This year’s OSWALD Awards Ceremony was a Penguin star-studded event with over 100 students being recognized for their outstanding achievements. As guests arrived, they had the opportunity to pose in front of the camera with props for fun photo-ops and fill their plates with delectable refreshments.

Following heartfelt introductions from Dr. Edwards and ASCC President Gurraj Singh Dhami, award recipients from each category were individually called to the stage as an ASCC member shared glowing comments from each nomination—testimonies of the passion and dedication of Clark’s students.

Students were recognized in the following categories:

• The Academic Awards are presented to students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their academic endeavors. These students have taken every opportunity to learn and go above and beyond to submit exceptional work. They are dedicated to their studies and display skills and abilities to make them lifelong learners.
• The Student Employee Awards are given to students who have an outstanding attitude toward work and build cooperative and collaborative relationships with others.
• The Outstanding Student in the Department Awards are given to students with outstanding course work who demonstrate intellectual pursuit and make extra efforts for the department. 
• The ASCC Program Awards recognize students who are involved with programs that provide students with out-of-class opportunities to enhance their learning experience, engaging them in educational, cultural, and social events.

The Penguin Award

This year, there were seven nominees for the prestigious Penguin Award – an annual tradition, awarded to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the Clark College community. This award is based on student performance in academics, leadership, community, and college service.

When Dr. Edwards announced her name as the winner, Jude Georgeades-Tambara was in shock, immediately turning to hug fellow nominee Malina Siharath. The room erupted in applause as families, friends, staff members, and fellow students celebrated Jude’s win.

“Over the past two years, I’ve watched Jude grow in confidence and leadership skills.” Darci Feider shared in Jude’s nomination. “Now as a third-year Student Ambassador, Jude continues to impress with her ability to connect authentically with both prospect and current student. Her infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude make her a joy to work with and a strong representative of our college.”

Well done, Penguin Award Nominees!

• Edith Aranciaga
• Veronica Bustillos
• Mary Chavez
• Jude Georgeades-Tambara
• Ashlynn Runnels
• Malina Siharath
• Seth Stigall Barranco

Student Employee Awards

Outstanding Student in the Department Awards

ASCC Program Awards

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

Clark’s Fourth Annual Creative Writing Festival brought together writers and readers from across the community to celebrate the written word. This week-long event was curated by the Creative Writing and English Department’s faculty, and it included a variety of opportunities for attendees to engage with the literary community. From author readings, book release parties, creative yoga classes, and culminating in the day-long Spring Writers Workshop, the festival inspired participants to fearlessly share their own stories.

Celebrating The Swift Literary Journal, Issue No. 3

“I always love a good story,” someone said as they opened the newest edition of The Swift, Clark College’s literary journal.

Some attendees at The Swift’s release party had found a seat and started reading the journal, while others chatted excitedly. It was an encouraging space for writers to showcase their creativity, as the contributing authors mingled with staff members, families, students, and alumni who came together to celebrate their hard work.

“Thank you for allowing us to publish your work,” Professor Dawn Knopf, an English Department faculty member addressed the authors in her introduction. “It’s an extraordinary issue, and we’re so proud of you.”

Authors took turns at the podium, reading excerpts of their work, which spanned genres – fiction, memoir, poetry, and essays.

The first author to read was student Shylee Greene, the only contributor to have work published in each of the three issues of The Swift. She read her poem, Hurt You to Stay.

Submissions for The Swift are also open to faculty and alumni. One alumnus, Tom Darby, was welcomed to the podium with loud applause before he shared an excerpt from his travel momoir about his time in Morocco in the 1970’s.

The entire publication was spearheaded by students—the photo used as the cover art was taken by one of the student contributors, Faith Hay, and the editors were students, Sean Gentry, Lizeth Hernandez, Samantha Phan, and Stephanie Wagner.

Staff members who missed the event can pick up a free copy of The Swift outside of the Creative Writing suite in Hanna Hall.

