Justin's Blog

2010-06-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

The players of LBCC's spring student-directed one-act, David Ives' "Soap Opera, had their final rehearsal on June 3. Performances will be June 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. in the Russell Tripp Performance Center.

Clockwise from upper right:

Maitre D' (Amanda Konstantin) and Repairman (Phil Allen) are just starting to connect.

Jeremy Knuth does the sound for "Soap Opera" from his booth above the auditorium.

Repairman has to decide between his love for the Washing Machine (Nikki Funk) and the woman who loves him, Mabel (Kiah Frenock).

Director Emily Robinson watches her work unfold.

Phil Allen jokes onstage with his fellow actors between scenes.

Things I learned from the Democrat-Herald

2010-06-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

On May 24, the News Reporting and Writing class took a field trip to the Albany Democrat-Herald to get an insider view on how the business runs. These are three things I learned from the trip:

1) Even the upstanding local paper is slacking on its online edition; the DH is always a few steps behind the curve on this one. They don't have the funding or the manpower to keep up as of yet. It was also pointed out in our that because of their veteran staff (the newest of which has been there for about eight years) they may not have anyone really comfortable with the evolving technology, someone who has grown up in these tech-heavy times.

2) Old tech is old. The printing press used at the DH is archaic, like, from the 60s old. I'm shocked they still use the metal plates for printing.

3) The actual news-generating staff only makes up about a fifth of the total employees at the DH; approximately 20 total staff are there for creating what we read. So much goes into the distribution, production and advertisement parts of the newspaper world.

Things I learned from Bennett Hall

2010-06-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Bennett Hall, investigative journalist for the Gazette Times, came to speak to our News Reporting and Writing class on May 17 to offer us the wisdom of his experience. These are three ideas that I took from his talk:

1) Becoming an investigative journalist will take time; getting there and doing it both take persistence. As one of the senior staff at the GT, Hall had to earn years of office clout before he was allowed to choose his own stories and take the time to research them. He had to take a great deal of time out of his regular duties to find the story he needed.

2) It's sort of a gamble; you don't always get the story you were looking for. Hall spent weeks looking for the smoking gun that would kick Kip Schoning out of the realty business for good. Unfortunately, Schoning really knows his was around the legal arena. Hall has been able to put out quality stories showing snippets of Schoning's influence, but he's still finding enough tenants to keep Bula going.

3) Anonymous sources are all but worthless for a story; however, they are an excellent method to follow a paper trail or for finding other sources worthy of attribution.

LB student honored for computer studies: Resists “non-traditional” label

2010-06-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Who: Cynthia Chadwick
What: Non-Traditional Career Student of the term
Where: Computer sciences
When: Spring term
Contact: Valerie Zeigler in the DAC at 541-917-4461

The Non-Traditional Career Student of the term is Cynthia Chadwick, nominated by LBCC instructor Parker Swanson for daring to blaze her own path in computer sciences. She is the third to receive this award, which recognizes students involved in programs considered to be non-traditional for their gender, according to program coordinator Valerie Zeigler.

“She had an interesting story, good leadership qualities and she’s very confident in her field. I was just impressed with her,” says Zeigler.

Rather than impress with a slate of straight As, Chadwick prefers to focus on learning the material. Bs are alright, but she is there to be involved. Her force of personality becomes apparent very quickly. She isn’t afraid to let instructors know when they’re wrong; however, she’s sure to let them know when they make a really good point as well.

“I used to be a shy person, then I got bored with it,” says Chadwick.

Chadwick will graduate in June with a degree in Web/Database Technology and Network and Systems Administration. Currently, she’s trying to decide whether to move on to Western Oregon University or Oregon State University to pursue a degree in Computer Science, although her sights are set on a master’s degree. She wants to be the one in charge.

Chadwick is not all logic and tech. Her other love is literature. Most people place computers in the math and science category of life, but she believes there’s a certain eloquence to what she does.

“Actual programming language is very word-based – it’s like writing a story,” says Chadwick. “There’s a very creative side to it.”

While she is very grateful that Swanson and Zeigler believe she deserves recognition, Chadwick doesn’t believe in the spirit of the award. The award itself doesn’t say if the recipient is academically astounding or if they’re bubbling over with leadership qualities.

