Garrick Hoffman, passion for learning
Even if you’ve never met Garrick Hoffman, you’ve probably read his writing in The Beacon or seen his photographs in the Writ.
Before coming to SMCC at the age of 22, Garrick says he was feeling that his life was “vapid and devoid of meaning.” SMCC, he says, flamed his creative side and cultivated his passion for learning.
A Liberal Studies major, he is now the Beacon’s executive editor and writes news, features, opinion columns and even poetry. But he’s also inspired by his appetite for photography and music. You can sometimes find him selling his photos – guitar hanging around his neck – at the First Friday Art Walks or the Farmer’s Market in Portland.
After he graduates this fall, he hopes to pursue his creative passions.
“Based on my own experience, I would advise people to get involved with some kind of club or organization that will keep you on campus and keep you working on something meaningful that will fulfill a purpose beyond going to class and leaving. Also, create good relationships and rapport with professors and staff. My relationships with everyone has created a family environment for me at SMCC.”
Lloyd Metcalf, RPG illustrator 
When he was a teenager, Lloyd Metcalf dreamed of being an illustrator for fantasy role-playing games (think Dungeons & Dragons). Thanks to SMCC, his dream has come true.
Lloyd came to SMCC four years ago at the age of 40 after the company where he worked slashed employee pay without warning. The time had come, he decided, to come back to school.
After earning a Communications & New Media degree, he set out on his own as an illustrator and producer for RPG and fantasy game producers around the country. He recently moved to Wisconsin – the birthplace of Dungeons & Dragons, the world’s most-famous RPG – so he could collaborate and be close to artists who were part of Dungeons & Dragons.
Now, he says, he draws pictures of goblins, writes adventures and makes tabletop RPGs for a living while having “more fun than should be legally allowed doing it.” (Check out his work at http://www.lmetcalf.com).
He credits SMCC – and instructors Kate Sibole and Rachel Guthrie in particular – for stoking his passion.
“What I gained more than anything was being surrounded by people who were doing what they wanted to do. When you’re around people pursuing their ambitions every day, it changes your perspective on things. “