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

Tutoring Center Serves Students at Linn-Benton

Got questions, they've got answers. Make an appointment online and see a tutor near you.

Students enrolled in a credit course at Linn-Benton Community College look no further; help is just around the corner. With half the term gone, tutors are a great service if a student needs help preparing for mid-terms.

Students are eligible to use the Learning Center to receive help with a variety of classes from business to physics. If students have questions a tutor is waiting to offer assistance. When a tutor isn't available in a particular subject just contact the tutor coordinator, Sheri McIntyre, for assistance.

To begin using this resource a student needs to fill out a registration form, return the completed form to staff who will set up a Tutortrac account, and then the student is ready to go. With a few easy steps, a student is on their way. Once they have a Tutortrac account a student can schedule up to three, fifty-minute tutoring sessions a week. Students recognized by the Office of Disability Services, can have an additional two sessions a week. Students pick the time and then just show up. It’s that simple.

Tutoring services are available for students who are having difficulties or just need a refresher. The Tutoring Center isn’t just for students to get answers, it’s a place to learn study skills. As a fellow student, Raven Burcham said, "I love the Tutoring Center; it helps me understand what I am learning in class."

“[We] help students become independent learners,” said McIntyre.

Students can receive this free resource in the Albany Learning Center, the Learning and Career Center at the Benton Center in Corvallis, or the Lebanon Learning Center. Resources are conveniently located, so that students can easily access these services.

“Tutors are both the coach and cheerleader,” said Jeffrey Pierce, who became a biology tutor in the Fall of 2012. He is one of 30 tutors.

Tutoring Center (At a glance box)

Where: The Learning Center in Willamette Hall at LBCC Albany Campus

Hours: Mon.-Thurs.-8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fri.-8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 541-917-4697
 
Appointments: tutortrac.linnbenton.edu

Additional Information: www.linnbenton.edu

Tutor Coordinator: Sheri McIntyre

Email: mcintys@linnbenton.edu

Linn-Benton GSA: The Outspoken Agenda

Coming out of the closet isn't easy for everyone. Some people need a support system, and at Linn-Benton Community College they offer just that.

There is a club called the Gay Straight Alliance, also known as the GSA. It's a club that meets in the Diversity Achievement Center Forum building room 220 every Friday from 2-3pm. The president of the GSA is Jordan Hagle and the club advisor is Tim Black.

You may be thinking to yourself, "Why is there a GSA anyways?" Well it's simple...its a place for LGBTs (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender students) to come together and be supportive of one another without fear of discrimination. It's also a place to discuss issues and get awareness out there of the GSA community. Gays and straights working together for one sole purpose; to be supportive and understanding of human rights.

As one member of the GSA, Johnie Stiltner said, "I love and accept all people and I want to help people who may feel they don't belong because everyone belongs." This is the perfect example of how this club should be seen. It's place of acceptance and support. Once you walk through the doors at the Diversity Achievement Center it's an arms open and welcoming feeling; no judgment just acceptance.

Hagle said, "It's okay to be who they are." Everyone is an individual with feelings and needs. Nothing can affect you more than being discriminated against. The GSA at Linn-Benton Community College is the place to be yourself, and at the end of the day being yourself is all that truly matters.

The Gay Straight Alliance is welcome to everyone no matter your sexual orientation; hence the club's name. If you're ever asking yourself, "What can I do to help spread awareness," come to a club meeting. Newbies are welcome to join. Everyone's voice can be another's voice of strength, and help motivate someone who isn't sure how to speak without fear of discrimination.

Be the voice of courage and wisdom. Sometimes all a person needs is someone to listen to them. Life would be better if we all could just get along.