occupations programs will be on hand to offer health assessment games and tests.
• Saturday, August 12: Faculty and staff from across Clark College will lead games of Penguin Toss & Trivia.
• Sunday, August 13: Faculty from the new Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute are hosting games of Cuisine and Professional Baking Jeopardy to test visitors’ food knowledge. Their edible prizes include mini cupcakes and savory brittle.

The college also will have staff available during the fair to answer questions about available programs, financial aid, Running Start, and to help students with applying to Clark and registering for classes. Current students, prospective students, and alumni can stop by the booth for special giveaways and prizes—and Oswald the Penguin, Clark’s loveable mascot, will be on hand for photos throughout the fair. Additionally, Human Resources will be present on Wednesday, August 9, with information about job openings and working at Clark.

All activities will take place in the Clark booth on the midway at the fairgrounds. For more information about Clark at the fair, visit www.clark.edu/cc/fair, and follow Clark College on social media. For additional information about the fair including ticketing, maps, and directions, visit www.clarkcofair.com.

Math professor John Mitchell discussed the role of mindfulness in education at the Faculty Speaker Series.

On May 3, mathematics professor John Mitchell brought his message of mindfulness–the simple practice of being aware of one’s present-moment experience—to the spring installment of the Faculty Speaker Series.

Mitchell said his goal was to inspire the audience “to be part of something that I feel everyone should know about” as he described the modern history of an ancient practice, his path to discovering it, and his passion for bringing mindfulness to Clark College.

As Mitchell described it, mindfulness is simple, but not easy. It requires training and repetition to notice when one is lost in their inner dialog and to return to their present-moment experience.

Mitchell noted that mindfulness has been practiced in many cultures throughout history. “This is a universal human skill,” he said, “we all have the innate ability to be mindful, as well as the tendency to get lost in thought.” He explained that mindfulness does not attempt to eliminate thoughts, but simply to notice them. It also includes awareness of one’s emotional state and the physical sensations of the moment.

Mitchell emphasized the importance of using mindfulness in the face of technologies that are designed to distract. According to the Neilson Total Audience Report, adults use their electronic devices more than ten hours a day on average; for teens, the average is nine hours, according to a 2015 media census by the nonprofit Common Sense Media. That being the case, said Mitchell, there is an immediate need to address the impact that technology has on our society.

Mindfulness, Mitchell said, can aid people in avoiding a combination of information overload and distraction. Mitchell said many people find themselves in what behavioral scientists call a “ludic loop,” a mental zone that takes a person out of present-based awareness and into a disconnected mindless state where addictive behaviors thrive. Mitchell said that mindfulness practices, like becoming aware of the breath and body, can help one to avoid ludic loops while also encouraging better moderation in the use of technology.

Another area that Mitchell stressed in his presentation is the importance of mindfulness in education. Research on the benefits of mindfulness in education is growing, producing 700 published papers last year alone. In K-12 education and among four-year colleges and universities, mindfulness groups are becoming more and more prevalent. One mindfulness training program that is commonly used in higher education is Koru Mindfulness. Mitchell, who is a certified teacher in the method, was surprised to find out that very few community colleges were represented in the Koru community. With the mindfulness classes that Mitchell offers through Clark’s Economic and Community Development program, Clark College is one of the few exceptions.

The Clark College Mindfulness Club is another marker of Clark College’s lead on mindfulness in community colleges. Mitchell thanked the two students in the audience who have contributed to that distinction, Clark Mindfulness Club co-facilitators Nova Gump and Steven Mitchell (no relation). Steven Mitchell founded the club in the spring of 2016; John Mitchell called it a “foundational ingredient of a mindful college.”

Along with clubs and classes, Mitchell would like to see mindfulness introduced in College 101 classes and generally incorporated into the teaching methods of faculty. Moreover, he sees a strong connection between a mindful environment and guiding the work of the college to achieve initiatives such as Guided Pathways.

“What does a mindful community college look like?” John Mitchell asked the audience. “I want Clark to be answering that for other community colleges. That’s my vision: a mindful college, a college that’s seen as a leader.”

