30° Elgin, IL
Join our team
The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer
The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer
The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer
Cole Christensen

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer

Hey! I’m Cole, it’s my second year at ECC, and I’m excited to start working for The Observer! I’m working on getting my Associate’s in Arts and a Bachelor’s in Political Science in the future. Besides writing, I enjoy playing chess and guitar.

All content by Cole Christensen
In fall 2022, ECC students earned at least a C about 85% of the time. For the most enrolled courses, those numbers varied.

Success rates of ECC classes

Hannah Soukup and Cole Christensen
May 12, 2023
Cole Christensen sits on a chair, reading a book in an elevator at his apartment complex after working a shift for a private ambulance company on Dec. 20, 2021.

Ambulance rides, deathbeds and the meaning of life

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer
April 21, 2023
Dave Kaptain speaks about his future plans for Elgin during the Townhall Meeting with the Elgin mayoral candidates in the Jobe Lounge on Tuesday, March.21, 2023.

ECC hosts forum for Elgin mayoral candidates

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer
April 8, 2023
People dancing on top of tables at Roscoe's Tavern in Chicago on Feb. 25, 2023.

What the “Boys” have to say about Boystown, Chicago’s Gay Neighborhood

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer
March 25, 2023
Howard Russo holding one of his rocket ship designs at his workshop.

Retired ECC fine arts professor continues to create art

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer
March 25, 2023
At Roscoe's in Boystown, Rihanna's performance for the recent Super Bowl Halftime show was shown by all tv's in its entirety. Taken on Feb. 25, 2023.

Two guys by the bar at Roscoe's in Boystown, Chicago. Taken on Feb. 25, 2023.

At Roscoe's in Boystown, Rihanna's performance for the recent Super Bowl Halftime show was shown by all tv's in its entirety. Taken on Feb. 25, 2023.

Decorations in Howard Russo's family room, welded by him.

Part of Howard Russo's sculpture have been saved in his storage areas for over two decades.

Part of the sphere rocket has been saved in his storage areas for over two decades.

Sculptures created by Howard Russo are displayed in his front yard.

Howard Russo's latest sculping project, called "Gumball Machine," sits in his workshop. A corporation hired him to build something, and he's doing it only using materials the company manufactures. It took over 50 hours to construct.

A self-proclaimed "gumball machine" by Howard Russo, this was his latest sculpting project. A corporation hired him to build something, and he's doing it only using materials the company manufactures. It took over 50 hours to construct. Taken on Mar. 13, 2023.

Various designs of Howard Russo's that were turned into posters.

A rocket sculpted by Howard Russo in front of Elgin Community College's B Building entrance.

The ECC Fitness Center is now free for all students.

Six packs for everyone! ECC’s Fitness Center is now free

Cole Christensen and Eric D. Rangel
March 4, 2023
Adam (left), played by Chase Nelson, and Sam, played by Gabrielle Urbina, passionately sing to each other in the Spartan Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2023.

Meet the actors in ECC’s recent musical, “The Mad Ones”

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer
March 4, 2023
Instructor Dave Strossner shows second-year student Cesar Palomares a Nitroglycerin pill during his lesson on pharmacology at the Elgin Community College Center for Emergency Services in Hampshire on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

Be a hero in one semester

Cole Christensen, Staff Writer
February 12, 2023
Load More Stories