Story 5: Office Hours with Mike Houglum

At A Glance:

• Classes taught at LBCC: Speech 111, 112, 218, 219
   
• How long has he been at LBCC: 26 years
   
• Usually has: A 16-ounce cup of house coffee
   
• Speech topics heard most often: How to make a speech, and the classics like legalizing marijuana and lowering the drinking age to 18 aka the file folder speech in the frat house.

Quote: “Well you know how it is. The students are all with their energy drinks, or something like that, taking some sort of brain stimulants and if you’re not on the top of your game you really feel like you’re behind. I’m already fighting that.”

 (Mike Houglum at left in his office after the interview)

Unfortunately for staff and students, speech instructor Mike Houglum is soon approaching retirement. In fall 2012, Mike Houlgum will leave the speech department and students he has influenced.

While he doesn't advise any clubs or host any events, he is still loved by many of his students. It will be a loss to LBCC when he retires by fall 2012.

Mindi Jones (one of Houglum's students) changed her major to speech because of  Houlgum.

"He inspires me to work harder than any of my other teachers. He's interested, he's not boring, and he knows his stuff. He pays more attention to what I have to say than other teachers do. He always gives outside references so I can do outside research on my own."

Emma Barry hasn't converted to a speech major, but she is really into Houglum's classes and teaching style.

"I took interpersonal communication my first term here in fall 2009 because the class sounded interesting and I took it with Mike just on random chance. He turned out to be my favorite teacher. I'm taking all of his classes just because his enthusiasm makes anybody like the subject."

While Houglum doesn't bounce off the walls with excitement, he demonstrates his passion for the subject by providing students with a variety of useful and applicable information in his speech classes.

Houglum has been teaching communication classes at LBCC for 26 years. With his 16-ounce cup of coffee and the choir serenading in the adjacent classroom, Houglum put his communication skills to practice. Having graduated from California State University Northridge with a BA and master’s and earning a Ph.D. from UO, it’s safe to say Houglum knows his subject.

Commuter: You’ve mentioned in class that you were originally going to declare your major to be psychology. What made you change your mind?

Mike Houglum: A serendipitous series of events occurred and I was unable to declare that major. At the time I was told that they didn’t have enough resources to do advising for anymore psychology majors. A lady told me that I could declare a speech major and I said ‘sure.’ So she changed my entire destiny just by a suggestion. The dominoes really fell after that. I may not have gone for a Ph.D., I wouldn’t have met my wife (she was in speech at UO), everything changed.

C: What would you say your favorite speech class to teach is?

MH: I like two of them really well: persuasion and small group communication. I think those are both the most fun because in those classes students push to really explore things. They take it because they are interested in those topics and not because they are required to. I think it draws an audience of students that are really interested in the subject and so they push me to do better or try to stay ahead. And I learn a lot of things in those classes.

C: What do you learn?

MH: I learn new theories, I learn new ways of doing things, I learn about topics I would NEVER study on my own but that are really interesting and/or really significant to society. I get a chance to do what I originally set out to do, which is to learn things and try to find ways to teach other people about them.

C: Being a speech instructor, would you say it would be difficult to persuade you on anything?

MH: No, the overriding quality is being a teacher. Teachers are generally easy because they want to help students, just like agreeing to this interview, and even though I know a lot about persuasion it doesn’t always help protect me. It makes me suspicious but it doesn’t make me immune.

Where to find Mike Houglum
Office: SSH - 231B
Phone: 541-917-4281
E-mail: mike.houglum@linnbenton.edu
Office Hours: Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday 10-11 a.m.

Profile: Katherine Sanders lives to dance

(at left LBCC dance club members perform at the concert "Inspirations")

Katherine Sanders is known for her enthusiasm when teaching her jazz, modern and hip hop dance classes here at LBCC.

Sanders is also the staff representative and creator of the new LBCC dance club. She not only teaches her students to dance, but also provides them with opportunities to stretch their wings and choreograph their own work. 

Daniel Rasberry is appreciative of what Sanders is doing with the club. “I talked to Katherine and loved what she believed in. It fits me and my personality and the way I am.”

Jim Bell of the Athletic Department is also impressed with Sanders’ contributions to LBCC. “Her energy and enthusiasm, the motion and expression of dance have been caught by the students in the club and in her classes. It’s nice to see this new innovation.”

