Big Band Outstanding Musician awardee James Powers featured with the Clark College Jazz Ensemble in the Hensel Phelps Theater at the University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival. Photo courtesy of Richard Inouye.

For the second year in a row, Clark College Jazz Ensemble students have received top honors at the annual University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival.

This year, Clark students participated in two categories: big band and combo. Recognized from the 7500 festival participants representing seven states and West Germany, five Clark students received Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship awards. Outstanding musicianship awards for the big band category were presented to David Floratos on saxophone, James Powers on trombone, and Antonio Pickett on drums. Outstanding musicianship awards for combo went to the entire group: David Floratos on saxophone, James Powers on trombone, Jade Denny on bass, and Micah Richie on drums.

The largest event of its kind in the nation, the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival brings together internationally recognized artists, jazz lovers, award-winning clinicians, and more than 250 college, high school, and middle school big bands, combos, and jazz vocal groups. This year’s festival, its 44th, was held April 24 through 26.

In addition to performing for adjudication by internationally recognized jazz educators, Clark students also had the opportunity to listen to performances and clinics presented by world-renowned professional jazz artists including Wayne Shorter and renowned Jamey Aebersold, both of whom have been designated as Jazz Masters by the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as bassist and three-time Grammy winner Christian McBride.

Jenny Baird, right. Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Music major Dakota Luu said that the Colorado trip–his first–enhanced his education at Clark. “The recent jazz tour to Colorado has changed my musicality in ways that wouldn’t be possible just by staying local to Vancouver,” he said. “Being around the quality of musicians found during the festival and having the opportunity to hear great musicians like Wayne Shorter and Christian McBride is not quantifiable.”

Clark student Jenny Baird called the opportunity to attend an event of this magnitude a life-changing experience. “The Greeley Jazz Festival changed my outlook on jazz music,” she said. “Hearing famous musicians like Christian McBride, Wayne Shorter and the Jeff Hamilton Trio inspired me to become a better musician and pursue music as a major next fall. Being around fellow student jazz musicians and listening to them play makes me understand the beauty of jazz and the dedication it takes to perform it at the levels we heard.”

David Floratos. Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Fields scholar David Floratos talked about the inspiration he drew from attending the festival. “I was overwhelmed by the amount of passion that was displayed by the artists who performed there, especially by the Wayne Shorter Quartet, who brought me to tears,” he said. “It has further motivated and inspired me to continue my pursuit of becoming a professional musician and composer.”

Congratulations to all the Clark students who participated and thanks to everyone at Clark who helped make this opportunity happen!

The Clark College Jazz Band will be performing at the College’s third annual Big Band Bash, held Saturday, June 7, at 7 p.m. in Gaiser Student Center. Admission is free and open to the public.

Television journalist Byron Pitts will deliver the keynote speech at Clark College’s 2014 Commencement. Photo courtesy of Greater Talent Network.

Byron Pitts, who overcame a childhood marked by illiteracy and poverty to become an award-winning television journalist and book author, will be sharing his story with the Clark College Class of 2014 as the college’s Commencement keynote speaker on June 19.

Appropriately for an event that celebrates academic accomplishment, Pitts’ life story is a testament to the power of education. As a child, Pitts suffered from a debilitating stutter that made him so quiet and shy that the adults in his life never discovered his other obstacle: He was functionally illiterate. Only in his teens did he learn to read and write, but with the help of his mother and several kind strangers, Pitts entered a field that requires strong written and oral communication skills: broadcast journalism. Today he is Chief National Correspondent for ABC Evening News.

“Byron Pitts has a powerful story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to get to where he is today,” said Clark College President Robert K. Knight. “It was through education that his life was turned around. I believe he will make a strong connection with our students.”

Pitts was originally scheduled to speak at Clark’s 2013 Commencement ceremony, but had to decline in order to cover the illness of South African leader Nelson Mandela.

About Byron Pitts

Known for his thought-provoking coverage and his commitment to exceptional storytelling, Byron Pitts is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist. He has been recognized for his work under fire as an embedded reporter covering the Iraq War and was CBS’ lead correspondent at Ground Zero immediately following the September 11 attacks. A news veteran with over 20 years of experience, other major stories he has covered include the war in Afghanistan, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the military buildup in Kuwait and the refugee crisis in Kosovo, to name but a few. Pitts was named a Contributing Correspondent to CBS’ 60 Minutes in 2009. In 2013, Pitts became an anchor and the Chief National Correspondent at ABC Evening News. He is also the author of a memoir, Step Out On Nothing: How Family and Faith Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges.