If you are interested in learning more about mindfulness at Clark College, contact the Mindfulness Club at clarkmindfulness@gmail.com or John Mitchell at jmitchell@clark.edu.

About the Faculty Speaker Series

Since 2008, the Faculty Speaker Series has showcased experiences that have enriched both the lives and teaching of Clark’s faculty. Speakers share their professional development accomplishments with the college community, often addressing some of today’s most intriguing issues. Clark faculty members are invited to present experiences including sabbatical, research, field work, or community outreach in a variety of formats including panel discussions, interactive workshops, and/or demonstrations.

Photos: Nick Bremer

J. Nova Gump contributed to this article.

On May 16, the Archer Gallery was filled with visitors to the opening of the 2017 Art Student Annual Exhibition. This yearly event showcases the best artwork produced by Clark art students in the past academic year. Students compete not only for a spot in the show, but also for awards sponsored by local businesses and organizations. This year’s outside juror was Karl Burkheimer, head of the Master of Fine Arts program at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Awards are listed below.

The exhibition is on display through June 16. The Archer Gallery is open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

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• Best in Show, sponsored by Blick Art Materials
  Ana Stoumbos, Figure Study, oil on paper
• Most Ambitious, sponsored by Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
  Meakia Blake, Connect, video
• Solo Show Award, sponsored by Niche Wine Bar
  Matt Harmon, Marsyes V. Apollo: Diana, oil on canvas
• Best Painting or Drawing, sponsored by Clark Bookstore and Dengerink Art Supply
  Leah Adams, A Netherhole, oil on canvas
• 2nd Place Award, Painting or Drawing, sponsored by Clark Bookstore and Blick Art Materials
  Ray Bennett, Self-portrait in Ink, ink on paper
• 3rd Place Award, Paiting or Drawing sponsored by Clark Bookstore
  Julie Foley, Zelda Series, metal
• Best Video or Time-based Art, sponsored by Artist & Craftsman Supply
  Ana Stoumbos, Transit, video
• 2nd place Video or Time-based Art, sponsored by Collage Art and Craft Supplies
  Jonno Heyne, Paradoxial Adventures of Grayman II, ink marker and digital graphics
• Best Graphic Arts, sponsored by the Art Gym at Marylhurst University
  Tricia Davis-Payne, Do You Know, digital illustration
• Best Welded Sculpture, sponsored by Clark Welding Department
  Marie Perrin Ogier, Untitled, metal
• Best Photography, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply
  Isiah Huntington, Expansivity, digital photograph
• Newspace Scholarship Award, sponsored by Newspace Center for Photography
  Jennifer Avens, Omnia Mors Aequat, silver gelatin print
• 2nd Place Photography Award, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply
  Dayna Bojanowski, Under, digital photograph
• 3rd Place Photography Award, sponsored by Blue Moon Camera
  Matthew Philbrook, Forgotten, black and white photograph
• Blue Sky Membership Award, sponsored by Blue Sky, the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts
  Kelly Pearce, Pieces of Home, photographs
• Best Ceramic Art, sponsored by Clay Art Center
  Lauren Duquette, Blue Pitcher, ceramic
• 2nd Place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay
  Aleks Dernovoy, Mechanical Tulip, ceramic
• 3rd place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay
  Stephani Ueltschi, Pressure, ceramic
• 4th place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay
  Colton Rasanen, Planter, ceramic

Photography by Clark College/Jenny Shadley. More photos on our Flickr page.

Student Jorin Copeland turns to his artwork featured in the 2017 Phoenix.

On May 16, Clark College’s award-winning art and literary journal, Phoenix, unveiled its 2017 edition at a reception in PUB 161. Taking inspiration from the Clark community, the Phoenix staff adopted the collegewide theme of Transformation for the new journal. Through more than 70 works of poetry, fiction, interviews, photography, paintings, and more, contributors’ pieces explore moments of change and growth.

