y
F eature
5,[2004
T he C lackamas P rint • 5
Cornelius gives in to teaching career, loves it
Nic Delzell
T he C lackamas P rint
lepiijsenting the Clackamas
lishlDcpartment, Instructor
:a|Carncfius fell into teaching.
It’s the one profession I was
I did not want to do,”
relius¡said. “Isn’t that crazy? I
this job and honestly feel like
ny professional ‘calling’ some-
s—like no matter how hard 1
■ not to go into teaching, I fell
: into it, and happily so.”
.ornqlius was very specific
n she .described why she chose
:ach English.
Reading and writing help us
erstand ourselves and each
:r,” Cornelius said. “These
xs make a positive difference in
lives. Because through writing,
find a voice and can express
elves' in the world; be heard.
iusc in literature, we read those
kinds of voices; [we] gain under
standing about our own lives and
lives different from our own.”
Cornelius has been a full-time
instructor at Clackamas for two
years now and has taught at a
number of different universities,
but prefers the community college
setting.
“I taught for three years as an
adjunct instructor at—Are you
ready for this? Portland State,
Portland Community College, the
University of Portland, Marylhurst
University and Pacific University,”
she said. “Not all at the same time,
thankfully. Even though I had
good experiences at all of those
places, I much preferred teaching at
the community college. The stu
dent body tended to be more
diverse, students seemed to speak
up more for themselves in class,
and the education really mattered to
the community college students—
they didn’t take it for granted, and
many of the community college Pacific University, where she dou
students were honestly changing ble-majored in literature and art
their lives in really inspiring ways.”
with a minor in creative writing. She
Currently Cornelius teaches completed her master’s in English
WR 121 and the English litera at Portland State with an emphasis
on composition the
ture
sequence.
ory and rhetoric,
She will also be
“[Teaching
teaching Creative
which
Cornelius
describes basically as
Nonfiction
is] the one
Writing next fall
writing.
profession
“I taught writ
and
, Native
that I did not
American
ing classes while
Literature next
earning my master’s
want to do.
winter.
degree, and I loved
Isn't that
the
experience,”
“Teaching
English is incredi
Cornelius
said.
crazy?"
“Then, right after
bly
challenging
Trista Cornelius
graduation, I started
and exhausting,
English Instructor
teaching writing for
but equally inspir
a variety of schools,
ing and reward
ing. 1 hope 1 do this for thirty Portland Community College in
years, right? However, it’s not for particular.”
She cites her favorite type of fic
everyone and there is more that
you can do with a degree in tion as creative nonfiction.
“I like to hear people’s real stories,
English,” she said.
Cornelius graduated from how they deal with their fears and
anxieties, what insights they gain
from their experiences,” she said.
In addition to her love of read
ing, writing, art and movies,
Cornelius also enjoys painting. She
currently, resides in P-town, but
grew up outside of Salem, calling
herself sort of a “country kid.”
However, she said she loves the
diversity of the Rose City.
“I love the city now ... being,
able to walk to restaurants and
cafés; all the theater, the music, the
cultural events, public transporta
tion and Ppwell’s Bookstore!”
Cornelius has this bit of advice
for any students thinking about a
degree in English.
“I really think you should take
the classes that challenge and
inspire you and see where it
leads,” she said. “Be confident
that it will all come together, and
keep your eyes open for opportu
nities—then pursue them when
they’re presented to you.”
C lub C orner
mateur Astronomers:
Letterboxers of North America:
intact Karen Halliday at
t. 2493
Contact Ann Goldade at
ext. 2556
.A.-— A. New Style
Icoholics Anonymous:
LDS Student Association:
intact ext. 2213
Contact Gordon Henderson at
(503) 557-5862
CM Cjmstian Fellowship:
Ornamental Horticulture:
intact Beth England at
03)722-1'153
Contact Elizabeth Howley at
ext. 2389
amMajCrusade for Christ:
Pacific NW Clean Water
Association:
intact Andy Wheeler at
03) 655H568
imiMBCat Colony (7 C’s):
intact Karin Redston at
03) 650-7881
Contact John Lewis at
ext. 2206
Phi Theta Kappa:
CC Cheer:
Contact Dave Andersen at
ext. 2743
intact Selma Cunningham at
03) 880-1108
Society of Manufacturing
Engineers:
ud|>(ursing Association:
Contact Mike Matson at
ext. 2483
intact Carol Thom at
t. 2855
tiild Care Club:
intact Lisa Harmon at
03)51319078
hrvsalis (Women’s Writers):
intact Pat Lichen at
03) 655-5139
omputer Club:
intact Karen Hunt at
t. 2593
¡Howship of Christian Athletes:
intact Kathy Woods at
t. 2418
ench Club:
intact Heidi Cropsey at
t. 2676
erman Club:
intact Dick Stones at
t. 2392
istorv Travel Club:
intact Jackie Flowers at
t. 2345
orticulture Club:
intact Michael Jindrich at
03) 704-3126
Spanish Club:
Contact Irma Bjerre at
ext. 2381
Speech Club:
Contact Kelly Brennan at
ext. 2726
Student Art League:
Contact Mollie Frey at
ext. 2386
The Print:
Contact Cyndee Mady or
Cory Price at ext. 2309
The Rainbow Club:
Contact Tara Sprehe at
ext. 2625
Unidos Club:
Contact Lupe Martinez at
eXt. 2717
Writers Club:
Contact Allen Widerburg at
ext. 2359
Is there a God?
LOOKING AT MOUNT RUSHMORE, COULD WE EVER believe
that it came about by chance? Even given infinite tiinfc
wind and rain, could those carvings ever be randomly formed
on the side of a mountain?
But what about the men themselves—Washington,
Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln? If the figures on Mount
Rushmore are too complex to come about by chance, wouldn't
the actual men be too complex to come about by chance?
indeed* they weremuch more, complex than their
mountainside counterparts.
And what about you? Cbiild a carving of your likeness
just appear on a mountain? If not, then how could the real
you—with all yonr greater complexity—come about by
chance?
The complexity around us and within us points to a
deliberate Designer who not only made us, but also sustains
us today. But why would a God create us in the first place?
The consistent message of the Bible is that God created us
for the purpose of knowing him and finding our meaning
and joy in him.
To learn about who God is and what it's like to know
God, read the section of the Bible called "John.” TO see
more evidence for the existence of God, read the feature
article “Is There a God?” at www.EvexyStudent.com.
There« a God. ibu should know: I EverySttident.com
To have your club listed or to
have your listing updated, call ext.
2309 or drop by RR 135.
Campus Crusade for Christ Thursday 12-1 R101 clackcc4c7@hotmail.com