Asher Finch holds many titles, but a book lover, friend and writer might be the most important.

Finch, a creative writing major, will graduate in June from Clatsop Community College with an Associate of Arts Oregon transfer degree.

Originally from Spokane, Washington, Finch moved to Astoria in 2018. Since then he has found a community of like-minded avid readers in part through his work at Godfather’s Books and Espresso on Commercial Street.

“I live and breathe in that bookstore. My whole friend group essentially is everyone who works there and those are my people…. (and) I have a really close connection with the owner there,” he said.

When Finch’s nose is not in a book or writing in his brain book — a notebook containing a number of Finch’s thoughts — he acts as a Clatsop Community College Foundation student ambassador and as the associated student government president.

As president, creating a sense of community begins with small actions, such as helping students getting set up with tutors, approaching students who appear to be struggling or getting those around him familiar with academic tools.

“My goal is to give back to students, give back to this community and be a voice for them (and) to speak to those around us who can also give and help support and uplift,” he said. “We, as students, have a lot of power.”

Finch’s love of writing has led him to become the editor-in-chief of the college’s magazine, Rain, and to be the first and only student intern at The Writers Guild of Astoria. His work with the Writers Guild includes writing press releases, creating social media posts, making flyers, attending board meetings and, as of late, teaching writing workshops.

“I have been involved with this group for five years now. And I didn’t fully wrap my head around that before until earlier today … I love having this grounded community here,” Finch said.

According to Finch, becoming an intern for the Writers Guild has created opportunities for him to support other writers on the North Coast.

“I love what the Writers Guild is able to provide to our literary (community). We have a beautiful arts community in Astoria, way more so than I thought when I first moved here. We have so many artists and writers and speakers and performers, and for being a little town in Oregon, it’s beautiful,” he said.

In May, Finch was awarded the Ford Family Foundation Transfer Scholars Program scholarship, which provides up to $40,000 in financial aid for higher education costs. He was among 25 students selected to receive the scholarship, and was one of two recipients from the college.

The Ford Family Foundation was established by Oregon-based entrepreneurs Kenneth W. Ford and Hallie E. Ford, who owned Roseburg Forest Products.

Finch plans to continue his education and pursue a degree in creative writing at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Later on, he hopes to continue learning and earn a doctorate in literature. With that doctorate, he wants to eventually teach literature and writing at Clatsop Community College.