At the reception, Clark student and Phoenix managing editor Megan Robb spoke of the personal challenges she has faced and how it inspired her to write a poem for the journal titled “Inner Reflection.”

“We have the choice to transform ourselves repeatedly, shedding the dark, hurtful pieces of our soul and regaining some beauty. This is what I was doing when I wrote this piece,” Robb said. “I had decided it was time to stop wallowing in the unfamiliarity I felt with myself and begin readying myself for change, for regeneration, a personal transformation that brought me to the doors of this college.”

Beyond the personal, transformation is a natural part of creating Phoenix, says fiction editor Ashlee Nelson. She spoke at the reception about the unique perspectives that each year’s students brings to the publication and the possibilities that arise when different creative minds collaborate.

“Whatever next year’s edition of Phoenix brings, it will be its own,” said Nelson. “It will represent Clark’s creative student body and their interests. It will be Clark at a moment in time before it transforms again, as students become alumni, and community members become students. There is something special about Phoenix in this way.”

The staff of the 2017 Phoenix. Faculty co-advisor Liz Donley (black jacket) stands in the center.

The Clark community is not the only one that recognizes how special Phoenix is—the journal recently won the National Program Directors’ Prize for design for undergraduate literary magazines by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP).

Each year, AWP honors two national undergraduate journals with a content and a design award, and past winners have included journals from Columbia University, The New School, Kansas City Art Institute, University of Washington, and other prestigious institutions. This is the first time in a decade that the award has gone to a two-year college.

The judge for this year’s award, Lisa Noble, Creative Services Manager of Edelman Financial Services, wrote, “From cover to cover Phoenix stands out as an exemplary publication in design, quality, and concept . . . The publishers of Phoenix should feel very proud of what they’ve created. It is an important collaboration that succeeds in showcasing the diversity of talented individuals who chose Clark College to develop their craft.”

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

The Clark College Columbia Writers Series is offering a full week of writers, readings, and events on the college’s main campus during its third annual Subtext Literary Festival. From May 15-18, the college will host well-known authors, as well as readings by Clark students and faculty.

All events are free and open to the public. Directions and maps are available online. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP). The DSS office is located in room 013 in Clark’s Penguin Union Building.

The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. Information about the Columbia Writers Series is available at www.clark.edu/cc/cws.

Schedule

May 15, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., PUB 258B: “Possible Utopias” Writing Workshop

Arwen Spicer, an instructor in the English department, will lead this workshop, which will provide a fun opportunity to engage in guided writing and discussion about imagining bright futures for our world. Each participant will leave the workshop with a final piece of writing that outlines their vision for a better society. The workshop is free and open to the public. Although participants are encouraged to come for the full two hours, drop-ins are also welcome.

May 16, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., PUB 161: Phoenix Unveiling

Clark College’s national award-winning art and literary journal, Phoenix, will unveil its 2016-2017 edition with readings from student authors and free copies available for guests. The 2015-2016 edition of Phoenix just earned the prize for Best Design from the Association of Writers & Writing Programs—the first time the award has gone to a two-year college in a decade.

May 17, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., PUB 258A: Clark Crossings Student and Faculty Reading

Students and faculty will read from their own work or from the work of their favorite writers. Each reading will relate to the college theme of “Transformation,” and fiction, poetry, and memoir will all be included.                                                               

May 18, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., PUB 161: Fiction writer Peter Rock

Peter Rock is a professor of creative writing at Reed College. His most recent book is SPELLS, a novel-within-photographs that is a collaboration with five photographers and concerns shadows and bodies, the living and the dead, talking animals and all manner of shape-shifting. He is also the author of the novels Klickitat, The Shelter Cycle, My Abandonment, The Bewildered, The Ambidextrist, Carnival Wolvesand This Is the Place, and a story collection, The Unsettling.

Ernie Hudson

On Thursday, June 22, Clark College will honor its 81st graduating class at the 2017 Clark College Commencement ceremony. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. The keynote speaker is actor Ernie Hudson.

