Armed with their well-respected Lewis & Clark College diplomas, memhers of the class of 2000 wasted no time in taking the next step in their career paths.
They are conducting scientific research, pusuing internships, teaching in impoverished areas of America, editing academic journals, traveling the world, and taking advantage of a favorable job market to catapult careers in the expanding high-tech and dot.com industries.
They are enrolled in graduate programs at John Hopkins University, the University of Rochester, Tufts University, the University of Wisconsin, Yale University and others.
More than 40 members of the class of 2000 share what they are doing today; describe their plans for the future; and express gratitude for helpful internships, professors and alumni.
 Sara Caylor ’00 answers opportunity’s knock
When you choose a career with only a handful of job slots nationwide, it helps to have a helping hand. It also helps if you help yourself. That’s what Sarah Caylor ’00 did when she decided to work in the field of historical photography.
She received her helping hand from Lewis & Clark when she was a junior. Caylor learned through the College’s history department of a seemingly tailor-made work-study job—assisting in the photographic archives of the Oregon History Center.
In her junior and senior years and the summers following these years, Caylor helped with various projects. She researched and selected photographs for the exhibits "Birds of a Feather: The Conservation and Wildlife Photography of William L. Finley and Herman T. Bohlman," "Visions of Eden: The Willamette Valley" and "Deep Blue," an exhibition on Crater Lake.
The "help yourself" part of Caylor’s career path came while she was working at the center and met the curator of the Portland Art Museum’s photography section. Not one to let opportunity’s knock go unanswered, Caylor asked if she could help with any of his work. His affirmative reply led to an internship at the museum, where Caylor researched various projects, such as the backgrounds of three Portland-area women photographers from the turn of the 19th century.
Next on her agenda is applying for graduate school at Boston University. "It’s the only school I’ve found that is strong in all my areas of interest. It also provides access to expansive photographic archives and has an adviser who I think is an excellent match," says Caylor.
While she’s certain of her career path, Caylor knows she’s picked a hard one. "You have all these ideas about what you’re going to do," she says of her undergraduate experience, "and sometimes it’s harder to do them than you realize. It doesn’t mean you can’t, but it means it’s hard."
Having learned at Lewis & Clark how to help herself, Caylor believes she can do it.
 William Shanahan ’00 parlays math skills
What you do in your spare time as a student can pay off big—at least it has for William Shanahan ’00.
Now a software engineer at Tripwire, a Portland company that develops security programs for Fortune 500 companies, Shanahan says his job boils down to writing software to "catch people who mess with your computer system."
A math whiz who graduated summa cum laude and who sports a Phi Beta Kappa key, Shanahan initially focused on mathematics and computer science classes at Lewis & Clark. But halfway through his studies, he opted to concentrate on mathematics courses exclusively for his academic credits.
Still interested in computer science, he taught himself what he wanted to know in his spare time. And, he says, "so far, so good."
He can say that again. Tripwire started him at a hefty salary even though, Shanahan says, he had a lot of catching up to do.
"They hired me knowing that I didn’t know enough to dive in the first day," says Shanahan. "I’m definitely learning a lot."
But on-the-job learning is par for the course in many of the sciences, he says. "I would have had as much catching up to do even if I had a computer science degree. Most engineering fields have a period of apprenticeship."
It’s an apprenticeship in good company—several Lewis & Clark graduates work at Tripwire, Shanahan says. That’s no surprise, even for a company with 114 employees.
"One of my professors, Jeffrey Ely, suggested I apply there, helped me get an interview and gave me a glowing recommendation," says Shanahan.
Ely, associate professor of computer science, has helped several graduates find their post-graduation niche at Tripwire.
But Shanahan figures the niche, for him at least, is temporary. "I may eventually earn a master’s degree or even a doctorate," he says. "But I’m not sure in what area. I’m interested in everything. I could choose electrical engineering, physics, computer science. It’s hard to decide what to concentrate on when you find everything interesting."
 Internship leads to full-time job
After just a few weeks on the job, Dan Reichenbach ’00 feels right at home, which only stands to reason. Reichenbach is a new product leader at Credence, a Tektronix spin-off that builds sophisticated equipment for testing computer chips and other high-tech electrical components.
He learned the ropes at the company during internships over three years.
Now a full-time employee, Reichenbach is charged with the job of ensuring that once the idea for a new piece of test equipment leaves the designer’s desk, the finished product comes off the assembly line without a hitch. That means he contacts purchasing to ensure the materials needed to build the new product arrive on time.
