Echo Times

Issue date: 12/10/01 Section: News

Media Credit: Ryan Cathy Hedgecock currently on medical leave and working on her novel with her student of several years ET ad manager Danielle Floersch, how was also former editor-in-chief for the last 2 previous spring and fall semesters, and ET writer for the spring before [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: David Quinley David Quinley´s "The Apple in it´s Natural State 1""Harvest:" art show in Olney Hall

Cathy Hedgecock, COM's Faculty Advisor for the Echo Times and teacher in the Communications Department, sat on a table in the front of her Journalism 115 class and addressed the somber students as if she were talking to a group of close friends. "You probably know I'm leaving," she told the class before introducing Judith Romero as the substitute who would fill in for the remainder of the semester. Hedgecock went on to explain that she was leaving COM mid-semester because she as diagnosed with cancer. This is the second time she has been forced to leave COM because of the disease.
Hedgecock originally came to COM in the fall of 1998 after a long history of working as a journalist, for newspapers such as The Contra Costa Times, and as an editor for The S.F. Daily Journal. Her interest in writing, however, has always been broader than reporting. Hedgecock cheerfully refers to an ultimately successful book writing attempt as "The Swiss Cheese Novel", because it had too many holes in the plot. "It's really hard with fiction. You can't just write a few things down," Hedgecock said.
The same semester Hedgecock started teaching at COM, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and forced to leave to take care of her health. While away from work, she engaged in a rigorous nine-month battle against breast cancer, undergoing two surgeries, eight rounds of chemotherapy, and twenty-eight radiation treatments. Although the surgeries and treatments severely drained her, they were successful, sending the cancer into remission.
When Hedgecock returned to COM in the fall of 1999, "I was so excited to be back on my feet. It was pretty hard that first semester because I was still pale and tired and I was new at the college. Students were helpful and supportive. Everybody at the college knocked themselves out to help," Hedgecock says.
Hedgecock was back for two years when cancer caught up with her again this semester, forcing her to leave for a second time.
In the short time that Hedgecock has worked for COM, colleagues and students praise her as both a dedicated professional and a warm and caring person.
Connie Lehna, now the Human Resources Specialist, worked with Hedgecock as a secretary in the Communications Department when Hedgecock first started at COM. "She has brought a really good energy to the department. She brought in new ideas. She brought the technology up to date, and she has done a good job of it," Lehna said.
Lehna is not alone in complimenting Hedgecock. Rena Ramirez, a student at COM who aspires to study Broadcasting and Mass Communications at NYU, had two classes with Hedgecock this semester. Ramirez said she thinks of Hedgecock's absence as a big loss. "She's somebody who has kept me interested in the field I want to go into," Ramirez said.
Because of Hedgecock's absence there has been a considerable amount of confusion among students in her classes as well as those working in the Echo Times newsroom. In all of her classes, continuity was broken when substitutes filled in, while Journalism 115 has had three substitutes.
"Her not being here has made it hard for us because she hasn't been around to help…It's put a strain on everybody," said Mike Miller, layout editor for the Echo Times.
Also feeling the burden of Hedgecock's absence is Heidi Silverberg, student Editor in Chief of The Echo Times, who has worked closely with Hedgecock through the first part of the Fall 2001 semester. "She's amazing. She's got a lot of experience in the field of journalism, plus in her personality she has so much compassion for people…I miss and want her to come back," said Silverberg.
In Hedgecock's classes, there is a mutual admiration society, as Hedgecock draws as much inspiration from her students as they do from her. For her, it is natural for this type of connection to be a part of the classroom. "I don't know how to do it any differently. I care about what students are learning. I care about what they do, and that inspires me as a teacher," she said.
True to her nature, Hedgecock is creating a positive experience out of her time off. Currently undergoing chemotherapy, she is also using her time away from COM to work on a new mystery novel entitled Murder on the Delta. She says she misses teaching, and feels the support of people at COM. "I really appreciate all the phone calls, the e-mails, all the support everybody at the college has given me. It helps a lot. Right now I'm very optimistic."
For those wishing to contact Cathy Hedgecock, deliver correspondence to the Echo Times newsroom, LC 32, or email at echotimes@hotmail.com.

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