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Plans for Commons Unveiled Centralia College Seeks Public Opinion for Planned $40 Million Project

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This computer-generated illustration shows the entryway of the soon-to-be built TransAlta Commons. By Courtney Simmons The Blaze

Centralia College held a presentation in Corbet Theater on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to discuss with the public the plans for the new TransAlta Commons that will be located on the corner of Pear Street and Washington Avenue. The new building will house many programs and services that the current building contains, including the cafeteria, ASCC and SAAT offices and Student Services. There are also plans for many new additions, including a student-run “Blazer Cafe,” as well as larger multi-

‘‘If you can nourish community inside your building, that’s my thing.’’ Andy Rovelstad

architect

purpose areas, outdoor seating and a planetarium. This $40 million, 70,000-square-foot project is expected to break ground in July of 2015, according to Vice President of Finance and Administration Steve Ward. It

may be open as early as January 2017 or as late as fall of that year. One of the architects working on the project, Andy Rovelstad of Rovelstad Architecture, took attendees on a virtual tour of the new building using

three-dimensional, computerized models. “If you can nourish community inside your building, that’s my thing,” said Rovelstad. During the tour, Rovelstad explained his plans for light distribution in the building. He pointed out on the model that walls perpendicular to the sides of the building will be solid, but walls parallel to the sides will be glass as often as possible. He hopes that it will create a lighter, more open atmosphere. The architects are continuing to make changes to the

plans based on feedback from students, faculty, staff and the public. Rovelstad said that the need for technology in education has influenced the architecture of the new building. The college first forwarded a proposal for the new, multipurpose building to the governor in 2007. Last year, former Gov. Chris Gregoire’s outgoing capital budget included $37 million in state money for work on the TransAlta Commons for the college to receive over four years. Additionally, the college has raised $3 million through capital campaigns.

Centralia College Lyceum presents Alfred Gomez-Beloz and the Uses of Ethnobotany By Rocky Frahm The Blaze

Bring health to mankind. Search for healing and psychoactive wildflowers. Learn to play a deer bone flute. Live with the indigenous in the Amazon or Northwest. Travel outside the norm. Those were some of the stories and messages told by Dr. Alfredo Gomez-Beloz during a Lyceum focused on ethnobotany Oct. 30 at Centralia College. Gomez-Beloz said he did all these things while earning a doctorate in biology. GomezBeloz became well acquainted with the Waras tribe, residing on the Orrioko River delta in Venezuela. The Waras people took Gomez-Beloz in as one of their own. They taught him the way one teaches a child elementary principles; even as GomezBeloz wrote his dissertation., he said. Gomez-Beloz has practiced setting aside preconceived knowledge, opening him up to learn about the wealth ac-

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Alfredo Gomez-Beloz spoke at a Lyceum event Oct. 30.

cumulated over a millennia by the Waras, a so-called primitive people. While living on the Orrioko, Gomez-Beloz met with every member of the Waras tribe. He believes that the experience of all people — young and old — holds value. For example, af-

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ter buying a handmade canoe, Gomez-Beloz explored the delta with his guides. They pointed out many plants and explained their uses. The translator told GomezBeloz about the tree of life, a nickname given to a local tree. Apart from the 30 other known

medicinal uses of the tree, the football-sized fruit, Homoarao, contains a natural remedy to the common cold within its seeds, he said. After the search, GomezBeloz returned to sit with the tribal leaders to talk of the day’s advances. Gomez-Beloz was

influenced by Richard Evens Schultes, who lived with the indigenous in Peyote country. During this time, Schultes gathered drug and cultural material for his book, “Plants of the Gods.” Gomez-Beloz hates chemicals, especially the chemical Taurine. Taurine is found in most energy drinks, which is consumed by students on a daily basis. Gomez-Beloz explained that Taurine does not produce a physical, mental and social state of well-being, and can, in fact, have the opposite effect when used continuously over time. Gomez-Beloz recommends that students visit their local botanical shop to find out about natural alternative stimulants and memory enhancing herbs like ginkgo, balboa, and gotu kola. He also reminds students to complement their diet with vitamins, highlighting the particularly useful effects of B vitamins.

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Remembering Gordon Aadland

By JamesWalton

Leaders Developing better leaders By Hallie Simons for The Blaze

More thant 100 staff members at Centralia College have now successfully completed a Leadership Development Program started on campus in 2005 by former Vice President Chris Bailey (now President at Lower Columbia College). The pro- Dr. James Walton gram consists Centralia College President of a four-hour class on one Friday afternoon per month, as well as “homework” for the next month. Topics range anywhere from problem solving to community building and on to a plethora of other subjects. The program was the brainchild of CC President Dr. James Walton, who claims that the inspiration came from a lack of communication between different sectors of the college. “There was a real concern on campus that people weren’t talking to anyone from different units,” said Walton. “Around that time, Spokane was developing a similar program, and I figured it would be a great way to break down those barriers.” When Bailey interviewed for the vice president position, the leadership program was

one topic that Walton presented him in regards to how he would tackle such a project. Bailey got the job, and four days after he started he was in Spokane observing their program. By September of that same year, the Leadership Development Program was up and running. Since the program started in 2005, three other community colleges have joined in the program: South Puget Sound, Greys Harbor, and Lower Columbia when Bailey became President there. “Not only are we breaking down the silos within the college, but within the whole region. Breaking down the barriers is what it’s all about,” said Walton. “People from every division of the college have participated.” The program grew so fast that, in order to assure quality, they had to put a cap on how many people could participate in the 10-month course: just eight people per college. The amazing thing, Walton

explains, is that the program keeps regenerating itself, and more and more people want to join. As a final at the end of the

There have also been several unexpected positive outcomes from the LDP; many groups of program “graduates” form committees that work on community projects, including everything from children’s playground enhancements to fundraising socials. One group even puts on an event that, for one hour a year, provides the materials for CC staff to write thank you notes to each other, and delivers them all the next day. Bailey adds that Walton was really the inspiration for the program, with his talent for taking people and putting them in places where they can thrive, so that they can be the best version of themselves and best help the institution. “He wanted to grow his hometown to be better. What we really focused on was communication and motivation, and how to problem solve. People get to analyze their own leadership style, as well as that of others, and then utilize that as best as they can,” said Bailey. One of the most important things a person can do is to

“It’s not about the glory, it’s about the cool ways you can affect peoples lives.” program, the staff members participate in a mock presidential cabinet meeting, in which the college president is fired unexpectedly and they have to solve any number of problems with budgeting, human relations, and myriad other problems. “I get fired every year. It’s getting a little old now after the

“Not only are we breaking down the silos within the college, but within the whole region. Breaking down the barriers is what it’s all about.” eighth time,” Walton said jokingly of the mock cabinet meetings. “And of course, I have to take the rest of the day off because I’m so overcome with grief. It’s a Friday afternoon, what else could I do?”

bring people to be better versions of themselves. Since he can’t do everything himself, Walton says, he has to have people that he knows can get things done in the same positive, proactive way that he tries to, while also expressing their own personal strengths. Walton announced last year to the board of trustees that the 2013-14 school year would be his last, as he plans to retire after his 12 year career as President of Centralia College, but he doesn’t intend to take this last year easy: “I’m going to go 110 percent until June 30th, and then on July 1st I’m going to take a nap,” says Walton. “Once you find a mission in life that you can really get into, it’s extremely rewarding. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. But we’re going to try all kinds of things this year. We’re going to fail at some of them, but when it works it works.” Bringing the conversation back to the Leadership Development Program, Walton explained that the primary motivation for every single person who goes through it or helps to run it is the students. “It’s not about the glory, it’s about the cool ways you can affect peoples lives,” said Walton. “It’s letting the students know that if they need somebody, they can go to someone. Even the president of the college.”