And the Award Goes To…

The 2025 Hawkins-Gallivan-Bostwick Awards for Excellence in Writing were presented during this year’s Creative Writing Festival. First through third place winners were announced for each category, including fiction, poetry, essays, analyses, and technical writing.

Professors introduced their students, emphasizing the talent and skill that the students displayed in their work. Students were then invited to read an excerpt of their work. Pieces addressed a variety of topics, such as religion, foster care, women’s rights in Algeria, and creative guides to crafting genre fiction. Regardless of genre, authors enchanted audience members with the way they weaved their stories, combining detail, structure, and flow to engage any reader.

“Writing has always been about community for me,” shared Dr. Jesse Morse during his introduction of one of the winners. “It’s something that can carry you through life.”

This event echoed Dr. Morse’s words, as faculty, staff, families, and fellow students came together to celebrate these students.

Coyote & Bear Discuss Modern Art

Faculty member Dr. Gerry Smith celebrated the release of his newest poetry collection, Coyote & Bear Discuss Modern Art, with a reading that highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the book.

He began with a personal story about how he met the artist who illustrated the collection and how their friendship quickly grew into a creative partnership. For the project, the artist would first send an illustration – each one titled – then Dr. Smith would create a poem inspired by his interpretation of the image. In some cases, his poems directly incorporated visual elements from the artwork. In others, the illustration sets the scene for the poem.

He then read a selection of poems while displaying the artwork that inspired each one. The titles of the poems matched those of the illustrations.

Each poem varied in tone, style, and perspective. Some played with the line structure to reflect the movement in the piece. Observant readers could spot recurring motifs, including the color blue and nods to Pittsburgh and the steel industry. One poem reimagined the iconic painting, American Gothic, envisioning what experiences the daughter of its infamous subjects might have.

The collection is a testament to artistic dialogue – two creators inspiring one another through the unique push and pull of their respective mediums.  Dr. Smith noted that this isn’t his first artistic collaboration, and he encouraged aspiring poets to seek out similar partnerships to deepen their own creative work.

Festival Highlights

The Creative Writing Festival also offered participants the opportunity to engage with authors and hone their own craft.

• Chelsea Bieker, author of the national bestseller Madwoman, concluded this year’s Columbia Writers Series with a reading and discussion. She offered practical advice on various aspects of the writing process, including point of view, plotting, revision, and handling rejection. She reminded attendees that while their work may not resonate with everyone, the right audience will find them eventually.
• Bestselling local author Emiko Jean opened the festival with a reading from The Return of Ellie Black, followed by a talk on hope, persistence, and the writing process. She spoke about the Pacific Northwest’s influence on her work, answered audience questions, and encouraged aspiring writers to embrace failure as part of the journey.
• Participants engaged their entire bodies in the process of being creative in a Yoga for Creativity class.
• The 2025 Spring Writing Workshop, themed “Ghost in the Machine,” concluded Clark College’s Creative Writing Festival with a full day of interactive sessions led by acclaimed authors and faculty members. Writers of all levels explored topics ranging from speculative fiction and memoir to poetry and visual storytelling.

Click here for a full lineup of workshops.

Learn More

Learn more about Creative Writing at Clark College, including the Columbia Writers Series returning in the fall, and submissions for The Swift Clark College Literary Journal.

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

On May 28, Clark’s students tapped into their creative potential at the bi-quarterly Career Connect event, held at Connell Library. This series invites local businesses to campus to showcase career opportunities across Clark’s many fields of study. This time, the spotlight was focused on Creative and Communication Arts. 

When students stepped into the library, they were greeted by a vibrant mix of storytellers, broadcasters, artists, and publishers. Representatives from KOIN 6 News, Hazy Dell Press, StorySpark Collective, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and award-winning artist Jose Solis offered insight into the diverse and dynamic world of creative careers. 

