https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/cffc988517279702f86dc7865efed441.pdf 946e43cb41be355d5ece3d20d7dddae8 PDF Text Text December 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Health care job fair shares opportunities Jonathan Togstad Chinook Writer The Health Care Job Fair is an important annual event for people in the health care field and to those studying health science programs at Casper College. The college has hosted the Health Care Job Fair for at least 10 years according to the Dean of Health Science Dino Madsen. The fair continues to provide opportunities for students going into the medical field. Madsen said the purpose of the job fair is two-fold -- to expose health science students to employers and show the level of professionalism expected out in the field. He added that navigating private industry as a recent graduate can be difficult despite the knowledge base students acquired in school. The Health Care Job Fair exposes students to the requirements of transitioning to private industry. “There is an acclimation there where we go from education to private industry. And I think that showcasing our students to our private industry partners and letting them all work together helps with that transition,” said Madsen. The Health Care Job Fair is not only beneficial for students seeking a career in the industry, but also for employers looking for CC students. This year, 38 employers and businesses attended the event in an effort to make students aware of the many career paths the organizations provide. Lindee Zespy, a recruiter and representative for Banner Health, said the hospital is fortunate to have a relationship with CC and its students. Banner offers many opportunities to students, including shadowing and ambulance ride-alongs. Zespy said Banner Health and other organizations participating in the job fair are vital for student’s growth in the field of health care. “I think one of the things that sometimes can be hard is if someone's maybe not gotten the opportunity to maybe have that exposure,” Zespy said. “Part of what we want to do here (at the job fair) is talking about all of the different opportunities -- there's different ways to be in health care.” A few employers seek out students directly. A representative from Sidney Regional Medical Center, said she was at the job fair to find students from the respiratory program. They noted the difficulty of finding respiratory therapists, especially for a small hospital, and said they saw the job fair as a way to connect with students. This is the first year the medical center located in Nebraska attended the Health Care Job Fair, which demonstrates the interest in and potential careers for CC health science students across the country. Among the many employment and hands-on learning opportunities, the job fair also gives students the ability to network with members of the health care field. Tina Ogletree, who is a representative from Wind River Family and Community Health Care, said that networking in the health Jonathan Togstad / Chinook Students speak with employers about learning and job opportunities at the Health Care Job Fair at CC last month. The job fair is hosted on campus each year. care field is vital to new graduates' success. “In the grand scheme of things, it's really a small community. Especially in Wyoming…I've actually run into people that I worked on the east coast with out here,” Ogletree said. In addition to networking, the fair provided support programs for students looking into their futures. Casper College’s Career Service department assisted students in resume creation and elevator pitches to future employers. Christina Vencil, a social work instructor from the University of Wyoming, spoke to students interested in transferring. She said UW provides work study — See Job Fair Page 3 A new (virtual) reality Bella McManus Chinook Writer The virtual reality lab at Casper College is available in the library for students in both individual and class settings. Whether students want to practice their public speaking skills, study math or science, virtually tour art museums around the world, or gain experience as a teacher in a virtual classroom, the VR lab in the Goodstein Foundation Library is available to help. Students can even checkout one of the 25 headsets available and take it home. Library Director Katrina Brown said a statewide grant allowed all eight community colleges in Wyoming, as well as the University of Wyoming, to have VR labs on campus. The institutions focused on implementing labs in the nursing departments, as well as more accessible labs in the libraries. The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) funded the grant, known as Phase II, which the governor put together. Jonathan Togstad, a work study for the IT help desk, assisted in demoing the lab in its early stages, and he explained that there are two settings for the headsets. One is focused on helping students practice communication and workplace skills such as interviewing, talking to people in the workplace, and public speaking. The other one, he said, consisted more of “prebuilt worlds,” in which students can practice situations involving EMS training, experience history in real time, or answer math and science questions to escape a labyrinth. Brown said that they are going to add a career technical education aspect to the VR program in January, which will allow students to practice safety protocols in the workplace. The college plans to increase marketing for the lab at that time, as Brown said only two classes used the headsets this semester. Brown said that since the headsets are for educational purposes, there is a limit on what apps can be downloaded and used on them, which is called Meta Horizon Management System. Brown