Abrielle Santee

Chinook Contributor  

People from all different walks of life fill each office and dorm room of Casper College. Sitting in the space of others gives one a glimpse into their world. If a student walks down the hallways of Liesinger Hall and finds themselves in the 175 office pod, tucked away in the corner is LH175B. Upon entering the office, a few things will stand out. These might include a mug with a snake in the clutches of an owl, a festive sombrero, and three pine cones set up behind the desk on the window where the light can shine in on them. Books fill the shelves, ranging from philosophy and scientific study to poetry. Pictures of landscapes and horses hang on the walls like portals back to fresh air and wide-open spaces. Knickknacks and stickers garnish the room on every available surface, a reminder of where they came from. The desk, however, remains moderately clean and organized. Splashes of color decorate a black bookshelf and white walls. In a place where everything seems out of place, everything is where it should be. It feels like the walls are telling those who enter they belong too. 

Welcome to the office of Chad Hanson. Hanson is a sociology instructor and an advisor for the social work program at CC. Hanson searches for inspiration in everyday life and brings that experience and attitude into the classroom.  Hanson’s story took him from the snowy nights of Minnesota to the mountain biking trails of Arizona and the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin. 

Hanson admits his reason for moving to Wyoming might seem a little unorthodox.

He said, “This isn’t usually the reason people make professional decisions, but I moved to Casper to teach here so that I could fish in the North Platte River. I’ll cop to that.”

Following the fly fishing, Hanson found himself in a trout and nature lover’s paradise. The move put him in touch with the Bigh Horn and Snowy Range mountains. More then just a change of scenery, Frankland said, CC gave Hanson more creativity with his program and a better connection with students. Political Science Instructor and personal friend of Hanson, Erich Frankland, described Hanson as one of the most engaging instructors at CC, stating Hanson makes his coursework relatable. He connects with many students, a helpful skill for an instructor of a common prerequisite.

Frankland said, “The ancient Greek philosophy of education is mind, body, heart, or spirit. We’re obviously focused on the mind here as a college, but I think he sees students with a more holistic perspective.”

By looking at students with a broader lens, Hanson makes them feel comfortable. Frankland said college can be intimidating, especially for students from smaller towns, different states, or foreign countries. People feel listened to and valued when talking to him, which reduces their anxiety and creates an environment like the one he had going through school. Good teachers have good teachers. Hanson is no exception.

“I had role model after role model. Sometimes I’ll catch myself. I’ll say something or do something. If I have a moment to reflect I go, ‘Oh that was my old teacher Mike. I just did Mike,’” Hanson said.

Hanson believes three factors make a good teacher. He said teachers need to know their subject, have a sense of humor, and they need to like students. Hanson has always enjoyed being in and around education. He considers himself lucky to work in schools and classes that always seemed joyful. 

While Hanson graduated with an extended major in Sociology, meaning he took more than the regular number of sociology courses, he initially pursued an art major.

Hanson said, “It felt like a fit that I was unaware of till I actually put my feet in a (sociology) class and started learning about it. And on top of that, the person who taught the class just looked like he was having a barrel of fun.”

Hanson liked the kind of worldview open-ended questions sociology tried to tackle. Hanson hasn’t given up his artsy interests like photography, ceramics, and music. The lines between art and sociology can get blurred.

Hanson said, “Art can be seen a couple different ways. Some people would say it’s a reflection of culture and our way of life. Other people would say art, whether it’s visual art, painting, films, music probably fits here too, maybe these forms of art are more than a reflection of our culture. Maybe they actually give shape to our culture. I think in the end, it’s probably both.”

Hanson sees societies and art everywhere. He is an accomplished writer, and his wife is a painter and photographer. The pair bike around Casper, adventure in the mountains, track down wild horses and attend poetry readings and folk music concerts. One can find him where spirits are high, the coffee is black, or the inspiration is flowing. 

Hanson is constantly learning and reading new studies. Frankland said his ability to immerse himself in any new project or interest and then bring that back to the classroom helps to make topics and resources accessible and relevant to students.

Frankland said, “He’s a bridge between academia and personal experience.”

Hanson encourages students to take life a little slower to appreciate all the little moments. In his award-winning poetry, Hanson gives life to the awe-inspiring places he’s been able to see. Hanson continues to follow his passions, writing both sociological analyses and poetry. His advice is to start early and revise often. Hanson believes things are added and subtracted from a story to give it more life.

“He has an infectious energy, and you can’t help but get excited about what he’s excited about,” Frankland said.

Hanson thinks every new project becomes his favorite. His current project combines his love for wild horses with his fascination with the human experience centered around the sense of awe and wonder.

“Now that I’m reading a lot of that research, it’s easy to go back through my life and realize just about everything I did was geared around that (wonder),” Hanson said.

So whether or not a student knows the stories of the sombrero of destiny, three Red Feather Lakes pine cones, or the hike with the great horned owl and the snake, Hanson’s feelings of connection between people and the wonder of nature are understood.