Diana Wiener, senior

From: Houston, Texas

Exploring: History

Building community: At Lewis & Clark, you don’t need a Greek system to find a smaller community—we already are one! There are so many opportunities to get involved that students find their sense of belonging— provided at many schools by fraternities and sororities—through other student organizations. I found my niche in residence life. Helping to build community as a resident assistant has been the best job I’ve ever had.

Building understanding: Inspired by the diversity training I received as an RA, last year I put together an event called “Reality Check.” People were challenged to match autobiographies with the students who wrote them. This forced people to confront their biases about appearances. I was asked to repeat the exercise for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration this year. That’s just one example of the countless educational opportunities you can find outside the classroom. Student life offers so much—you’ll never find a better opportunity for support and growth.

Building a future: Through my history classes and my experiences in the residence halls, I’ve come to appreciate the profound effect that places have on people. As a result, I’ve found my calling: I have applied to a master’s degree program in historic preservation, and I hope to go into preservation and housing law.

Building momentum: I feel very lucky to be here. I came from a disadvantaged background, and Lewis & Clark took a big chance on me. This school invested in me, and I’m driven to give back as much as I can. The day I get my diploma will be the proudest of my life.

Meet more L&C students.