Ani Argalian
Asst. Feature Editor
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more balls in the air than you can
handle. The interruptions are constant, and it's very hard to sit down
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was appointed the new dean of natural sciences divison in January. "I
am very lucky because, my predecessor, Dr. Bruce Carter, left the division in pretty good shape," Douglas
said.
Douglas has been teaching at
PCC for 19 years, but he still recalls
his first experience at the college
from when he was in sixth grade.
Douglas's mom couldn't afford a
babysitter, so she dragged him and
his sister along with her on a geology field trip that she was taking with
her class. "I liked geology so much
that [my] mom arranged to have me
[unofficially] audit Professor
Lawrence's class the next semester
at night," Douglas said.
After graduating high school,
Douglas came to PCC and took his
first geology course with Lawrence.
"That's when I really decided I
wanted to pursue geology," he said.
Douglas began his teaching career
at PCC after finishing graduate
school at Dartmouth College.
In addition to teaching, Douglas
has worked in the field for the
United States Geological Survey, a
Geophysical Exploration company
and for a consulting geologist.
"The ironic part is that I was
eventually hired at PCC to replace
Professor Lawrence, who was one of
the best teachers I have ever had,"
said Douglas. "I guess the lesson
here is to teach your students well,
because some day they may have
your job!"
Being a dean isn't as easy as it
might seem. "It seems to be all
about rapid-fire multi-tasking,"
Douglas said. "It's a bit like juggling; it's important not to throw
new environment, Douglas has
decided to gradually learn everything he needs to do for the job. He
has received a great amount of support from various individuals in the
division office.
"Teaching can be more contemplative - you do a lot of preparation
ahead of time," Douglas said.
"When you walk into the classroom, the adrenalin kicks in and
you perform. It's exciting because
you are having a conversation about
something you are excited about."
Douglas said he applied for the
job of natural sciences dean for five
reasons: his great respect for colleagues in the natural sciences division, his desire to maintain the reputation of excellence in science education that PCC now enjoys, his
potential to make a difference in the
direction of the college, his personal
need to take on a new and different
challenges and the chance he would
have to better serve the terrific students at PCC. t .-'" _ _
Douglas credits his curiosity and
independence in learning to the 10
years of education he has received.
Over the years he has gained the
confidence to go out and learn
things on his own. He believes colleagues help keep you straight and
stimulate your thinking. .
"Like other areas of the campus,
one of our biggest issues is space,"
Douglas said. "The natural sciences
have been growing like crazy in
response to student demand for
classes in the sciences, and we are.
feeling some negative effects from'
this expansion."
Douglas feels PCC is a great
place to get an education and a great
place to work.
; "My grandmother, mother,
father and wife all went here,"
Douglas said. "Recently, my oldest
daughter also transferred here. PCC
is truly in my blood."
* Daniel Belts / Courier
Dean Dave Douglas is ready to take on new challenges.