explained, “As part of the statewide grant, there was a contract with a company that was getting all the headsets put into that HMS for us and supposed to be preloading all the software and doing that.” The company, called Mace, went bankrupt, and while Brown referred to it as a “hiccup” CC experienced while working out the details of the VR lab, she confirmed via email that there is not — See VR Page 3 Jonathan Togstad/Chinook Students speak with employers about learning and job opportunities at the Health Care Job Fair at CC last month. The job fair is hosted on campus each year. Diana Newman comes to Casper College Taylor Crook Chinook Writer The first thing students notice about Diana Newman isn’t her title, but her curiosity and connection. Before talking about school, policy, or even Casper College, Newman takes time to get to know CC’s students. Newman will ask about goals, hobbies, struggles, careers, and more, because she believes that knowing her students is one of the most important aspects of her position. Diana Newman, Casper College’s new dean of students, is excited for her role and the opportunity to work with the CC community. In the past, Newman worked roles at many different higher education institutions in Wyoming, such as the University of Wyoming and Laramie County Community College. Corey Peacock, CC’s vice president for student affairs and Newman’s predecessor, highlighted the benefit of her experience. “We knew that it would be easy for Diana to relate to and build relationships with Casper College,” Peacock said. “She’s highly qualified and has a lot of really great varied experience as a seasoned leader in higher education.” Residence Hall Coordinator Liz Dobson, Newman’s colleague, not only agreed with Corey, but said that Newman is able to collaborate community engagement with student life, enrollment, and retention. Dobson said that from the moment Newman arrived at CC, Newman clearly demonstrated her job expertise. Dobson then said that Newman is adaptable, and learns how to apply her skills to CC culture. Before furthering her education in higher education, Newman received her bachelors in mathematics. She explained the benefit her education provided her career, saying that when people ask her questions, she does not give a quick solution. “I’m literally a person who’s like, what’s the data say? How are we going to move the needle,” she said. “How are we going to make our situation better with that data? Because I believe in the numbers fully. I am a total extrovert, but I love how the numbers inform what we do socially.” Since starting at CC in September, Newman noted many things she loves about her role. “I get so many wonderful things I get to do every day,” Newman said. “I get to meet students, and honestly, I probably have one of the best jobs where I’m like, tell me about you, and tell me about your life, and tell me about what you’re studying. I get jonsed about getting to know a person and being able to help.” Newman later said she is empathetic to students who are struggling, and being able to lift students up is one of the most rewarding parts of working in higher education. “When the hurdles in life -- whether that is a challenge they’re facing from home, a challenge they’re facing in their classes, a challenge they’re facing in selfunderstanding, in health and wellness and in mental health -- I get to help Submitted Photo with access and reduce those barriers so Diana Newman, left, is pictured with Dr. Michelle Schutt, that they can be successful academically, President at Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts. Schutt was the Residence Director that hired Newman as an The two reconnected years' later at AACC's Workforce — See Newman Page 3 RA. Development Institute. �Page 2 December 1, 2025 CHINOOK From the president's desk Chinook Stance Dealing with procrastination takes time Raymond Jackson RayJayJax The topic of procrastination barely needs an introduction. The pain of holding off on something until the last minute is something that most people have felt. Despite this, people end up repeating that same scene over and over. Procrastination hurts, but people need to find the reason why. Once we get to the root of the problem, we need ways to rip it out. You are doomed to repeat the same mistake again and again if you do not find out what the problem of your procrastination lies. The problem can be different for everyone. It can be a lack of motivation where you can’t find any investment in what you need to do. It can be a way to cope with stress by not having to worry about what would drain the life out of you. It can be focusing on something more engaging instead. There are also distractions and even perfectionism at play. In my case, I struggle with all of the above. Depending on the task, I have a hard time finding the right motivation. As an example, I have a writing assignment that I get writer's block over. Days pass, and I hope to get an idea eventually. During that time, I get distracted by other activities. The due date creeps up even faster, and the procrastination gets worse from all of the stress. I rush things together, micromanaging every detail to make it as polished as possible. Not helping things is trying to meet the criteria of what the paper should be in a minuscule amount of time, all to get a better grade. As a suggestion to look for motivation, think of how you can be invested in the task at hand. Maybe if you need to get dishes done, set a goal for how many you can get clean in under 30 minutes. In the case of a writing assignment, set small goals throughout the week that are easily achievable. One day, write one paragraph. The next day, write another paragraph and so on. To help matters, take breaks in between to give you time