The following poem was written by SRC alumni Pam Wilson.  She wrote the poem in honor of her father Bill Wilson, who was a SRC science instructor for 25 years, and the other SRC instructors who had an impact on her while she was a student at the college. Pam read the poem to the graduating class of 2003 when she was the guest speaker.

SRC, for me, was a place where I was able to explore the fluidity that is the "self." Not only did I transition between my focus on professional aspirations, although I may have not been cognizant of it at the time, I grew intellectually. The faculty and atmosphere at SRC facilitated an environment where I could think freely and explore who I was intellectually. It provided a place to interact one-on-one with my instructors and really feel like they were actively involved in helping me come to understand various aspects my "self." When people are confused and have no idea what they want to do with their lives they often feel alienated in that confusion and neglect to see the people all around them who are just as bewildered as they are, even if those people think they "know" what they want. We never "know" who we are as we are constantly discovering our "selves." SRC is a place where a person can actively explore their "self" and become introduced to the academic world and the possibilities it opens up for them both intellectually and professionally. So, I guess what I really want to say is "Thank you" and happy 50th anniversary. Thank you to all of the faculty and personnel at SRC who helped me in my journey of exploring who Trenton Ellis actually is. The journey will be lifelong, but I am grateful to SRC for being an integral part of it.

I remember how in high school if you said you were going to Spoon River College, everyone looked at you with pity like, "well...that's okay".

Oh my, memories at SRC? Where to begin?

One of my favorite classes at Spoon River College was my Speech Communications class with Rochelle Liebman. She would always ask us a "question of the day" as a way to provoke some thought before class. Some were funny while others were serious. It was a great way to start class and a motivator to make it to class that day, because no one wanted to miss it.

One of my favorite classes at good ol' Spoon (AKA the University of Canton/Lewiston Area, UCLA as we say) was Intro to Literature with Mrs. Hardy. I have never had another teacher that managed to find a perfectly legitimate reason to have students crawl single file on their hands and knees around the edge of the hallway..... My time at SRC was full of fun, learning, and unique experiences, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

"Mrs. (Jan) Hardy was an amazing professor! She would invite her class over to her house for a spaghetti dinner and would be offended if you didn't take seconds! She was a very enjoyable professor and really cared for her students."

Well, it has been awhile....I graduated from there in 1964. Yes, I was one of the "Barclay" girls. We had a houseful of girls and fun! There were always lots of guys around too and that's mostly what I remember. We dressed up as "bunny girls" for a night to help earn money for something. Mr. J. thought it was a great idea - We always had guys hanging out at the house or driving by.

How I wish I knew the whereabouts of my fellow students from those Canton Community College days. Mainly, I was a "townie" who had my Gran to help look after and chores to do at home. Both my parents were away all day at work.

We hold the distinction of being the only girls (there was 12 of us) who lived in a dorm. It was staffed by Mr. and Mrs. John Barclay. She passed away about 1999, but he stills lives in Canton and just celebrated his 92 birthday this month (January 2009). We Barclay girls lived out on North Main about where the buffet restaurant is. I think it was 715 N Main, but it's been too many years ago to remember for sure!