Ever wonder what your college professor has done, besides prepare lectures and give tests that leave your mind numb? Surprisingly, that particular teacher of yours may have accomplished other things outside of class.
Other things like articles, written fiction, biographies and historical prefaces. Many professors at Yuba College have published work, most available in the library, and most of which students have never heard!
“Very few students know about my work,” said Professor David Rubiales. “The few usually type my name on the internet and find that I have published work.” Rubiales, a full-time political science and history professor, has written an introductory essay for the preface in a book re-telling the 1955 flood (“Coping with Disaster: Voices from the 1955 Flood”).
Specializing in history, Professor Rubiales has an interest in the history of the flood, especially since the flood affected both Sutter and Yuba Counties.
When asked if there were any future publishing plans, Professor Rubiales replied, “Yes, I have a 2 chapter project on the Mid-Sacramento Valley and its environmental history. It is a three- to four-year project.”
Another full-time professor whose work is usually unknown among students is Professor Sally Harvey.
Professor Harvey, who teaches all aspects of English, published a biography on Willa Cather, a writer who lived during the early twentieth century and wrote about the ideals of success.
The biography (“Redefining the American Dream: The Novels of Willa Cather”) and and essay (“The Readings on My Antonia”) show Professor Harvey’s love and inspiration for an iconic woman figure.
Professor Samuel Provenzano, who teaches part-time English classes at Yuba College, has a book of fictional short stories (“Blood Pudding and Other Stories in Black and White”).
Professor Provenzano, who has taught creative writing classes that enable students to test their short story skills in the past, plans to have a new book of short stories available this coming spring.
Six faculty responded to a Prospector inquiry (listed in the box on the right), with the names of their books. Other faculty, such as Doug Joksch, said that they had published, but did not give the titles of their works.
“I currently have two publication with Prentice Hall,” wrote Joksch, “and contract write for several others.”
Joksch said that many retired faculty are published as well, such as David Buckla.You should head to the library to check out a book by a Yuba College professor and see for yourself that they do have a life outside of class.
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