“It’s more geared toward the fact that I’m a female, and not toward the fact that I’m a good student. They focus way too much on the fact that I’m a girl on a non-traditional pathway. I don’t see myself as non-traditional at all. I’m just me. I can’t change the fact that I was born a girl, or that I’m interested in computers.”

She doesn’t dislike the award, but would like to see it improve.

“There should be a better way to raise awareness that does not cause people already in the field to feel, for lack of a better word, discriminated. Even just changing the name of the award would help – something that puts the focus back on your achievements as a student, which you do have control over and should be celebrated.”

“I know that they only had the best of intentions and did not intend to alienate me in any way, but I do hope that by stating how getting an award of this type made me feel personally, hopefully they can change it into something better.”

Ted Cox presents "Murray Loop"

2010-05-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Ted Cox, owner of Corvallis' Old World Deli, gives a presentation on his new book "Murray Loop," a genealogy and history of the locally famous Toledo family, during the Valley Writer's Series hosted by LBCC on May 26.

Sports/Action Photo

2010-05-21T13:55:00.001-07:00

The crowd looks on as the Willamette Christian School takes first place in the sixth grade girl's 50 meter dash on Friday, May 21 at the track meet hosted by LBCC.

Writer's Choice: I wish I could take it with me

2010-05-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

Explosions, kittens, laughs and love!

Last weekend, OSU students gave several performances of the comedic play “You Can’t Take it With You,” written by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The run will continue through this weekend as well. Marion O. Rossi is the director of the 19-member cast.

The play is about a quirky family full of loveable characters that just live life to be happy. According to Robert Leff, the play’s dramaturg (researcher of the play and its historic context), the authors focused first on creating the characters.

“Each one was given a unique personality and hobby. Here is a family that is loving, deeply contented and, most important, tolerant of each other and everyone else.”

When you throw in the daughter, Alice Sycamore (Jordyn Patton), and the straight-laced, Wall Street family of the man she hopes to marry, Tony Kirby (Rowan Russell), antics and adversity ensue.

The script lends itself to making each cast member a star. Everyone has a sweet slate of witty one-liners and their share of thought-provoking moments. Each actor fills the shoes of their character beautifully, pushing their lines to the comedic limit. There wasn’t a single character I didn’t laugh out loud for on opening night.

“My favorite part about the play is how inclusive it is of the entire cast, and each character gets its time to shine,” says Russell.

However, Grandpa (Robert Iltis) is certainly the guiding light of the play. His lines earn frequent laughs while simultaneously offering the greatest dose of wisdom. As a thoughtful undertone, you can see how the rest of the family stems from his influence. It’s Grandpa who really drives the moral home.

“The play’s message is about having fun in life. Everyone should have this philosophy about life, it just makes people happier,” says John Broc, who plays Agent.

The cast and crew had a relatively short time to prepare for the show. Russell says that it was an adventure getting such a high-energy show up in six weeks. Theatre students thrive on the grind.

“Rehearsals were fun, and with such a large cast, it was important for us to feel like one big family,” says Bryan Bernart, who plays Ed.

“Marion Rossi is an amazing director,” says Broc. “The cast includes some of the funniest and most talented people I have ever met. These are the people that make theatre an enjoyable thing to get into.”

After a fantastic first weekend, the cast looks forward to putting on an even better finale.

Bernart says, “I feel good about the run so far, but as everyone finds their groove, we expect that our second weekend of shows will go even better.”

Cost: $5 for OSU/LBCC students, $8 youth/student, $10 seniors, $12 adults
Show times: 7:30 p.m., May 20 – 22 (Thu, Fri, Sat)
Location: Withycombe Main Stage at 30th and Campus in Corvallis
More information: OSU Theatre box office at 541-737-2784

Week 7 News/Feature Photo

2010-05-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

Laurie Kerst teaches her granddaughter, Madeline Weinsteiger, about the statue located by the fountain in downtown Corvallis on a sunny Thursday morning.

Neighborhood: Downtown Corvallis

2010-05-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

Upper left: The historic Van Buren Bridge stretches across the Willamette River from the east side of downtown Corvallis toward Albany.

Upper right: Billy Joe Williams Sundance, 52, has been living on the streets of Corvallis for about four years.

Bottom: A family enjoys a beautiful day in the fountain on the riverfront of Corvallis.

Student "Soap Opera"

2010-04-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Director Emily Robinson, Assistant Mark Ekins and Producer David Gallagher discuss casting "Soap Opera" after the auditions held on the main campus last weekend.

It's play time at LBCC!

The auditions for the comedic student directed one-act play, “Soap Opera” by David Ives were last weekend. The play will be LBCC’s second student-directed one-act of the school year.

According to Producer David Gallagher, before this, it hadn’t been done for a “very, very long time.” It opens up a lot of opportunity for the theatre department.

“By saying we really want to do these shows, it’s showing the administration and general campus that we are interested in creating on our own,” said Gallagher.

With seven roles to fill, only three people auditioned, but Director Emily Robinson and Gallagher weren’t too concerned.

“We may start speaking with some performers that we are familiar with, and see if they will fill in the holes,” said Gallagher.

They employed another tactic called “double-casting” as well, which allows one performer to play two different characters. According to Robinson, the cast list could have been cut down to as few as five actors.

“The hope is you’ll have a vibrant cast that will attract an interested audience, and that it will be very successful,” said Brian Peterson, theatre advisor.

Peterson believes that learning is best done through experience. When it comes to the student-directed plays, he takes a hands-off approach, but he’s constantly gauging whether they’ll learn more from falling over the hurdle or being helped. He looks at theatre events as an experiment.

Peterson said, “This is far more hands-on than they’ll ever get. That’s just the nature of community colleges.”

The Director:

Several students were vying for the opportunity to direct the spring one-act. Robinson presented the best case.

“Emily was chosen because she proved that she was very much able to handle this responsibility,” said Gallagher. “She had a very clear vision for what she wanted to do.”

Robinson is a fan of playwright David Ives for his “very sharp wit and ironic sensibilities.”

At age 19, she has over five years of experience in theatre. Robinson has been a director for two other shows (by Shakespeare and David Ives), the stage manager and assistant director for four, and choreographed in the past, but most of her experience has been in performing and backstage/tech work. Currently, she is active in two other local shows. She’s the choreographer for “Dance Club” and is involved in the Corvallis Civic Theatre’s presentation of “Guys and Dolls.”

“I’ve been making a transition since my senior year of high school to the big stuff,” said Robinson.

Next year she wants to submit a directing request to Corvallis Civic Theatre and Albany Civic Theatre. Her long-term plans include transferring to Southern Oregon University to get a degree in stage management so she can work in Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival. SOU offers excellent internships with New York and Los Angeles.

The Audition Process:

To begin the auditioning process, aspiring entertainers are asked to submit an audition form, which acts like a job application, and are given a script to read from. They are allowed about 10 minutes to rehearse their monologue or scene before presenting onstage to the director, producer and the assistant.

Throughout the performance, an actor’s goal is to showcase their best stage qualities such as accents, body language, energy, enunciation and how well they take direction.

The director may explore these areas by asking them to read the script again, but as if they have a French accent, are crazy grandpas, are in the middle of a hurricane, or with any number of quirks. Performers may also be asked to switch roles and read with a variety of other actors to test for stage compatibility.

When the students who auditioned leave for the night, the director’s team discusses the potential each of them saw in the candidates, and fills in the slots. The cast list is posted within the following week.

Cast List:
Repairman - Phil Allen
Mabel - Kiah Frenock
Washing Machine - Nikki Funk
Mother - Stacie Slater
Maitre D’/ Madman - Amanda Konstantin
Friend - Mark McIntyre

Soap Opera - by David Ives
June 4-5, 7 p.m. in the Russell Tripp Performance Center
Tickets will be available at the Box Office or online.

Portrait Assignment

2010-04-23T09:34:00.001-07:00

Robin Havenick, LBCC instructor and poetry advisor, takes a moment to look over the poems students have hung from the "Poet-tree" in the library on the main campus in honor of poetry month.

Things Journalists Should Do

2010-04-16T11:25:00.001-07:00

These are three of my favorites from Poynter's "100 things journalists should never do."

1) Journalists should follow the facts where they lead, especially if that's somewhere unexpected & uncomfortable.
- Leaving your comfort zone allows readers to do the same. You do the footwork toward enlightenment.

2) Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.
- Shake up the higher-ups to keep them honest; those that rule need to be held accountable. Shedding a light on down-to-earth problems causes change.

3) Journalists should be skeptical, not cynical.
- Not everything is "stupid" or "evil." Question everything, but don't default to thinking them to be terrible mistakes.

News Photo Two

2010-04-16T09:40:00.001-07:00

David Bailey, civil engineering major, explores the "Words and Letters" exhibit in the SSH Gallery, where poetry and calligraphy students collaborated to create an artistic display open until the end of April.

Prepare to Lead With Poetry

2010-04-13T03:23:00.000-07:00

Who: Student poets
What: Becoming the next Student Poet Laureate
Where: Linn-Benton Community College
When: This term
Contact: Robin Havenick at 541-917-4574

Will you be LBCC’s next Student Poet Laureate?

Later this term, the Poetry Advisory Committee will release the application forms for next year’s poet laureate. All students who are interested should start planning their submissions now.

Application submissions will require a selection of the candidate’s poetry, a number if references, and an essay focused on the student’s “vision of poetry advocacy” according to Robin Havenick, the Poetry Club advisor and LBCC literature instructor. The 2009 poet laureate submission form asked for six examples of poetry, one faculty recommendation, and a three page essay.

According to the 2009 submission form, the duties include working with the Poetry Club advisor, which is currently Havenick, taking an active role in the enhancement of poetry at college events and among students, as well as writing a poem of commemoration for major campus events.

“The position doesn’t come with specific requirements,” said Havenick, “One creates their vision and then works to make it come true.”

LBCC’s second poet laureate, Amy Earls, has been “extraordinarily productive” according to Havenick. She has written poetry to honor our previous president, Rita Cavin, the dedication of Madrone Hall, and the U.S. Poet Laureate, Kay Ryan. Her other endeavors include leading the Poetry Club, representing the “power of poetry” by speaking at community events and writing a poem-a-week to share with the campus.

Our first Student Poet Laureate, Kaedence Eaton, put her energy into creating many outlets for students to share their own poetry, such as starting LBCC’s Poetry Facebook page and organizing student readings according to the LBCC Poetry History and Vision. She was given LBCC’s Outstanding Student of the Year award.

Havenick says that the position was originally suggested by Cavin after Peter Jensen read his own poem at the dedication of the Library and Learning Center. Gary Ruppert, Dean of Instruction, and Havenick recommended that a student holds the position.

“On any stage, the appointment of a poet laureate recognizes and encourages the poet’s work,” said Havenick, “Equally, the appointment invests in the poet’s promise to encourage and promote poetry in their community’s lives.”

"Second" Story Idea

2010-04-12T11:06:00.000-07:00

I'll be covering the auditions for LBCC's one-act, "Soap Opera."

First Photo Assignment

2010-04-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hannah Mowery, a student in LBCC's photojournalism class, takes her first photos of the term on the Roadrunner track during a Wednesday morning PE class.

First Photography Attempt

2010-04-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

The photojournalism class went around campus taking some candid photos of students on Wednesday. These are some of the better ones of mine:

The King of the Kone!

2010-03-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

King Kone stats
Location: 1515 Salem Ave SE, Albany
Prices: Really cheap
Serving size: Huge
Food quality: Hit or miss
Service: Unpleasant
Signature items: King Kong Burger and soft serve ice cream

If King Kong ate burgers, he would eat here.

King Kone is a tasty little ice cream and burger place located in one of the seedier parts of Albany. The portions are massive and the food is cheap, but it suffers from an awful location, an ugly building and sub par service.

Their menu offers a variety of burger and fry deals ranging from about $3 for some generic thing to $6.50 for the signature King Kong Burger. This burger is no joke. It is constructed with two quarter pound meat patties, a few strips of bacon, an egg, and all that vegetable stuff that some people enjoy. For a mere $1.50, I got a 40oz. soda as well.

The ingredients weren’t fresh, the meat was greasy, and the fries were stale. How I loved every bite of it! Heaven.

Due to the namesake, I couldn’t pass on the ice cream. It too is very cheap. Prices range from $1.10 to $1.60 in both the soft and hard varieties. There’s not too much to say on the soft ice cream. Does any place do it differently? The hard ice cream, however, is a terrible idea. It looked so good, but my chocolate peanut butter also tasted like bubblegum, mint, freezer burn, and a variety of other flavors. Could it really have been sitting in their freezer for so long?

Service was rough as well. The woman helping me kept her face in a perpetual scowl. She seemed angry when I asked if debit was okay (you definitely need cash at this place). When my thank-yous were responded to, it was only with a sort of grunting noise.

In all fairness, the service just fits in with the whole ambiance. King Kone looks like it’s falling apart from the outside, or like it should be condemned. Inside you’ll find just four tables. During my visit, three of these had a decent layer of crumbs.

Despite being rough around the edges, I do really like this place. It’s great for a quick, gigantic burger or some cheap soft serve ice cream. To avoid all of the less than quality aspects, just use the drive through.

Ideas for networking with LBCC

2010-03-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Who: Students at LBCC
What: Showing support
Where: At campus events
When: Always
Why: A positive experience for you and others
How: Participation in special activities

Are we an apathetic campus?

Only about 30 students showed up to the Mardi Gras dance last month. Only 51 people voted in the ASG elections. I fear any statistics that have to do with The Commuter.

If this is a matter of simply being informed, you should search for the various LBCC groups that promote their events on Facebook or Twitter. I’m positive that 90 percent of you have one of these, and it’s so easy to become a fan!

Here are the ones I’ve been able to find on Facebook so far:
• The Commuter: Your friendly neighborhood newspaper.
• Associated Student Government of Linn-Benton Community College: These are our leaders, the ones who set up a lot of the events around campus.
• Diversity Achievement Center (LBCC): This is just about the most welcoming place on campus. They love setting up forums and inviting guest speakers.
• Performing Arts of Linn-Benton Community College: Up to date information on theatre flavored events!
• LBCC Bookstore: Our bookstore has sales all the time. Do you need a deal on a tasty snack or a brand new notebook? This is the spot!
• Linn-Benton Community College Library: They have videos posted, and it’s a great chance to learn about some of the staff.
• Linn-Benton Community College Admissions: For deadlines around campus, this is the place to look.

And only on Twitter:
• LBCC: Sort of your all purpose connection to campus information.
• LBCC eLearning: Progressing media technology and how it relates to our campus.

Become a fan of these Facebook pages and follow the Tweets. Ignorance is no longer an excuse, but I suppose there’s not much I can do about whether or not you have the free time - finals are killer.

Students should try to connect with their campus in every way they can. Showing support and participating in events around campus can only serve to enhance your college experience and improve the campus environment.

Universities Take on...

2010-02-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

At a glance:
Who: College students and staff.
What: "Second Life" as a teaching tool.
Where: Online college classrooms.
Why: Advancing the college experience.
How: Guidelines for educators

Hundreds of colleges around the world are turning toward the virtual world of “Second Life,” furthering education strategies. Six of these are Oregon community colleges.

At first I scoffed, but the more I looked into it, the more supportive I became. These virtual classrooms can take online classes to a whole new level of engaging.

William Noonan, philosophy instructor at Columbia Gorge Community College says, “’Second Life’ is offering me a chance to create, literally, an experience for the students to come to know philosophers in a number of ways.”

Noonan’s classes explore environments pulled directly from the lives of the philosophers he teaches about. Students begin in Plato’s cave, and eventually the class progresses into the garden of enlightenment. In the garden are six historic philosophers to learn from, their homes and actual objects from their lives.

“The technology has been one that’s created this terrific opportunity to create an environment to read philosophy,” says Noonan.

Imagine this ability in regards to say a literature class where students could essentially travel the same course as the characters and interact with the world. Even science has its place on a virtual field trip. Things like the workings of a molecule could be viewed and discussed in three dimensions.

Not only does “Second Life” allow students to explore fictional or historical locales, but also some institutions use it when hands on training isn’t an option.

According to a case study by Linden Labs, Loyalist College trained border guards onsite at a virtual Canadian border. Within the simulation, students were able to perform every function of the job including checking ID’s, asking routine questions, checking trunks and making real-time judgment calls.

Linden Labs’ case study shows that students who participate in the program consistently show much higher success ratings during testing benchmarks than those who don’t.

“The learning in these spaces is amazing, and when we are working with 30 percent increase in success, there is nothing more memorable than that,” says Ken Hudson, managing director for the virtual design center at Loyalist College, “No single technological addition has ever impacted grades at the college in such a positive way.”

As the technology grows, any kinks will be worked out. Someday “Second Life” or some similar program will be mainstream in the world of education. The potential here is undeniable.

Still interested? Look here:
A report on teaching in "Second Life" from Michael Russell, instructor at Mt. Hood Community College

Video games are good for you

2010-02-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

The Tale
Who: Video game proponents
What: Benefits for life
Where: Worldwide
How: Give gaming a chance

Picture courtesy of http://www.theoldcomputer.com

I call it “the gamer’s edge.” It represents all positive qualities that video games bestow upon the players. Lowered stress, enhanced learning capabilities, better sight, heightened reflexes, smoother coordination and muscular rehabilitation – these are just a few of the ways video games make us better.

Gaming has a reputation of evil that is simply uncalled for. According to the European Parliament, there is no firm proof that playing them has an automatic negative impact on one’s behavior. In fact, video games are fancied as more of an outlet for feelings of aggression, even in spiritual communities.

Trinley Dorje, the Karmapa Llama, a leader of Tibetan Buddhism says, “If I'm having some negative thoughts or negative feelings, video games are one way in which I can release that energy in the context of the illusion of the game.”

A gamer can cleanse their spirit while simultaneously expanding the mind by building logic skills that are used in critical thinking and learning.

Puzzle games such as Tetris or Bejeweled are an easy pull for this cause, but further thought tells us that any game involving obstacles, tactics, or strategy help teach players how to solve both realistic and fantastical problems with reason. I couldn’t name a single game that doesn’t involve some measure of these.

"Video games can stimulate learning of facts and skills such as strategic thinking, creativity, cooperation and innovative thinking, which are important skills in the information society,” says the European committee of consumer protection.

Beyond these obvious forms of learning, research by Daphne Bavelier, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester shows that action games like Halo or Call of Duty can radically improve visual processing. Glasses, contacts and eye surgery were previously the only methods known that could help with problems in this area. Video games are heroes in the world of contrast sensitivity.

Where would quick eyes be without hands that were equally swift and sure? This is possibly the most widely known and accepted aspect of gaming’s bettering prowess.

Surgeons are sort of the poster-boys of dexterity, I believe. Well according to studies by Douglas Gentile, a psychologist at Iowa State University, surgeons who play video games are 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures, and make 37 percent fewer mistakes than their non-gaming colleagues.

When the time comes that I need major surgery, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the surgeon who rocks the Nintendo DS.

Speaking of Nintendo and hospitals, “Wii-therapy” is sort of a craze in the world of physical therapy. Traditional rehab exercises can be boring and painful. Motions required to play the Nintendo Wii, while similar, also keep patients’ minds focused and entertained – more importantly off of the pain. Lars Oddsson, director of the Sister Kenny Research Center vouches for the evidence that Wii games help in rehab.

Gaming saves lives. Maybe someday Nintendo will help deliver babies too. Who knows, right?

LBCC's president

2010-02-15T05:56:00.000-08:00

Greg Hamann greets guests at his welcoming event. Photo by Chris Foster

Quick Look
Who: Gregory Hamann, president of LBCC since Feb. 1, 2009
Previous job: President of Clatsop Community College since 2003
Education: A Bachelor's in Psychology and Social Studies Education from the University of Minnesota, a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School seminary, and a Doctorate from Gonzaga University in Educational Leadership.
Family: His wife, Rita, and his son, Mike.
Age: 56
Contact: grhamann@q.com

LBCC officially has a new leader!

Selected in November, Gregory Hamann is the successor to Rita Cavin as the seventh president of LBCC.

"We at Clatsop are so grateful to have worked with Greg," says Perry Callas, instructor at Clatsop Community College, "Linn-Benton made a great choice when they hired (him)."

Just two weeks after his Feb. 1 start, The Commuter got the chance to get to know Hamann a little better.

His manner of speech is both down-to-earth and well considered; this made for a great conversation. Here are some highlights:

Commuter: What are some major accomplishments from your time at Clatsop Community College?
Hamann: When Clatsop hired me seven years ago, there were really two things they wanted me to work on: some severe facilities challenges and some accreditation problems. We were able to clean up our accreditation. I got to be a part of it, but it was a lot of people working together to fix that. Clatsop has struggled for years with inadequate facilities – we got that project started. From what I can tell they’re enjoying their new building, and now they’re working on another one.

C: What led to your decision to change schools?
H: Part of it is just the way I’m wired – I just don’t sit still real well. I was looking for a new opportunity. At Clatsop I was able to work with some great people and accomplish some great things, but the things that were on my list, the reasons I was hired, were all checked off, and so I wondered what I would do next. LBCC is a school that’s always impressed me. So when Rita decided to retire, I thought hard and decided to apply. It’s the only position I’ve applied for since I came to Clatsop, so it wasn’t like I was on the hunt.

C: How have you been involved in your community before?
H: I was on the Liberty Theatre Board, worked together with my wife who was very involved in the Women’s Research Center, which is an organization that helps with domestic violence situations, and I was involved in the church. You work very collaboratively with the school district and city, and it becomes very much a joint venture.

C: How has the moving been for you and your family?
H: The people here have been so welcoming and helpful. My wife is still back in Astoria trying to sell our house. We’re looking into buying a home in North Albany, and once we have that all secured, we’ll move everything down here.

C: What are your impressions after your first few weeks here?
H: Again, it’s hard to imagine being more welcomed. There are a lot of good people doing great things. It’s just been wonderful. I’m still the new kid so I’m just beginning to figure things out, but people have just been so helpful. Mostly I’m just really excited and proud to be here.

C: Do you have plans on where you’re going to take LBCC?
H: I more want to think that what I do is participate in a process in which we go together. I know I have a unique role to play as president, but it’s not my job to come in and superimpose a new agenda. It’s my job to support and consolidate energies and dreams. I have my own, but I don’t come here with an agenda to take us in a new direction. We have plenty of things to do.

C: What sort of events around the campus do you plan to attend?
H: I try to get everything on my calendar, and when I can do it, I do it. I like student activities – just finding ways of making sure that I’m staying connected with students. I try to go to off-campus events with faculty, so I can get to know them better too.

C: Is there a message you’d like to leave for the students and faculty?
H: There are a lot of things that we do around here, and it’s really easy to focus on what you’re doing instead of why you’re doing it, and this may be more a challenge for me, but something I think we all need to do is remind ourselves that everything we’re doing is to create opportunities for students.

His actions speak louder than words. The Bandit, Clatsop’s school newspaper, mentioned in an article that Hamann saved the jobs of 23 employees, partly by taking a pay cut of his own when the school was forced to cut its expenditures by 15 percent. He never mentioned this during our interview.

During a more informal conversation afterward, Hamann described a few of the adventures he’s been on in his off time, including skydiving last summer and international travels. The most interesting story, however, was about getting on a train with several students, which led to a burning-barrel discussion with the homeless.

“One of the guys who was sitting around (the barrel) had his master’s degree and just didn’t like the way work tied him down. So you just learn so much when you let yourself have one of those experiences. We’re meant to be connected with other people. If we let ourselves do that, our life is really enriched.”

Hamann encourages students to never stop having adventures, because “life is a grand adventure.” According to our new president, they are what enrich our lives. We shouldn’t be afraid.

“I think part of what education is supposed to do is help us to feel the courage to do some of those things. Sometimes we’re raised in such a way that we get stuck, and education helps us to see other options.”

Mass Effect 2 review

2010-01-31T14:24:00.000-08:00

Title: "Mass Effect 2"
Platforms: PC and Xbox 360
Rating: Mature
Developer: BioWare
Genre: Action RPG (space opera)
Play Time: 30 – 40 hours
Cost: $50 for the PC or $60 for the Xbox 360

“... it's the Avatar of video games — except it's better written,” says Time.

Imagine "Mass Effect," easily the best game of 2007, without the pieces of terrible strewn throughout. No more cumbersome inventory system, and no more driving across wasteland planets in that stupid van thing. It also has a vastly improved third-person shooter combat system over the bare-bones original. Welcome the freshly released sequel.

Taking place two years after the ending of the last game, "Mass Effect 2" leads Shepard, the main character, into working with Cerberus on a quest to end the Reaper threat. Throughout the game, players of the predecessor will explore countless characters and environments, both new and familiar.

Bonus points go out to those who kept their old save files as you'll see how most of your decisions from that game affect the universe in this one. It's astounding how deeply those choices were considered in creating "Mass Effect 2." From minor to major you have shaped much of what has taken place. The player makes the story.

“It is -- and this is crucial -- a story, a universe that spans light years and millenia, but is intensely personal,” says Justin McElroy, reviewer for joystiq.com.

It's important to note, however, that BioWare has taken into account the possibility of players just jumping in without ever having played the original. The story stands alone and offers a summary of the first game. All that happens is that a few of the key choices from "Mass Effect" are assumed for your character's historic purposes.

Gameplay caters to breeds of player both veteran and noob. Battles resemble those from the Gears of War series with the focus on cover. Of course there's the extra RPG flavor as well with leveling up your abilities to enhance your weapon prowess, telekinesis powers, or knack for overloading machines. Furthermore, you can command your squad-mates as seamlessly as your own character according to Jeremy Parish, 1up.com reviewer.

Gunfights are at once more action packed and more strategic. The odds of hitting the opponent sit much more on the gamer and less on your character's stats. This leads to a greater shooter game feel, pulling away from the RPG elements. In a good way. Increased strategy comes from the introduced need to resupply ammo. You'll find yourself rotating through guns and ammo types far more often than in the previous game. Luckily ammo is plentiful, but running out and finding more mid-fight just adds to the excitement.

Interacting with the characters in the world have been taken up a notch as well. In 2007, "Mass Effect" took role-playing in video games to a new level. "Mass Effect 2" has done the same just two years later. Beyond what the original introduced to us, BioWare has given a sort of interruption option for the players. While another character is ranting relentlessly or being uncooperative, occasionally an option appears to interject with a super good guy or renegade move. A nice option might be to hug a crying character while they're babbling. A mean option could be to shoot a whining hostage to catch his captor off-guard.

When it comes right down to it, "Mass Effect" is still a fantastic game by today's standards. "Mass Effect 2" is even better. Whether you want a decent shooter or a rocking role-play experience, "Mass Effect 2" will be there for you.

Saving on Textbooks

2010-01-15T19:13:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy of photoxpress.com

The low-down:
What: textbooks can be checked-out or rented instead of purchased
Where: on campus at the library, Learning Center, and bookstore
Why: to save students a lot of money
More Info:
*Library: 541-917-4649
*Learning Center: 541-917-4684
*Bookstore: 541-917-4950

Are your textbook mini-mountains costing you a fortune? Fear not, there are ways on campus to guard your green.

“I spent $300 on one book alone. The book's required,” says Jared Caterlie, a student at Linn-Benton Community College.

The library, Learning Center and the bookstore are looking out for your wallet size through each of their own book lending programs.

According to Jorry Wolfe, the library department chair, the library has the books for every English and writing class along with an assortment of other books available for two-hour check-outs.

“I would like to see it just grow and provide more,” says Wolfe, “We ask instructors to provide copies of the textbook. If that's impossible for them to do, we don't make it available.”

This is a great way for students to save money. The only downside is that it's a little inconvenient. “If you own a book, it's yours 24/7,” says Wolfe.

On the flip-side, the Learning Center offers all of the books from the Math Department and study skills classes. They work a little differently in that you can check these books out for an entire day according to Wolfe.

For books not provided by either of these departments, students might check out the rental program at the campus bookstore. The cost essentially works as if the student has purchased a used book and is selling it back, and it's good for the whole term.

“So if they rent it, they know that they don't get any money back,” says Nancie Meyer, the textbook coordinator, “but also if they bought a used one, they never know for sure if we're actually going to need the book at the end of the term.”

Currently they only provide this option for about three percent of the books on sale, but the size of the collection is on the incline. Just this term they've added three books to the collection. The trouble with adding books to the program is that they need an instructor to use the same book for two years.

All of these programs need faculty members participate in order to grow, which Wolfe says will happen “as students ask for the books and faculty see the use, and see there's need and that it's beneficial.”