Fotoland Galerie: a Look Back at Evergreen 2012-13

Posted on September 24, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Editor’s Note: See the full text and gallery at Inside Evergreen, and more great photography by our Photo Services colleagues.

A photographer’s job doesn’t end after the pictures are taken. You could say that’s the beginning.

On stage at the 2013 performance of the Vagina Monologues presented by the TESC Womyn’s Resource Center. Photo by Shauna Bittle

From untold thousands of images, (as well as videos and audio recordings) brilliantly captured during the last academic year, staff Photographer Shauna Bittle and her intern Andrew Jeffers continue to work. Continue reading →

Adam Wicks-Arshack ’10: On the Spokane River for Social Justice

Posted on September 24, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Editor’s Note: Here is an inspirational example of “theory to practice.” Adam Wicks-Arshack ’10 runs a a river-based environmental education company that offers educational trips in 30 foot voyager canoes. The Spokane’s Spokesman Review covers his latest journey.

Voyages of Rediscovery uses canoe holding 10- 12 students, with room for a teacher and a guide.

In the 1930’s, the construction of Grand Coulee Dam electrified to the a huge portion of the Northwest. As the lights were going on, members of the Spokane Tribe lost a staple of their diet: the bountiful salmon that each year returned to the upper third of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

Today, Adam Wicks-Arshack, Director of Voyages of Rediscovery, is leading 25 students from the Wellpinit School District onto the river, in a canoe they built themselves to discover their river-going history and lobby for expanded treaty rights to the fish that shaped their culture. Read the full article.

Educator & Entrepreneur Lynda Weinman ’76: The lynda.com Success Story

Posted on September 16, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Lynda Weinman, Co-founder and Executive Chair of lynda.com

In a two-part interview, internet education pioneer Lynda Weinman ’76, co-founder of lynda.com, chats with television host Zhena Muzyka about success, entrepreneurship, outside investment, getting ‘unstuck’ and more.

Big Surprise! Evergreen #2 On List of Colleges Offering “Weird” Courses

Posted on September 6, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Editor’s Note: Take a look at the original story, The 7 Weirdest College Courses You Can Take,” in “Made Man,” a self-proclaimed “men’s portal that includes content from a variety of web properties,”

Columbia College has “Zombies In Popular Media.” Cornell University has a course called “Gossip.” University of Victoria, BC offers “The Science of Batman.” In the number two slot on this list of seven weird college courses is Evergreen’s program, “Looking at Animals.” Here’s the synopsis:

Illustrating the Evergreen Program “Looking at Animals.”

This course is how we look at and understand animals. The course contains lectures, readings, and seminars about how animals are portrayed in film, literature, and art. You’ll learn about the portrayal of animals throughout art and media history. You’ll then go through workshops where you’ll develop skills in 2D art, such as drawings or paintings, and 2D animation. The major project associated with the course has you combining your work in the studio with library research on exploring a particular animal or topic within the larger theme of the course.

Really? What’s so weird about that? What’s so weird about any of these programs? The Evergreen Mind chooses to interpret the word “weird” in this context as a back-handed compliment; pop-culture code for innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

On the other hand …

“Gossip?”
“In this graduate course, you’ll explore the philosophical traditions in which gossip has been devalued, as well as how it’s been recently reevaluated by theorists such as …”

Yeah, this actually does sound a bit weird.

Biophysicist Betty Kutter Invited the World to Evergreen – And It Came

Posted on September 5, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Question: Why did almost 200 scientists, researchers, physicians and educators from all over the world travel to Olympia,Washington this summer?

Evergreen Faculty Member Emerita Betty Kutter

Answer: Because Betty Kutter invited them.

Earlier this month, August 4th through 9th, many of the world’s foremost experts on Bacteriophage (Phage), a virus that eats harmful bacteria, converged on the Evergreen campus to talk, share research and think critically about Phage. At the center of this discussion, now and for the past 50 years, is Evergreen Faculty Member Emerita Betty Kutter. Betty has devoted her life to learning and evangelizing about Phage, ever since a scientific mentor said to her many years ago “when we understand phage, we will understand the essence of life.”

Here are highlights of 20th Biennial Evergreen International Phage Meeting:

“Today in the Phage World, this is the place to be. ”

one of the conference speakers.

Breaking Glass Ceilings: Monica Alexander ’13

Posted on September 1, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Monica Alexander ’13 (3rd from left) First African-American Woman Sergeant in Washington State Patrol, Promoted to Lieutenant.

It’s been a busy year for Monica Hunter-Alexander ’13. Until a couple weeks ago, she was the first African American woman to achieve the rank of sergeant in the Washington State Patrol (WSP). On June 14, Monica walked across a stage on Red Square to accept her degree from the Evergreen State College. And on July 16, the WSP promoted her to the rank of lieutenant. The ceremony was held on August 8th and Monica had the pleasure of sharing the official recognition with her husband, Johnny Alexander, who had received the rank of lieutenant earlier in the year.