For some students, the path forward is already clear. For others, events like this are a chance to make connections and explore their options.  

“Sometimes, you’ve just got to try something,” said Renee Yama from Hazy Dell Press, a Portland-based children’s book publisher. “Ask yourself—are you enjoying it?” 

That willingness to seek out opportunities was at the heart of the event. Students moved from table to table, having real conversations with professionals who have turned their passion into a profession. It was about making connections, asking questions, and imagining possibilities. 

“These vendors have that lived experience, so students can see viable pathways through these discussions,” said Michael Caldwell, Career Advisor at Clark. 

Student Success Coaches and Career Advisors were also on hand to offer guidance, reminding students that they aren’t navigating their futures alone. While Career Services primarily supports current students, resources and events like Career Connect are also open to alumni and other community members. 

Held twice per quarter, Career Connect rotates through the areas of study at Clark, such as STEM, Healthcare, and Business and Entrepreneurship. Each event features between 5-10 vendors tailored to that field, giving students a chance to engage with industry professionals in a casual setting that’s welcoming and intentionally small-scale.  

Learn More 

Explore resources and upcoming events through Clark College’s Career Services at https://www.clark.edu/enroll/careers/.  

The white walls of Archer Gallery came alive with drawings, photography, paintings, and more at the opening reception of the 2025 Art Student Annual Exhibit on May 27. Three-dimensional pieces, such as ceramics and metals, stood on pedestals, while a digital media piece played on a TV, complete with headphones that allowed attendees to fully immerse themselves in its artistry. Families, friends, and staff explored the gallery, speaking with the artists about their pieces, each one curated over the past year by their art professors.

Every piece was unique, drawing the eye to color, shape, shadow, texture, and detail. One painting, bright with shades of blue and featuring a young woman with birds perched on her shoulders, was hard to miss. Nightfall by Olive Popp – who won the “Most Ambitious” award – stood out not only for its visual impact, but for the story behind it.

“I wanted the piece to feel dreamy, with a modern feel to it,” Olive said of her self-portrait. In the painting, she looks to the past, with ancient Greece in the background. But as an artist, Olive is looking forward, with plans to challenge her creativity in new ways as a makeup artist.

For Meilani Schille, inspiration came from the screen. Her watercolor piece, Personal Battles, blends elements from her favorite movies and TV shows into an eye-catching collage of pop culture. The layers of emotion and nostalgia reflect her approach to painting: letting layers of watercolor build into deeper, more vivid compositions.

Olivia K Smith, whose piece Virus won her “Best in Show”, also found her spark in visual storytelling. She credits watching cartoons at ten years old as the beginning of her artistic journey.

“The things I’m creating today – childhood me wouldn’t believe it,” Olivia shared with a smile.

With such a wide range of voices and visions on display, selecting winners was no easy task. That responsibility fell to Artist-in-Residence Bruce Conkle, who was tasked with making difficult decisions in a room full of deserving work.

“As a faculty member, I have had the joy of watching these artists work and discover their unique creative voices,” said Kendra Larson, Archer Gallery Director. “Time and again I am surprised by their ingenuity and tenacity. When things don’t go as planned, they are not deterred – instead employing a healthy sense of humor.”

The exhibit offers viewers the opportunity to glimpse into the artists’ creative journeys and celebrate their growth, dedication, and hard work.

This year’s winners include:

