Welcome to our Podcast series!
Our award-winning podcast series features fascinating conversations with Clark alumni, partners, donors, faculty, staff and students. Click on Listen Now or find us on Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, TuneIn or Spotify.
Penguin Chats: Season VI
Live from New York, it’s Riley Donahue
Clark alumnus Riley Donahue has made it big. The quiet, small-town guy is the senior designer for digital content for “Saturday Night Live” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” On the side, he creates short films featuring Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Nikki Sixx and Joe Perry and musician Tommy Henriksen. Yup, he’s talked to Alice Cooper. Cool, huh?
What does Ryan Seacrest, Eddie Bauer vests and chocolate have to do with Clark College? Two leaders— President Karin Edwards and CEO Calen Ouellette—share funny moments and serious college priorities marking a path forward for the community college during this Penguin Chats podcast.
Penguin Chats: Season V
“Headwaters of Leadership With Clark College Alumnus Sam Robinson”
Chinookan people declined to sign U.S. treaties that would have moved them to remote reservations. “We stayed with the bones of our ancestors.” They’re now seeking federal recognition. Clark College alumnus Sam Robinson, who is vice chairman of the tribe’s council, explains the tribe’s history and where it’s going next.
“A New Clark College Advocate”
Clark College Foundation’s new CEO, Calen Ouellette, wants to diversify support for Clark by connecting with people who haven’t historically been involved in philanthropy. Listen to his ideas on our podcast.
“Legacy of an Auspicious CEO, Part III”
In part III of our Penguin Chats podcast, Lisa Gibert prepares for her first-ever fundraising campaign as the Dow Jones plummeted leading to the Great Recession. Later, a second campaign ran head-on into a global pandemic. Meanwhile, Lisa struggled with a personal tragedy and health issues. #penguinchats
“Legacy of an Auspicious CEO, Part II”
In part II of our Penguin Chats podcast, Lisa Gibert is introduced to Clark College Foundation at a pivotal time, when it went from $8 million to $36 million in assets. It was thrust into the national spotlight having secured the largest gift a community college had received. #penguinchats
“Legacy of an Auspicious CEO, Part 1”
In the latest edition of our Penguin Chats podcast, listen and learn about the selfless character and boundless grit of outgoing CEO Lisa Gibert. She built Clark College Foundation into one of the most successful and respected community college foundations in the nation. #penguinchats
Penguin Chats: Season IV
“Cultivating the Bilingual Brain”
Creating multi-lingual learners is not a new thing, but it has evolved and is showing up more and more in classrooms across this country. Clark alumna Lucy Estrada Guzman is leading the effort for easy access to a program that develops bilingual brains. #penguinchats
“Beyond the tragedy podcast”
A remarkable story about a Clark College alumna who did something that no one else has been able to do in the State of Washington – write and pass legislation to track missing and murdered Native American women and girls. Learn how a series of strange and unexpected events convinced this tireless and fearless Penguin to change the world for the better and how Clark College helped shape her life.
“Creating Super Green Cities with Clark Alumnus Denis Hayes”
Denis Hayes, a Clark alumnus and CEO of the conservation group, the Bullitt Foundation, talks about solutions to combustible plastics, pledges from big business to be net-carbon neutral, the dawn of the energy revolution and his thoughts on building healthy human ecosystems.
Penguin Chats: Season III
“Serendipity in Public Service”
Former U.S. Rep. and Clark College alumnus Don Bonker chronicles serendipitous moments with some of the nation’s most powerful people when he served in the House in the 70s and 80s. Those interactions changed the course of the causes he fought for during his political career.
“Tracking COVID-19 With Alexis Madrigal”
Featuring a Clark College alumnus who is leading a data source that’s powering the nation’s information. The Atlantic journalist Alexis Madrigal ’00 talks about the importance and challenges of gathering accurate data from states on the number of cases, testing results and hospitalizations of COVID-19.
“Challenges and Opportunities”
The effects of coronavirus on Clark College and philanthropy
Clark College is offering all its courses remotely and they will continue that practice through the fall. There is a great opportunity at hand: the chance to offer customized training and programs directly related to business interests as they emerge from a recession. Fostering relationships with local industry with fundraising goals in mind has never been more central.
Penguin Chats: Season II
“Sen. Al Bauer, Washington’s Education Senator”
Washington Sen. Al Bauer, cattle rancher, lawmaker, teacher, education advocate and donor, helped change the face of education in the state of Washington in the 70s, 80s and 90s through his tireless efforts to reform the K-12 system and higher education. Listen to Bauer’s versions of behind-the-scenes politicking in the State Legislature, like how he and the Democratic caucus pressured corrupt colleagues to leave their posts.
