It’s a question that comes up every Monday in our newsroom: “What are we thinking about this week?”

This is how we begin brainstorming the pivotal question that graces our back page every issue — you know, the collection of mug shots and quotes under the heading “Think About It.”

For those of you who are new to this place we call Lane Community College — well, some call it Lane, others LCC while I’m a fan of just referring to it as “the college” — let me explain.

Every week, we think of a question to pose to a random sample of six to 12 students on campus. We interview them and print their responses on the back of The Torch.

Last week’s question, “What would you like to know more about this campus?” elicited a variety of responses.

A couple of folks said they know everything they need to about our fair college. Others were less informed. Fortunately, the college’s archivist, Elizabeth Uhlig, took it upon herself to answer a couple of these questions in the form of a letter to the editor. But alas, there are mysteries remaining on campus.

So I’ll do my best to find the answers.

One student last week said he’d like to know a bit about the college staff’s learning background. Easy enough.

The college catalogs holds part of the answer. Starting on Page 270, it lists what kind of degree instructors who teach here have earned and where he or she completed their education.

Let me throw some random numbers at you.

Of the 12 full-time instructors in the art department, all but five hold a degree from an Oregon college — four bachelors and two masters from the University of Oregon and one who earned an associates from the very institution you’re attending right now.

The math department — with its 15 full-time instructors and 49 part-timers —boasts five instructors with a doctorate, a Harvard grad and two teachers who completed their education in France.

There’s only one instructor in the music, dance and theatre arts department I can say has spent a great deal of time in my hometown. Gene Chin has a bachelors in art from Linfield College. The football team boasts a record 55 winning seasons. But who’s keeping count, really?

The Torch’s production adviser earned both her bachelors and masters at the UO. And our news and editorial adviser?

He got his bachelors at Colorado State in Pueblo, masters at Adams State College and doctorate at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.

All but one of the aviation academy’s part-time staff holds an associates from LCC. And one of the department’s two full-time instructors is a Duck.

Of course, there’s more to the hiring process here than simply earning a degree and applying. You’ve got to interview for the gig, just like any other job. On top of that, every new hire must be approved by the Board of Education during one of its regular meetings.

Feel free to peruse the rest of the college staff’s credentials by viewing the catalog entry at http://bit.ly/iinCoa. Or view the full catalog here: http://bit.ly/fbosYX.

Got any more questions? You know where to find me.

 

 

Editor Eder Campuzano can be reached at 541-463-5655 or torcheditor@lanecc.edu.