Puget Sound Blood Center Hosts Successful Blood Drive By Courtney Simmons The Blaze

On Wednesday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 17, the Puget Sound Blood Center hosted a blood drive in the lobby of the New Science Center at Centralia College. Of the 72 people registered, 67 gave blood, 19 of whom were first-time donors. “The blood that’s donated gets divided into red cells, plasma and platelets,” said Puget Sound Blood Center Donor Representative Tori Fairhurst. “So one donation can help three separate people.” According to Fairhurst, 201 people will receive blood from the 67 pints donated over the course of the two-day drive. “There’s no substitution for

blood,” said Fairhurst. The Puget Sound Blood Center supplies blood locally to Providence Centralia Hospital. Puget Sound Blood Center will be hosting another blood drive on Nov. 9 at Centralia High School. It will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will be open to the public. The center’s next blood drive at Centralia College is scheduled for Jan. 29 and 30 and is also expected to be held in the NSC lobby. ... To schedule an appointment or for more information about donating blood, call 1-800-3987888. For information about scheduling a blood drive, Fairhurst can be contacted by phone at (360) 561-3157.

Can I donate blood? You can donate if you have had a flu shot. You can donate if you have a tattoo from a licensed facility in Washington, Oregon, California or Idaho. You can donate if you have a body piercing from sterile equipment through proper procedure. You can donate if you are diabetic. You can donate if you are menstruating. For a full list of circumstances that may restrict you from donating blood, visit http://www.psbc.org/programs/ blood.htm

By Henry Bennett The Blaze

Professor Mark Gorecki is the new Spanish instructor at Centralia College, and he will be teaching Spanish 1, 2 and 3. Gorecki grew up in St. Cloud, Minn., and attended Minnesota State University for his undergraduate work, where he majored in Spanish and minored in geography. For his graduate work, he attended Kansas State University. Gorecki enjoys reading and sports, both in video games and in real life, and has even played intramural volleyball in college. During his schooling, he participated in many trips abroad to countries such as Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Peru, Colombia and Uruguay. While in Ecuador, he met his wife Johanna, who is currently a student at Centralia

College. Gorecki explained that there were two ways of looking at his trips abroad: as fun as riding motorcycles through Uruguay, and as serious as when he befriended a student in Chile named Paulo, who taught him a great deal about the local language and culture. Gorecki describes his new coworkers as being very nice and helpful thus far. He expressed enthusiasm toward his future at the college, performing his newfound duties and working with this fellow professors. Gorecki’s message to students is this: “Learning languages may be intimidating, but give it a shot, because even though grammar is one aspect of it, you also get to learn about another culture; and also linguistic diversity is an important skill, though remember they may speak another language and have different customs, but they are people too.”

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Longtime Centralia College professor and communications specialist Gordon Aadland died last month at the age of 92. See one of his columns on Page 4.

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Every fall the golden leaves will fall on the Gordon Aadland Esplanade and we will remember his stories of those that have come before. And every spring new leaves will grow on the trees lining the Esplanade and we will think of all those whose stories have yet to be told. Please take a moment to sit on a bench on the Gordon Aadland Esplanade and watch the students hurrying to and from class. Remember Gordon’s story and don’t be surprised if you get a little chill when that special student walks by and Gordon says, that will be one to remember. A scholarship endowment has been established in Gordon Aadland’s name to help aspiring students now and in the future. Orin Smith has provided the initial gift but please consider giving to the endowment so that we can make it a full tuition scholarship to honor our friend and colleague Gordon Aadland. Thank you.

CAMPUS NEWS

Your Look at Centralia College Life

Blaze 3 • The Blaze, Centralia, Wash., November 2013

CAMPUS VOICES

Your Voice, Your Views

Ask Taylor

Got Skills?

