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

More than 100 Vietnam War veterans, families and supporters gathered at Clark College on March 29 to dedicate a Witness Tree commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.  

Hosted by the Community Military Appreciation Committee, the event began with a panel of speakers, including Vietnam veterans and advocates who spoke about the realities of war.

Col. Mike Burton, USAF (ret) said, “Many Vietnam vets are still carrying the scars, both mental and physical. When they came back, nobody talked about it. Nobody wanted to talk about it.”

Then the crowd walked outside along a sidewalk lined with veterans holding American and military flags and stopped at the base of a majestic Turkish black fir to dedicate the tree.

Clark College Board of Trustees Chair Paul Speer told the crowd that selecting the campus as the site of the Vietnam War Witness Tree “recognizes the important role that Clark College has played for generations of veterans and their families whether in supporting their educational goals or their struggle with the physical and emotional scars that have been inflicted upon them. Whether in the classroom, at the Veteran’s Resource Center, or in the community, Clark has provided a beacon of hope, opportunity, and transformation for 90 years and will continue to do so for at least the next 90.”

Vietnam veterans’ connection to Clark College

Many Vietnam veterans attended the event, and many had Clark College connections. Luis Munoz served in the US Navy aboard the USS Canberra from 1960 to 1964. When he returned home to Vancouver, he took mechanical engineering classes at Clark. Munoz’s career included working in the missile program at Lockheed.

Larry Lewton served in the US Navy aboard the USS Kittyhawk. After his military service, he took photography classes at Clark College, had a career as a medical photographer and worked at OHSU in Portland.

Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle told the crowd that President Barack Obama proclaimed March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in 2012. The day is meant to be observed with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50-year anniversary of when the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam of March 29, 1973.

McEnerny-Ogle said, “In Vancouver we prioritize honoring all veterans and their families for the sacrifice and their service for this country. Let’s remind all who were in that conflict that they are still respected, still honored 50 years later.”

Photographs: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College President, Dr. Karin Edwards, delivered the annual State of the College address Thursday, January 19, 2023. This annual address is an opportunity for college students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the community and local leaders, to learn about the organization’s ongoing evolution.

This year’s address built upon last year’s theme of becoming, and focused on the change occurring at Clark. 

President Edwards shared that last year the college “…embarked on a journey of rethinking and redesigning.” She continued, “Though this process is still evolving, there are some things we are sure of, that equity, excellence, and student success are foundational.”

She went on to share some of the successes the college has experienced during the last 12 months. The college exceeded Full Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment targets for the Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 terms by 159 and 134, respectively. These numbers signal a stabilization in enrollment after several years of decline accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Attendees to the address also had the opportunity to hear from two student speakers. ASCC President Casey Figone spoke about the endurance of Clark College students. He highlighted the ability of the student body to continue their many paths through a period of much change. 

“When you hear the word endurance, I would like to ask you to think of the students at Clark College and their unparalleled drive. But beyond that, I would like you to think of yourselves. Without the amazing faculty and staff at Clark College, there would be no beacon for the students; you are the soul of the beacon that makes Clark College consistent through every obstacle,” shared Figone.

Fellow student Imani O’Neill is in her first year of the McClaskey Culinary Institute’s Cuisine Management program. She stated that the reasonable cost of Clark classes and the resources available to students were part of the reason “Clark has been an ideal choice for my college education.”  With students like Figone and O’Neill, the college looks to the future as it embraces change.

This year will bring the completion of the 2023–2028 equity-centered strategic plan. With a commitment to implementing this plan and focusing on closing equity gaps, Dr. Edwards reminded the audience that the plan will “…provide support for equity and access…” at Clark College and also serve as a “…needed roadmap for our future.”

To view photos from the event visit our Flickr page.

To view the entire speech visit our YouTube page.

Photography: Jenny Shadley/Clark College
Videography: Joey Hicklin/Clark College

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

 As part of its commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable practices, Clark College will be closed to the public March 21-25.

One of the ways this commitment is fulfilled is by a “soft closure” of most buildings and services for two separate weeks per year. A soft closure means some programs close entirely, some work remotely, and some remain on campus. 

The first soft closure was the week of December 20-24, 2021, and the second is March 21-25, 2022.     

Below please find a summary of college services during the March 2022 closure period.

Athletics 

• Surveillance testing appointments only. Closed to the public.

Bookstore 

• March 21-25: Closed to the public, no appointments will be scheduled.  
• March 21-23: Limited staff will be on site processing student online orders only. 

Business Services 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

Cashiering 

• Limited services will be available remotely. Student payments can be made online in CTCLink. 

Central Services 

• Open normal operating hours. 

