Ted Walston	Steve Monroe

Outstanding scholars named to represent RCC

Both of Rogue Community College's 2006 Outstanding Student Scholars are grateful to their parents for instilling the importance of responsibility, compassion and social activism. Steve Monroe and Ted Walston each have earned acclaim as motivational speakers. Monroe, 47, inspires audiences as he recounts his struggles with addiction, being homeless and hopeless, his recovery, and how education helped him turn his life around. Ted Walston, 24, captivates listeners with his intellect and humor, speaking to high school students with disabilities. Born with cerebral palsy, Walston grew up navigating the mean streets of a Brooklyn ghetto in his wheelchair. Both Outstanding Student Scholars carry 3.9 GPAs.

A review committee selected them from a field of 16 nominees, based on academic accomplishments, college activities, and service. This spring they will join recipients from the state's 16 other community colleges at a reception in Salem with college presidents, legislators and the governor. Each will also receive a $1,000 scholarship to a four-year Oregon college or university. The Oregon Community College Association sponsors the award.

Monroe, who is originally from San Francisco, is a student government leader at Redwood Campus. "The level of caring and support of the RCC faculty is unparalleled," he said. "Trying new pathways has been very enriching. I could never again be in an environment and not participate," Monroe said. His life "sort of crumbled and fell apart" after leaving the Army. Coming to the Veteran's Affairs Domiciliary in White City, he says, marked a key turning point. Six months later he enrolled at RCC for one class. "It was like trying a new and different pattern. I began to develop self-esteem and saw I could succeed and do well," he said. Monroe will graduate in 2006 and transfer to Portland State University. He plans to be an addiction counselor. He's also learning toward involvement in the political process. "It hurts to see cuts in human services," he said. Monroe has organized drives to send educational materials to Africa and holiday gifts to needy local children. Jackie Cruz, student government advisor, said Monroe "leads by example and compassion."

Walston initially came to Oregon to check out a friend's hometown. He had always wanted to see other parts of county, he said, and to escape the snow that made traveling by wheelchair a hindrance. "In Medford I got the culture shock of my life. I wanted a change, and this is definitely a change because I was born and raised in the ghetto of the ghetto," Walston added. "My parents are my inspiration. There is nothing my mother wouldn't do for me - except make excuses. My father has shown me how to have expectations without limitations." In high school Walston was class president, wheelchair hockey team captain, and class clown. "So I was definitely well-rounded," he said laughing.
His student job is manning RVC's information desk, and his many friends stop to say hello and leave smiling. "It's great meeting new people," he says. "It's also a chance to change some perceptions of African-Americans and disabled people. Rogue has been great and presented many opportunities. People here are very personable." Staff members Guerin Fischer and Mary Gehret nominated Walston, citing his "wonderful manner with all people, positive attitude, and willingness to overcome obstacles." Walston intends to transfer to Southern Oregon University and study psychology. "I want to counsel disabled people and help them be not just members of society, but active members of society. I feel like society is trying hard but more needs to be done," he explained. "I encourage disabled people to not just work in companies - but to aim at owning and running those companies and playing a vital role. You don't have to stand to stand up."