• Best in Show: Olivia Smith, Virus
• Most Ambitious: Olive Popp, Nightfall
• 1^st Place in Ceramics: Katie Wilson, Burger Coasters
• 2^nd Place in Ceramics: Angel Shetley, Cult of the Black Lamb
• 1^st Place in Drawing: Xavier Aguirre, Drowning in Joy
• 2^nd Place in Drawing: Britany Grable, Pots and Cups
• 3^rd Place in Drawing: Ariana Liseckas, Modern
• 1^st Place in Painting: Xavier Aguirre, Savor Me
• 2^nd Place in Painting: Thaily Garibay, Untitled
• 3^rd Place in Painting: Brady Creswell, It’s You Again
• 1^st Place in Photography: Coleman Merle, Reflections from the Past
• 2^nd Place in Photography: Olivia Porton, Follow Through
• 3^rd Place in Photography: Sam Keil, The L
• Best Print: India Tillson, Kool Aid
• Best Watercolor: Mary Clark, Lily Pads on Dreams
• Best Graphic Design: Yuliia Umanets, Typographic Mutation
• Best in Comics: Seb Golding, Maggie Hall
• Best Metals: Katie Swaim, Moon and Stars
• Best Silver Gelatin Print: Anselmo Esquivel-Soto, Untitled

Plan Your Visit to the Exhibit

The Art Student Annual Exhibit is open for viewing May 27-June 16, Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more details on the Archer Gallery, visit www.archergallery.com.

Photos: Clark College/Malena Goerl

Career Services regularly hosts events that expose students to potential job paths and connects them with industry professionals. Two events this past week highlighted the value of partnering with our community and educating students on careers.

Justice System Career Panel and Fair

Clark College students, alumni, and community members gathered in Foster Auditorium on May 14 for an engaging panel discussion and career fair, designed to introduce attendees to the diverse career opportunities within the justice system.

Hosted by Clark College Career Services and the Clark County Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the event provided invaluable insights into the various career pathways available in the field.

The panel discussion featured professionals from a range of disciplines within the justice system. Panelists shared their experiences, discussed the challenges and rewards of their careers, and answered questions from attendees, fostering a lively and informative dialogue.

Panelists included:

• Anna Lookingbill, LICSW: Jail Transition Manager, Clark County Jail Services
• Jamie Schulz: Paralegal, Butchard Law
• Alicia Hensley: Management Analyst, Clark County District Court
• Amy Harlan: Diversion Counselor, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney
• Jade Day: Interpreter Services Coordinator, Clark County District Court
• LaQuinta Daniels: RCS Program Coordinator, Clark County Juvenile Court
• Heather Kahl: Family Court Services Coordinator/Guardian ad Litem, Clark County Superior Court
• Erin Welch: Detention Alternatives Supervisor, Clark County Juvenile Court
• Deagan Williams: Program Coordinator -Jury Administration, Clark County Superior Court
• Cory Bobeck: Attorney/Rule 6, Johnson & Associates
• Stephanie Stephenson: Probation Services Case Manager, Clark County District Court
• Christopher Swaby: Chief Defender, Clark County Public Defense

Following the discussion, attendees moved to the Foster Lobby, where they engaged in one-on-one conversations with panelists and other community members in an informal career fair setting. This space allowed students to connect personally with professionals, ask in-depth questions, and gather resources to support their career exploration. Many students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to build meaningful connections and gain greater clarity about potential career paths in the justice field.

In addition to career exploration, participants enjoyed complimentary pizza and drinks while networking with potential mentors and employers. The event successfully inspired students and community members to consider roles within the justice system, reinforcing the importance of education and professional engagement in pursuing justice-related careers.

Business and Entrepreneurship Career Connect Event

Clark College’s Career Services team hosted the Business & Entrepreneurship Career Connect Event on May 13th, 2025, offering students, alumni, and community members a valuable opportunity to engage with industry professionals and explore potential career pathways.

Held in the Scarpelli Hall Lobby, the event welcomed over 30 students, along with eight employers, faculty and instruction representatives, student success coaches, academic advisors, and career services team members.

Rather than a traditional job fair, the event served as an interactive platform for attendees to gain insight into various industries, understand career trajectories, and build meaningful connections with seasoned professionals.

