Student Success

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"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Thomas Jefferson

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." Will Durant’s interpretation of Aristotle, found in The Story of Philosophy: The Lives And Opinions of the Greater Philosophers.

Helping students to achieve their goals is our top priority in the History Department at Pikes Peak Community College.  Highlighted below are our former students who are having continued success beyond Pikes Peak Community College.  

Roxanne Yelvington

"As a first generation college student, the first year at PPCC was more than a little overwhelming.  I was never the ideal student in high school, and I was not expected by anyone to attain a higher education.  Learning the ropes was a difficult task, but through all the bedlam, it was the history department that pulled me through.  The instructors in the history department gave me the discipline, the confidence, but most importantly the language of college, and it was that which prepared me for four year college.  As a graduate student at UCCS, with a magna cum laude BA in History, I am truly grateful to the dedicated members of the history department for their resolve and dedication in transitioning students into the lifestyle and reward that is college life."

I met Roxanne when, as department chair, I visited a Weekend College history class.  I asked the students if anyone needed help with advising—and met Roxanne. In a subsequent class with me, I saw a student who is passionate about history, well read, and always eager to participate in class discussion.  I do recall fondly some comments about classicism and Mozart’s love life.  Roxanne has earned a bachelor’s degree in history at UCCS and worked as writing center and history tutor at PPCC for the past two years.  She gets rave reviews from my students about her ability to help them improve their writing.  Roxanne begins the graduate program in history in UCCS in fall 2009.  I would be privileged to have her as a future colleague in the history department at PPCC.  Wayne Artis on the academic career of Roxanne Yelvington

Chris Bairn

"The History department taught me how to read, interpret and write history, not just names and dates.  They prepared me to look at history as a historian rather than as just a student."

Not only did he make sure that he was prepared in class by having his readings and assignments done ahead of time, but Chris also collaborated with his fellow students.  The greatest memory that I have of Chris is his willingness to reach out to a student who was struggling in the course.  While he made himself available, Chris became fast friends sharing his love for baking and history with the student.  He has finished his Senior Thesis, titled "From Heresy to Orthodoxy," and he is entering into graduate school where he will pursue a Master of Arts in History at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. 
Glenn Rohlfing on the academic career of Chris Bairn.

Max Rubenacker

I was a student at PPCC from January 2005 to December 2006. I came as what I call a home-school dropout. I spent years devouring information and educating myself, but the ugly truth was that I found myself a 20 year-old whose potential would have been wasted without an education. I needed a place where I could discover that potential.  Every instructor at PPCC pushed me right to the limit of my abilities and kept on pushing – gently, but firmly – until learned what I was capable of; until I learned that I had it within me to go farther than I ever imagined.  Entering PPCC I felt small and frightened, leaving I felt mature and assured. The strength of knowing I could accomplish so much emboldened me, so I took a daring leap and applied to Colorado College. In 2008 I was accepted with a full scholarship and advanced academic standing.

Martin Conrad

My time at PPCC was literally life-changing.  My instructors—and my fellow students—both encouraged and challenged me, and I quickly fell in love with the excitement and energy of the academic environment.  I had come back to school intending to complete a computer science degree, but I soon changed my goal.  My interactions with other students, both in the classes I was taking, and when working as a workstudy in the jewelry and stained glass classes, also helped me realize that I wanted the shared experience of learning to be a regular part of my life.  I decided I wanted to teach.  Having now completed a BA and an MA, I have taken the first step on that new, exciting life journey, teaching history and art appreciation, the latter both in the classroom and online.  The classroom is a place of learning, no matter which side of the teacher’s desk you’re on, and interactions with other instructors are a never-ending source of personal and professional growth.  I’m far from finished learning.

John Marsland

I entered PPCC with the goal of double majoring in Political Science and English. It only took one class with Wayne Artis to change my mind! It is because of the history courses at PPCC, more than anything else, that I am any sort of success academically. The history department instilled the focus, drive, and ability I needed then and now. My experience with Pikes Peak’s history department has made the rest of college easy; if you can pass Wayne’s 101 class, then the next four years are a cake walk!  It is no exaggeration to say that without the history department of PPCC, I would have never graduated and I would have never found the right track to the rest of my life.