More than 700 students are expected to participate in the ceremony, celebrating the completion of their bachelor’s degree, associate degree, certificate, and/or high school diploma or equivalency.

The ceremony also will include the announcement of 2017-2018 Community College President’s Award. This annual scholarship is given to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to a degree program at Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) and who demonstrated leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement. The scholarship award provides full-time tuition and is renewable for one additional year, essentially providing full tuition to complete a bachelor’s degree.

The Sunlight Supply Amphitheater is located at 17200 NE Delfel Road in Ridgefield, Wash. Tickets are not required to attend. Anyone needing accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at (360) 992-2314 or (360) 991-0901 (VP), prior to the event. For more information visit www.clark.edu/cc/commencement.

About Ernie Hudson

Ernie Hudson is a successful actor best known for his roles in Ghostbusters, The Crow, Miss Congeniality, NBC’s Law and Order, and HBO’s award-winning series Oz. His road to fame, however, had its share of hardships. Hudson was born in poverty and raised in the housing projects of Benton Harbor, Michigan. His mother died when he was young and he was raised primarily by his grandmother. He was already married and had a young son when he enrolled at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He began his theatre career as the resident playwright at Detroit’s Concept East, the oldest African-American theater company in the United States. Later, he founded Actors Ensemble Theater, where he and other African-American performers staged and appeared in their own original works. After attending Wayne State, Hudson accepted a full writing/acting scholarship to the prestigious Master of Fine Arts Program at Yale University. After graduation, Hudson balanced his responsibilities as a working actor with those of being a single father to two sons. His talent, hard work, and persistence eventually earned him a successful career in Hollywood. He now divides his time between his homes in Minnesota and Los Angeles, and continues to appear in many critically acclaimed productions on stage, screen, and television.

Clark College will host its fourth annual native plant sale on May 4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and May 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Natural Plant Center, the college’s greenhouse. Most plants are priced at $10.00 or less. Students will be available to assist customers with transporting plants to their vehicles.

The event is free and open to the public. Clark College is located at 1933 Ft. Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA, 98663. The greenhouse is located on the east side of campus off of E. Reserve St., near the Orange 2 parking lot. Directions and maps are available online at www.clark.edu/maps.

All plants were propagated by Clark College biology and environmental science students. In addition to prepping these plants for sale, students have been propagating other plants in the greenhouse for use in restoration projects at various sites in Southwest Washington including the Columbia River Gorge, Trout Lake, and Clark’s future site in Ridgefield, Clark College at Boschma Farms.

This year the sale features a variety of native perennials and shrubs along with one tree species, Western Red Cedar. Shoppers will be able to choose from among 23 different plants, including Red-flowering Currant, Native Rose, Lewis’ Mockorange, Blanket Flower, Showy Milkweed, and Native Strawberry. Limited supplies of Trillium and Native Iris will be available as well. Many of these plants support the region’s pollinators and make for low-intensity gardening.

Proceeds from the plant sale go to support the college’s Science Consortium Fund, which helps cover the costs of a greenhouse coordinator and field studies classes. Students who participate in field studies visit places such as Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon and the Lava Beds National Monument in Northern California. Students pay $210 to $255 for four-day and ten-day trips to these locations, which would normally cost more than $1000 if not for the help of the consortium fund.

For more information about the sale or plants available, visit www.clark.edu/cc/plantsale or contact Erin Harwood, Clark College STEM Coordinator, at eharwood@clark.edu. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP) or visit room PUB 013.

Ruth Wariner. Photo: Joni Shimabukuro

During the 2017 spring quarter installment of its renowned Columbia Writers Series, Clark College will welcome Ruth Wariner, author of the memoir The Sound of Gravel, which has gained national praise for its frank, spare description of her childhood growing up in a polygamist Mormon colony in Mexico.

