Alumni Spotlight - Michael Taggart and Timothy Oshie
In the 1980s, Timothy Oshie and Michael Taggart began a friendship at EvCC that endures today. Their time at the college was significant for another reason: it enabled them to pursue careers they loved. Michael, a math instructor in the Everett School District for over 26 years, credits EvCC with providing strong teachers and great role models. "I was involved with student leadership, played on the basketball team, and I met my wife at EvCC," Michael says. "I still volunteer my time by helping out with the men's and women's basketball teams as well." Timothy served as the EvCC intramurals director and student editor of The Clipper newspaper, and was named ASB Student of the Year, while also serving two years as captain of the men's basketball team. Today, as president of the Oshie Sports Foundation, he raves about his EvCC education. "EvCC jump-started my young life and enhanced my personal life and career," he says. "It allowed me to seek and attain many great attributes that I cherish today."
Michael Taggart
What is your current occupation/career?
I just finished my 26th year as a math teacher in the Everett School District and I currently teach at Jackson High School.
How did you choose EvCC? Was there a selection process involved in your decision making?
I chose EvCC because it was convenient and it fit my budget. It also had all of the classes I needed to transfer and reach my goal of becoming a teacher
Do you think your time at EvCC helped you pursue your current career? How?
I was able to fulfill several math requirements while at EvCC. All of my instructors were very strong math teachers and great role models
What did you do after you left (or graduated from) EvCC?
I attended Western Washington University.
What words of advice would you give to current EvCC students?
I would tell current students to take lots of different courses to explore different career options. Also, enjoy your time at EvCC and make the most of it, as I had a great experience. Get involved in different student activities and organizations and enjoy every minute. You will look back and relish your time in Everett!
Any other information you would like to provide?
I have very fond memories of my time at EvCC. Not only did I make close friends that I still stay in touch today, but I was able to be involved with student leadership, play on the basketball team, and I met my wife, Erica, at EvCC! I still volunteer my time by helping out the men's and women's basketball teams as well.
Timothy Oshie
I was born and raised in Warroad, Minnesota, so passionately called Hockeytown USA. It's three miles south of the USA-Manitoba Canada border.
My family moved from Minnesota to Everett in the summer of 1977 and I attended Cascade High School in Everett, graduating with the Class of 1982 playing football, basketball and golf earning a total of nine letters.
I then attended Everett Community College from 1982-86, during my senior year at Cascade High School, due to receiving VA benefits as a survivor of my fallen biological father who was in the Korean War.
I was perhaps the youngest person at EvCC that year of 1982 at age 16, but right away, I loved Everett Community College.
Once there, I immediately became involved in student activities with Rich Haldi and Joann Ashlock as the Directors. I was named the assistant student director of intramural sports and built a great program of flag football, basketball, co-ed softball, floor hockey, and numerous other sports.
The next year, I became the student editor of The Clipper newspaper, where I worked under Eldon Coroch. It was there that my passion for print and broadcast journalism became evident.
In 1984, I was named EvCC Student Intramurals Director under Jack Eiswerth and produced programs in flag football, basketball, floor hockey, co-ed softball, golf tournaments and other special events. The program would go to the elementary schools and help with the young kids in sports, teaching sportsmanship and fair play.
In 1984-85, I was named ASB Student of the Year in ASB activities, producing many great intra-extramural sports program. In 1986, I was named ASB Athlete of the Year for all my athletic accomplishments during my tenure at Everett Community College.
That same year, EvCC brought back the men's basketball program, of which I captained both years of my career from 1984-86 under Micheal Donchey, and then Larry Walker (who presently is men's head basketball coach and athletic director since the mid-80's).
I can honestly say Everett Community College was a phoenix in my life. It allowed me to seek and attain many great attributes that I cherish of becoming who I am today.
I have four incredible children in Timothy Leif Oshie, Jr., Taylor Mychal-Richard Oshie, Tawni Lin Oshie, and Aleah Rae Oshie-Hangsleben.
My eldest, T.J., has played in the National Hockey League for six seasons and was the 2014 Olympics USA hero scoring four of six shoot-out goals to beat the Russians in Sochi, Russia.
Alumni ad published 9/1/2014