to think and regroup. This is the Pomodoro method, where you spend 25 minutes working before taking a 5-minute break. When it comes to making things polished, remember that nothing has to be perfect. You can do better the next time around. The more motivation you find, the more digestible the work becomes. If that doesn’t help, schedule and plan a time to work on something. Work on that thing before losing focus. After that, take the day off before trying again the next day. This is called a flowtime method. Again, things work differently for everyone. In my case, I use both the Pomodoro and flowtime methods, and they work well for me when getting specific schoolwork done and on time. It is not a walk in the park for sure. It all just takes time, good discipline, and trying out new things. If you continue to procrastinate without looking into the root of the issue, you repeat a cycle of insanity hoping for a different outcome. As we enter the final weeks of the semester, I want to take a moment to recognize the determination and resilience you have shown throughout the fall semester. This time of year can feel both exciting and demanding with projects wrapping up, exams approaching, and the scramble to the end. In this busy time, I hope you are able to take a few moments to reflect on all you have accomplished and take pride in the effort and perseverance that brought you here. To our students who will soon be continuing their education at another institution, we are incredibly proud of you. The next campus you join will benefit from your curiosity and discipline, and the strong academic foundation “ you’ve built here. Remember that you will always be part of the Casper College family, and we hope you carry a piece of this place with you as you move forward. For those of you preparing to begin your careers, I want to acknowledge the significance of this moment. You are entering roles and industries that will benefit from your talent and training, and your readiness shows in the work you’ve done here. Whether you’re beginning a long-planned path or stepping into new possibilities, please know that I have great confidence in the impact you will make wherever you go next. And to our graduates—congratulations. Completing your program reflects many hours of dedication and personal sacrifice, but it also reflects your commitment to a goal that matters deeply. As you prepare to celebrate with those who have supported you, I hope you take a quiet moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. You have achieved something extraordinary, and we are honored to have been part of your journey. For those returning next semester, I hope the upcoming break offers time to rest and recharge. Whether you are heading home, staying nearby, or balancing work and family commitments, I hope you’re able to catch your breath a bit and find some true moments of rest. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year, and ready to continue your academic journey. As you look ahead to what comes next, I hope you feel proud of your work and effort, and confident in the path and life you are building. This season is a natural moment for reflection, and I hope it brings you a sense of accomplishment and clarity for the year ahead. Wishing you a safe, warm, and meaningful holiday season. Completing your program reflects many hours of dedication and personal sacrifice, but it also reflects your commitment to a goal that matters deeply. — Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College President www.caspercollegechinook.com Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? Plus lot m a ore! The Casper College Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. MARK KATIE r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio HOW WE CAN HELP: DAVE MyCCMoodle: Online Tutoring Guidance: Zoom Assistance: Study and Work Spaces: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. TERESA Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. OMAR Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION stop by Liesinger Hall, Room 132, or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! �December 1, 2025 Page 3 Job Fair................................................... positions to students, as it is hard to juggle earning an income whilst studying at the same time. Dress for Success, a nonprofit that assists women in finding clothes for the workplace, also attended the event. The nonprofit located in downtown Casper runs off of donations. “There's enough reasons that people can't do what they want to do, and clothing should not be one of those things,” said Dress for Success Executive Director Amy White. White said students struggle to pay for their education along with other needs, and she hopes Dress for Success can alleviate the need for clothing. White said the nonprofit has attended the last three job fairs and plans to participate in many more. She hopes students will learn that Dress for Success is a resource they can utilize if they are in need of clothing, including scrubs for nursing students. White stated, “I believe that you only have that one chance to make an impression.” The event positively impacted students, especially the possibilities in health care and careers available to them. Kealanie Lamb is studying radiology at CC, she stated the event is important to her, as it allows her to see what opportunities are available in Casper and Wyoming. “I think learning about the opportunities that are available in the community and even surrounding communities is important. It's nice to have it all in one place,” said Lamb. VR........................................................... currently a third-party company taking Mace’s place, as the HMS is being handled directly by Meta. “Mace was used in the