Ruth Wariner is an internationally renowned speaker and author of the 2016 New York Times bestselling memoir, The Sound of Gravel. At the age of 15, Ruth escaped Colonia LeBaron, the polygamist Mormon colony where she grew up, and moved to California. She raised her three youngest sisters in California and Oregon. After earning her GED, she put herself through college and graduate school, eventually becoming a high school Spanish teacher. She remains close to her siblings and is happily married. The Sound of Gravel is her first book. People magazine called it “[h]eartbreaking, haunting, yet ultimately uplifting.” Kirkus Reviews wrote of it: “Engrossingly readable from start to finish, the book not only offers a riveting portrayal of life in a polygamist community. It also celebrates the powerful bond between siblings determined to not only survive their circumstances, but also thrive in spite of them. An unsentimental yet wholly moving memoir.” More can be found at her website, www.ruthwariner.com.

Wariner will read from and discuss her writing from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, in room PUB 258A on Clark’s main campus. The event is free and open to the public. Directions and maps are available online. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP) or visit room PUB 013.

The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. Information about the Columbia Writers Series—including the Subtext Literary Festival taking place May 15-18—is available at www.clark.edu/cc/cws.

Honorees with their nominators, left to right: Jody Campbell, Rhona Sen Hoss, Temple Lentz, Jim Mains, Deena Pierott, Paul Speer, Carolyn N. Long, Lisa Schauer, Judie Stanton, and Jane Johnson.

On March 8, while people around the world celebrated International Women’s Day, members of the local community gathered in Gaiser Student Center to honor five women’s contributions to Southwest Washington at the 2017 Iris Awards.

Guests enjoyed refreshments and light fare provided by Beaches Restaurant as they celebrated the honorees. Ceremonies began with greetings from Clark College Chief Information Officer Chato Hazelbaker and President Bob Knight, after which the evening was turned over to emcee Renee Newman, who introduced speeches by both the honorees and their nominators.

Emcee Renee Newman, welcoming Iris Award attendees

This year’s Iris Award recipients were:

• Jody Campbell of The Columbian
• Temple Lentz of Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty and High Five Media
• Deena Pierott of iUrban Teen and Mosaic Blueprint
• Carolyn N. Long of Washington State University Vancouver
• Judie Stanton of the League of Women Voters of Clark County

This annual ceremony has a long tradition in this community. The event began in 1985 as a photography exhibit during Women’s History Week, which later developed into a larger awards program and ceremony known as the Southwest Washington Women of Achievement Awards. In 2012, the event was reintroduced as the Iris Awards with the same core mission: honoring the women of Southwest Washington for their outstanding contributions in the categories of public, private, and philanthropic service.

The 2017 Iris Award Recipients

Jody Campbell

The first honoree to take the stage was Jody Campbell, who joined The Columbian at 21 years old and is now the newspaper’s co-owner, editorial board member, and director of community partnerships. As director, Campbell supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Southwest Washington by providing a platform for promotion and exposure of their important work in the community.

“In my role as The Columbian’s Community Partnerships Director, I’m able to give back on a different level,” said Campbell, as she was presented with her award. “This includes having the unique opportunity to give away money every year to local nonprofits through advertising partnerships. The programs we offer provide the support necessary for them to thrive in Southwest Washington.”

Campbell’s generous spirit extends beyond her work at The Columbian. Along with her friend, Rhona Sen Hoss—a previous Iris Award honoree who presented Campbell with her award at the ceremony—Campbell co-founded Pink Power, an annual fundraising event that helped build the Kearney Breast Care Center at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

Temple Lentz

Next, an award was presented to community advocate and marketing professional Temple Lentz. In her decade-plus of living in Southwest Washington, Lentz has made a sizeable impact on the region.

Lentz is a business director for Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty, as well as a partner and director of content and communications for High Five Media, a political and marketing consulting firm. High Five Media produces the popular live talk show, “Hello Vancouver!” which Lentz co-created and hosts on a regular basis.

From her former days as the anonymous blogger behind the satirical website The Daily ‘Couve to the current host of “Hello Vancouver!” Lentz has long shown herself to be a champion—and sometimes good-humored critic—of all things Vancouver, said High Five Media partner Jim Mains, who presented Lentz with her award.

