A Play to Remember

"It looked like a writing center conference up there."
The words of Dr. Bob Marrs when he spoke about "She Would if She Could" at one of our Monday meetings. Featuring notable WC consultants Katie Blanchard, Nathan Raymond, Britt Anderson, and Andy Johnson among the principals, it was a three hour romp through all of the lewdness of a restoration comedy, and one of the funniest stage shows that I have ever seen.

I'd go see that again, and I have already seen it thrice.

- Ben B. '13

MWCA CONFERENCE

Hello all! Fifteen hours after leaving Cedar Rapids and one lost shoe later, the Coe Writing Center has made it to Rapid City, South Dakota for the Midwest Writing Center Association Conference. Woohoo! For the next two days, we'll be here giving presentations on wonderful subjects such as, Writing Center as an NGO, the 15 committees, and Writing Across the Curriculum Research. (We also got to explore the Badlands, caves and Deadwood.)

Here's a picture of us hard at work:



That's enough fun for now.
-Taylor

Ah, will you look at that; fall break has come and gone. How quickly time passes when you're hard at work at Coe. However, fall break was convenient in some respects: I figured out what you, the reader of this fine blog, are entitled to next. Namely, the results of some thinking inflicted on me late one evening.

As it turned out, on that rather dreary Minnesota night, a friend of mine asked me over the internet to take a quick glance at a paper he was working on. This wasn't a particularly unusual request; I've done quite a few things like this for my friends in the past, but on this particular instance, I had some new abilities available to me. Or at least a new perspective. In helping Thomas fix his paper, I this time took a more backseat role and focused on helping him make the paper better rather than on editing. As the paper was going to be subjected to a class workshop the next day, I focused on the type of criticism and commentary that we so often fall back on in the Writing Center here at Coe. It made me think, "I really do belong in the Coe Writing Center."

- Ben Buckmaster '13.

Ladies and Gentlemen...Andy Johnson

 
- Chris Hughes

They Call Me "Swine Flew"

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We had a great time on our annual WC retreat a few weeks ago. Returning to Wisconsin (where our retreat was held my freshman year) and the American Players Theatre was a great throw-back for me, but the real treat was the opportunity to once again drive a 15 passenger van. I drove one of these beast my first year at Coe on a going to a Writing Center conference in Houston, and that was quite a trial. At 5’1” I am barely able to see over the steering wheel, and also have to take a running start to get into the driver’s seat. This particular road trip had been very Little Miss Sunshine with each of us stoically playing our parts. I of course got to be Olive, the little girl. But that isn’t so important.

We were driving through the boonies of Oklahoma in the middle of the night. Rob Synovec and Catie Stienman had both gotten too tired to drive, so it was my turn to take the night shift. Driving through the plaines of Oklahoma in the middle of the night is a dull experience, and so Malyssa Oblander was put in charge of keeping me awake. She failed miserably at this job, and about 2:30am Rob switched with her and took up the post of navigator and driver’s entertainment. Around 3 am we decided it was time to stop for the night, and pulled off of the main highway headed toward a town that had signs for hotels. Driving down the unlit road leading from off-ramp to town, a figure suddenly appeared in the road. It was large and bulbous and rather lifeless, but I did not have time to think or react much less slam on my brakes. Instead I proceeded to straddle this creature with the tires of the 15 passenger van. After passing over it, I came to a stop and looked at Rob. I thought I was hallucinating, of course as it was 3 in the morning and I had been going crazy in that van for the past twelve hours. The look on Rob’s face confirmed my sanity when we both realized that I had just run over a dead pig. It wasn’t just any pig, but a very large, very pink, potentially pregnant dead pig. We are talking Blue-ribbon sized pig.

We found the motel a few miles down the road and Rob got out to get us some rooms. Another van pulled up, and out came about 15 haggard looking railroad workers. One of them may actually have been a reincarnation of John Henry. He was in the top five biggest people I have ever seen. I would have liked him to be on my football team. Or really any team for that matter. Once Rob got inside, John Henry leans over to him and asks if he is the one with the van full of women. Rob says yes, and John Henry responds, “You are one lucky man.”

We went back down the same road the next morning, and there was no pig to be seen. Rob and I both saw it though. We promise. Needless to say, I love 15 passenger vans.

-Katie B.

So we here at the Writing Center have a slight problem: while we love baking things, we (more often than not) have no eggs to work with. This was, unfortunately, the case this evening down in the WC when our dear friend Jess decided that it was time for brownies. We lamented the lack of eggs and the absence of baked treats that said lack would cause. That is, until Amelie suggested:

"Hey, why don't you just do a vegan recipe? They don't require eggs or anything like that."