original provisioning and setup of the new equipment,” her email read. Chocolate Milk & Donuts, a company that was “helping with the statewide implementation of this whole VR immersive reality project,” according to Brown, helped establish relationships between schools across the state throughout development. When the grant ends, the company will no longer be funded to help Casper College with its new VR lab. Brown confirmed that the library will be on its own as far as continuing to manage part replacements, software updates, and these intercampus relationships, but the equipment is the college’s with many students and shared advice for students at Casper. “I think there’s a go for it mindset. Think about what you want to do and go for it. Think about the connections you have and go for it,” she said. Peacock, as the previous dean of students, talked about the position. He said the dean of students is an important position for daily interactions with students and that many people may not know the behind-the-scenes of student success. Peacock said, “We really wanted someone who would embrace our student’s first culture and understand the unique needs of a community college population and just be a good colleague to work with.” Peacock shared that Diana fit the requirements and stood out from the other applicants. “She had all the experience that we wanted in the dean of students plus extra things that we didn’t even advertise for,” Peacock said. “We knew that by hiring her, we would not only be getting a good dean of students, but a good leader for the student services division.” Join our staff this spring! Practice interviewing & writing Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore social media & promotion to keep. Going forward, the library hopes to better market the VR lab to students as a great resource for all majors at CC. Brown said the library staff is discussing promoting the technology by setting up a booth in the Union building and allowing students coming in and out for meals to test the equipment and experience the virtual learning environment for themselves. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu The Health Care Job Fair offers many opportunities to health science students from employment to networking and hands-on learning with some of the most important players in the Wyoming health care field, as well as others from across the country. The event aids employers and students in finding the next steps forward in the health care field. continued from page 1 Newman................................................. professionally, and personally,” Newman said. While Newman spent many years in higher education before coming to Casper, she said she had the prospect of working at CC had excited her for a while. Newman said, “You know, growing up in Wyoming, Casper College has been a powerhouse in the community college realm. Even now, in Casper, you absolutely know about the influence of Casper College.” Newman mentioned that her husband is an alumnus of Casper College, and she recommends CC as a place to work, learn and earn a degree. Newman also said Wyoming, especially Casper, is a great place to live and aligns with her hobbies. She said she loves Wyoming and the outdoors, and she likes to take weekend drives through the mountains, especially in fall. “Fall is probably my favorite time because I love the color of the aspens. I look at my window and I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, the autumnal vibes that are existing in my office are fantastic. I have seen the glory of Casper from the fourth floor of the University Union,’” Newman said. In her few months at CC, Newman worked continued from page 1 Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 December 1, 2025 CHINOOK Home Front: A Veterans Post at Casper College Kaleb Lundine Chinook Writer For Casper College’s Daniel Gallegos, the journey from the front of a whiteboard had been anything but direct. It was a long voyage that took him from the halls of Natrona Country High school to the frontlines in Iraq. Following medical complications that ultimately forced him out of the military, Gallegos found new meaning, currently working with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso. Yet at every twist and turn, his journey led him back to where it all began; his hometown of Casper where he teaches political science. Gallegos is driven by a mission not only to teach but to encourage his students how to think and engage with the modern world. Gallegos, commonly known as “Mr. G”, is a political science instructor at CC. He teaches classes like POLS-1000 and INST 2350, giving new students a chance to ponder the world today. Gallegos said he particularly loves to teach POLS 1000 for that very reason. “And that's what I absolutely love because in my mind, I'm like, this is the last moment in that I can touch someone's mind and get them to realize how important their civic duty and their civic responsibility is and how government actually works” Gallegos said, reflecting on how his political science classes are the last way a student can inform themselves before going into society. Before teaching, Gallegos served as a sergeant in the military from 1998-2007. He deployed in countries across the Eurasian continent and served three tours. Ultimately, he left the military in 2007 due to unforeseen health complications, as Galleos was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes. After Gallegos' service, he went back to Casper College to pursue becoming a history teacher, though he found his stride when it came to political science. His experience as a veteran made Gallegos a perfect candidate to teach political science. Gallegos showed his professor his “love me book”, a scrapbook detailing his service