Monica found an academic home in Evergreen’s Tacoma Program, located in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma.Of her student life, Monica summarized:

“My Evergreen Tacoma experience was exceptional. I felt like I attended class with family. We argued passionately, cried collectively and supported each other whole-heartedly. We encouraged each other and respected each other’s goals and aspirations.”

Monica has received numerous honors and awards including the Educational Excellence Award from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission. She was a familiar – and popular – face on KOMO-TV’s traffic report. In 2003, Monica was inducted into the Tacoma African American History Museum for her service to the community and her work with the WSP.

Monica’s life path thus far – her evident commitment to community, social justice and life-long learning – exemplifies the motto of the Evergreen’s Tacoma Program: “Enter to learn, depart to serve.”

Always A Happy Day: 2013-14 Jackie Robinson Scholars Honored

Posted on August 31, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Left to right: Felix Braffith accepting “the big check” for Maxwell Hanckel, Doneesha Brown, President Les Purce and Mariners President Chuck Armstrong

Evergreen students Doneesha Brown and Maxwell Hanckel received public “congratulations” last Tuesday as this year’s Jackie Robinson Scholarship recipients. The ceremony took place, as is traditional, at Seattle’s Safeco Field just prior to a Mariners game.

Evergreen has awarded 48 Jackie Robinson scholarships, starting in 1987, thanks to the philanthropy of then-faculty member Patrick Hill. A much beloved teacher, philosopher, writer and story-teller, Patrick endowed the scholarship as a tribute to his parents, immigrants who valued education highly but never, themselves, went to college, and who were devoted Jackie Robinson/Brooklyn Dodgers fans.

Read the full story.

Just a bit about Patrick Hill:

Patrick died in 2008 just weeks after being awarded Faculty Emeritus status upon retirement. Here is one of many laudatory statements from former students listed on RateMyProfessor: Patrick Hill was the best teacher I ever had. He was a strong leader, yet had a gentle way, and was inspirational to the nines. He was encouraging and supportive, understanding and yet could light a fire under you. He is the reason I am a teacher. Often I ask myself “What would Patrick do?” An amazing mentor and man! Life changing absolutely!

Animals, City Planning and Animal Psychology?

Posted on August 20, 2013 by Stella Chang

Nick Wilde, a fast-talking fox from Disney’s next big hit, Zootopia, directed by Byron Howard ’90.

Animals, city planning and animal psychology? Are those the areas of emphases for a new program at Evergreen? No. It is what director Byron Howard ’90 had to study for his next Disney 3-D animated feature, Zootopia. How interdisciplinary!

Howard also directed such Disney hits as Bolt and Tangled. Watch this clip: Howard, along with producer Clark Spencer, and writer Jared Bush talk about “creating a world that no one has ever seen before.”

Byron mentions in the clip above that he grew up loving Robin Hood. Share your favorite childhood film in the comments below.

Tacoma Port Commissioner Connie Bacon MPA ’88 wins Globe Award

Posted on August 19, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Editor’s Note: This post is reprinted, in part, from The Tacoma News Tribune web log, June 10, 2013. Although it is a couple months old, we thought MIND readers would enjoy learning about this Greener’s lifetime of service.

Connie Bacon ’88, Tacoma Port Commissioner. Photo: Evergreen Magazine, Fall 2009.

Port of Tacoma Commissioner Connie Bacon was executive director of the World Trade Center Tacoma when it established the prestigious Globe Awards 20 years ago – and now she’s been given one.

At a recent meeting of the WTC Tacoma board of directors, Bacon was surprised to receive only the second Globe Award for Lifetime Achievement .. .

“Connie Bacon richly deserves this award,” said Hugh Carr, WTC Tacoma chairman. “She’s shown real trade leadership as a port commissioner, as a special assistant to Gov. Booth Gardner and, from 1992 to 1997, as executive director of the WTC Tacoma. … There is no one more appropriate to receive this award than the person who first started it.”

The 20th Annual Globe Awards banquet and ceremony is slated for Sept. 19.Congratulations Connie!

Bagpipes on Red Square: Martin Brendecke ’14

Posted on August 14, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Martin Brendecke ’14 busking on Red Square.

Editor’s note: The sound of bagpipes, even from considerable distance, penetrates all other sounds and brings one straight to attention. This is what happened recently when the moaning drones and piercing chanter notes got us out on Red Square within seconds. There we met Martin Brendecke ’14, current student and an accomplished piper.

Martin was born in Tucson, Arizona but grew up in Kirkland, Washington. The son of a performing folk musician, Martin’s world was filled with music, at home and wherever there was a folk festival or traditional music gathering around the Northwest.

When he was eight years old, the Brendecke family went to the Enumclaw Highland Games where Martin’s mother was performing with her band “The Hot Lattes.” That was when Martin’s fascination with all things Scottish began. On the way home, he asked for a practice chanter and a kilt. Continue reading →

The Evergreen Mind

The official alumni blog of The Evergreen State College

Category Archives: Greener Stories