Katherine Sanders has brought a unique experience here to LBCC. With a variety of dance classes and this new performing dance club students have a wide range of opportunities to express themselves through dance.
Sanders explained, “I think anyone can dance.”

Commuter: “How and why did you first get involved with dancing and teaching?”

Katherine Sanders: “Both of my parents, and my entire family, are teachers. I just come from a family of teachers. My mother was my first dance teacher. She owned a dance studio when I was growing up so that got me involved with dance originally.

I definitely kind of went away from it for a little while but I always kept in my life a bit. Finally when I was just finishing high school and entering college I really realized that I was much happier when I was dancing regularly.

And since then I’ve just danced five days a week almost consistently since then. So it just kind of made sense … the teaching I guess and my family background … it’s jut what I do. I can’t imagine any job I would rather do.”

C: “What sort of dancing do you personally do in your free time?”

KS: “I don’t [laughs] because I dance so much during the week for my job. It’s rare for me to go out dancing or take any extra classes. In the summer time I go to New York City and I give myself a dance intensive that LBCC offers financial support for professional development and so I take a lot of modern and hip hop just to get a sense of the current moves coming out of New York City.”

C: “How did you become an instructor here at LBCC?”

KS: “When I moved up here from Eugene almost four years ago I was working at Willamette University and I noticed there was very little dance offered for adults in this area and especially through this college. [I also noticed] there was only one ballet class offered at the Benton Center and maybe some country line dancing for community ed., but [there wasn’t] a lot [offered].

I actually was just really proactive and called the people who do the community ed. in Corvallis and just let them know that I teach among other things hip hop, which is really a popular dance form right now and that they might want to consider offering it.

So about three and a half years ago they offered it as non-credit and it filled right away. So then I worked my way over here and said to the people in the PE department that since that class was obviously so popular that I encouraged them to offer a credit class of it.

As soon as people realized it was there it caught on and started to fill. Once hip hop was doing well I started offering other dance forms … It seemed like the community was missing that and I’ve been really happy to be able to fill that gap.”

C: “What’s your favorite thing about teaching here at LB?”

KS: “I would have to say the student population. I always liked the feel of a community college. To me there is so much more diversity because in the same class you could have a 17 year old who’s straight out of high school  mixed in with a 26 year old coming back after having two children and a 50 year old who is on their second round of trying to find a new career."

I love that because I feel it creates a really rich classroom. So for me as a teacher having people come in from those different walks of life that’s the best part [of teaching]. I feel like here people are living real life.”


*At a glance*

Classes taught at LBCC:
PE 185R & 186F, Modern Dance

How long she’s been at LBCC:
3 years

Life before LBCC:
She taught at dance schools where ever she lived and at Willamette University.

Office space:
“I don’t actually have an office because I’m part time. I joke with people that my office is right in front of the stereo cart because that’s where people meet to talk with me.”

Hobby:
“Glorified taxi driver” for two teen children, working in the garden, and taking walks in the park with the dog.

Three things Edna taught me

"My God Martha did you read this!"

This is just one amusing line from Edna Buchanan's "The Corpse Had a Familiar Face" over all was a compelling read and also inspiring. Buchanan paints an interesting picture of what a reporter should be like on and off the job.

A story she tell us involves her racing back to the office on deadline to write a story she had just been gathering information for. Another story opportunity presented itself. Buchanan barely hesitated before making and immediate and scary U-turn.

"Cops are people too." This is Buchanan's catch phrase all through the book. Her constant interactions with the police remind her (and everyone who reads "The Corpse Had a Familiar Face") that cops can be average, good or bad. Some are heroes. Others end up in their own jail cells (if the system is just).

Buchanan is fine with the single life. However, she did try out a few relationships during her crime beat carrier. They did not last long. It seems like a warning. Even though a reporter is always interacting with people, their intimate relationships either come last or don't happen at all (unless you have eight adopted kitties and a dog).

The stories in this book are very entertaining and highly recommended for journalists and those who just love a good read. Witty and gripping, it's a challenge to put it down.