The employers who attended included:

• Ken Torre
• Rally Pizza/Lucky Horseshoe
• Northwest Business Development Association
• Odyssey World
• John Jackson Insurance
• Neil Jones Food Company
• Wurthy.co
• Vancouver Housing Authority

From the moment attendees arrived, conversations flowed as students sought advice, asked questions, and engaged in discussions about the realities of working in business and entrepreneurship. Employers shared expertise on industry trends, provided guidance on professional development, and helped students visualize career paths beyond what’s found in job postings. Faculty and advisors played a vital role in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations, ensuring students saw the bigger picture in their career journeys.

The atmosphere was welcoming and dynamic, with career exploration activities, a bingo game, and a raffle for a Clark College Bookstore gift card. Many students also took advantage of the opportunity to get professional headshots, helping them refine their LinkedIn profiles and personal portfolios.

Attendees expressed their appreciation for the event, highlighting how valuable it was to connect with professionals in a supportive environment. The chance to speak directly with industry experts and gain insights that will support the next steps in their career paths.

Next Career Connect Event

Clark College’s Career Services team continues to create opportunities for students and alumni to engage with professionals from diverse fields.

The next Career Connect event will take place on May 28 in Cannell Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., focusing on the Creative & Communications Arts area of study.

In the STEM building’s Collaboratorium on Thursday, May 15, students and professionals drank tea and ate finger sandwiches while chatting at tables festooned with star confetti and paper planets.

The annual Women in STEM Tea, led by Carol Hsu and Tina Barsotti and the members of Clark NERD girls and GEEKs, invited women professionals to talk with students about their industries and navigating STEM fields.

Barsotti explained, “The Women in STEM tea offers students a way to connect with women in STEM professionals in an casual setting.  These professionals inspire our students and bring a sense of community to support and empower the next generation of women in STEM.”

Table leaders, who took time out of their busy schedules to join us, included:

• Danielle Samson—Green Mountain Structural Engineering
• Joelle Brown—Bonneville Power Administration
• Dr. Joanne Hyndman—Salem Pediatric Clinic
• Veronica Vest—Peterson Structural Engineers
• Becca Dunphy—S&F Land Services
• Tina Jenkins—Mechatronics Professor

Balancing work and family

In one conversation between Dr. Joanne Hyndman, a doctor at Salem Pediatric Clinic, and Sopiia, a first-year student from Ukraine, they discussed balancing careers with family.

Sofiia said, “You have to meet people to hear stories, how they changed degrees, balanced families… it’s interesting to see how people deal with it.

Hyndman agreed, and shared that her classmates in medical school sometimes waited until residency to start a family or sometimes hired outside help. “People do it in all sorts of different ways… it definitely takes a village.”

Opportunities in STEM

Conversations with Joelle Brown, of the Bonneville Power Administration, and Becca Dunphy or S&F Land Services, revealed a lack of women in their fields despite efforts to recruit them.

Brown, who attended Clark herself as a transfer student, said “We don’t see a lot of women.” But she had advice: “Have some confidence. It helps if you’ve had a job doing anything or volunteering. Something that shows accountability.”

Dunphy explained that the geomatics and surveying field was struggling to recruit new employees, despite the work being in-demand and family-wage. “There’s a lot of lacking in certain industries… we’ve got a lot of people retiring or of retiring age in surveying.”

The good news? That creates a pathway for new women in STEM to succeed. Dunphy herself returned to school after ten years working for the postal service. Now, she works part-time for a local company while in school. She will become full-time once she graduates.

Thyda Lim, from Worksource, agreed that “it’s never too late” to pursue a new field.

About Clark NERD Girls and GEEKS

Clark NERD Girls and GEEKS is a student-led official Clark College club registered through the Associated Students of Clark College. They are dedicated to breaking down stereotypes of women in STEM and encouraging youth to pursue STEM careers.

Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent

On Thursday, May 8, a line of people waiting for a taste of artisan treats wrapped around McClaskey Culinary Institute and into Gaiser Hall. The annual Baking Capstone, led by Chef Alison Dolder, is one of the biggest culinary events of the year.