Pitts’ many achievements are all the more extraordinary when he tells of the many obstacles he faced as a child. Raised by a single mother in a working-class neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, Pitts was illiterate until the age of 12 and had a persistent stutter. Capitalizing on his desire to play football, his mother mandated he receive B’s or above in school in order to play. With that focus, Pitts learned to read and went on to attend Ohio Wesleyan University. With the help of his roommate and a professor, Pitts found the support and encouragement necessary to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. Overcoming both his odds and his disability, he graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Speech Communication.

Pitts’ grit and determination shone throughout his illustrious career, garnering him several prestigious awards, including a national Emmy Award for his coverage of the Chicago train wreck of 1999, a National Association of Black Journalists Award, and a second national Emmy Award for individual reporting of September 11. He is also the recipient of four Associated Press Awards and six regional Emmy Awards.

Pitts lives with his wife in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

Vice President of Instruction Dr. Tim Cook, far left, congratulated newly tenured faculty Dr. Gene Biby, Dr. Amanda Crochet, Suzanne Southerland, Adam Coleman, Erin Staples, Elizabeth Donley, Katie Donovan, Valerie Cline, and Dr. Robert Schubert at the 2014 Tenure Reception. Not pictured: Lisa Aepfelbacher and Steven Clark.

Ten outstanding educators are the newest members of the tenured faculty at Clark College. Lisa Aepfelbacher (nursing), Gene Biby (theatre), Steven Clark (biology), Adam Coleman (computer technology), Amanda Crochet (chemistry), Elizabeth Donley (English), Kathryn Donovan (nursing), Robert Schubert (anthropology), Suzanne Southerland (communication studies), and Erin Staples (health/physical education) were all honored at a reception on April 28 in Clark’s Gaiser Student Center. Nursing professor Valerie Cline, who received tenure in June 2013, was also honored at the reception.

Tenure is awarded by the college’s Board of Trustees based on professional excellence and outstanding abilities in their disciplines. The granting of tenure is based on the recommendations of tenure review committees to the vice president of instruction, which are then forwarded to the president, who presents a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Recommendations are based on self-evaluations, tenure review committee evaluations, student evaluations, supervisory evaluations, and peer evaluations. The final decision to award or withhold tenure rests with the Board of Trustees.

“Our tenured faculty members have a very special role at our college,” said Clark College President Robert K. Knight. “They are passionately committed to excellence and student success. They have made a career commitment to our college and our community.”

Dr. Tim Cook, Vice President of Instruction, said “Earning tenure is a professional milestone. I’m proud to congratulate these talented professionals for their accomplishments, their focus on student success, and their dedication to teaching and learning.”

The professors receiving tenure are:

Lisa Aepfelbacher, Nursing

Lisa Aepfelbacher earned her bachelor’s degree in both Nursing and Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University, and her master’s degree in Nursing through the Adult Nurse Practitioner Program at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She has previous work experience at Linfield College, Quincy College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Advanced Practice Rotations, Meridia Hillcrest Hospital, Touro Infirmary, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital.

Aepfelbacher serves on the college’s Shared Governance Oversight Committee, the senate of the college’s faculty union, and the nursing department’s Readmission Committee.

Aepfelbacher said, “I believe in the potential of each of student and want them to actively participate in the learning. I am also learning with them and enjoy sharing my expertise.”

Gene Biby, Drama

Gene Biby earned his bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and his master’s degree in Speech Education from Murray State University. He received his Ph.D. in Theatre History/Speech Education from Southern Illinois University. He has previous work experience at the University of Wisconsin, City of Murphysboro, John A. Logan College, Southern Illinois University, Murray State University, and Vincennes University.

As the Program Director of the Clark College Drama Department, Biby oversees play selection and production for each academic quarter. He also works with the wider theatrical community to find and develop new ways to strengthen the college’s drama program and maintain its visibility. He is currently working to build a summer program at the college.