Other books by Edna Buchanan:

• "Cold Case Squad"
• "Shadows"

Hamann focuses on moving LBCC forward

 At a Glance:

•  President Greg Hamann has a message for LBCC
• "Leadership comes from everywhere," Hamann said.
• Charles Madriaga: "I really appreciate him."
• Karelia Stetz-Waters: "I'm getting a good impression..."

While many students used the April 15 in-service day as an opportunity to sleep in, staff gathered in the Russell Tripp Performance Center to hear new LBCC President Greg Hamann give his first speech to all campus employees. Hamann shared his enthusiasm for his new role at LBCC, along with his thoughts on the future of the college and his concept of leadership.

Karelia Stetz-Waters, of the English department, is looking forward to Hamann’s influence.

“I think he’s going to do a good job. I’m getting a good impression from him.”

Upon entering the theater, staff were greeted with “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas blasting from the walls. As soon as everyone was seated, the Roadrunner danced out on stage and stood behind the podium. The room was full of gasps and laughter when it removed its head and President Hamann was revealed.

Still in the costume, he gave a teaser for his address later in the program:

“It isn’t about me, it’s about us.”

True to his word, President Hamann spoke to LBCC staff members about what he sees in store for the
college.

“I know that we are going to change,” Hamann said.

With that in mind, he voiced a fear held by many: there will come a point when the college will need to learn to do less - because enrollment increases are outpacing funding. One of the staff members asked how they would know when that point came. Hamann answered that everyone would have to decide together what that point would be. However, he also acknowledged that no matter what the challenge, everyone must be sure not to violate one of LBCC’s most noble principles: the students always come first.

Counselor Charles Madriaga is ready for whatever new innovations President Hamann might make to
LBCC.

“There’s a strong sense of hope,” Madriaga said. “I really appreciate him. And, quite honestly, he’s a good man.”

President Hamann also has some interesting ideas about leadership. He wants every staff member to understand that leadership is not about power. It’s about purpose.

Hamann’s definition of leadership contained five parts to leadership: unity, creativity, adaptability, persistence, and sharing. In order for this institution to work, he noted, everyone needs to be united. Sides can’t be taken. Staff members need to share their creativity. “Creativity is not just about one idea. It’s about bringing things together,” he said.

To illustrate how leadership must be adaptive and involve persistence, Hamann cited changes that needed to be made at his former college, Clatsop Community College, in Astoria. A few of the changes
involved constructing new buildings. The only way for that to happen was for everyone involved to be flexible and to persevere.

“Leadership does not just come from the top. It comes from everywhere. Everyone has a role to play.”

Hamann said about his role, “I’m most excited about coming to a place where I can be part of this community.”

LB students dance the night away (story #2)

 (at left dance club members have a laugh while practicing)

LBCC is dancing the night away, and then some.

Right now, members of the dance club are rushing rehearsals for the upcoming dance concert on May 7 and 8. The group is really enthused about the concert.

Chante Marvin, one of the dancers, said, “I’m looking forward to the performance. I’m really excited to see the other pieces people have come up with.”

Dance instructor Katherine Sanders explained, “We’re really putting on a show that takes a lot of people from the community to make it happen.”

Sanders has created a dance club open to any LBCC student with an interest in dance. Sanders explained, “I think everybody can dance.” Both genders and people of all levels (from no experience to professional) are highly encouraged to check out this new club that meets on the Albany campus and sometimes at the Benton Center.

Liz Pearce, one of Sanders’ students and an LBCC staff choreographer, said, “It’s great to have this opportunity on the Albany campus. There’s never been anything like this.”

Sanders began this club during fall term with the ambitious intention of having a dance organization originating out of LBCC and performing for the community. She felt that there was a desire and need. Forty students rose to the call.

Mia Sanchez, the student representative of the club, was “all over the idea.” As a dancer and one of the six student choreographers, she is very optimistic about this new club.

“I’m having a great time … it is a little frustrating when you go over it [the same dance] over and over and you have somebody else’s vision you’re trying to fulfill … but it’s a lot of fun.”

Sanders says that all types of dance are welcome in the club, but right now student interest mainly lies in hip hop and modern dance. Students choreograph most of the dances practiced.

Daniel Rasberry, one of the student choreographers and dance club members, said, “I love hip hop. I love the feel of it. I talked to Katherine and loved what she believed in and what she represents with her dancing. It fits me and my personality and the way I am.”