Child and Family Services 

• Open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Communications and Marketing 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

Community and Continuing Education  

• Test Center is closed and employees will work remotely.  

Counseling and Health Center 

• Closed 

Emergency Management 

• Normal operations  

Environmental Health and Safety 

• Normal operations  

Events Services 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours.     

Facilities Services 

• Normal operations 

Food Service 

• Closed 

Human Resources 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours. 

Information Technology Services 

• Phone support will be remote 
• SHL open computer labs will be available by request 
• TecHub will be remote 
• Limited staff will cover in-person tasks at SHL 
• All critical services teams will be remote, but will be on campus if there is an incident 

Library Services 

• Closed, working remotely 

Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

• Diversity Center will be closed to the public.
• ODEI will remotely maintain normal operating hours.

Office of Instruction 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

President’s Office 

• Will remotely maintain normal operating hours 

Production Printing  

• Closed 

PUB/GHL Offices 

Advising, Care & Conduct, Career Services, Enrollment Services, Disability Support Services, Welcome Center, Financial Aid, Financial Wellness, International Programs, One Stop, Penguin Pantry, Student Life, Veterans Resource Center, VPSA, Workforce Education Services 

• Closed to the public, working remotely  

Security 

• Main Campus:  Remains staffed 24/7/365. 
• Columbia Tech Center: Monday, March 21, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. only. CTC will be closed the rest of the week.
• Lost and Found: Closed 

Tutoring Centers 

• Closed 

Other Clark College locations 

• The Clark Center at WSU (CCW): Closed 
• Clark College at Columbia Tech Center (CTC): CTC security onsite; other staff work remotely. Testing center is closed.  

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.

In theatre, they say, timing is everything. And now, at long last, the timing is right to bring back live dramatic productions to Clark College. After moving to remote operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Clark College Theatre Department returns to in-person performances at Decker Theatre, with a collection of one-act plays running March 10-12.

“We are elated to return to live theatre,” says Theatre department chair Dr. Gene Biby. “After nearly a two-year hiatus, our students are thrilled to be rehearsing and performing once again. This production is six sketches that include a cast and crew composed of current and former Clark College students.”

All in the Timing is a collection of six one-act plays written by David Ives. Winner of the John Gassner Playwrighting Award, the collection has been described by the New York Times as “like sketches for some hilarious, celestially conceived revue. The writing is not only very funny, it has density of thought and precision of poetry.”

All in the Timing runs March 10, 11 & 12 in the Decker Theater, on Clark College’s main campus. Visit www.clark.edu/maps for maps and directions. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and tickets can be purchased through the Clark College Bookstore. Seats will be assigned upon arrival. Social distancing and mask requirements are in effect for these performances.

This show contains adult themes, language, and content and is recommended for a mature audience.

Full cast and crew

Sure Thing 

• Directed by Linda Owsley
• Cast:  Andrew Poletto and Dani Neblock                                                               

Words, Words, Words 

• Directed by Sterling Buck
• Cast:  Neil Wade Freer, Colby Conerly, and Lizzy Swanson

Variations on the Death of Trotsky 

• Directed by Travis Beagley
• Cast: Sterling Buck, Ariel Huntley, and Andrew Poletto

The Philadelphia 

• Directed by Lila Soelberg
• Cast: Andrew York, Brenden Kinnee, and Madison Harris

The Universal Language 

• Directed by Autumn Fivecoats
• Cast:  Lizzy Swanson, Neil Wade Freer, and Vic Paxman

English Made Simple 

• Directed by Dani Neblock
• Cast:  Ariel Huntley, Vic Paxman, and Corey Harper

Shelly Williams contributed to this article.

The Clark College Columbia Writers Series continues its 2021-2022 season with writer and critic Lincoln Michel. This event, which is free and open to the public, will be held virtually on Thursday, March 3, 10:00-11:00 a.m. The event will be held on Zoom (passcode: Clark).

Lincoln Michel’s debut novel, The Body Scout (Orbit), was named one of the ten “Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2021” by the New York Times. He’s also the author of the story collection Upright Beasts (Coffee House Press) and the co-editor of the anthologies Tiny Crimes and Tiny Nightmares (Catapult). His fiction appears or is forthcoming in The Paris Review, Granta, NOON, Lightspeed, and elsewhere. His essays and criticism appear in the New York Times, The Guardian, and Lit Hub, among others. You can find him online at lincolnmichel.com and @thelincoln.

Readers can request Lincoln Michel’s books Upright Beasts (2015) and The Body Scout (2021), among others, through Clark College Libraries or find them at Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Multnomah County Library.

The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. This year’s lineup of authors will continue with award-winning poet Morgan Parker on May 12.

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.

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.