in the military. “The things you did, political science majors dream of,” Gallegos said, detailing what his professor said reacting to his “love me book”. With this advice Gallegos scraped together the last of his GI benefits, and scholarship funding, and secured his master's degree in political science at Norwich University in Vermont and bachelor's degree at the University of Wyoming. Since then, Gallegos is active both on campus teaching his classes and working with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso to address veteran affairs. Gallegos is currently involved with many clubs and committees at CC such as the Honors Program, Native American Club, and Submitted Photo Daniel Gallegos, aka"Mr. G"posed for a photo with his POLS 1000 class earlier this semester. the Veterans Service’s club. Gallegos' involvement stems from a diehard commitment to serve students and ensure their future success. As a result, Gallegos brought in some elements from his time in the military to try and garner new success with the Honors program. “So, I took these ideas from my military background and kind of applied this kind of ethos to the honors program”, Gallegos said, citing the training he endured with his time at the military and applying it to the Honor program. With his new initiative, the Honors Program sees greater success with a higher number of honor roll students every year. Gallegos also serves as the head of the newly created Native American Club. He said it’s important for students on campus to connect with the Native American roots of the college, pointing to the mascot of the CC thunderbird. “We saw the mascot and they're like; there's no Native club, and so they approached and said, hey, what? I was like, yeah, let's do it,” Gallegos said. Since its inception the Native American club saw immense growth, with neighboring tribes from across the region convening to celebrate native heritage and participate in club powwow's. Gallegos’ die hard commitment to help students and promote thought largely stems from his admiration of the iconic superhero Captain America, seen with Captain America memorabilia scattered across his office. He became a fan after picking up a comic about the patriotic super, and it changed Gallegos’s life. “I was small, I was puny. And then I came across a Captain America comic book, and it fundamentally changed me. That you can be weak, you can be puny, but it's your character that you really get your strength from,” Gallegos said. From a self-described “puny” kid who had found his strength through Captain America to a sergeant who led soldiers in combat and now a prolific professor who leads students through civic thought. Gallegos’ life has been a testament to transformation; he has traded the battlefield for the classroom, but his mission remains the same, to serve, to protect, and build those around him. Gallegos’ commitment to students remains the same. I’m not going anywhere; they’ll probably find me dead at my desk. I love my students, I love what I do, and I'll be here forever.” Paralegal Instructor Amanda Nelson never stopped moving Submitted Photo Amanda Nelson sits at her desk at Casper College as she studies for law school and teaches full-time. Kaydence Park Chinook Writer In the chaos of teaching, court cases, law school, and parenting four kids, Amanda Nelson often laughs. Her husband, Eric Nelson, said when she’s extremely stressed, she starts laughing her way through it--a small habit that helps her push through a workload most people couldn’t handle. Nelson’s story is one of full-circle determination. Once a Casper College paralegal student, she is now the sole paralegal instructor revitalizing the program while also attending law school and raising a family. Through overwhelming workloads and long nights, she shows her students and family resilience because she lived it herself. Nelson started the paralegal program at 17-years-old, and she gave birth to her and Eric’s oldest son shortly before graduating from CC. She said becoming a paralegal student was exciting but challenging. Nelson explained she was tired and questioned if chaos and stress would be the rest of her life. She said she learned a lot from that time in her life--organization, time management, and determination. “All of that set me up for my future,” Nelson said. “I use a lot of those skills with what I’m doing now.” Nelson hesitated to apply for the paralegal instructor job because she didn’t know what that transition to teaching would look like for her life. She said she was up against many experienced individuals, but she also brought 15 years of experience and ties to the community. Now the only paralegal instructor, she said she loves her work, and it brings her joy to see young students excited for career opportunities. Since starting at CC, Nelson worked to revitalize the paralegal program. When she first stepped into the role, enrollment was low, but she expanded class offerings and increased accessibility. “She has changed the paralegal program’s offerings, and now they have hybrid, face-to-face, in person-you can pretty much do the program in any way you want,” Communication Instructor Bri Weigel said. “Imagine the work that it takes to be able to say, ‘no matter where you are, I’ll make it work.’” Weigel described Nelson as an “energizer bunny,” saying her energy and workload aren’t recognizable from the outside. To most people, Nelson seems upbeat and prepared, but Weigel said only those close to her understand the hard work she carries. Weigel said Nelson’s signature phrase--”it will be fine”--slipped into many conversations, like a reminder of her calmness through the chaos. Law school didn’t replace anything in Nelson’s life--it joined everything she already managed. Adding 30 to 35 