"OC has inspired me to have goals and to work hard to achieve them, for both academic and personal growth."

-Chuck Taylor, OC Student

Chuck Taylor - sudoku wiz, father, future actuary, OC student

Why did you choose OC?
I’m 24 years old and put off going to college. I worked in construction for a while but after getting married, I decided I needed to go to college. I chose Olympic College because of its ideal location. I grew up in Poulsbo, and while there are other educational options, I liked the friendliness of the advisors, and I felt that the expanding satellite campuses were a reflection of OC’s quality of education and its commitment.

What are your educational goals?
I am a math major at OC. I am transferring (to a four-year university) in the fall and plan to get a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (which assesses risk). Then maybe a Masters degree. I have been accepted by Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I am waiting to hear from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Both have great programs for Actuarial Science.

What is your career goal?
Right now, my goal is to become an actuary working for a large firm. I’ve also thought about doing research and development for someplace like NASA or seeing what a math major can do at the NSA (National Security Agency).

Who has been your favorite faculty at OC?
I have come to know many members of the Math Department. I have enjoyed working with Jason Heinze and Donald Robertson. Emily Cilli-Turner has also been a great professor. My favorite class would have to be Discrete Mathematics. It was a lot of fun to get a small introduction to many of the different fields in mathematics.

What activities have you been involved in at the college?
As an officer of Phi Theta Kappa, I have helped to raise awareness of the resources available to students with high academic achievement. I am also President of the Math Club. It has been a lot of fun helping to plan math-related activities at OC. I have also learned a lot serving on a (faculty) tenure committee. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that students often never see.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love sports. I try to fit in basketball or tennis every week. Pickleball is also one of my favorites, and as a member of United States Pickleball Association (USAPA), I always try to raise interest in the game.  Outside of sports, I enjoy a little Wii, chess, and golf. I am also putting time into solving the number of mathematical solutions to Sudoku.

What community activities have you been involved in since you’ve been at the college?
As part of Phi Theta Kappa, we have done a few service activities in the community such as Adopt-a-Park and Habitat for Humanity. We always try to do at least one project a quarter. I am also a youth leader at my church where I spend four to five hours a week.

Have you received special recognition? 
I recently made it onto the President’s List (3.9-4.0 GPA), which I am very proud of. I am also a member of the All-Washington Academic Team this year.

What is your background?
My younger brother and I came from a very poor family in South Korea. We ran a small vegetable cart in the streets, but that wasn't really enough to support us as we suffered from malnutrition. My father died, which left my mother with three young sons. As is the custom, the oldest son (my older brother) was expected to carry on the family name and was sent to live with an uncle, while my younger brother and I were put up for adoption. We were four and two years old, respectively. I hope to someday make contact with them again. We went from Seoul Korea to Kotzebue, Alaska, which is approximately 33 miles above the Arctic Circle. My new parents quickly decided that it was not where they wanted to raise us, and so six months later, we moved to Washington. We jumped around to a couple places before finally settling down in North Kitsap. I loved being able to grow up in one place. My (adopted) family still lives there. I now live in Port Orchard with my wife, Kelly, and my baby boy, Jack.

How has OC inspired you?
OC has inspired me to have goals and to work hard to achieve them, for both academic and personal growth.

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