PHILOSOPHER PLANTS SEEDS OF TRANSFORMATION

So much of how we see and interact with the world around us can be influenced most by one thing: ourselves.

That’s one of many things I learned after speaking with MHCC alumnus David Ahlson, who attended his first course here in 2000. During his time since at Mt. Hood, he attributes much of his motivation to some of his instructors, including former writing instructor Lidia Yuknavitch. The two became friends after he took her first Writing 121 class for the college, and his ability to write eventually led him to a very influential opportunity.

Ahlson would come to work for the Advocate initially organizing its archives and attending editorial meetings. Once the team was aware of his interest in contributing more, he began writing articles for the paper. Later that year, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association awarded him with best columnist honors for two of his articles, the first for a piece featured in a Veteran’s Day issue on better ways people can talk to service veterans.

Titled, “Dodging Bullets,” Ahlson had a personal connection with this article, since both he and his extended family are veterans of the U.S. Air Force.

Despite being brought up in a very traditional Christian household, Ahlson always considered himself the philosopher among his siblings. To this day, he recognizes his method of abstract thinking and embraces it. It wasn’t until taking a class at Mt. Hood with instructor Chris Jackson, however, that he was really able to take hold of the passion he is currently pursuing – philosophy.

In early 2015, the opportunity came for Ahlson to sit down with Arun Gandhi, one of Mahatma Gandhi’s grandsons, who came to speak at a special MHCC event.

Ahlson, who has family from parts of India, even dressed in a traditional Indian sherwani (long coat), only to meet Arun – who was dressed in a clean, tailored suit. They laughed at the contrast and Arun said Ahlson looked like the whitest Indian he had ever seen.

This would lead to Ahlson’s next award-winning article. But he said being awarded wasn’t nearly as significant as the praise he got from Arun himself: Once Arun read his article, he said that Ahlson understood his grandfather very well.

Since attending MHCC Ahlson has moved forward, studying at Portland State. He’s gathering multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees in areas of psychology and philosophy, and he will soon work towards a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution.

He best described carrying out his personal goals by pointing out a nickname he favors, “the gardener.”

By planting “seeds of transformation,” Ahlson explained, he can help teach people – even just one at a time – methods they can use to think about the world in different ways.

Advocate Staff