Apparently, vegan recipes (especially for things like cookies and brownies, we don't really aim for healthy things down here) have been an ongoing theme in the Writing Center, especially with folks like Clarissa and Patricia last year. And while I haven't been privy to such knowledge up until now, I am feeling all sorts of educated and ready to munch.

So please, when trying to bake something in our beloved basement abode, think of your fellow consultants: don't let the lack of any one ingredient get in between you and baked goodness. Be creative and even if your concoction turns out to be awful, those in the WC will still appreciate it.

For personal reference, here is a vegan recipe for brownies:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Fo sheezy

- Chris Hughes '10

Anne Fadiman Visits Coe

Nationally acclaimed author and essayist Anne Fadiman recently visited Coe College. Fadiman is perhaps best known for her award-winning book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. All incoming freshman were required to read this book (myself included). This book covered the account of a young epileptic Hmong – American girl (Hmong is a group of people from Laos and Vietnam) and the cultural misunderstandings between her parents and the American doctors who treated her. The book deals with the very sensitive topic of racial and cultural differences, and has been received in both very positive and negative ways. It, however, did win the National Book Critics Circle Award.

The writing center staff attended one of her speaking events on Sunday, September 20 in exchange for the weekly staff meeting. This event was largely based on question and answer. Students posed a wide variety of queries, and Fadiman addressed most of them. She explained the process of writing her book, which took over eight years to complete. She also answered questions regarding her experiences with writing and education, publishing, her critics, and her writing style.

The following day, Fadiman addressed a larger of group faculty and students in Sinclair auditorium. She spoke for roughly forty-five minutes, talking about the time she spent with the Hmong during her research, and elaborating on the larger themes of her work. There was another question and answer session following her talk.

Ten writing center students also had the opportunity to have lunch with Fadiman on Monday afternoon. This was initially going to be a lunch with faculty, but Dr. Bob advocated the value that students could extract from the experience. Because of this, Dr. Bob was able to produce 10 students from the writing center to have lunch with the acclaimed author.

- Matt Barnd '13

LWS: Longitudinal Writing Study

One of our projects this summer is the Longitudinal Writing Study that Tara has been working on. Here is what she has to say about it:

"Work on the Longitudinal Writing Study (LWS) began steadily through the first part of the summer until the end of June hit. After a few bumps in the road (i.e. finding a few research flaws, backtracking to correct them, and the researcher’s inability to read), it is mid-August and progress is slow.

I am swimming in data and charts, trying to provide helpful analysis and commentary for Coe faculty. But the end is in sight.

For anyone wondering, the LWS is a long-term study looking at the writing program at Coe and more specifically, student perceptions of it. Year one has been completed with a database of collected surveys, interviews and writing samples/reflections from students. Plans for year two are currently underway and will begin to be implemented with the arrival of new and returning students.

Next stop: Presentation at the Midwest Writing Center Association Conference in Rapid City, South Dakota."

Summer ESL Comes to a Close!

Summer is coming to an end, folks!

Today was the last round of conferences for our summer ESL students.

Every summer a large group of students from Waseda University and Nagoya-Gaukin University (both in Japan) come to Coe to get some preliminary ESL training, and to develop a stronger knowledge of American culture. I have been working as a mentor and conversation assistant for these students, which is always a challenge, but incredibly fun. Two of my students will be staying here at Coe for the year, so it will be nice to see their progress as they become more comfortable with our American way of life.

As summer WC consultants, it is our responsibility to make ourselves available for conferences with these students. This evening, Karin, Tara, Malyssa and I did 12 conferences, which although not a WC record, it was indeed a hefty number considering we haven't been opened all summer.

On of the most interesting and challenging things about ESL conferences has always been the varying levels of English proficiency that these students come in with. Some are nearly fluent while others are struggling to form complete sentences. And some are quite excellent writers while they remain completely hesitant to speak in English. So are the woes of a WCer! My favorite part about the summer ESL students is how eager they all are to learn. All of them make great efforts and show significant improvement during their week or two weeks at Coe. It is really quite remarkable.

Katie B.

Summer Musings...you needed an update.

Hello, Hello, Hello WC folk!
Well it has been a fairly average and mundane summer in the Writing Center. It has been a long time since a post has been made, so I'll try and update you as best I can.