Got problems? E-mail editor@centraliablaze.com for the answers to life’s toughest questions. By Taylor Tryon The Blaze

Dear Taylor, I’ve been cheating on almost all of my assignments in one of my classes so far this quarter. I feel bad, but I honestly don’t understand what we’re learning and I feel stupid asking for help in what my friends call an “easy class.” I just Google the answers... now I’m getting worried that when it’s time for finals it’ll be obvious I faked my way through the homework and my professor will find out I’m a cheater. How do I get out of this hole and actually understand how to do the work? Sincerely, Cheating Chester

cheating and harmful cheating. What you’re doing definitely qualifies as the latter, my friend. So what do you do to fix the problem? You quit worrying so much about your pride and think about your grade. I understand it can be embarrassing to ask questions when everyone else seems to get the material, but I assure you, you are not the first person ever to be confused in a class. Stop relying on Google to do your work and ask your professor for help; it’s their job. Sometimes the toughest things to muster up the courage to do end up helping us the most in the end. Your GPA will thank you. ...

Dear Chester, Dear Taylor, You’ve gotten yourWhat should you do self into quite a dilem- when you have a humonma, haven’t you? In my gous crush on your profesmind, there are two types sor but they’re married? of cheating: “As I was stretching out my neck Sincerely muscles during the test, I Lovestruck Lucy happened to glance down and notice the answer to Dear Lovestruck, #4 on some guy’s paper” Oh, boy. The first step

in dealing with these kinds of feelings is realizing they are completely normal. There’s nothing wrong with developing an attraction to and thinking about person you see on a near daily basis. Attempting to transform your fantasies into reality, however is a bad idea. As flattered as your professor surely would be to know you daydream about running away and living in romantic bliss together in your parents’ basement, you’re better off keeping it to yourself. Acting on your feelings and putting the other person in an awkward position is not only disrespectful to their spouse, but also uncomfortable for both of you when dreamy Professor So-and-So suddenly always has an important appointment to get to when he/she sees you in the hallway. Unrequited feelings can tear the heart to shreds, but I promise you will make it through, and maybe even find some wonderful person who’s not already in the bonds

of matrimony.

need to dig around within yourself and find out what triggers your negativity. Oftentimes people will wallow in darkness simply because it’s safe and familiar to them. When you constantly look on the dark side of everything, it’s difficult for people to bring you down, since you’re already there. Positive people make themselves more vulnerable, it’s true, but isn’t taking risks the meaning of life? So if you truly want to change, first figure out the reasoning behind your negativity, and then every day put out a smidgen of effort into adopting a sunnier disposition. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, try replacing the thought with something happy, such as fuzzy kittens. At first, those around you may be suspicious at the shift in your personality, but the true friends, the ones you really need, will stick around and support you.

Dear Taylor, I’m told I’m a very negative person. I’m that friend who always sees the glass as half empty. I get asked by people “Do you EVER have anything positive to say?” and I do, but apparently my negativity just completely overshadows it. My constant bad moods are starting to affect those around me and I’m noticing my friends aren’t spending as much time with me anymore. I don’t want to be this way, But how can I just change all of the sudden without it coming off as fake or manipulative? Sincerely, Negative Nancy Dear Negative, To answer your question, you can’t change all of the sudden, period. Changing yourself is a process that takes time and patience. Look at it this way: You can’t cure the virus without discovering the cause. So you, Negative Nancy,

2013 fall fest proves successful

What’s YOUR crush?

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Athletic Calendar of Events November 6 - Volleyball @ Home vs. Green River 7pm November 8 - Volleyball @ Tacoma 7pm November 13 - Volleyball @ Lower Columbia 7pm

Your Look at Centralia College Athletics

TRAILBLAZER NEWS

Gordon Aadland Commentary: Why the Statue of Margaret Corbet Should Be Smiling By Gordon Aadland for The Chronicle March 15, 2013