He schedules time at the manufacturing facility so the product design doesn’t languish in the in-basket. And he bird-dogs the bottom line to ensure the process stays within budget.
Reichenbach, a business-economics major, says he developed his communication skills at Lewis & Clark.
"It wasn’t just in English classes but in many of my classes," says Reichenbach. "All of my professors, no matter what the class, stressed the importance of communication."
That approach was somewhat against the grain for the high school and college football player who at one time considered a career in engineering.
"I learn better via numbers and mathematics than from written formats," he says. "Now, I can still figure out the numbers placed in front of me, but I can also communicate them fairly well."
Apparently, Credence thinks so, too. Reichenbach’s starting salary at the Beaverton-based company is, he says, "between $40,000 and $50,000 a year."
 Weigh your options, advises history buff
Critical thinking—exploring and comparing all sides of an issue—is one of the most important abilities developed by a student through a liberal arts and sciences education, says Sarah Griffith ’00. But it didn’t take much critical thinking for Griffith to weigh the option put to her by one of her Lewis & Clark history professors.
"Professor Beckham came into our reading colloquium and announced an opening for an editorial assistant to work on the Pacific Historical Review, a journal published by the American Historical Association at Portland State University. The person chosen would receive tuition for graduate school," she says.
How to pursue graduate history studies had been Griffith’s main question. She always knew that’s what she wanted to do. After transferring to Lewis & Clark from another institution, she took courses in history, history, history.
"I finally had the chance to take all those history classes, and I didn’t want to waste the opportunity," says Griffith.
That passion and help from Stephen Dow Beckham, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., Professor of History, proved pivotal when Griffith applied for the editorial assistant position.
"He helped me every step along the way," says Griffith. "He helped me ask myself, ‘What would a successful application look like?’ He sent me to the College’s Writing Center to work on the application. He pushed me off the edge and said, ‘Do it!’"
The selection committee liked what she did. Rather than conduct a second round of interviews, the committee offered Griffith the job.
"They called and said, ‘You have a passion for history. We want
you here,’" she says. "I accepted immediately."
Griffith is one of two student editorial assistants. She coordinates about 25 book reviews that the quarterly academic journal prints each issue.
Looking toward her immediate and long-term goals, Griffith hopes to be able to teach.
The history buff offered a bit of advice to others who are constructing their futures. "Look at all of your options. Really look and compare things. You’ll find totally amazing places like Lewis & Clark College."
 Curtain rises for Jacob Blumer ’00
Jacob Blumer ’00 knew he wanted a career in theater and film. While some aspiring actors head directly to Hollywood to learn the craft, Blumer chose to develop a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences at Lewis & Clark College.
"One of the wonderful things you can do at Lewis & Clark is present your own idea for a major. If it’s approved, you can pursue it," he says.
Blumer designed his degree in gender and performance studies. "I wanted to come out of Lewis & Clark as an intelligent, socially conscious artist. Instead of concentrating on career training, I focused on academics and critical thinking," he says.
During his years at the College, Blumer performed in a number of productions: "Into the Woods" by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, "A Month in the Country" by Brian Friel, "The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov, "Smash" by Jeffrey Hatcher and "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare.
Blumer also thought about what he would do when he graduated from Lewis & Clark. To establish his credentials in the world of serious art, Blumer figured he would perfect his acting skills at one of what he considers to be the three best acting schools in the nation. So, he applied to The Julliard School, New York University and Yale University School of Drama.
Then, it was pins-and-needles time. Although he had a solid résumé and letters of recommendation from his professors, Blumer knew "the audition is 99.99 percent of everything."
He turned to Stephanie Arnold, professor of theatre and chair of the department, and Stephen Weeks, assistant professor of theatre, for guidance in selecting and rehearsing the two monologues required for the auditions. Susan McBerry, adjunct instructor of music, helped him hone his vocal performance.
"They were pivotal," Blumer says of his professors.
Their help paid off. Blumer began graduate studies at Yale University this fall.
"Art has the ability to make people think and to change," he says. "Lewis & Clark fostered my social consciousness—my basis for affecting change. And that’s what I want to do with my art."
 Rena Ratte winner heads for graduate school
It’s been a whirlwind few months for Katie Winder (née Thomas) ’00, winner of the 2000 Rena Ratte Award, the College’s highest academic honor.
