Saturday, July 5, 2025

From the Tower of Babel

Professor Christine Ersig-Marcus has been teaching for 20 years, first in Switzerland, then in the United States. Ersig-Marcus was born in Switzerland and learned how to speak Swiss-German from birth. “I make a point of that because Swiss-German can only really be understood by Swiss-German speakers,” Ersig-Marcus said. “For a Swiss person this is a very strong identity marker because...

Coach to Cubs scout

Chicago native Bob Lofrano sits in his office in the North Gym, leisurely typing player reports for current and prospective MLB athletes. With his tan, leathery skin, and his small, wire framed glasses, Lofrano’s eyes are fixed on his computer. Chicago Cubs memorabilia adorn his office as he prepares himself for a busy day, jampacked with sporting activities. With flashbacks...

A Nurses Life for Me

The maze of doors, desks and filing cabinets filled to the brim with paperwork that make up the Student Health Center, creates a cramped environment for the average person to wade through. However, Director of the Student Health Center Beth Benne, who stands above the clutter, finds the space easy to navigate to her office. Once at her desk, she...

A Stand-up Educator

Backlit by morning light, a figure sits at a desk in a modest office situated by a winding row of spanish-style bungalows. The muted grey and cream colors of the office walls contrast with the beaming smile hidden behind a black Dell computer monitor. At 6 a.m. political science professor Denise Robb arrives each day to Pierce’s campus with...

From cooperative to classroom

Screenshot by Ariel Gil Feeling the dewdrop-covered grass tickle the small patch of bare skin on her ankle, she walks through the field toward the chicken coup to gather eggs for her morning breakfast. Her and her family cook them in a pan over a wood burning stove. They eat.

Computer science, let’s talk about IT

  Eyes fixed to a monitor, mind in total focus, Alex Chen works attentively tapping away with all 10 fingers on a keyboard. Chen, an instructional assistant for Information Technology (IA-IT), has worked at Pierce College since 2001. He has about six-to-eight different duties in his current position which he says he enjoys. Chen has converted old Novell network technology within the...

A marvel professor

Sarcasm rolls off his tongue as if it’s second nature, followed by a deep chuckle that is met with the sound of laughter and wide-eyed amusement on the faces of 20 seated before him. History is not usually associated with humor, but associate professor of history Brian Walsh knows how to put the two together. Walsh brings a sense of...

Simon says

There is a moment at the start of Greg Simon’s physical anthropology class when a spark goes off, as he finishes reminding students of deadlines and begins his lecture. As the term “natural selection” leaves Simon’s lips, his eyes widen and the corners at his mouth turn up in excitement, while he begins to discuss his passion. The Pierce College...

Setting the Abara

Dr. Jose Abara sits in his office on Feb. 28, 2018. Photo by Martin MoranHuddled in a cabin-snug office in the ELM building, Dr. Jose Abara of the Psychology department is surrounded by posters of monumental American figures and pieces of Pierce memorabilia. An alumni of CSUN and the University at Buffalo, the doctor of behavioral neuroscience has learned...

Bringing culture to the classroom

Many Americans, including Angelita Rovero, have had their identities centered around a generic stereotypical label—one often including a hyphen. African-American. Asian-American. The names have become too general to describe someone’s culture. Rovero, who is both Mexican and Jewish, felt like...
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