by Sonja Rauen



t seems like it was only yesterday: pomp and circumstance, cards filled with congratulations and money, open houses with plenty of food, and that "king-of-the-hill" feeling. That was graduation from high school, for those of you who can remember. Life has an offering; opportunities that can reach beyond imagination, diverse cultures and countries to explore, loves to be found, freedom to shout! Out of nowhere reality strikes. It is time to start from the bottom again, go to college, get a job, move away from friends, and the monotony sets in. Wait one minute, or two, or three, and this thing called "middle age" hits. The kids are moving out of the house, they are going to college, and a loneliness surrounds the house. It is enough of the part-time jobs with part-time money; those days don’t seem so promising. The light bulb in the brain turns on again, after the two-week holiday in the ICU for heart surgery (that wasn’t planned at all), and the unexpected happens!



Something weird, a little awkward, not normal at all, strangely enough the idea dawns: it is time to go back to school.



Serious, take it more seriously, help the short-term memory-loss that occurs during a coma, get an education, and just become a non-traditional student.



That’s right, college is still an option, in fact a college degree seems like the best thing that could happen (at this age). We learn from many experiences, from the wisdom that comes with age. The trials of life teach that with all the pain comes incredible joy. Time to throw the books in the backpack and head off to school, with a goal in mind this time. Or, perhaps it is just to get the mind back, it got lost somewhere along the way.



The best thing about being "non-traditional" student is that everyone here at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge, is willing to help. Computers are a huge puzzle for me, but there is always someone around the corner, that knows-everything-there-is-to-know about computers, and loves helping the not-so-savvy-about-computers old timer. Somehow the doors are always getting open for me, on the spot, when I walk in and out with a backpack that is way too heavy for this tired back. People here in north Minnesota are very polite; I hear please and thank you, and get big smiles all the time, and not because I am "non-traditional" and a bit odd.



No, I believe there is a genuinely concern for the "mature" student like me, that gives one hope in the belief that there still exists "random of acts of kindness" that carries the human spirit. At least there is at this school towards me, helpfulness is offered and found everyday and it makes life so much easier for my somewhat befuddled and bewildered mind. It is the age thing again, my children call it, old school thinking.



Going back to school can be one of life’s bigger challenges. First of all, there are all the brilliant younger students in class. Second is the brain that doesn’t want to retain as much information as it used to. Third, the teachers are even all younger than me. Fourth, school can just wipe a person out (well at least us non-tradtionals), and leave me totally exhausted at the end of the day. It also has something to do with carrying around a lot of heavy thinking books on an old back; who uses computers when there are still books to read?



Why would anybody decide to do this to themselves? The brain is driven to improve when challenged and college can accomplish that.

by Kirsten Kennedy, Student Government President



In Africa there is a concept known as "ubuntu" which means the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that whatever we accomplish in this world will in equal measure be due to the work of others. I have spent time on numerous two-year campuses in the past couple of years and let me tell you a secret, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge Campus is a rare jewel. From Skip who maintains our campus to Jason’s crooked grin greeting you as you enter, the faculty and staff care about supporting each student to attain their dreams. Now I’m not professing perfection, just an undeniable feeling that I am being told the truth even when it may not be what I wanted to hear.



Right now on our campus the Art Committee chaired by Professor Marko Marion is working to create a permanent gallery in the computer lab hallway. Local and regional artists will show their artwork giving our campus and community an opportunity to enjoy the great talent that surrounds us.



I know many students are preparing research projects and presentations and would like to get that 90 percent score. Bonnie Boese the librarian is an expert in research and loves to help students find reputable resources for their work. Boese is also helping to get the new Literacy Club off the ground and bring reading to children in our communities that are without homes. I always remind my children, "If you can read you can do anything." Have you ever dreamed of writing for a newspaper? See Tesha Christensen, adviser of the Ink Spot or take her online journalism class.



Did you know that our college enjoys the healthiest fiscal numbers in the state? Vice President Michael Seymour spends countless hours and much face time working hard to make sure students, faculty and staff have the resources they need to be successful. From the business office to the college president there is an open door policy for all students. If you need help, ask. If you aren’t sure what classes you need to transfer or graduate, see a counselor. If you need extra help, take advantage of the excellent free tutors available on campus and online. If you have an issue with grades, talk with your professors; for the most part they are a friendly bunch.



With just six weeks left in the semester it would be easy to forget the people that contribute to the success and well-being of our educational pursuits. So here is a inked thank you to all that came before and all that will come after for making Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge, a magical place to grow extraordinary individuals.