(Photo by true grimes)Last spring semester, Mark Plenke told Journalism Lab you'd be an interesting person to interview. Of course, I agreed. Since then, I've wanted to write a story about you.
Thanks so much for wanting to interview me.
Are you a Minnesota native?
I've lived my entire life in Minnesota. I was born and raised in a small farming village on the Iowa border.
Before you became a teacher, where did you attend college?
I received an AA from Rochester Community College, a BS in Mathematics with a minor in Music at Mankato State University and an MS in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota.
What inspired you to become an instructor?
I've wanted to teach since I was 4 or 5. My father was a school guidance counselor. He brought home old school desks and school books, a small blackboard, and even a small flag for me to set up a "school" in our basement. He'd try out his new IQ tests on me and my brothers and I got to use the old forms with my "classes" of dolls and whatever neighborhood kids I could rope into playing my students.
How long have you been teaching?
I taught junior high mathematics and music and coached gymnastics for 4 years.
After graduate school I taught at Mankato State University for 2 years before coming to Normandale. This is my 23rd year here.
What do you love best about your job?
I LOVE the face-to-face interaction with students.
What’s the downside?
I wish I had more time for classes, advising the student clubs, and campus meetings and committees.
In which NCC department(s) do you teach?
I teach in the Mathematics/Computer Science Department.
Which courses are you teaching this fall?
I'm currently teaching a C programming class, a computer architecture and assembly language class, a programming data structures class using Scheme LISP and a Math 600/700 class in the Math Center.
What’s your favorite course to teach and why?
I love them all. I like the variety.
Students say you’re very nice, highly knowledgeable and a very good teacher. You even accept late assignments, wow! And, although computer material can be tough, you do your best to make the computer stuff fun for the class. You’re known to be helpful with assignments, explain everything very well and will even help students after class. This all sounds too good to be true. Are you really this great?
I am this great! Anyone who walks into my office with a Visa or Gold card gets all the help they want! ;-)
Some students here say you’re their favorite teacher, because you’re energetic, make the class interesting, are a comedienne and start each class with a comic strip. Why do students (and colleagues) consider you a comedienne?
I have no idea. I am so totally serious all of the time.
In October 2008, you did a “Pi Woman” routine in your classes. Did you repeat that performance this fall?
Yes, I did it again this year during Halloween week. I think I'll switch between Dilbert and Pi Woman each year.
Tell me about the standup comedy you’ve done in the past? Was this for fun or pay? Have you considered comedy as a career possibility? It’s not too late!
I mostly did open mike nights at various local venues. I'd try out new material in my classes here. If I couldn't get a big laugh after a couple of tries, I'd scratch the routine. I had a couple of paid gigs and turned down some others. But stand-up is very time consuming and I decided that I preferred teaching. Now most of my stand-up is done in my classes
One of your claims to fame on campus is being the faculty advisor of the MOST Student Life clubs. Please tell me a little about the many hats you wear and the clubs you’re involved with?
I don't know about that - Howard Odor advises a bunch of clubs, too. I've been advising InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for over 20 years, and Juggling Club for almost as long. Campus Crusade for Christ came on the scene 3 years ago and the Motorcycle Riders Club began 1 ½ years ago.
When considering a club, is there a specific criteria before you’ll advise that club? Or, do you take it on because the new club is in need of a willing adviser?
I keep telling myself "No more clubs!" But then someone will approach me about a new club and I'll get all excited about it, try to find someone who will advise it, and then end up doing it myself if I can't rope…ahem, I mean, encourage, them to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to interact with young people!
Since most of your clubs are religious based, are you a religious person?
I'm not fond of the term "religious". Jesus was sorry to see the "religious" leaders of his time putting themselves and their rituals ahead of the needs of the people.
I have a personal relationship with God and love to pray and study His word in the Bible.
Do you feel there’s a need for the religious clubs on college campuses?
Most MNSCU campuses, and certainly ones as large as ours, have multiple chapters of various Christianity-based national and international organizations, such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Campus Crusade for Christ. These organizations typically share the same basic statement of faith, but offer their own conferences, leadership training seminars, printed materials, and staff people assigned to various campuses. Multiple clubs help the staff from becoming overwhelmed and offer alternative meeting times for students with busy schedules.
If students have questions about any of your sponsored clubs, you recommend they call ext. 8434 or drop by your office at C 3117. Since you’re a computer instructor, I’m surprised that you don’t request being reached through your Normandale e-mail address. Any comments on this?
Chatting with a student in person or over the phone is much quicker than e-mail. I can answer all of their questions in a few minutes, versus several days of e-mailing back-and-forth.
Because you advise the Motorcycle Club, are you a biker chick?
I am a biker. I ride a 2001 Suzuki Marauder 800. I am a member of the Women on Wheels, the Christian Motorcyclists Association and the American Motorcyclist Association.
Since you’re 100 percent pure “geek” and proud of it, please share more details about this part of your life?
I just like programming. It's like working a good crossword puzzle. It's fun to do and there's a great feeling of accomplishment when you get a computer to do what you want it to. The computer itself is pretty dumb - it can only count to 1 (binary code is made up of 0's and 1's). But it has billions of fingers!
When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Socializing with friends and family, playing with my cats and dog, working crossword puzzles or sudoku and playing guitar.
What are your plans for the future?
I love everything I do, so I just plan to continue to do it all as long as I can.
If I have a few more questions, please list contact info where it’s best to get in touch.
E-mail is okay or call me here at x8434. I'm here Mon. - Thurs. 6:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m., 10am, and Mon. and Weds. at noon. I'm often here in the early afternoon hours, too.
Thank you, Ms. Harvey.
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