In her previous role as executive director of the Parks Foundation of Clark County, Lentz facilitated close to $1 million in grants and donations for local parks and recreation programs over a year and a half period, according to Mains.

Lentz’s love of Vancouver shone through as she received her award.

“When I got here [to Vancouver], I finally felt like I was home. … There are good people here who work together to make a difference,” Lentz said. “I am endlessly impressed by our community, and I am impressed by the dedication of the people here to make their home a better place. Not just for now, but for generations to come.”

Deena Pierott

Deena Pierott delivered a special message to her granddaughter Leila

Next on stage was Deena Pierott, the founder and executive director of iUrban Teen, a nationally recognized program providing career-focused education and mentoring to underrepresented teens. Pierott is also the president and CEO of Mosaic Blueprint, a boutique consulting firm specializing in recruiting, multicultural communications, and equity and inclusion training.

“For me to work in diversity, equity, and inclusion work was a natural—that was my calling,” said Pierott as she received her award. “And with iUrban Teen, making sure that these youth, who don’t usually have access to information or jobs, making sure that they are exposed to these opportunities and they are given every opportunity like everyone else, that they’re being included—to me, that’s success.”

While Pierott’s work has been recognized by many organizations, from Ebony Magazine to the White House, she had never received an award in her hometown, and she expressed how meaningful it was to have her family attend the Iris Awards ceremony. As Pierott spoke of her family, she invited her young granddaughter, Leila, to the stage and spoke directly to her.

“In honor of International Women’s Day, Leila, I have a message for you,” she said. “I hope that one day you will recognize what this honor is for your grandmother, and that you will recognize the path that I am laying out in front of you. We are the dream of our ancestors. We’re standing on their shoulders. And it’s our responsibility to honor them by moving forward in life with grace, purpose and integrity.”

Dr. Carolyn N. Long

Dr. Carolyn Long with former Washington Secretary of State, Sam Reed

A new addition to the 2017 ceremony was the Iris H-RoC award, presented to Washington State University Vancouver political science professor Dr. Carolyn N. Long. This award category honors women in the community who have promoted civil discourse, teamwork, collaboration, and cooperation. H-RoC, a non-partisan political action committee dedicated to the advancement of women leaders in Southwest Washington, sponsored this award.

“We’re proud to be recognizing tonight the contributions of a pioneer, a champion, and an advocate for civil discourse,” said H-RoC member and previous Iris Award honoree Lisa Schauer as she introduced Dr. Long.

Recently, Dr. Long was named the Sam Reed Distinguished Professor in Civic Education and Public Civility. In 2015, she helped launch the Initiative for Public Deliberation, a program sponsored by WSUV and the Thomas S. Foley Institute that brings together the community to foster discussions on difficult issues.

“I want to thank you for this award, but I actually think my receiving it is less important than what the award actually represents. And what it represents is a community identifying the issues of incivility in our politics and how damaging that can be to our political culture.”

Dr. Long said she sees a way through political rancor and encouraged attendees to have conversations with and listen to one another, especially when holding differing viewpoints.

Judie Stanton

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the second annual Iris Legacy Award to Judie Stanton. This award category honors a previous Iris or Women of Achievement award recipient whose continued leadership remains an enduring inspiration for others. Stanton was first honored in in 2002 as a Woman of Achievement for her leadership as a Clark County Commissioner.

Currently, Stanton is the co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Clark County, where she runs board meetings, provides direction and oversight, and represents Clark County at various regional levels within the organization. In 2014, Stanton was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to the state of Washington’s Commission on Judicial Conduct.

“It has been my good fortune to be a member of many boards and organizations over the years,” said Stanton as she spoke about her community service work. “I’ve learned from every experience. [Being a member of the League of Women Voters] provides a great education in civics, civility, and the value of inclusiveness. I would encourage all of you to take advantage of learning experiences available through your involvement with boards and organizations.”

For more information about the Iris Awards, visit clark.edu/cc/irisawards.

View photos from the event on our Flickr page.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley