Category Archives: Features
Kids can go for “A Walk on the Moon” in new Science Dome show
The Pierce College Science Dome is presenting a new, interactive kids’ show about the moon and a cutting-edge production about the earth’s global climate.
The Science Dome also has new hours for the spring.
General audience shows, featuring a rotation of titles, will be 7 p.m. Fridays and 3:15 p.m. Saturdays. Children’s shows will be 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Of mice and meth: Students trick the eye for the sake of art
Every few months, the oddest things pop up on the walls and floors at the Fort Steilacoom campus.
Consider what’s appeared in the past couple weeks: A red-nosed clown peering out of a trash can. Bloody handprints and a body outline in the welcome center. An archaeological dig amid the greenery of a Rainier building atrium.
Thanks, Raider Men’s Basketball team for a great season
The Raiders broke the school record for wins, won the league championship and finished eighth in the conference.
Read the Puyallup Herald story about the Raiders’ memorable season.
Here’s a story about science, but don’t let that scare you!
Flowers in a beaker at Ted Wood’s Distinguished Faculty award banquet
When Pierce College Chemistry Professor Ted Wood takes the podium, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, former Vice President Al Gore and even artist Pablo Picasso are due for some ribbing.
That’s what happened when Wood recently delivered an irreverent yet insightful talk as this year’s winner of the Pierce College Distinguished Faculty award. His lecture was called “A Healthy Relationship With Science,” something that Wood said people should have, but don’t.
A video of Wood’s talk is now available – and it’s both easy to understand and entertaining.
Faculty honor Chemistry Professor Ted Wood
Pierce College Chemistry Professor Ted Wood admits he hated high school chemistry.
The teacher at his Washington, D.C.-area school, Wood recalled, was more obsessed with solving equations than ensuring his students learned anything or got excited about chemistry
That’s the direct opposite of Wood’s teaching style.
Pierce student wins prestigious state scholarship
The Washington State Emergency Management Association (WSEMA) has awarded Pierce College student Ronn Lauer the Joel Aggergaard Scholarship of $2,500.
Lauer, 42, is currently working towards an associate’s degree in homeland security emergency management; he expects to finish this fall.
Lauer had been working as a firefighter and emergency medical services provider for 23 years when he was laid off in 2011 due to state budget cuts. With few agencies hiring and no opportunities, Lauer began taking classes at Pierce College to retrain for a new career.
At first, Lauer said he was unsure about returning to school after so long a gap.
“I have found that returning to school was not something to be concerned with,” he said. “The instructors have been great as far as working with someone who has not been enrolled in full-time classes for the past 23 years.”
When he’s not studying, Lauer volunteers part-time as a firefighter for the City of Eatonville. His wife, Monica, also volunteers with the fire department.
“My advice to other students, especially those that have been out of school for a few years, would be to relax and take advantage of any help that is offered,” he said. “Do not be afraid to ask for help from obviously younger students.”
Arsenio Lopez is the Outstanding Two-Year Student for 2012
The Pierce College Puyallup Office of Student Life is very proud to announce that Arsenio Lopez III was presented the Outstanding Two-year Student Award at the 2012 National Association of Campus Activities West Regional Conference.
The Outstanding Two-year Student Award is given annually to one student in the western states who demonstrates excellence and exhibits organizational skills, outstanding dedication to campus activities, and leadership ability at a two-year institution. Arsenio is currently serving as the diversity coordinator for the Pierce Puyallup Student Activities Board.
“Arsenio Soblechero Lopez III is an exemplary student leader who should be recognized for his hard work to bring critical issues to campus programming as well as his ongoing efforts to connect with students face to face,” said Sonja Morgan, student programs coordinator.
Before becoming the diversity coordinator for the Pierce College Puyallup Office of Student Life, Arsenio started the First Nations Club on campus to engage and educate students around Native American and Indigenous cultures. He also represented Pierce College as a delegate to the 2012 Washington State Students of Color Conference and applies this experience to his current role as diversity coordinator and president of the First Nations Club.
“Arsenio has already brought many transformative opportunities to students this fall quarter, including leading a delegation to the Race and Pedagogy Criminal Justice Conference, collaborating with the ESL department on a Multicultural Fair and Fashion Show, which brought students from all different backgrounds together to celebrate their traditions and accomplishments, and creating a Veteran’s Wall of Honor that was presented to a local veteran’s home and featured on King 5 news,” said Morgan. “What truly sets Arsenio apart, however, is his a unique sense of humor, a contagious laugh and an undying positive attitude, all of which greatly contribute to a welcoming and affirming campus environment.”