“Promising a World of Dreams”
In late October 2019, nearly 350 scholarship recipients, donors and family members came together for an uplifting afternoon of inspirational stories supported by the generosity of donors. Clark student leader Evans Kaame gave a stirring account of his journey as a homeless youth on the streets of a Kenyan city to a college student in Vancouver, Wash.
“Searching for a Penguin in Chief”
Clark College tapped an interim president in June while it undertakes its first permanent presidential search in 13 years. Decreases in state funding, drops in enrollment and demographic shifts juxtapose a community that believes deeply in the Penguin Nation, as evidenced by a $35 million fundraising campaign that is more than half way completed. How will Clark select the next Penguin in Chief? Who has a say in the process? How can you get involved?
“It Begins With a Child”
Diversity and equity. Getting parents involved with their children’s learning. Dual language programs taking hold. Curriculum of humor. Three local educators came together in late June to explore these and other timely issues facing early childhood education. Listen to their ideas recorded before a live audience.
“Delightful Food Experiences at Clark”
Chefs Earl Frederick and Aaron Guerra have unique styles—such as cooking fried chicken low and slow, or special teaching techniques that help students understand the food experience. Both use Clark’s guided pathways framework in the coursework. Listen to tricks of the trade and how you can get involved with the Cuisine program. Photo by Pixabay.com
“Farewell to Clark’s 13th President”
There is no doubt that President Bob Knight is passionate about Clark. He’s spent the past 13 years building relationships with all the people who make up this community’s college. He’s stepping down from his post this summer, but he’ll continue to be an advocate for Clark students. How well do you know Bob Knight? How far is he willing to go for Clark students? You might be surprised by the answer.
“Personalized Path”
Clark students are getting new personalized support as they embark on academic and professional goals. A new framework – called Guided Pathways – has turned around several struggling community colleges across in the nation. Lorie, a full-time card dealer in the gaming industry before an injury put her out of work, is one Clark student who has embraced the new approach in an effort to change her future.
Penguin Chats: Season I
“Delicious mysteries at Clark”
Ellie Alexander is an alumna and author of the popular Bakeshop Mystery series. She was at Clark in 2018 to launch her latest book, “Till Death Do Us Tart.” Alexander shared some of her writing tips and ideas for her next books before a live audience, while Clark’s pastry chef shared the secrets of making a no-fail chocolate ganache.
“Birds of a feather make great music together”
Clark’s music program has a reputation for producing some remarkable musicians. Rich Inouye, the former head of Clark’s band programs and leader of its revered annual Jazz Festival, helped to create that reputation before his retirement in 2018. Joel B. Munson talked to Inouye in 2018 about how he went from soaring with a flock of falcons with the prestigious Air Force Academy Band to shaking things up with a jazzy waddle of Clark penguins.
“The Places We Will Go”
Keith Koplan and Randy Grove are long-time Clark College Foundation board members reflect on their collective tenure, recalling how area banks stopped selling them certificates of deposit because the foundation owned too many. CEO Lisa Gibert spoke with the two men to talk about where the organization has been and the places it’s going next.
“DNA of Dirt” 
Dr. Roberto Anitori talks about a new cutting-edge course he’s teaching at Clark College that identifies the genetic makeup of dirt. He’s using a hand-held device that is leveling the playing field for scientists to analyze samples outside of their labs.
“Patchwork of Words“
National bestselling author and Clark Alumna Marie Bostwick ’80 believes it’s never too late start writing. She’s an example of that having raised three children and moved around the country for her husband’s career before seriously putting pen to paper. Now she’s on fire having published 14 full-length novels in 10 years. Her popular books include two different series, called Cobbled Court Quilt and Too Much, Texas.
“Discovering Gravitational Waves”
Cody Messick ’10 spends most of his waking hours out of this world. He’s part of a team of scientists that confirmed the sound of space-time compressing, cosmic events that occurred one billion years ago when black holes collided.
“Pushing Words” – Mitchell Jackson ’93 is an author and
educator who is playing a part in the national discourse about race relations. His newest novel focuses on immediate decisions that African American men make to stay alive, and the prejudice of appearances. In this podcast, he also reads an excerpt from his book, “Survival Math.”
“The Power of Inclusion”
Professor Debi Jenkins ’93 explains what social equity is, how to dismantle power privilege and how being called a racist is misunderstood. Jenkins is an expert in age-related changes that occur throughout a person’s life and she’s a national speaker on equity practices.
“Reflections of a Mayor“
Former Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt ’92 reflects on his political career, how he championed rapid transit and set the foundation for affordable housing. Also, he thinks there’s plenty of room for better leadership at the highest levels of government in the state of Washington. Does that mean he’ll run for national office?