“My highest priority is offering academic and intellectual challenges to our students, but providing theatre engagement opportunities to the college and community is also important,” said Biby. “I strongly believe that theatre education should combine practice and scholarship. This philosophy not only champions the liberal arts ideal, but also prepares prospective theatre artists for material they are likely to encounter in future careers.”

Steven Clark, Biology

Steven Clark earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Religion from Linfield College. He also earned a Master of Special Education at Lewis & Clark College and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Resources at Portland State University. He has previous work experience at the Washington School for the Deaf, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Clark College.

Clark has served on the senate of Clark’s faculty union and is about to begin his tenure on the college’s Student Retention Committee. Additionally, he is an active volunteer in his community: providing dog-training workshops at a local animal shelter, leading nature tours for the Columbia Land Trust, and providing research for organizations that include Washington Rare Plant Care, the Xerces Society, and the Native Plant Society. Every summer he takes Clark students with him to the Columbia River Gorge to study that area’s pika. Additionally, he volunteers at his granddaughter’s elementary school and serves as a lay minister at his church.

Clark said, “I design my classes to be places where students read and study—that’s the hard part. I also design my classes so that the class sessions are rich with interaction. The interaction helps students build friendships and it increases the in-class accountability of attending to what is being presented.”

Valerie Cline, Nursing

Valerie Cline earned her associate degree in nursing in 1999 from Clark College, her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2003 from WSUV, and her master’s degree in nursing in 2009 from Walden University. She has previous work experience at Peace Health Southwest, Providence St. Vincent, the Hopi Indian Reservation Hospital in Arizona, Linfield College, and Clark College.

At Clark, Cline serves on the Nursing Scholarship, Nursing Curriculum, and the ACEN Accreditation Standard 3 committees, and is the co-advisor for the Student Nurse Association of Clark College. She is a member of the national League for Nursing and the Association for Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nursing. She continues to practice nursing part-time with a pediatric home health agency and regularly attends conferences and workshops to improve her teaching.

Cline said, “I believe in students taking an active role in the learning process, with the instructor serving as the facilitator who helps students bring all of the pieces together and link theory to practice.”

Adam Coleman, Computer Technology

Adam Coleman earned his associate degree with a double major in Data Networking and Computer Networking at Clark College and his bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology at Eastern Washington University. He has previous work experience at SEH-America and Clark College.

Coleman serves on the college’s Network Advisory Committee and volunteers as a mentor with the college’s First Year Experience program. Additionally, he continues to help develop partnerships between the college and both the Clark County Skills Center and the local nonprofit EmpowerUp. He has been central in developing and implementing new courses designed to help students earn their Microsoft Technology Associate certification. An avid bike rider, Coleman will be representing the college in the American Diabetes Association’s annual Tour de Cure for the fifth year in a row this July.

Coleman said, “A teacher’s role is to guide and providing access to information rather than acting as the primary source of information. I feel there is a need for considerate, strong, and dedicated individuals who are excited about working with students.”

Amanda Crochet, Chemistry

Amanda Crochet earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Tulane University and her Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. She has previous work experience at the University of California, California State University, Portland Community College and Clark College. She also has research experience with Chemica Technologies Inc., University of California and Tulane University.

Crochet manages the college’s general chemistry open lab. She also volunteers at the Elementary Science Olympiad, which bring local elementary students to the college’s main campus for a day of science competitions, as well as at Community Resources for Science and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Currently Crochet is working to make Clark part of a new partnership with Portland State University that would create opportunities for scientific research for students at colleges without research programs of their own.

“I work to make my classroom a supportive, engaging and active environment for students to learn chemistry,” said Crochet. “My goal is to provide students with more than just content knowledge. I hope the skills they learn in my classroom translate to success in future classes and in their intended careers.”

Elizabeth Donley, English

Elizabeth Donley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in Italian at DePaul University and a Master of Arts in English and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Chapman University. She has previous work experience at San Miguel School, Chapman University, The Art Institute of Los Angeles, Warner Pacific College, Clackamas Community College, United Sports Academy, Langmuir Atmospheric Research Laboratory, McCormick Tribune Foundation, and Clark College.

Donley serves on the college’s eLearning Committee and the English Department’s Professional Writing and Distance Learning committees. She is also faculty co-advisor for Phoenix, the college’s award-winning arts and literary journal. She has presented at many college events, including International Week, faculty orientation, Techtoberfest, and TechBytes.

