Commencement Speakers

Environmental scientist DR. MARK PLOTKIN will speak at the 2010 Lewis & Clark College of Arts and Sciences Commencement.

Plotkin has spent most of the last 20 years working with and learning from ancient shamans about their traditions and healing plants in the rainforests of Central and South America.  He is president of the Amazon Conservation Team.

Selection process:

Early each fall term, seniors are contacted by the Dean of the College, explaining the selection process and inviting speaker suggestions from the Lewis & Clark College community. After reaching its decision, the Selection Committee asks the President to invite the speaker recommended.

Recent commencement speakers:

2009: Ray Suarez, author, journalist

2008: Greg Mortenson, author, Three Cups of Tea

2007: Vivian Gusin Paley, noted child psychologist, University of Chicago

2006: Charles Johnson, S. Wilson and Grace M. Pollock Professor for Excellence in English, University of Washington.

2005: Josef Joffe, Publisher of Die Zeit

2004: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director, National Institutes of Health

2003: Ted Kulongoski, Governor, State of Oregon

2002: Ambassador Christopher Ross, Special Coordinator for Public Diplomacy and Deputy to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State

2001: Lech Walesa, Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Poland

2000: Dr. Ben O. Canada, Superintendent, Portland Public Schools

1999: Heidi Heitkamp, Attorney General, North Dakota,JD, Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College '80

1998: Brian Lamb, Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN)

1997: Jack Ward Thomas, Chief, U.S. Forest Service (retired)