After graduating with a double major in German studies and economics, she married Michael Winder in July, moved to Baltimore in August and began pursuing her doctorate in economics with a fellowship at the Graduate School of Economics at Johns Hopkins University in September. Winder is used to a hectic schedule.
"She stood out in her very first class in economics at Lewis & Clark as being bright, alert and on top of what was happening in class," says Eban Goodstein, associate professor of economics, who encouraged Winder to major in economics.
She went on to earn departmental honors in economics for her senior thesis, titled "Trade, Growth and Income in the U.S. States (1880-1990)."
"Economics is great," she says, "because it touches on a wide variety of subjects such as psychology, business, art and behavioral science. It’s easy to get heavily involved in it."
Winder attended Lewis & Clark on a Trustee Scholarship and a National Merit Scholarship. During the summer of her junior year, she conducted research on turn-of-the-century German women artists through a grant from the Student Academic Affairs Board (SAAB).
Inspired by her grant experience, Winder served as vice president and chair of SAAB and as student representative to the faculty Curriculum Committee.
"As a member of the Curriculum Committee, Katie didn’t parade her intellect, was respectful of others’ opinions, and worked well with faculty and students alike. She was exceptional," comments Dinah Dodds, professor of German and dean of arts and humanities.
"I really feel that my Lewis & Clark professors are my friends," Winder says. "They gave me one-on-one attention to prepare me for graduate school. You don’t get that kind of attention at large universities."
 Elizabeth Thiel ’00, an English major from Colorado Springs, Colo., is working in the education standards department at Flying Rhinoceros, a company that makes educational materials for young students. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in teaching in Oregon.
Kelsey Wirtzfeld ’00, an environmental studies major from Northfield, Minn., participated in a publishing conference in Colorado and traveled to Scotland this summer.
Gene Wixson ’00, an environmental studies major from Portland and two-term student-body president, traveled through India and Nepal with Erin Bailey ’99 after she completed her Fulbright research there. Currently, he is leading trips for College Outdoors, working as a guide for Art of Adventure and pursuing an Emergency Medical Technician certificate at Mt. Hood Community College. He hopes to work for Pacific Crest Outward Bound during the spring and summer of 2001 and to enroll in law school next fall.
Brein Young ’00, a chemistry major from Salem, plans to attend aviation school next year to become a commercial pilot.
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Ildiko Arndt ’00, a communication major from Medford, is studying law at the University of Santa Clara School of Law in California.
Ellen Barber ’00, an international affairs major from Mount Vernon, Wash., is in Shangrao, China, with the Amity Institute, where she will teach English for two years.
Ryan Baxter ’00, a biology major from Laurel, Mont., applied and received job offers from Intel, FEI Co. and Micron Technology. He accepted an offer from Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, where he works as a failure analysis technician. Baxter finds out why some integrated circuit memory chips fail to function normally.
"I love my job," he says. "I do electrical testing, chemical deprocessing, physical evaluation via scanning electron microscopy and lots of communicating with engineers.
"The main perk is that the company pays for me to take classes," Baxter says. He’s taking two classes this fall and plans to take two more next spring. He was also able to buy a house with the relocation check he received from Micron.
Eventually, Baxter plans to obtain a master’s degree in electrical engineering.
"My ultimate goal is to work in the biomedical engineering field with an emphasis on the merging of biological materials with nonliving materials," he says.
Erik Benton ’00, a computer science and mathematics major from Sisters, works as a software engineer for PreEnroll.com, an Internet start-up company in Portland. His job includes customer support and Web site design. He worked as an intern at the company during his senior year. A Lewis & Clark alumnus, who works at the company, recommended that Benton apply for the job.
Steven Bocchi ’00, a biology major with a chemistry minor from Klamath Falls, works as a research assistant in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of California at Berkeley. He uses sophisticated instruments to study gecko locomotion. Bocchi learned about the position from Kellar Autumn, assistant professor of biology, who leads an interdisciplinary research project on gecko locomotion from his laboratory at Lewis & Clark.
Bocchi expects his research will provide information to publish several papers before he applies to graduate school, where he plans to earn a degree in biomechanics.
Robert Broadhurst ’00, who double-majored in physics, and computer science and mathematics, is from Sherwood. He completed a computer science research internship at the University of Oregon and plans to attend graduate school in 2001.
Kathy Carlson ’00, who double-majored in communication and environmental studies, is from Campbell, Calif. She works at FatEarth.com in Portland with Liz Fisher ’00, an international affairs major from Newtown, Pa., and Liz Weber ’00, a business-economics major from Seattle.