“My teaching philosophy starts with inspiration,” said Donley. “I want to inspire my students to want to learn. I do this through meticulous course preparation, energetic teaching, and dedication to my students. I’m always available for extra help, and my classroom is an open, supportive environment where students are exposed to new ideas, experiences, and works of literature.”

Kathryn Donovan, Nursing

Kathryn Donovan earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marquette University and her master’s degree in nursing from Washington State University Vancouver. She has previous work experience as an RN since 1992. She has eight years’ experience in adult critical care and two years in Neonatal ICU. Kathryn has worked in numerous states as full-time staff and as a travel nurse. She worked at Kaiser Northwest for nine years, which included Urology and Chronic Pain Management Clinics.

Donovan serves on the college’s Library, ACEN Standard IV, Student Handbook, Curriculum, and Health Experience Advising committees. She is the lead faculty member for the first quarter of the college’s highly competitive Nursing program. Outside of the college, she volunteers with East Park Church, Compassion Vancouver, and “whatever sport/activity my children are involved in at any given time.”

Donovan said, “I believe that educators should use as many tools as they can to try to reach learners where they are in their learning process and in the ways that they are able to best learn. There is no ‘one size fits all’ method. I think it is important for the student to not only connect with the material to be learned but also to connect with their peers and instructors. A student who is engaged and feels that they are valued and belong is more likely to tough it out through the challenges that are inherent in nursing school.”

Robert Schubert, Anthropology

Robert Schubert received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois with a double-major in Spanish and Anthropology. He completed his master’s and doctorate degrees at Ohio State University. His academic research has taken him to study primate behavior and biology in Central America, Japan, and West Africa. He has previous work experience at Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College.

In addition to his responsibilities as chair of the Anthropology Department, Schubert serves on the college’s Retention Committee and has volunteered as a First Year Experience mentor to incoming students. He was the guest lecturer at the winter 2013 installment of Clark’s respected Faculty Speaker Series. He developed and now teaches a new anthropology course, Primatology. Outside the college, he volunteers at the Oregon Zoo and with Partners in Careers.

“College can be intimidating, but I find that when students engage with material, the academic stress becomes much more manageable,” said Schubert. “To that end, I try to bring the energy and the excitement that got me engaged when I was a student with me to every class I teach. Whether through pictures, videos, bone replicas, kinesthetic activities or just by myself physically acting things out (I’m becoming well known for my monkey calls), I try to provide information in as many forms as possible.”

Suzanne Southerland, Communication Studies

Suzanne Southerland earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1999 from the University of Portland and worked for various newspapers including the Portland Alliance, the Oregon City News, the Clackamas Review and The Columbian. She then moved on to earn her master’s degree in Communication Studies in 2002 from Portland State University. She has taught communication at Portland State University, Marylhurst University, Portland Community College, Portland State University, Lower Columbia College and Clark College.

Southerland started teaching at Clark College in 2002 and has served on the Retention Committee, the Faculty Excellence Award Committee, and the Teaching and Learning Center Committee. She has facilitated several workshops on collaborative learning and service learning and served as program director for the Service and Leadership in the Community program for four years. She also led the Clark College Model United Nations team to New York City, Boston and Washington, DC.

“I believe that higher education enhances the community’s quality of life and combats racism, stereotyping and discrimination,” Southerland said. “The study of communication in particular can result in more nurturing relationships, a higher level of professionalism in the workplace and a better understanding of cultural differences.”

Erin Staples, Health/Physical Education

Erin Staples earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and her Master of Public Health degree in Health Education/Health Promotion from Portland State University. She has prior work experience at Harvey Hotel, Allied Electronics, Bell Microproducts, Oregon Office on Disability and Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Clark College.

Staples teaches courses that include Women’s Health, Health for Adult Living, Weight and Your Health, and Happiness and Your Health. She is an active member of her department, managing its class schedule, assisting in outcomes assessment, and attending leadership meetings. She helped develop a new Learning Community (two linked classes with shared curriculum) called “Biggest Winner” with another HPE professor.

“Improving students’ health behaviors and developing critical thinking skills are two key goals of my classes,” Staples said. “I strongly encourage them to develop habits to better their health, starting with where they are now. Giving my students permission to take baby steps towards a health goal they set for themselves empowers them. It allows them ownership; they see it as an exciting challenge, rather than simply as an assignment.”

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

The Washington State Supreme Court is coming to Clark College for a two-day visit in May to hear oral arguments and make itself available to the public. Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Susan Owens, Mary Fairhurst, Debra Stephens, Charles Wiggins, Steven González, and Sheryl Gordon McCloud will also tour Clark’s main campus, visit Clark classrooms, and meet informally with students, faculty, and other members of the Clark College community. Either pro tem justice Joel Penoyar or newly appointed Justice Mary Yu will also be in attendance, depending on whether or not Yu’s swearing-in occurs before the visit.

The visit is scheduled for May 12 and 13. Oral arguments on May 13, as well as two other events held May 12 (see below) are free and open to the public.

“The Supreme Court’s arrival is a wonderful occasion for students in our Paralegal program to gain insight from the top legal authority in our state,” says Layne Russell, director of Clark’s paralegal program. “We’re honored to host such an educational and inspiring visit.”

Since 1985, the state’s highest court, which is located in Olympia, has heard cases “on the road” in an outreach effort allowing citizens to see the court in action in their local communities. The Court also travelled to Everett Community College in February.

“The Court enjoys visiting our state’s colleges in local communities,” says Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. “In addition to the students, we encourage anyone interested in learning more about the judicial branch of government to see the workings of the highest court up close and personal.”

The full roster of public events are:

Monday, May 12
Open Forum
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Gaiser Student Center

Community Reception
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Penguin Union Lounge, PUB 161

Tuesday, May 13
Hearings
Case 1: 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Case 2, followed by Q&A: 9:55 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
Case 3, followed by Q&A: 1:30 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
Gaiser Student Center

All Washington Supreme Court oral arguments are open to the public, and are broadcasted at a later date via Washington’s Public Affairs network, TVW. Written opinions are rendered approximately three to six months after oral arguments.

Professor Betsy Ubiergo takes a moment from putting the finishing touches on some of the puppets she helped create at the Olde World Puppet Theatre studios during her sabbatical.

In a strange way, Spanish professor Betsy Ubiergo has the cruelty of children to thank for inspiring her sabbatical project, which will be unveiled at Clark College’s Día del Niño/Día del Libro festival, held May 9 in Gaiser Student Center.

Ubiergo and her Spanish-born husband are raising their daughter, Mar, to be bilingual in both English and Spanish. But Mar began refusing to speak Spanish at home after classmates at her elementary school told her she was “too blonde to speak Spanish.”

“She’d come home from school and say, ‘Mom, I can’t speak Spanish,'” Ubiergo recalled. “But then she’d grab a doll and make the doll speak in Spanish. She’d relax once it wasn’t her on the spot. The doll would speak great Spanish.”

Ubiergo began wondering if this same technique could be used to help her students at Clark, who often seemed to forget their language skills as soon as they had to use them in front of other people. “There’s a lot of research going on right now regarding performance-based language learning,” said Ubiergo. “I thought, maybe if my students had something to hide behind, they could relax and get more from the experience.”

Steven Overton and Martin Richmond of the Olde World Puppet Theatre Studios said they designed the puppets to be both easy for students to use and respectful of the source material’s cultural aesthetics.

Ubiergo applied for and received a two-quarter sabbatical to spend creating a series of large puppets based on works of Spanish literature, as well as the training to be able to help her students use them. To help craft the puppets, she turned to Steve Overton and Marty Richmond of Portland’s Olde World Puppet Theatre Studios, who spent hundreds of hours working to design, craft, and coordinate the 33 puppets.

“We just really loved what Betsy was doing,” said Overton. “It’s promoting literacy, and language, and the classics. We were really happy to be part of it.”

The puppets are based on three different children’s stories, each by a major figure in Spanish-language literature: El Elefante y Su Secreto (The Elephant and his Secret) by Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral; Platero y Yo, by Spanish poet and writer Juan Ramón Jiménez; and Jaco by André Dahan, a French writer and illustrator whose children’s books have been translated into numerous languages. Ubiergo has created scripts from each story; students in her spring quarter Spanish 123 class are currently learning the plays and will be performing them at Clark’s annual Día del Nino/Día del Libro festival, an evening celebration of Latino culture that always includes food, music, dance and a host of other family-friendly activities.