This summer we have Amber, Tara, Karin, Andy, Malyssa, Clarissa and myself (Katie) working in the Writing Center. We are doing the usual projects, and have added a few fun things this summer, so here is a bit of an update on that:

The summer newsletter went incredibly smoothly, only a few minor hitches including Dr. Bob trying to crop out his "pimping ain't easy" shirt, but we managed to keep that intact. Hopefully this will be posted on the website soon so people who are not current staff members can take a look at "The Albuquerque A-Bomb."

As for the Alumni Newsletter, it is a slower process. We are trying to compile a current list of alums and their locations and get plenty of info on those individuals who may have eluded us in the past. Andy and I are beginning to feel like stalkers, so hopefully those of you who have avoided being contacted for the last several years will suck it up and send us your info!

Andy and Karin have made some wonderful videos discussing Writing Center theory and execution. These will be used to introduce people to the Writing Center, help train new staff members, and hopefully at least one of them will be used at the MWCA conference in Rapid City, South Dakota this fall.

As some of you know, last year we started a project entitled "The WCWC" or Writing Center Water Closet. A few times a semester we put up newsletters in all of the bathroom stalls on campus with some Writing Center news, event info, and some fun stuff to read while you are..er...taking care of business. In an attempt to be more environmentally friendly, an accurate count of all of the bathroom stalls on campus is being taken. No longer will we over-print!

Amber would like everyone to know that the Colere website is finally up to date, one of her summer projects. She says: "The Colere website is now amazing and everyone should take a glance at it. www.public.coe.edu/wac/colere For once, it's not three years out of date." Do it. You know you want to.

Other than that, it has been a lot of gardening and planning for the new incoming class. We seem to have a great group coming in this year, so get excited!

More to come!
- Katie B.

hard work, good luck, red bull

Update from alumna Alice Obrecht, currently working on her PhD at the London School of Economics:

I've been thinking about the writing center a lot lately, for two reasons: one, I think my life would be better if I had a bread makingmachine. Two, exam time is looming here at LSE.

The brilliance of the British system is that students are politely asked to do various chores throughout the year - for example attend class somewhat regularly, participate in discussion, submit written work that is marked and returned to them-but 100% of their grade for a class is determined by a single 3-hour exam sat in a large, often sweltering, hall in June. In this 3 hour exam students are expected to write 3 essays, by hand. There is also a pit of tarantulas they must avoid falling into as they exit the hall. Unfortunately that last part is not true. Yet.

So I am thinking of the WC at the moment, as I always do this time of year. On the one hand, focusing course assessment around written work is a good idea. On the other hand, this way of doing it seems to take the writing process and pump it full of Red Bull and extreme anxiety and the search for the Perfect Essay Structure that can be learned and repeated over and over.

Hence my procrastination in preparing for the revision class I must teach tomorrow (and hence this as another chance at procrastination). But basically I will say what I always say, which is that writing a good philosophy essay is like good cooking or having a good sense of personal style. Outside of some basic guidelines, like don't switch around the salt and the sugar, or don't always expect people to understand the irony of your clothing choices, there is not much to say. You are free.

And it is your choice: will you be inspired by that freedom, or terrified?

Then I will tell them to work hard, and wish them luck, and remind them of the health side effects of drinking too much Red Bull.

She also writes: " I would have liked to send you a picture of me on the boat I'm living on, but forgot to bring my camera with me to school. Perhaps later."

Farewell from this year's graduating seniors!


(front, L-R: Nina, Johanna, Heather, Whitney, Marie, Leta; back, L-R: Sarah, Clarity, Sakinah, Jenna, Patricia, Andy)

We will miss you very much, indeed.

cookout

this coming monday (april 27), in place of the usual staff meeting, there will be a wc cookout on the peterson patio. there will be hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, and a very good chance for a pinata. there's a sign-up on the front desk, or email emily c. with mealplan info.

what: wc cookout
date: monday, april 27
time: 5:30 pm
place: peterson patio

kids against hunger

here are some photos from last week's meeting, in which the writing center sponsored a "kids against hunger" food drive. each consultant donated $5 (and bob matched the consultants with a $250 donation) and participated in packaging food for underprivileged children.





photos by kevin dyrland

around the world, part xii

Nick Barnes in Amman, Jordan, 2009.

around the world, part xi

"CWC Around the World." Ezra Stewart-Silver (09) in Thailand, 2006.

around the world, part x

Marie Hunt (09) in Ireland, 2007.

around the world, part ix

"CWC Around the World." Rob Synovec (07) in Japan, 2008.

around the world, part viii

Deborah Kwan (08) in Wu Han, China, 2007.

around the world, part vii

Brad Bosma (08) in Chiang Mai, Thailand