Second-year baking students spent weeks testing recipes for their very own pop-up menus. One student created a fairy forest, pastries arranged on stumps, and red button mushrooms sprouting from the table. Another decorated eclairs like dachshunds. Yet another fused Mexican flavors with Viennoiserie, serving elote and concha flavored croissants.

“I learned I’m more capable than I thought I was”

While stressful to take charge of their own pop-ups, meeting the challenge gave students confidence.

Student Andrew Kehler, above, who presented a table bursting with artisan breads in baskets and on bamboo cutting boards, said, “I learned I’m more capable than I thought I was. I was telling my classmates, “It’s freaking me out, it’s kind of scary…everything turned out perfectly fine.”

Katelynn House, above, who showed a variety of creative Viennoiserie, shared, “The first few weeks I was trying things out, practicing. Then, the last couple of weeks I really cracked down. Then today came along, and it was a ride. But I did finish on time, and it’s beautiful.”

Katelynn’s favorite bake? The orange cinnamon rolls.

It was clear how much Chef Melanie Hendry inspired the students. Kehler said, “I chose to do bread for my pop-up because it is one of the activities that most resonated with me in the bakery. Chef Melanie showed a passion for it, and it kind of rubbed off on me… I love that I can take my time with bread. You kind of get to know it more intimately… it is a lot of concentration, knowing what you’re doing… taking your time, being patient with it and working with it.”

Kehler was most proud of the cinnamon sugar monkey bread, which he said was a surprise that came together at the last minute.

Leaving a legacy with a cookbook zine

This year, Chef Melanie collaborated with librarians Andrea Berg and Katy Anastasi on a new idea: a cookbook zine. Over several months, the librarians hosted workshops guiding students to design uniquely colorful pages. Captivated, the students spent hours in the library gluing, cutting, and drawing pages with pop-up recipes, stories, jokes, and coloring pages.

The zine—titled “Eat the Pastriarchy”—inspired sprawling conversations about collaboration, legacy, creativity, and privacy.

A copy of the zine will be archived in the zine collection in Cannell Library, so anyone can sneak a peek at the students’ baking secrets.

Berg shared, “The library was excited to support and excited to feature the cookbook zine in our zine library as another way for these bakers to have a lasting legacy at Clark. We had so much fun working with the baking students, they were so creative and supportive of each other and were excited about the zine project as a way to celebrate their own work and inspire future generations of Clark bakers.”

When the librarians brought the finished zines to the capstone, the students immediately circled to rifle through the pages and see their work in print, giggling and showing their friends and family.

About Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute

At the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute at Clark College, we are building on nearly 60 years of excellence in culinary education to offer programs that prepare students to meet the growing demand for culinary and hospitality professionals. Our programs emphasize the mastery of the fundamentals as well as management and critical thinking skills to prepare students for a range of career opportunities.

Working in a new state-of-the-art facility, students gain real-world experience in high-volume food production, service, and retail settings. The Culinary Institute also creates a community space on campus that highlights the growing influence of food on our culture while giving students valuable hands-on experience in a production kitchen, retail bakery, food kiosks, and a full-service dining room.

Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent

On a sunny spring evening this past Friday, May 2, Clark art students, faculty, and Foundation staff gathered at Art at the Cave for the opening of “The Day After Tomorrow: Art and Mentorship at Clark College”. It’s a benefit exhibition supporting the College via the Foundation through the sales of exhibited works.

The exhibit, organized by the Foundation, the Art Department, and Art at the Cave under the Arts@Clark initiative, explores the relationship between mentors and mentees.

How Faculty and Students Worked Together

Faculty and student artists were paired to work in parallel over the past several weeks. The gallery then displayed the art side by side in the gallery. For most of the students, this was the very first gallery exhibition of their work.

Gabe Parque, one of the faculty members, said, “I like to see what the students are interested in then guide them… Alex is very good at taking my advice or not.”

Alex Frederickson, Gabe’s student mentee, laughed at the observation and said that of all the faculty members they’ve worked with, Gabe’s instructional style works the best for her.

Another faculty mentor, Kendra Larson, shared that her collaboration with student Hana Lowenthal involved ‘a lot of texting.’ She noted that they share a similar creative process—producing a large volume of work, then selecting the best pieces to exhibit.

How Arts@Clark Made it Happen

Ruth Wikler, Clark College Foundation’s inaugural Director of Arts Programming, Partnerships, & Philanthropy, worked with gallery owner Anne John to design the event. She said, “Through my role at Clark College Foundation, I have the privilege of helping bridge College and Community through the arts in ways that are both innovative and inspiring… This effort has been more than a year in the making, and it has come to fruition through a unique collaboration.”

She added, “The exhibit’s focus on mentorship—pairing faculty with students—beautifully reflects Clark’s mission and the transformational power of arts education. Witnessing the impact of this work come to life at Friday’s opening was an unforgettable moment of shared joy and pride.”

Organizers shared, however, that the show is only “the first of many collaborations between Clark College Arts programs, Clark College Foundation, and the community of Southwest Washington under the new Arts@Clark initiative.”

About Arts@Clark

Arts@Clark is a new initiative that unites Clark College’s arts programs, the Clark College Foundation, and the Southwest Washington community through the arts. Stay tuned for exciting events coming in summer and fall 2025.

About Art at the Cave

Art at the Cave is a gallery owned by artist Anne John. Located in downtown Vancouver just steps from the library, the gallery is community-centered and beyond rotating gallery exhibits, hosts a variety of arts programming, including a poetry open mic, collage nights, meditation sessions, and more.

Art at the Cave partners with a nonprofit each year to put on an exhibition and donate part of the profits. This year, that beneficiary was the Foundation.

Come Visit the Exhibit Through May 31

The exhibit will be on display through the rest of May.

Art at the Cave
108 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660
https://artatthecave.com/

Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Photos: Clark College/Carly Rae Zent

Congratulations to Clark College’s Surveying and Geomatics team who earned top honors at a prestigious national competition held over spring break, taking first place at the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) 24th Annual Student Competition.

Accompanied by Professor Brian Miyake, six Clark students traveled to Silver Spring, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to compete against 25 academic teams from across the country. Clark College was the only school representing Washington or Oregon—and the competition marked the college’s first-ever entry into the event.

Clark’s first-place Surveying & Geomatics team:

• Robert Clapham, Class of 2026
• Eli Deschand, Class of 2025
• Rebecca Dunphy, Class of 2025
• Trevor Geivett, Class of 2025
• Brian Hankins, Class of 2026
• Milad Sadegi, Class of 2026

Clark’s team received support to attend the competition from the following:

• Land Surveyors Association of Washington
• Minister & Glaeser Surveying. Inc.
• PBS Engineering and Environmental 
• Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon
• S & F Land Services
• Westlake Consultants, Inc. 

“I am so proud of our Clark College students and their outstanding performance in this national competition. Most of the students had never visited D.C. before, so it was a completely new place for them to practice their surveying skills amongst so many historical sites,” Professor Miyake said. “The team showed exemplary professionalism, teamwork and survey ability in timed events and in the local D.C. community, while representing our state and college with pride and confidence.”

The competition consisted of one day of monument scavenger hunt and one day of technical field exercises–with students utilizing historical and modern survey instruments to complete tasks. A course was laid out on Capitol Mall between the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial.

Day 1: Monument Hunt. The first portion of the competition was a staged scavenger hunt.