hours of homework a week pushed her already packed schedule into something many may find impossible. According to Nelson, “I was terrified to start law school because I knew it was going to suck. There are a bunch of late nights and early mornings.” She explained that beginning anything new can be the hardest part, but she took the leap. That mindset followed her as she took on law school. Nelson said she knew the decision to go to law school was going to be tough while juggling everything she already had going on, but she wanted to keep working toward her future. Eric said she has always had that work ethic and compassion. “I’m proud because she’s definitely a hardworking individual, but at the same time, she can be kind and compassionate towards others,” Eric said. “She has more drive than any individual I’ve ever met.” Nelson said her experience as an overwhelmed student shapes how she teaches now. She stays accessible outside of regular hours and gives students room to be humans. She said she remembers what it felt like to juggle class, work, and family at the same time. She hopes her students remember that she was always willing to help them succeed, even years after they graduate. Nelson said she wants her students to feel comfortable reaching out even after they leave CC, whether they need career advice or just someone to tell them they can do hard things. Even with her packed schedule, Nelson still brings humor and honesty into her teaching. She said she leans on jokes, stories, and her own lived experiences to make the classroom feel human. “I can’t fake it – I’m just me,” Nelson said. “I want to be a teacher you can relate to, not one that’s just lecturing you.” Nelson’s life now looks nothing like it did when she first became a paralegal student, unsure of what the future would hold. As she juggles law school, a full teaching load, a busy household, and much more, she hasn’t lost the ability to laugh through the chaos. In many ways, her journey has come full circle. K9 Demonstration at CC Bella McManus/Chinook Officers Bryce and Andrea practice apprehension through bite work with K9 Buster. Casper College student Tate Wise suited up for the demonstration on campus last month. �ook te on December 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Larry Burger and the art of sound Makiah Osborne Chinook Writer Floating through the air, almost tangible, the sound of music surrounded Larry Burger all his life. Beginning in Dallas at the age of 11, the audio design instructor at Casper College said his parents gifted him his first guitar. With small garage sessions, a tour reaching over thirty states, and a lifelong abundance of knowledge, Burger now shines his light and love for music on anyone who crosses his path. Burger said, “Even at an early age, when I was in high school, we were a pretty well received band, so I was making hundreds of dollars on the weekend as a kid. While it was a hobby, I was starting to take it very seriously.” Burger said that his draw to music excluded any other hobby, evident by its pervasive effect on his life. Burger said, “We'd get done with school, and we'd hit the woodshed. Other kids were going to movies and out playing, and we were trying to be the ones performing for where they were going.” He explained that towards the end of high school, he played gigs six nights a week, working until 2 a.m. and then getting up for school the next day. The demanding schedule coincided with his dream to play for larger crowds, which came to fruition as he hit the road with his bandmates and the band called Sketch. Jumping from city to city, life on the road served the band well. Burger said the group played five to six nights a week, four hours a day, driving through the night to the next city, or sleeping-in, ready to hit the road. Burger said that after many years, he craved a sense of stability and an outlet outside of performing. He found the remedy through sound recording as he opened his own studio. Years later, Burger recorded music for the dean at CC. Subsequently, the dean offered him the job of audio design instructor. Teaching for the last 18 years, Burger’s impact is undeniable. Tyler Sanner, a prior student of Burger’s, turned friend and colleague, said that beyond his own intuition, Burger shaped his entire approach to his professional career. But even more, he saw Larry’s influence transpire leaps in his emotional growth, improving his life for the better. Sanner said, “I've also taken a lot of how he treats people in his life and tried to apply it where I can in mine as well, trying to be that good. (When) you see that example, you can't help but try to perpetuate that.” After graduating from CC, Sanner looked to apply his skills. Throwing his first festival, Sanner said excitement, but also the realities of the workload weighed upon his shoulders. Calling Burger, Sanner asked for a sliver of his time – anything to relieve the stress of the day. Taking a pause and wiping a tear from his eye, Sanner said, “He was there all day. He was there the entire time, doing all of it. How can you ask for better, right? You can't. Yeah, he's just there for you when you need him. That's huge.” Burger’s benevolent nature passed over everyone he met but prominently washed over Makiah Osborne/Chinook Teaching at CC for 18 years, Larry Burger sits in the sound studio at Wheeler Hall. his classroom. The Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Humanities, Julia Whyde, said, “I think Larry is the epitome of the CC, lifelong value of learning.” Noting his ability to learn and evolve, Whyde stated her respect. Whyde said, “His curiosity leads and his love for bringing people into a learning experience that is engaging is just so wonderful.” As music touched his life, Burger worked with