Jaco the Bird is the star of one of the bilingual puppet skits created by Spanish professor Betsy Ubiergo.

“It will be nice because everyone can get something different from this,” said Ubiergo. “For my students, they’ll have a chance to learn Spanish in a new and non-threatening way, and to interact with native Spanish speakers. For the children there who speak Spanish, this may introduce them to some important examples of Spanish-language literature that they may not have been familiar with—and because they’ll be able to help my students out if they forget a word, it validates their experiences as Spanish speakers. And for English-speaking children, the plays are bilingual, and the puppets make it engaging even when they don’t recognize the language.”

Ubiergo added that since the puppets were part of her sabbatical project, they are now Clark College property and will be available for future productions and lessons. In fact, she made sure to request that Overton and Richmond make the puppets easy to disassemble and pack for traveling, because she already has plans to use them in a service learning project during the college’s next study abroad trip to Mexico during Spring Break 2015.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Clark College Theatre concludes its 2013-14 season with Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Bert V. Royal. A breakout hit when it debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival, this challenging work operates both as a comedic deconstruction of an American icon and as a poignant examination of the hurdles facing modern youth. The production is directed by Theatre Department Chair H. Gene Biby and runs May 2-17.

An “unauthorized parody,” Dog Sees God imagines characters from the popular comic strip Peanuts as teenagers. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion, sex and sexual identity are among the issues covered in this drama. Royal builds on the foundation of Charles Schulz’s iconic comic strip, creating a parody that’s also a stand-alone play apt to resonate even with those who belong to that small population segment unfamiliar with Peanuts.

“Using iconic cartoon characters as his basis, Royal examines the big questions about life, love and the pursuit of happiness,” says Biby. “Additionally, he takes a hard look at current societal issues including bullying, drug use, and sexuality. Royal provides a humorous yet often poignant look at our lives through the lens of these much-loved characters.”

The cast includes seasoned actors who are current or former Clark College students: James Martine, Elena Mack, Garrett Dabbs, JD Carpenter, Sam Ruble, Keren Garcia, Danielle Weddle, and Emily Wells. Production includes strong language and adult themes.

Show Dates: May 2, 3, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. All show times are at 7:30 p.m. May 10, there will be a 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Ticket Information: Students (with ID) $9; Alumni (with membership) $9; Senior Citizens $11; General Admission $13. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Clark College Bookstore in Gaiser Hall, online at http://www.clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp, or call 360-992-2815.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Gaiser Hall room 137, two weeks before the event.

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As he introduced the opening ceremonies of this year’s Sakura Festival, Clark College President Bob Knight called the 100 shirofugen trees whose blossoming the festival celebrates “a gift rich with symbolism.” As dignitaries from both Japan and Vancouver rose to speak, it became clear how rich that symbolism is.

Vancouver Mayor and Clark College alumnus Tim Leavitt said that here, as in Japan, the annual blossoming of the cherry trees has come to mark the beginning of spring, as well as of the historic bonds between Vancouver and Japan. “The City of Vancouver has long had an affinity with Japan,” he said. “We’ve hosted cultural exchanges, art exhibits, and have business relationships with firms headquartered here, including Kyocera and SEH America. We’ve also enjoyed our formal sister city relationship with Joyo for 18 years. For me, the annual Sakura Festival serves as a poignant reminder of our longstanding friendship and the meaningful opportunities that it provides.”

Guests from Japan–including America Kotobuki President John Kageyama, Joyo Mayor Toshiharu Okuda, Portland Consul General for Japan Hiroshi Furusawa, and SEH America Inc. Executive Vice President Tatsuo Ito–spoke movingly about the role that sakura (cherry blossoms) play in Japanese culture. The blossoms’ ephemeral beauty, often lasting just a week or two, symbolizes rebirth, transformation, and the importance of appreciating each moment of life. Additionally, as Consul General Furusawa pointed out, cherry trees have been planted in many prominent locations in the U.S. to symbolize friendship between this country and Japan.

“These magnificent cherry blossoms symbolize the close friendship between the cities of Joyo and Vancouver, as well as between the U.S. and Japan,” he said. “May they continue to grow and thrive.”

Also present at the event were members of the Rotary Clubs of both Vancouver and Joyo; Clark College trustees Sherry Parker and Jack Burkman; former Vancouver mayor Bruce Hagensen; Vancouver City Councilmembers Bart Hansen, Larry Smith, and Alishia Topper; and Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes.

