A Contagion of Happiness: Michael Bosch

Fermented Bread

It's a typical Monday morning for Michael Bosch. He begins his regular routine of bread making before he leaves for school for the day. At seven in the morning, Bosch is forming loaves of bread while most people are still struggling to get out of bed.

Bosch does not use commercial yeast in his bread, but instead just a starter of flour and water. He leaves the loaves as they ferment with "wild magical yeast." Bosch strives to eat and live healthily with a raw and natural diet. He practices Bikram Yoga twice a week, is a cannabis enthusiast and even makes his own Kombucha. 

When Bosch gets to school, it's really Reggie that gets most of the attention. Reggie, an adorable
beagle/rottweiler, is Bosch's service animal and his "best dog friend." The 4-year-old pup has been with Bosch for the past two years. 

Photo courtesy of Jessica Founts

 "Pursuing My Artsy Side"

At 9 a.m. Bosch gets settled in at his Digital Photography class. He's got a big smile on his face; that contagious grin that so many students look forward to seeing every day. The instructor for the class, Matthew Williams said, "I feel like [Bosch] is one of my most engaged students, he's constantly asking questions and is always motivated to do well in this class."

Bosch is known campus wide for his positive attitude and his very popular canine companion, but there is so much more to this 27 year old artist. He has a mad love for people, cooking, gardening and teaching. He began earning his degree in General Studies last fall to pursue his "artsy side" and will be graduating this spring. 

Originally from Portland, Bosch now lives in Corvallis, where he has been for the past six years. There, his girlfriend of eight years, Amanda Tucksen, teaches kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary School. Bosch is striving to become a teacher as well and his ultimate goal is to teach at the Corvallis Waldorf School, where he worked as a kindergarten assistant for five years, prior to attended LBCC full-time.

Digital photography gets out around noon and Bosch heads to choir. He walks into the choir room with Reggie and the first person he sees immediately lights up. "Hi Rachel!" he says as he walks over to the table she is sitting at. Rachel Morris, fellow choir classmate, and Bosch engage in some small talk as other students trickle in. As with everyone that comes into contact with Bosch, Morris is impressed with his positive presence and said "he is always really nice." 

Positive Vibes

Bosch makes it a daily goal to practice compassion. He is big on love, life, and positive thinking. 

"People can be 'anti' anything these days, we can be more productive by being 'pro'. When we're 'anti' anything, we are approaching things in a negative light but being 'pro' is a way to support things in a positive manner," Bosch said.  He encourages everyone to give people the benefit of the doubt and "get past head thinking" and listen to your heart. 

His compassion and gentle nature make him approachable and easy to talk to. It's those qualities that make people and animals alike feel comfortable around him. He is skilled at dog rearing and communication and has some helpful tips on how to keep dog's happy and healthy.

Jessica Founts

At a Glance:

• Michael Bosch, age 27
• Hometown, Portland, Ore.
• Full-time student at LBCC, General Studies
• "I want to be a Waldorf teacher"- Bosch 

Michael Bosch's Tips to Keep A Happy Pup:

• Walk your dog everyday. Exercise is a great way to communicate with your canine and promotes a healthy mental state.
• Always carry treats in your pocket. To keep your dogs attention on you or to neutralize and distract other dogs you come into contact with along the way.
• Feed your dog a raw food diet. Though it can be more expensive upfront, in the long run it will end up saving you money. Your pet will have a healthier, softer coat, teeth improvement and puppy breath disappears, and again promotes a healthier mental state. When feeding your dog raw meat, always remember to make sure it is hormone free and antibiotic free.
• Have proper expectations. Dogs are a product of their environment. If they exhibit unwanted behaviors, give them a change of environment, go for a walk.  

'Dissonant Beauty' Art Exhibit at LBCC features photos by Cory Self

Stunning black and whites hang perfectly displayed on the east wall of the Calapooia Center Gallery, as a group gathers to see the first art exhibit of the winter term.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, the LBCC Art Department hosted the DIssonant Beauty Art Exhibit. Art students, fans, family and faculty gathered together to admire and support Cory Self with his first show of his own. 

