Jonas Lerman, sophomore

From: Gig Harbor, Washington

Exploring: English

Language arts: This is only my second year of college, and already I’ve had some amazing experiences. One of my professors, John Callahan, is literary executor for the late writer Ralph Ellison. As Callahan’s research assistant, I’ve been going through enormous boxes of Ellison’s letters. To pick up a letter that Ralph Ellison wrote to Saul Bellow and know that I’m probably only the third person in history who’s read this thing—that’s not bad! Professors like Callahan, Lyell Asher, and Kurt Fosso—I don’t think a lot of undergraduates get to work with people of their caliber. They all have changed how I think about reading, writing, theory, and interpretation.

Performing arts: The theatre department is very open to nontheatre majors acting in Lewis & Clark productions. I’ve been in a play every semester since I started here. As a singer/songwriter, as well, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to perform. I’ve done open-mike nights and talent shows. I even put together a Songwriters in the Round concert this year as a benefit for a local AIDS hospice. SOFA (Students Organized for Activities) sponsored the concert and matched all of the students’ donations.

Liberal arts: Lewis & Clark is the ideal place to be if you want to try your hand at several things. There are a lot of different departments with a lot of different activities that are welcoming and beckoning. Whenever I try something new, someone is standing there with open arms saying, “Of course! Go ahead—try it!”

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