The opening ceremony included performances by Yukiko Vossen on the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, as well as by the Clark College Women’s Ensemble. Afterward, entertainment included a traditional dance performance by the Clark College Japanese Club, a drum performance by Portland Taiko, and a kimono fashion show with beautiful kimono modeled by Clark students and staff, as well as by children from Clark’s Child & Family Studies program.

Begun in 2006, Clark College’s Sakura Festival celebrates John Kageyama’s donation of 100 shirofugen cherry trees to the City of Vancouver. The trees were planted on Clark’s main campus in 1990; each year, their beautiful pink blossoms transform the campus and prompt a flurry of picnics and picture-taking. Due to rain, this year’s festival was held indoors in Gaiser Student Center.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

What makes one country develop into a democracy, and another into a dictatorship? That is the question at the heart of Clark College sociology professor Carlos Castro’s upcoming Faculty Speaker Series lecture, “Borderlines: Political and Economic Differences between Nicaragua and Costa Rica.”

Costa Rica is one of the richest countries in Central America while its neighbor, Nicaragua, is one of the poorest. Costa Rica has a liberal democratic system, while Nicaragua is more authoritarian. What led these neighboring countries to develop so differently? Castro will offer his interpretation of why two neighboring countries with strong cultural similarities can differ so dramatically.

“Nicaragua and Costa Rica pose an interesting case study,” says Castro. “They are so close and yet so different. The lessons to be drawn from them could apply to many nations and regions of the world wrestling with issues related to social, political, and economic development.”

A native of Nicaragua, Carlos Castro graduated cum laude from the University of Oregon with Bachelor of Arts degrees in sociology and economics. Continuing his studies at the University of Oregon, Castro earned a master’s degree in public affairs (MPA), master’s degree in community and regional planning (MCRP) and a PhD in sociology. He began teaching at Clark College in 2006 and received tenure in 2009. An essayist and poet as well as an academic, Castro’s work has appeared in such publications as Organization and Environment, El Nuevo Diario, The American Poetry Review, La Prensa Literaria, Confidencial, and Nuevo Amanecer Cultural. He is currently working on a book comparing and contrasting the development of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, research for which will be the foundation of his Faculty Speaker Series presentation.

This event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled to take place Thursday, May 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Ellis Dunn Community Room (GHL 213). It is being held in conjunction with Clark College’s Celebración de mi Gente.

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.

About the Clark College Faculty Speaker Series

Established by Clark College with support from the Clark College Foundation, the Clark College Faculty Speaker Series honors individual faculty members and celebrates academic excellence. The series showcases recent experiences that have enriched both the life and teaching of a Clark faculty member. Faculty members share their developmental experiences with the college community—and with members of the community at large—while addressing some of today’s most intriguing issues.

President Bob Knight receives Clark’s Tree Campus USA award from Ben Thompson of the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

On April 9, Clark College celebrated both the natural and digital worlds at its annual Arbor Day event, as it added two new trees to the campus’s beautiful arboretum and unveiled a new, student-designed website that uses digital technology to catalog that arboretum. The new online map allows visitors to instantly access descriptions of most trees on campus through their mobile devices.

“This website is a great testament to the value of service learning here at Clark,” said Computer Technology Department Chair Robert Hughes at the ceremony, which took place under sunny skies just south of the Chimes Tower. “It showcases the talent of our students, the value of our instruction, and a great part of Clark’s visual landscape.”

The mobile-friendly online map is the product of work done by students in instructor Gus Torres’s spring 2013 Web Design II class. The students worked with the college’s Campus Tree Advisory Committee to identify trees in the campus’s extensive arboretum, which includes such notable trees as a six-decade-old Scarlet Oak and 100 Shirofugen blossoming cherry trees donated to the campus by Japanese businessman John Kageyama in 1990. Students then GPS-tagged each listed tree and added it to the map with information about its genus and species. Additional students contributed to the project in subsequent quarters. Hughes was one of the faculty members who helped support the project, along with Torres, Computer Graphics Technology professor Kristl Plinz, and Computer Technology instructor Bruce Elgort.

The online map documents Clark’s extensive arboretum.

