Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2004)
F eature 8 • T he C lackamas P rint A pril 14, 200 Erdman hopes for bright future in Dean of Campus Services accepts position at Shasta CC Cyndee Mady Co E ditor -I n -C hief After having served Clackamas Community College since December of 2001, Dean of Campus Services Al Erdman has recently accepted a position in Redding, Calif., as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Shasta Community College. Erdman’s leadership at Clackamas has been instrumental in the construction of - the six new buildings here on campus. “My role was to direct the project and make sure it reflected campus needs [from the standpoints of staff, students and faculty] and to make sure as much as possible the build ings came in on time—at of under budget,” said Erdman. Shasta CC approached Erdman with plans for a similar undertaking, seeking someone with extensive knowledge in construction. After.a short interview process, the position was offered to Erdman and he. accepted. “At CCC—literally within 10 or 11 months—we designed, bid and broke ground on five buildings, which is nothing short of a major miracle. At Shasta, they want to build seven new buildings over five years,” said Erdman. “It is an opportunity to move to another institution that is doing a lot of construction ... I enjoy the construction end of my job probably more than anything else I da” Erdman’s construction back ground dates back to childhood. “When I was growing up, my folks used to buy and redevelop houses; this was in the mid-seventies when you could buy a house for $10,000,” he said. “They would completely gut it, remodel it—then Al Erman’s daughter, 6, Emma examines a gift presented to her father at his send-off party Friday at Jimmy O’s Pizzeria. The gift? An umbrella fit for California—filled with holes. rent it out. I was fortunate to be able to work with my dad and learn how to do a lot of these things. It seems like I’m always building something.” As a single father, Erdman is responsible for the welfare of his six- year-old daughter, Emma, and feels she will adjust quickly to their new home. “I took her down [to Redding]... and showed her there is a McDonald’s, there is a Chuck E, Cheese, so life doesn’t end just because we’re moving,” Erdman said. What will Erdman miss most about Clackamas? ‘fl’ll miss the people; this is a fab ulous place to be,” he said. : “I’t happy with what I’m doing, but it with mixed emotions.” Erdman admires the administd tion’s focus on students at CCC, staf ing that every meeting he attend centers on the welfare of students. “It amazes me ... there are a lo of colleges that talk the talk, bu there are not a lot of colleges on there, who really walk the walk,’ Erdman said. “.[CCC’s] dedication ti students is an incredible statemen and I see that similar dedication a Shasta. I hope I can [be a part ol continuing that dedication there.” CCC President Joe Johnso appreciates the value of Erdman contributions to Clackamas. “His legacy will always b [remembered]—all these beautifi new buildings as you look aroun the campus ... He’ll be able to cart the experience he’s had here right t Shasta College, hit the deck runnin and do as good a job for them as h did for us,” said Johnson. A going-away party was he! Friday at Jimmy O’s Pizzeria whci Erdman expressed these partin words: “Without a doubt this is the be: place I’ve ever worked.” Erdman will assume his no position at Shasta Communit College on April 30. Students hit the road for spring break Canada-style Trip to Vancouver, B.C. filled with (mis)adventure Angela Gerhart T he C lackamas P rint There is a wonderful vacation destination to be found just about six hours north of Portland on the 1-5 freeway—in fact, it’s a com pletely different country, and sever al Clackamas students discovered its vacationing merits when they loaded up their Blazer and headed up to Vancouver, Canada, during spring break. These students had never been to Canada and were amazed at the difference between U.S. and Canadian standpoints on certain issues, despite their proximity. “They hate our government and really oppose the war,” said Student Nikki Miller, adding that she was glad they didn’t have any pro-war stickers on their car. Aside from despising the U.S. govern ment, though, Miller said the Canadians they befriended were memorable times, though, were at Vancouver for a total of five days, very helpful. • One of the highlights of the the pubs-—which had been part of spending the first part at one hotel, trip for student Josh Swift was hav their reason for visiting Canada in then moving to another hotel ing lunch at the top of the the first place. Although at 19 the downtown. “For anyone who wants to stay Harbour Centre Tower. The area students are minors in Oregon, where they ate made a 360-degree they arc of legal age to drink in in Vancouver, make sure you get Canada. reservations at the right Ramada; rotation every hour. “I bought my first bottle of there is mote than one. |For| the “The view was amazing, though we all felt a little sick after a while,” rum, legally,” said student John first three nights, we were com- pletely surrounded • by Chinese Hiestand. said Swift. The group stayed in speaking people,” said Miller. The students: did a lot As for the driving portion of of ■ sightseeing, too. the trip, the students Walking downtown, they said it wasn’t that were bombarded by bad, though cus drug dealers, toms was a little which isn’t an scary, espe unusual occur cially when rence for that the agent part of town. thought They also they had visited contra- Stanley Park. band in The students the spare said their favorite tire. tourist attraction The was Granville students Island, which I returned reminded them home with of Portland’s lots of pictures Saturday Market. Hiestand, Gerhart, “Canada Zach,” Swift, Miller and memories. The most The funniest segment of th whole trip, they said, had to be th ride home, down the Washingto portion of the 1-5 freeway. The were pulled over for speeding bi didn’t get a ticket. Then, their rig! side windshield wiper broke of flying into the traffic during downpour. To add to their frusta tion, they stopped in Tacoma : Hooters to cat and weren’t >hap| with the way they were treated. “If you’re not a 40-ycar-oli nasty old man tipping the girls, yo won’t get any service,” said Niki Miller. Just when they thought thins couldn’t get worse, the studen returned to the car, at about 4:2 p.m., to find that it would bare fun. Knowing that most dealc ships would close soon, Hiestati took charge and headed straight t a Chevy dealership where tl group was Subjected to a th re hour wait to get a valve rcplaced- using Daddy’s credit card. Even with the few mishaps, tl students arc planning a return tr to Canada during the summcr- hopefully with a different car. Win a ClubSport Fitness Makeover! fitness training wellness nutrition Join ClubSport in the month of April and receive 30% off the initiation fee. Join with a friend and you will both be entered to win a ClubSport Fitness Makeover. 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