Sanders is a strong advocate for the arts, but her main passion is dance. She hopes this concert and the club will artistically inspire people, particularly other students. Her goals are to provide a creative learning experience for students outside of the classroom and to touch the community at large.



At a glance:

• For more information about the club contact Katherine Sanders at sanderk@linnbenton.edu or (541) 917-4235
• Concerts are 7:30 p.m. May 7 and 2 p.m. May 8 at the Russell Tripp Performance Center on the Albany campus
• Cost for concerts: $5 adult $2 children ages 5 to 12, free for children 4 and under
• check out this website for an explanation of hip hop
• for a definition of modern dance click this link

Top 3 from 100 things journalists should never do

With the media as a fabulous tool and a dangerous weapon, journalists have to decide how much integrity they want to exercise in this business. In my opinion, it is best to be a good person. That way, if people know you for being a fair, honest reporter, they will be more likely to talk to you and give you an excellent story.

Keeping that snippet in mind, journalists really should consider living by the phrase "treat others as how you would want to be treated". They should also live by other mantras, including these three:

1. A journalist should never be a friendly dog when reporting then go snake at the keyboard

2. Journalists should follow the facts where they lead, especially if that's somewhere unexpected and uncomfortable.

3. Never say you're unbiased. You are biased. The best journalists mitigate their biases; they don't hide them.

I chose these three because one of my goals in life is to be a very compassionate person. The first "never do", the one where it mentions being a friendly dog, is what I always try to do when reporting. If you are friendly and fun, people will be more willing to talk with you and work with you on a story.

Secondly, following the facts is less likely to get you in trouble. As Rob reminds us, the truth is your best bet. Also, facts are what people want. People want the truth. And some things are meant to be told. Uncomfortable things need to be discussed.

As for the third quote, there is so much truth to it. No matter what a person will be biased, even if it is just slightly. As a reporter, it is our duty to put aside our facts to "get the story".

These three items came from this site. Poynter is working on compiling 100 items (they are not there yet). They are receiving tips from Twitter and emails. A few of these "never do's" are similarly found in Tim Harrower's book "Inside Reporting".

LBCC soccer is run over by Southern Oregon University (1st newsreporting story)

Racing into the freezing rain LBCC the boys soccer club fought fiercely against Southern Oregon University only to be defeated by three goals.

Despite the cold and the rain, approximately 25 fans sat in the stands or stood on CHS’s track on April 4 to watch the soccer match. Both SOU and LBCC played gripping games with the final score being 4-1 to SOU.

LBCC Roadrunners worked an aggressive defense. TJ Comini , LBCC goalie, dove madly for the ball and had thrilling saves. Cesar Pablo Reyes darted into the skirmishes and attempted to steal control of the ball.

Mickey Allapach charged toward Southern Oregon’s goalie and managed to score LBCC’s first and only goal of the game.

Max Sampson played a feisty offense assisted by Motahana Al Zabidi. As a whole the team played a strong game.

Mark Uff says, “The team has good chemistry.”

While LBCC regularly stole the ball, they could not keep control of it and allowed three goals to glide through Comini’s outstretched arms.

Head Coach Art Mota comments, “The first half was disappointing. I think the effort was lacking on our part. They definitely out worked us. They took advantage of the open space ... we made some adjustments in the second half … played much better in the second half. The guys showed a little bit more heart, worked a little bit harder.”

The loss though is not devastating. Zabidi comments, “We tried our best. But we still have one more game. Next game we will do better.”

Amedce Ngarnkiye ads to the positive spirit: “We still have our pride.”

Everyone is looking forward the final upcoming game on April 17. This game will determine the Roadrunners placement in the league. The game will be held at LBCC, and Coach Mota believes the team will perform well.

“We still have something to play for. If we win our last game we can finish in third and then with the realignment the league is going to do next season we’d be in the Premiere league.”

Ian Chapman also has great faith in the team. “Our game has really stepped up this season. This is one hell of a team.”


At glance:

• final score: 4-1 SOU
• for past and future game details check out the Cascade Collegiate Soccer League website
• for more info about the soccer club check it out on LBCC's website
• if you want to join the soccer club email club advisor Coach Art Mota at art.mota@linnbenton.edu or call 541-917-4467
• next home game: April 17 12 p.m. LBCC Albany Campus