Says the statue of Corbet to the statue of Kemp, “He may be just a fisheries major, but he knows how to run a college.” I was present at the reception for James Walton, more than a decade ago, and I tsktsked over his impossible task of replacing Hank Kirk, the most popular president in the history of Centralia College. But he did it, and now the time is approaching when Walton, himself, will be turning over the trappings of office, and I’m building up my tsks for his successor. I am ready to proclaim him the No. 1 leader in the history of the Trailblazing school, maybe even inching out the affable Hank. Take a look at some of the things that Walton has accomplished quietly while leading the school into the 21st century: • the building of the largest building on the campus, the science center (more on this later) • establishing the Kiser outdoor lab,

• preparation for the TransAlta student center, • starting of the Corbet/ Kemp statue, • offering a bachelor’s degree on a community college campus (this is the miracle to watch), • acquiring land for future expansion. But when he has left, (and the rumor on campus is that it will be a little more than a year from now) I’ll remember him most for his personal touch. Attend a game in the gym, or a play or a concert in Corbet Theatre, and he would be there, much more often than any of his predecessors. When a student came down from the stage after receiving his diploma, the president of the college would be there to greet him. In his sweats, he practiced and played pickup basketball games made up of teachers, staff members and students. Last fall, when students came on campus to start the school year, a group of staff organized a dance routine on the esplanade to greet them. The president of the college was in the back row, a chorus boy. And

yes, he was in step. He shepherded the students through their greatest growth, their biggest financial setbacks and even a flood. Today, Centralia College stands as the leader of quality education as well as the Trailblazer of the state’s community colleges. Presently, there is a library abutting the Aadland Esplanade bearing the name of the unforgettable Hank Kirk. Nearby there is an administrative building with Nels Hanson’s name on it. Soon there will be a statue of the college’s first leader, Margaret Corbet, standing beside her buddy and fellow keeper of the open doors, Katharine Kemp. The next logical step is to give the largest building on the campus the name of the fisheries major who came to us from Peninsula College — the James Walton Science Center. In fact, it’s a slam dunk! And let’s do it soon so that when strolling the campus that he has guided for more than a decade, he’ll be aware of our thanks.

Committees for Dummies: By Taylor Tryon The Blaze

For students interested in applying for a committee, the process is actually much simpler than one may think. Applications can be obtained in room 126 in the Student Center, the student government office. Those strapped for time can simply grab a form from the shelf near the student center restrooms, though the student government office is easily accessible and open to any students with questions, comments or concerns. The 12 councils zero in on all facets of Centralia College, from budget planning to diversity on campus. On the application, students simply specify their top three committee choices and include any leadership positions they may have held, as well as basic personal information such as name and the addition of a personal reference. Though committee

involvement is unpaid, students do not walk away with nothing. In addition to a ceremony that provides free food and an award at the end of the school year, committee membership can give transfer students an edge over other candidates when applying to four year schools, as universities often favor students who participate in on-campus activities over those who do not. Associated Students of Centralia College Vice President Julia Carter names the faculty tenure committee as most in need of applicants. The ASCC has weekly meetings every Friday, and reviewing the week’s committee applications is on the weekly agenda, though not all committees begin meeting immediately. ... For more information on committees and currently available positions, Julia Carter can be contacted by e-mail at jcarter@centralia.edu.

November 16 - Volleyball Tiebreaker Playoffs 7pm @ TBA November 22 - Volleyball @NWAACC Championship - Mt. Hood Women’s Basketball Crossover Tournament - Yakima November 23 - Men’s Basketball @ Whatcom Volleyball @ NWAACC Mt. Hood Women’s Basketball Crossover Tournament - Yakima November 24 - Volleyball @NWAACC Sophomore All-star Tournament Volleyball @NWAACC Championship - Mt. Hood Women’s Basketball Crossover Tournament - Yakima November 29 - Men’s Basketball @ Red Devil Classic

Volley for the Cure Volley for the cure, a volleyball game at which participants wear pink in support of breast cancer was held on Oct. 23 this year against Pierce Community College. Photos by Ayla Withey.

November 30 - Men’s Basketball @ Red Devil Classic

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