The event also featured the official bestowing on Clark of Tree Campus USA designation by the Arbor Day Foundation for the fourth year in a row. Tree Campus USA colleges must meet rigorous standards in five separate areas to earn this designation. The award was presented by a Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Specialist Ben Thompson and received by Clark College President Robert K. Knight.

“It’s very exciting that Clark College has such enthusiasm for urban forestry,” said Thompson, who noted that Clark was helping Vancouver earn a “trifecta” by being a Tree City USA with both a Tree Line USA and a Tree Campus USA. He also noted that Clark’s arboretum might benefit students in unsuspected ways.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that so many colleges are located on beautiful campuses filled with trees,” he said. “It puts us at ease, at rest. It makes us ready for learning.”

Clark College Bob Knight agreed. “If our students feel comfortable and our faculty feel comfortable, then it opens up their minds and creativity more,” he said, adding that the new arboretum map was a perfect example of that. “It’s exactly what we want to encourage here at Clark College.”

Children from Clark’s Child & Family Studies program get help on their tree-themed scavenger hunt from, left to right, Dean of STEM Dr. Peter Williams, President Bob Knight, and Campus Tree Committee members Tim Carper and Melissa Favara.

Other speakers at the event included Dean of STEM Dr. Peter Williams and Zahid Chaudry, GIS Program Manager of the U.S. Forest Service Region 6. Additionally, two trees were added to the campus arboretum:  an Eastern Hemlock and an Eastern White Pine. These are the official state trees of Pennsylvania and Maine, respectively, and are part of an effort by the college to include all 50 state trees in the campus arboretum; with these two additions, the arboretum contains 39 state trees.

Also present were two classrooms of children from Clark’s Child & Family Studies program, who participated in a tree-themed scavenger hunt and received “seed bombs” filled with seeds of indigenous plants.

Photo: Clark College/Hannah Erickson

The new mobile-friendly arboretum map pinpoints and identifies trees all over Clark’s main campus.

On April 9, Clark College will celebrate both the natural and digital worlds at its annual Arbor Day event, as it adds two new trees to the campus’s beautiful arboretum and unveils a new, student-designed website that uses digital technology to catalog that arboretum. The new online map will allow visitors to instantly access descriptions of most trees on campus through their mobile devices.

The mobile-friendly online map is the product of work done by students in instructor Gus Torres’s spring 2013 Web Design II class. The students worked with the college’s Campus Tree Advisory Committee to identify trees in the campus’s extensive arboretum, which includes such notable trees as a six-decade-old Scarlet Oak and 100 Shirofugen blossoming cherry trees donated to the campus by Japanese businessman John Kageyama in 1990. Students then GPS-tagged each tree and added it to the map with information about its genus and species. Additional students contributed to the project in subsequent quarters, with faculty from both the Computer Graphics Technology and the Computer Technology departments providing guidance and support.

“I look forward to the sight of Clark College denizens and those in the community at large walking across campus consulting their phones and tablets to find the answer to ‘What kind of tree is this?'” said Computer Technology Department Head Robert Hughes, who also teaches in the Computer Graphics Technology program. “Project-based client work has been a component of our graphics and web-related curriculum for a long time. These types of experiences are helpful as our students move into the workforce.”

Hughes was one of the faculty members who helped support the project, along with Torres, Computer Graphics Technology professor Kristl Plinz, and Computer Technology instructor Bruce Elgort.

Members of Facilities Services proudly display Clark College’s Tree Campus USA award during the college’s 2013 Arbor Day event.

In keeping with this year’s Arbor Day theme, “Trees and Technology,” the event’s keynote speech will be presented by Zahid Chaudry, GIS Program Manager of the U.S. Forest Service Region 6. Additionally, two trees are being added to the campus arboretum:  an Eastern Hemlock and an Eastern White Pine. These are the official state trees of Pennsylvania and Maine, respectively, and are part of an effort by the college to include all 50 state trees in the campus arboretum; with these two additions, the arboretum will contain 39 state trees.

The event, which will take place at 11:00 a.m. just south of Cannell Library, will also feature the official bestowing on Clark of Tree Campus USA designation by the Arbor Day Foundation for the fourth year in a row. Tree Campus USA colleges must meet rigorous standards in five separate areas to earn this designation. The award will be presented by a staff member from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and received by Clark College President Robert K. Knight.

The event is free and open to the public.

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley