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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 22, 1998)
T he CI ac I< amas P rint Keeler named historical archeologist LAURA ARMSTRONG Staff Writer Acclaimed anthropology and archeology instructor Rob ert Keeler can claim yet another accomplishment—he has been specifically chosen to be a part of the advisory com mittee on historic preservation. Among other volunteers who represent the state of Or egon, Keeler has been designated to fill the historical ar cheologist spot on the committee. The job that Keeler has taken on is to review nominations for various historical sites and decide, with the committee, whether they are se lected for the National Register of historic places. “The National Register is essentially a listing of build ings and archeological sites deemed to have high historic value,” said Keeler. “In each state there is a state agency and committee that reviews nominations for the National Register.” The advisory committee meets three times a year, twice in Salem and pnce in another part of the state. Meetings occur in October, February and May. These meetings are open to the public and as Keeler mentioned, people are welcome to attend and can speak in favor of or in opposi tion to any nomination. “There are some economic advantages to being on the National Register’s list in Oregon,” said Keeler. “You get a modest tax freeze. The assessed value (of the property) does not go up for a period of time, a number of years. “It encourages people to do good things with their historic buildings,” Keeler continued. “Not all states have that kind of incentive.. .it’s been pretty successful in Oregon.” According to Keeler, anyone can easily track down in formation on any state’s National Register listings through the state preservation office in Salem. The office has ad dresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for any of the state preservation offices for the historical registry. The most detailed listings will be found within the state preser vation office in that individual state. Structurally, there has to be an expert in each field of the committee so that the advisory board is well rounded. Po- Robert Keeler, anthropology and archeology instructor, was chosen by Governor Kitzhaber to review historical site nominations for the National Register. sitions include a historian, archeologist, pre-historical ar Keeler’s first meeting took place in February and he was cheologist, historical archeologist and members of the gen awed by the amount of work that the committee’s volun teers actually do to prepare themselves for advising. eral public. Governor Kitzhaber appoints the members. Keeler has an extensive background related to his his An induction ceremony follows the appointment of posi tions and takes place at the state capital, in the governor’s torical archeology position which more than sufficiently office. Keeler did not intend the induction ceremony be qualifies him. He received his bachelor’s degree in anthro pology at the University of North Carolina and his master’s cause he was working at the college. “I was very struck by the seriousness,” Keeler said, “the degree in the same field from Idaho State. In 1978 he re way the people on the committee take the process. Mem ceived his doctorate in anthropology at the University of bers really read through it all (the thick nomination pack Oregon. Keeler has plans well into the future to continue working in anthropology and archeology. ets), and they ask good, insightful questions.” Orlando serves as new department chair^ Emily Orlando, English instructor and newly designated English Department Chair, discusses the focus of her positions. JOEL SHEMPERT Feature Editor Emily Orlando is nothing new to the world of Clackamas English. She has been teaching in the English Depart ment since 1990, but has only recently started wearing another hat: she is the new Department Chair. Needless to say, Orlando is happy with her new lot. “Oh, I’m real ex cited about it,” she enthuses. “It’s al ways been a very strong department on campus, and with the new people we’re getting, and the direction that the department is going—creative writ ing—is a part of that—it’s just very exciting. I’m very happy to do what I can to help continue that forward movement.” While Orlando will continue to teach classes herself, it’s difficult to pin down what role a department chair has in promoting the excellence of the de partment itself. After all, a body is only as strong as the sum of its parts, as Or lando is quick to recognize. “We have a monumentally talented staff, not just the full-timers but the part- timers,” Orlando readily acknowledges. “We have expertise in many areas, and my vision for the department is basically, in a sense, to stay out of their way.” As for the actual duties of an English Department Chair, these are again hard to pin down, particularly since Orlando is still in the learning process herself. She can say, though, that it is mostly an administrative and clerical position, in volving such things as organizing thè class schedule for each term. It may be a lot to juggle, but she is learning quickly. The real power, though, of Orlando’s position lies in that she now effectively represents the English Department. through a [transfer] program is prob What then, does she have to say to ably more than qualified to succeed in Clackamas at large? What one thing the collegiate theater,” she asserts. “I would she wish to impress upon stu think that we have higher standards dents entering her department’s across the board in that the instructors classes? are very much interested in students “That they’ve made a very impor tant decision in coming to college— succeeding.” “I know students of mine,” Orlando any college, Clackamas included— information and that the instructors (speaking for goes on to say, “who have gone on to they want to other colleges, including Reed, have myself) have the assumption that a said that they felt very confident in their student in that class really wants to learn from skills.” learn and get the most out of that par students too. Emily Orlando looks forward to ticular hour,” answers Orlando, “and great things in the future at Clackamas, that the student, on his part, has a re and the English Department is a thriv sponsibility for getting the most out ing part of that equation. Students are Emily Orlando of that hour by asking questions, by welcomed along for the ride. All that participating in class. English is required is that they become, as Or “I tell my classes that the hour and Department lando puts it, “active participants in the Chair the course go a lot faster when every learning process.” one is involved. So when you actively participate in whatever the ac tivity is.. .it's go ing to be more ef ficient.” Orlando is con cerned that educa tion not become a one-way street. “Teachers,” she explains, “don’t want to just give information; they want to learn from students too.” This is one rea son Orlando is en thusiastic about her new posi tion—the high level of academic excellence at this college. “I think any stu- I dent who goes | Chartwells Invites you to lunch. Or dinner or breakfast. Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. for all your needs. The place to eat on campus! rws^^. Wednesday, April 22, 1998
