Rob Lewis: Med Student to Math Instructor

In the front of the class stands a humble man. He wears a green plaid long sleeve button up with blue jeans, and sneakers. With his wavy locks slicked back and ready to teach. He asked, "Any Questions"?  The class rambles on with side conversations as Lewis precedes to turn on the overhead. Let’s give a warm round of applause for West Point, Virginia's very own, Instructor Robert Lewis.

Lewis has a Masters in Math from Duke, Masters in Animal Science from Montana State, and a Ph. D in Animal Science from OregonState University. He is a husband to Cathy Lewis and a father to Jimmy Lewis. On his spare time he enjoys training Border collie’s to herd sheep and cattle. He also enjoys hiking, Ping-Pong, and tennis.

He makes math accessible and applies it to the real world. He tells a story about René Descartes (1596-1650) and how the rectangular coordinate system, also known as the Cartesian System.

Lewis climbs on the table and lays down on his back. He mentions flies on the ceiling and how Descartes could get other people to see the exact spot a fly was on the ceiling. He came up with the Cartesian System we use today. Go up a couple square ceiling tiles and over a few ceiling tiles. That's where the fly will be. 

When asked why he became a math instructor, Lewis said, “I wasn’t happy being a med student.” Lewis began as a med student because he thought it would make his parents proud of him, but he wasn't happy. It was never his intention to become a math instructor, but after taking some time off from school and realizing what truly made him happy, he took off and ran with it.

Lewis has been a dedicated math instructor at Linn Benton Community College since 1992. Over the years he has taught several math courses, but really enjoys teaching Math 60. Lewis said, “It is the fundamentals of Math 60 that I enjoy.”

Currently Lewis is teaching Math 60 Introduction to Algebra, Math 111 College Algebra, and Math 241 Calculus for Business Management. During spring term 2014 Lewis will teach Math 111 College Algebra, Math 241 Calculus for Business Management, and Math 243 Introduction to Statistics.

Lewis is an instructor with a student’s best interest in mind. As a previous student of Lewis, Kassie Johnson said, “I would recommend that students take a class with Rob Lewis, he helped me so much, and a lot of people I know in his class now say the same about Rob.” As a current student of Lewis, Todd Votroubek said, “He’s a good teacher, always making jokes, and always willing to help.”

Rob Lewis is a kind person and instructor. He has won the Pastega Award for Teaching Excellence. He has been part of the Oregon Mathematical Association of two year colleges.  Lewis has made an impact on both students and staff. Fellow instructor, Hollis Duncan said, “Rob is a cool dude and an awesome guy.” He’s not only an instructor of math, but an instructor of math accessibility.

At a glance:

Subject's name: Rob Lewis

Job: Math Instructor

Age: Fifty-eight years young

Family: Wife Cathy and son Jimmy

Years at LBCC: Twenty-one years

Education: Masters in Math (Duke Univ.) Masters in Animal Science (Montana State), PHD in Animal Science (OSU)

Hobbies/Interests: Training Border Collies to herd sheep and cattle, hiking, Ping-Pong, and tennis.

Hometown: West Point, Virginia

Organizations:  Oregon Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges

Awards/Honors: Pastega Award for Teaching Excellence

Phone: 541-917-4759

Email: rob.lewis@linnbenton.edu

Introducing Mother Daughter Poet Laureates

Attention all poetry buff's, Valley Writers Series hosts poets laureate. Introducing the mother daughter duo, Ruth Krueger and Amy Earls. Come one, come all, and be intrigued with words.

Student poets laureate Ruth Krueger and Amy Earls shared their poetry at the Benton Center on February 12, 2014, and the reading began at 7:30 pm. The reading was held in Natalie Daley’s classroom BC-244. The Valley Writers series was free and open to the public and was sponsored by the English Department.

Krueger was named the fourth poet laureate in 2011 after following her daughter’s footsteps. When asked what inspires you, Krueger said, “Life and nature are one in the same.” Krueger said, "Mary Oliver as her favorite poet." A few poems that were read by Krueger were: "Sailing", "Pretending", and "Slipping." Krueger's poems were about her loss of loved ones. Each poem was filled with emotion and passion. She took the audience on a journey through her eyes.

Krueger was an active member of the poetry club here on campus. The poetry club was created in 2008 by Robin Havenick. Poetry club is a relaxed environment to continue learning skills and learning from others. During the poetry club meetings people take turns reading, praising the poet, and expressing feelings the were evoked from the readings. During the reading, Krueger read from a book called, "Ekphrasis." It had many poems in it, including pictures. Each poem was an inspiration for her own poetry.

Earls, became second poet laureate at Linn Benton Community College in 2009. When asked what inspires you, Earls said, “Nature and having a deep appreciation for music” inspires her poetry. Like her mother, Earls said, "Mary Oliver is my favorite poet." Poems that were read by Earls were: "Prayers to Grass", "Floating Down Rivers", and "Swings." Earls poems were about her own experiences and how she remembered them. Earls poem "Swings" was a reflection of most children's childhoods. You could feel the chains from the swing in your grasp. She took us to that swing set that day with her sister. During Earls reading, she shared her memoir which remains unnamed and referred to as roman number one.

The reading at the Benton Center was Krueger and Earls first reading together. Nevertheless their poetry flowed nicely together. Their poetry expressed loss and love, sadness and triumph. A student from Linn Benton Community College who attended the reading was Rebecca Chandler. Chandler said, “I enjoy poetry because it is beautiful.”

Robin Havenick, Jeff Davis, Jane White, Natalie Daley, Daley's ENG106 class, Earls' husband and daughter Haven attended this special mother daughter reading. Each poem received a great appreciation from the audience. It felt like the poems were alive and we we're along for the ride. The mother daughter duo took turns reading. One poet would read a poem or two and then the other would do that same. It kept the audience engaged. The poets stood behind a music book stand with a  bouquet of flowers to the right.

What is poetry? It is literary work in which special intensity is given to the expressions and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm. The next time you don't have the right words, think about your feelings. Poetry is an outlet for those scattered thoughts in ones mind. Share them in poetic way.

At the end of the readings there was a loud roar of applause for Krueger and Earls. Both poets shared amazing pieces. After the readings questions were asked and answered. Then one final round of applause and the reading was over.

At a glance box:

Who: Ruth Krueger and Amy Earls

What: LBCC Valley Writers Series

Where: Benton Center Room BC-244, 757 NW Polk Ave. Corvallis OR

When: February 12, 2014

Contact: Jane White, ddjane@peak.org

Phone: 541-917-4577