Everyone in attendance was given the opportunity to meet both Cory Self and the Gallery Coordinator, Anne Magratten. They were asked about the art, their inspiration and the gallery itself. Warm brownies, bubbly apple cider and other refreshments were available as students were able to talk to the artist and take a look at Self's photos.


The show displayed photographs taken by Self over a span of a year. Each of the five photos were taken in color but later digitally manipulated into black and white, keeping with Self's "dark, unsettling" theme. He told his audience that he is inspired by movies and music and finds beauty in art that does not fit the classical standard or notion of what is beautiful. 

Enjoying the chance to talk to a fellow artist, Michael Bosch said to Self, "It's a rare occasion when you get to ask the artist about their work in person." The students and faculty were eager to discuss Self's photography and his process.

Anne Magratten said, "Cory's work is really successful... and this show is a great way for us to engage with the students."


Self, 33, is an art major here at LBCC and one of the student gallery coordinators. After graduating next term, he plans on attending OSU to pursue his bachelor's degree in fine arts and wants to later get his tattoo license.  Along with his love for photography, Self is skilled in many other art forms such as drawing, cartooning, and playing guitar.


The shows have been somewhat irregular so far but the Art Coordinators plan to start having monthly exhibits. To keep up to date with Art Gallery events visit linnbenton.edu/artgallery.

Every spring, the Art Gallery throws an annual Juried Art Student Exhibit where students who are either currently enrolled in an art class, or who have taken an art class in the past two years can submit art to be displayed

The Art Gallery is dedicated to showing the talent of emerging artists of LBCC.




At a Glance:

• Art Exhibit; Dissonant Beauty in the Calapooia Center Gallery
• The Calapooia Gallery is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Submit art to artgallery@linnbenton.edu or call 541-917-4247
• Art Gallery Coordinator, Anne Magratten; magrata@linnbenton.edu for questions
• Student Gallery Coordinator/Artist/Photographer; Cory Self

The Writing Center at LBCC

One of the many useful resources available to students here at LBCC is the Writing Center, but what is the Writing Center and how can it help you?

The Writing Center is on the second floor of Willamette Hall, above the library. For fall, winter and spring terms the hours are typically Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-ins are always welcome but appointments can be made as well at tutortrac.linnbenton.edu.

Can't make it into the office? You can always visit OWL, online writing lab, at lbcc.writingcenteronline.net. There you can submit any writing assignments along with any questions or concerns and get feedback within just a few days.

Once you make it to the Writing Center, how will the writing assistants help you?
"It is our goal... to help them become more confident, skillful, and expressive writers," said Victoria Fridley, Writing Center coordinator.

Writing Center volunteers and staff assist students in their writing strengths and in improving areas that need work. For any of your writing, at any stage, whether it be a class assignment, an essay for a scholarship application or just creative writing of your own.

At the start of his college experience, Phillip Rakowski thought about quitting because he did not know how to write. "Until someone said I might try the writing center," said Rakowski. "Victoria was a catalyst of the writing center that helped turn my direction around and not quit."

Emma Armstrong said what kept her coming back was the "patience from all the writing center staff... Every time I walked away I had gained something from the experience, and could really see my writing improve."

If English is not your native language, stop by or make an appointment with Sarah Mosser, English language learner specialist. Mosser is available to help with writing structure, content, and basic grammar rules.

The Writing Center coordinator, Victoria Fridley, can be contacted at victoria.fridley@linnbenton.edu or at 541-917-4708.


At a glance:

• LBCC Writing Center on the second floor of Willamette Hall, above the library.
• Open Monday- Friday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Writing Center Coordinator, Victoria Fridley; victoria.fridley@linnbenton.edu
• Online Writing Lab; lbcc.writingcenter.net
• Drop-in or make apt.at Tutortrac.linnbenton.edu.