I grew up in Oregon City, and even though I never had run-ins with law enforcement, their police staff is very busy and from what I hear they have a lot going on. Jim Band got promoted to lieutenant a few months ago, and I think interviewing him and seeing what his life has been like up to this point would be very interesting. If I can't arrange an interview with Band, I will attempt to find an officer in the Corvallis area to interview.
Another person I'm interested in interviewing is James Templeton, who is involved with almost every intramural sport on the Oregon State campus.
Being interested in sports writing, I would also like to find a local writer that I could talk to about whats involved in their day to day life.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Toga! Toga! Toga!
My generation had Superbad. The 90's had American Pie. The 80's had Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And well, the 70's had Animal House, which changed the outlook on social functions for the next 4 generations. This past Friday I attended a toga party at the Chi Phi fraternity to get my taste of the action.
The toga party portrayed in Animal House has been reenacted year after year, all over the country. It just so happens that there is a fraternity at Oregon State University that holds one of these annual toga parties, and I was able to get myself on the guest list. I went out to a fabric store with a few friends last week to get my toga material, and let's just say that Caesar would be proud.
Right from the get-go, I had the grief of waiting in line with every other person on the guest list, (Fraternity parties should take a page out of Disney's book and invest in a fast-pass line.) You can imagine the toll that the brisk Autumn weather takes on a person wearing a bed sheet. Once inside though, things warmed up immensely. Hundreds of people packed into a basement-style room gives off quite a bit of body heat, (I'm sure the Fire Marshall would love to hear some juicy information like this.)
The 70's didn't quite have the creativity that todays generation has. A plain white toga was out of the question, as every color of the spectrum was displayed throughout the function. Outfits ranged from camouflage togas to blue mesh ones, from rainbow silk togas to pink plaid ones. I talked to one of the guests that attended the affair about the strategies people used while choosing toga material. "It's all about having fun," said Devin Hohensee, one of the guests at the party. "These things dont happen often, so you might as well go all out."
The toga party portrayed in Animal House has been reenacted year after year, all over the country. It just so happens that there is a fraternity at Oregon State University that holds one of these annual toga parties, and I was able to get myself on the guest list. I went out to a fabric store with a few friends last week to get my toga material, and let's just say that Caesar would be proud.
Right from the get-go, I had the grief of waiting in line with every other person on the guest list, (Fraternity parties should take a page out of Disney's book and invest in a fast-pass line.) You can imagine the toll that the brisk Autumn weather takes on a person wearing a bed sheet. Once inside though, things warmed up immensely. Hundreds of people packed into a basement-style room gives off quite a bit of body heat, (I'm sure the Fire Marshall would love to hear some juicy information like this.)
The 70's didn't quite have the creativity that todays generation has. A plain white toga was out of the question, as every color of the spectrum was displayed throughout the function. Outfits ranged from camouflage togas to blue mesh ones, from rainbow silk togas to pink plaid ones. I talked to one of the guests that attended the affair about the strategies people used while choosing toga material. "It's all about having fun," said Devin Hohensee, one of the guests at the party. "These things dont happen often, so you might as well go all out."
Hohensee was right, these things dont happen often. So when they do, who are the masterminds behind it all?
Chris Jordan was one of the social chairman involved with the production of the event. "We have around 700 people on the guest list. I spent hours a day trying to plan it all out and set it all up."
"When you put something like this together, you're obviously doing it for the guests," said Casey Clarke, another member of the social committee. "When you're expecting hundreds of people to show up, we want to make sure they enjoy it and have a good time."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Popping the Safety Bubble
As we all huddle around our own private bubble in class, the workplace, or even everyday errands, we never take the time to pop that bubble and actually talk to a stranger. But why would you? We feel comfortable keeping to ourselves. It's what feels right, it's natural.
Well I had the privilege of sitting down with a classmate who proved my previous paragraph wrong. Krista Goeke was born in southern California (I just happened to be wearing a USC Trojans shirt while writing this) but was raised in Albany. She is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in journalism and is transferring to Oregon State University to major in graphic design. Now I dont know what it is, but it seems like the more people I talk to about graphic design, the more intrigued I am about the subject.
Krista proceeded to tell me a very encouraging and inspirational story about her mother. "She went through brain surgery last year," said Krista. "It's an inspiration for me to keep fighting."
And keep fighting she has. Originally Krista wanted to get into nursing, but by the time she applied for school she had a different mindset. "I was in nursing for all the wrong reasons." Krista said. Maybe not literally "fighting," but I'm a big fan of people who decide to go for something that feels like the best option at that point in their lives.