Whyde to create the new certificate, “The Art of Sound Recording.” The certificate centered around audio literacy and the ability to create quality sound. Burger said he felt the need to impart this knowledge as Artificial Intelligence takes root in society. Burger said, “I'd like to with this last generation, that has a fighting chance, to really experience it. I'd like to be able to have them kind of stop, and take a breath, and reevaluate how much fun that is (physically making music).” He said there is no other feeling like playing an instrument, making a sound, and hearing a piece of art that clicks. Though reaping the rewards of performing, Burger said he considers his work at the college and his role as a teacher, as the most impactful work of his life. Speaking to this effect, Sanner said, “You’re going to walk in, and it’s (Burger’s greeting) always very, ‘Oh! You’re here!’ He seems to do that with everyone... That means something.” Through intentional kindness and a love for music, Burger spread his light. Burger said, “So if I can reach one or two, or a bunch of them (students), then that's probably worth it. You know, when we were performing and when we were popular, that was a wonderful reward also, but that's more fleeting. You know, that'll go and that was yesterday, and we can reminisce, but if I can help some students change the rest of their life, then that's pretty rewarding.” Joseph Campbell’s odyssey Raymond Jackson Chinook Writer Joseph Campbell, a Casper College English professor, said he wears two different hats while teaching English: composition and interpretation. Composition means teaching standard English grammar while focusing on the meaning of a particular novel with interpretation. Each day, he said he takes segments one at a time while going through classes. He spends one day of class on grammar, then interpretation in another class, then finally conferences with staff. Campbell is someone who is dedicated to his work and loves his position at CC. In addition, he has written stories, and has strong opinions about the importance of literature. “He has a great way of being able to break things down and make analogies and comparisons so that you can understand things. And the other part of his teaching is the love he has of writing and rhetoric and composition and literature, it's all through him,” said a fellow English instructor and close friend of Campbell, Jill Hughes. She sees Campbell as an acaSubmitted Photo Joseph Campbell, Casper College English instructor poses in front of "The Essence of Rex" statue located at the Tate Geological Museum. demic who works hard for what he does. Campbell is a Mobile, Ala. native and was raised in Mesa, Ariz. He attended the University of South Alabama and pursued his doctorate in English studies at Illinois State University from 1997-2005. He moved to the English Department at CC in 2010 where he has taught for 15 years since. During his journey, he said he met various people in the English department who influenced who he is as an instructor, such as Hughes. “I wanted to get to the sort of place that was like where I had grown up. A lot of my life was in Mobile, Alabama, but I grew up in Mesa, Arizona. So I wanted to get back to some place that was somewhat southwestern, as close as I could get.” said Campbell. When he landed on Casper College, he explained, “They were on my radar, and then when I came here and met the people, I thought, ‘this is exactly where to be.’” Since childhood, Campbell said he fell in love with literature and reading, citing his mother and favorite English instructor from childhood as his primary influences. He enjoys science fiction, inspired by Star Trek novels and its extended universe. He had published several books in his time in both science fiction and transgressive fiction, such as The Order and the Other. They all delighted the heart of his closest friend Hughes. “The genres he's interested in aren't genres I usually read. And so it's always quite interesting to me to read his stories because it's going to open up new ideas for me. After all, I don't usually read science fiction,” said Hughes. Though she doesn’t read transgressive fiction, it gives more to look into Campbell’s thinking process. Hughes said, “It’s fun to see something that a friend, somebody that you're really good friends with, has created and to hear about it when they're writing it.” Campbell reflected on his tenure since 2010. He said it’s special to see the excitement of students when they click with a subject and thrive upon it. Campbell added that he enjoyed seeing his first generation of students graduate and move on to their futures. He loves his job as an English professor and will continue for years to come. As a final word of advice, coming from someone who values the importance of literature, it would be to stay off the phone. “It brings out the absolute worst in people because none of us want to do hard work. No one wakes up in the morning going, ‘you know what I'd really love to do very hard work.’” Campbell explained. “They (phones) play to our worst instincts and they're winning… It's unreal how much they're winning and it's only going to get worse.” College hosts 2025 fall SkillsUSA Conference Jonathan Togstad/Chinook To the left, Skills USA students Seth and Gianna work on a task given by State Officer Corbin Above, Skills USA students work together in the Par 3 course competition stature located at the Tate Geological Museum. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2025-12 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-12 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from December 2025. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2025-12 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF