Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2008)
2 Feature Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Clackamas j Longtime instructor teaches lessons of English and war poetry written in the times of sev eral different wars. It has not been available at Clackamas for almost five years. “Students will be required to read one book out of class and give a report on it,” Widerburg said. Widerburg earned his bachelor’s degree at Utah State University ■ Jess Sheppard before coming to Oregon. His life 11 The Clackamas Print has been as diverse as his classes. “I came up in the ’60s on a motor Instructor Allen Widerburg has cycle (and) met my ex-wife,” he taught every English-related class said. “Then, I got drafted.” Widerburg served for a year in the Clackamas has to offer. Vietnam War and spent Widerburg has another year at the mil been employed at itary fort in Texas. the college for 25 After his return, years, 20 as a full- “I came up in 1975 he earned his time teacher and in the 96vs five as part-time. In Master of Arts degree on a total, he has been in English at Portland working with stu State University. He motorcycle dents for over 35 resumed teaching (and) met my - soon years. but not just in the “I’ve taught United States. ex-wife... everything at one In the spring of then, 1 was time or other,” he 1999, Widerburg was drafted,99 chosen as one of three said. Included in Oregon instructors to “everything” is participate in a one- world literature, term exchange program fiction, poetry and Allen Widerburg with the University of London. Celtic mythology. English Instructor “London is one of Widerburg’s the most wonderful cit Literature of War ies I have ever seen,” class is being he said. “They have offered in the spring as well. The course will introduce wonderful museums, tons of book students to novels and collections of stores and theaters.” Allen Widerburg has taught at Clackamas for 25 years and has become a staple of the English department He has also taken sabbaticals in take a medical leave becam physical operations. In his abs India and Vietnam. “I thought I’d go back (to Vietnam) the club has been in the hands when no one was shooting at me,” members and English Instruct« he said. “It’s a beautiful country Grabill. “I’m going to pick it up ag< without all the helicopters.” Although he enjoys every class, the fall,” he said. The Writer’s Club meets Widerburg is particularly fond of Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. j teaching fiction. “Talking about fiction and writers Literary Arts Center, locate Roger Rook Hall. is fun,” he said. Widerburg was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Writer’s Club. Many of the group’s original mem bers have gone on to become instructors and professors themselves. Some have even had their works pub lished. The general purpose of the Writer’s Club is to “encour age people to write,” Widerburg said. Widerburg Kayla Berge Clackam used to oversee English Instructor Alien Widerburg stands in front of h the Writer’s Club, but he shelf of books in his office in Roger Rook Hall. Widert was forced to travels have taken him to London, India and Vietnam. Making the most out of the Advising Centi Community Center, the Advising Center employs five professional academic advis ers who are ready to assist students with any problem related to their education at Clackamas. “There’s always an advis er available on walk-in,” said Lead Academic Adviser Jessica Walter. i Jess Sheppard Students need only sign | The Clackamas Print in at the center’s front desk, and the next available adviser The thought of balancing will be with them shortly. If a schedule, working out pre desired, they may also request requisites and wading through a specific adviser. the financial aid process can Appointments can be made be daunting, but the staff of ahead of time in the case the Advising Center can help. of pressing issues, such as Located in the Bill Brod concerns regarding schedul ing. When an individual has a question pertaining to a career path with which the advisers are unfamiliar, he or she is referred to the faculty mem ber who is most qualified to answer. “We have a close relation ship between us (the advisers) and the faculty,” Walter said. This differs from the sys tem used by many universi ties. These schools organize their advising programs by department. For example, all music majors visit a certain adviser, while biology majors consult someone completely different. Walter, who has been at Clackamas for two years, previously worked in the university setting. She spent three years at the College of Arts and Media, where she was a health science adviser and, while com pleting her grad program, a coun selor. “Different col leges have dif ferent academic advising setups,” Walter said. But, like all systems, cen tralized advising isn’t perfect. “The cen ter gets very Emily Walters Clackamas Print busy from about 11 a.m. until 2 Lead Academic Adviser Jessica Walter talks with Counselor Tony Davis p.m.,” Walter during a slow period of the day in the Advising Center. said. “It’s much The Advising Center offers tips for students that can help them utilize this free service most effectively easier to get in and out in the Walter highly ret morning.” attending a New Walter Advisiq also recom as well. mends that “Tho “ We have students hours ] bring a copy nitely i a close of their tran she said relationship script or Lastl between us academic suggest evaluation. ing Cl (the advisers) Both can be free col and the printed from cess CougarTrax, New faculty,99 through the Experien Jessica Walter college Web 100) ani Lead Academic Adviser Success site. For new 120). As I students, she student! has some encouraged to apply! practical advice. “Take your placement test cial aid and scholar! To make an ap| seriously,” she said, “and take a break between them. Get up or simply walk in! and walk around before the an adviser, inquiri Advising Center’s f! next test.”
