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.”