The Writing Center

John Rector, ‘07

I am currently in my last semester here at Linfield, graduating (hopefully) this December ‘07. My initial degree is in Biology from Whitman College, though until pursuing a nursing career, this science background only garnered me green pie pieces when playing Trivial Pursuit. My beautiful, wonderful wife is a hospice nurse with Providence Portland and we live blissfully in our NE Portland home. Soon we are expecting a baby girl, due hopefully in January. Currently, when not writing breathtaking nursing papers, I am preparing a baby room, though not without some controversy. I was really hoping to go with a Deathstar theme or a Chewbacca arrangement, but apparently, I’ve been told, these aren’t very baby-like designs. Who knew?

Regarding my work in the writing center, I believe I am fulfilling my calling, my destiny, and my purpose on planet Earth. In high school, there was this mousy, short, balding man with a masters in medieval European literature who worked part-time as a grader for senior English papers. He was reviled widely, particularly for his expectations of doctoral-level writing and nerdy love for dead, white, male authors. Mostly, it was believed, his high standards were a means he would express his frustration that more people associated medieval with Samuel L. Jackson in the quote, “I’m gonna get medieval on your ass!” rather than with Chaucer. Anyway, an award was created at the end of the year to the student most likely to become this man, dubbed “Eric the Reader.” Yes, I received this award, I think, due to recognition of my already blooming writing brilliance. So, my destiny fulfilled, I work in the writing center. Now to those in the class of ‘94 of South Salem High School who thought I’d look like “Eric the Reader,” come by and see me sometime. I’ll gladly show you my full head of hair, chiseled chin, and rippling chest and we can discuss the meaning of medieval, Pulp Fiction-style.