"I want to design magazines and wrapping paper, I've always been obsessed with wrapping paper," she laughed. Well Krista, you have a good head on your shoulders and I look forward to checking out one of your magazines someday, as long as it isn't Cosmo or Home & Garden.
Well I had the privilege of sitting down with a classmate who proved my previous paragraph wrong. Krista Goeke was born in southern California (I just happened to be wearing a USC Trojans shirt while writing this) but was raised in Albany. She is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in journalism and is transferring to Oregon State University to major in graphic design. Now I dont know what it is, but it seems like the more people I talk to about graphic design, the more intrigued I am about the subject.
Krista proceeded to tell me a very encouraging and inspirational story about her mother. "She went through brain surgery last year," said Krista. "It's an inspiration for me to keep fighting."
And keep fighting she has. Originally Krista wanted to get into nursing, but by the time she applied for school she had a different mindset. "I was in nursing for all the wrong reasons." Krista said. Maybe not literally "fighting," but I'm a big fan of people who decide to go for something that feels like the best option at that point in their lives.
"I want to design magazines and wrapping paper, I've always been obsessed with wrapping paper," she laughed. Well Krista, you have a good head on your shoulders and I look forward to checking out one of your magazines someday, as long as it isn't Cosmo or Home & Garden.
Monday, October 5, 2009
OSU - LBCC Degree Partnership Program
At a Glance:
Oregon State - Linn Benton Degree Partnership Program
Oregon State Admissions (541) 737-4411
Beneficial to Students
The Degree Partnership Program between Oregon State University and Linn Benton Community College is a popular system that often ventures through students' minds. The program allows students to be enrolled in both Oregon State and Linn Benton, so that the student is allowed to take credits at both campuses. It gives students the chance to network beyond just a single college hub. The program is something I firmly recommending looking into, as you can experience the benefits of attending both. I contacted Ellen Powers of Oregon State Admissions to see her take on the dual-enrollment program.
“Financially it’s a big advantage,” said Powers. “Student’s have to pay much less.” Powers also informed me that student’s can fill out a dual-enrollment application online at any time.
Students and their families could relax a little bit financially if they didn’t have to worry about all of the university funds. With the degree partnership program student’s can enjoy all of the Oregon State experience, but afford their classes for much cheaper.
“There’s more resources at the University, but the classes are cheaper at Linn Benton,” said Ryan Versoza, a student currently on the degree partnership program. “You get the best of both.”
Another student on the program, Chelsea Wooderson, told me “I think it’s beneficial to take credits with smaller classes, because you are able to get more attention from the teacher and do better in the class. I also like that I can save a lot more money taking classes there.”
The dual-enrollment program offers so much to students. It’s not often that we are given the choice of having the best of both worlds, but the program clearly extends that option towards us. If you haven’t explored the idea of pursuing a dual-enrollment, then I strongly encourage you to do so, you’ve read the verdict.
Oregon State - Linn Benton Degree Partnership Program
Oregon State Admissions (541) 737-4411
Beneficial to Students
The Degree Partnership Program between Oregon State University and Linn Benton Community College is a popular system that often ventures through students' minds. The program allows students to be enrolled in both Oregon State and Linn Benton, so that the student is allowed to take credits at both campuses. It gives students the chance to network beyond just a single college hub. The program is something I firmly recommending looking into, as you can experience the benefits of attending both. I contacted Ellen Powers of Oregon State Admissions to see her take on the dual-enrollment program.
“Financially it’s a big advantage,” said Powers. “Student’s have to pay much less.” Powers also informed me that student’s can fill out a dual-enrollment application online at any time.
Students and their families could relax a little bit financially if they didn’t have to worry about all of the university funds. With the degree partnership program student’s can enjoy all of the Oregon State experience, but afford their classes for much cheaper.
“There’s more resources at the University, but the classes are cheaper at Linn Benton,” said Ryan Versoza, a student currently on the degree partnership program. “You get the best of both.”
Another student on the program, Chelsea Wooderson, told me “I think it’s beneficial to take credits with smaller classes, because you are able to get more attention from the teacher and do better in the class. I also like that I can save a lot more money taking classes there.”
The dual-enrollment program offers so much to students. It’s not often that we are given the choice of having the best of both worlds, but the program clearly extends that option towards us. If you haven’t explored the idea of pursuing a dual-enrollment, then I strongly encourage you to do so, you’ve read the verdict.
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