• A list of D.C.-area monuments were assigned a point value and provided the day before the event.
• Monuments farther away or more logistically challenging were assigned higher values due to the risk of finding fewer of them.
• Monuments selected are older and are significant to the history of surveying in the area.
• Teams were released from the hotel in 30-minute increments and had six hours to complete their task. Teams were provided Metro public transit cards. No other mode of transportation was allowed. Teams had to stay together.
• Scoring: Teams accumulated points based on the point values of the monuments visited.
• Teams proved they reached the monument by taking a photo with a timestamp or a group photo in front of the monument. Extra points were provided for social media posts with those photos using #NSPS and #YSN.

Day 2: Measurement Exercises. The second portion of the competition was a four-part timed exercise to evaluate students’ technical ability while requiring some knowledge of historical concepts. Transportation and equipment were provided.

1. Route layout: Students were asked to layout a route using a baseline and plans provided using a Trimble Robotic Total Station. Performance was graded on the accuracy of calculated points versus plan and amount completed in time allotted.
2. Traverse: Students were asked to perform a four-sided traverse with a chain and compass. Performance was graded on the following criteria: closure, accuracy of leg distances and accuracy of internal angles.
3. Triangulation: Students were asked to complete a triangulate exercise of an unknown position from two to three known positions with a theodolite. Performance was graded based solely on the accuracy of the missing variable and calculating the area between the theodolite stations and the unknown position.
4. Boundary reconnaissance: Students were asked to calculate a series of points given any number of information that one might find on a deed/plat and utilize those in locating specific real-world points utilizing a Leica GPS unit. Performance was graded on the following criteria: Accuracy of calculated points vs plan and amount completed in time allotted.

About Surveying and Geomatics

Surveying and Geomatics involves the accurate assessment, measuring, and plotting of land and water boundaries for development projects that include buildings, roads, and bridges. Clark’s program uses state-of-the-art land surveying equipment and techniques to prepare students for entry-level work in government and private sector roles.

Learn more

• Surveying and Geomatics at Clark College
• National Society of Professional Surveyors 24th Annual Student Competition

Two Clark College students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement and community service at the 28th annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony, held April 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey.

Seth Stigall Barranco and Anton Vlasov represented Clark College as members of the prestigious All-Washington Academic Team, a statewide program that honors high-achieving students from the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. The program is part of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

They join more than 80 scholars from across Washington State who are pursuing transfer or workforce pathways and demonstrating excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Darci Feider, advisor of the Clark College PTK chapter, Alpha Sigma Pi, said, “I’m incredibly proud of Seth and Anton for being named to the All-Washington Academic Team. Their hard work and commitment to learning have made them outstanding representatives of Clark College.”

Seth Stigall Barranco

Named in the All-Washington Top 16 Scholars

Seth Stigall Barranco Is a first-generation college student who wants to inspire his younger siblings to follow his path of graduating from college and pursuing an impactful career. At Clark he is a leader, helping to start a new club for video game design and organizing an event for MESA students and maintaining a 3.9 grade point average. After completing a summer internship at Oakridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, he will graduate from Clark College with an associate degree in computer and information sciences. In the fall he will join the first cohort of students in Clark’s new Bachelor of Science in computer science program.

Anton Vlasov

When Russian rockets leveled the apartment building next door, Anton Vlasov and his family left Ukraine to seek safety from the war. Building upon his work in the IT industry,

Vlasov enrolled at Clark College. Vlasov, 40, maintains a 3.81 grade point average and will graduate with an associate’s degree in computer and information sciences in June. Next, he plans to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in cybersecurity at Clark with a goal of working as a cybersecurity analyst.

All-Washington Academic Team Ceremony

Each student received a medal and a $250 scholarship from Key Bank. They also are eligible for additional scholarships from private sponsors and transfer scholarships for four-year colleges and universities.

Program sponsors:

• Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges
• Washington State Association of College Trustees
• Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
• Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges

Scholarship sponsors:

• KeyBank
• Washington State Employees Credit Union
• Washington State Association of College Trustees

Learn more

• All-Washington Academic Team
• Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
• Clark College PTK chapter, Alpha Sigma Phi