They learned about the company through their connections with Lewis & Clark alumni, who founded the company. FatEarth.com brings businesses together for solutions to environmental problems.
Carol Christel ’00, a biology major from Tulsa, Okla., is the director of the animal research facility at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa. She intends to pursue a doctorate in animal behavior and physiology.
"My Lewis & Clark degree was a great help in landing the job," says Christel. "The director of research recognized the quality of my Lewis & Clark education."
Joy Collman ’00, an English major from Sioux Falls, S.D., works as an intern at the Wall Street Journal’s Portland bureau. In the future, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in journalism. Collman is interested in writing, editing, teaching and traveling.
Jennifer Curkendall ’00, who double-majored in biology and environmental studies, is from Lake Oswego. She works for the Oregon Environmental Council. Curkendall plans to attend graduate school in a couple of years.
Izora Everson ’00, a history major from Jacksonville, works for an Internet start-up company in Beaverton. She will begin to work on her master of arts degree in teaching next summer. Everson plans to teach European history to high school students.
Gwen Forrest ’00, an international affairs major from Fritz Creek, Alaska, married Whitney Brake ’98 this summer. She plans to attend graduate school and then to work with corporations that do business in the United States and Russia. Forrest will help promote cross-cultural understanding.
Mei Fong ’00, an East Asian studies major from Half Moon Bay, Calif., is working for Avia Travel in Albany, Calif. The agency specializes in travel to Asia and Africa.
David Gekiere ’00, a computer science and mathematics major from Angers, France, is enrolled in a graduate program in computer science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Brian Hare ’00, a history major from McMinnville, is pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Arts.
Jennifer Henslee ’00, a political science major from Crescent City, Calif., works as a legal assistant for the Metropolitan Public Defender in Portland. Kim McClay ’00, a psychology major from Portland, also works in the office. Henslee plans to pursue graduate studies in international relations in a couple of years.
"My work-study jobs helped me a lot in my job search," says Henslee. "All of my references for my first job after graduation were from my work-study supervisors."
Denise Noelle Higa ’00, a business-economics major from Hawi, Hawaii, spent the summer working as a fiscal officer at the University of Hawaii. She recently moved to Boulder, Colo., where she will pursue a master’s degree in business administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Andy Holder ’00, a political science major (with departmental honors) from Missoula, Mont., graduated summa cum laude and now works as a business development consultant for Newsphere, an Internet start-up company. Holder plans to use his Truman Scholarship and Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship to pursue a joint degree in architecture and public policy at Columbia University.
Kevia Jeffrey ’00, a psychology major from Rocklin, Calif., works for the Environmental Justice Group in Portland. She was named a PGE Community Treasure for her work.
Mariya Kravkova ’00, who double-majored in international affairs and economics, is from Almaty, Kazakhstan. She applied and was accepted at three graduate schools: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Kravkova enrolled in the master of arts in law and diplomacy program at Tufts University.
"I am very thankful to Lewis & Clark, particularly to the Office of International Student Services; my adviser, Cyrus Partovi; and Professors Richard Peck and Betsy Zarht Geib," she says.
Kravkova is studying international relations with a focus on international law and diplomatic history. She plans to use her education to help her country overcome the transitional problems inherited from the Soviet era.
Megan Lockett ’00, a psychology major from Arlington, Texas, took a month off after graduation and traveled through Europe. Currently, she teaches a sixth-grade class in New Orleans through Teach for America, a national organization that recruits college graduates to teach in underfunded schools. Lockett also is taking courses to earn a master’s degree in teaching.
Arusi Loprinzi ’00, a business-economics major from Portland and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was accepted by the School of Law at the University of California at Los Angeles.
Annsara (Annie) Lovejoy ’00, who double-majored in political science and Hispanic studies (with depart-mental honors in Hispanic studies), is from St. Paul, Minn. She plans to study environmental law, possibly at Lewis & Clark’s law school.
Rachael Mapes ’00, a psychology major from Poulsbo, Wash., was accepted by the Graduate School of Psychology at the University of Rochester in New York, where she is working on a doctorate in social/personality psychology.
Rob Mueller ’00, an economics major from Littleton, Colo., works as a research support specialist for CSG Systems in Englewood, Colo. He monitors breaking news, keeps the company informed of important issues, and works on special projects for corporate development and product management.
Ashley Schmitt ’00, an international affairs major from El Paso, Texas, worked as community volunteer coordinator for David Douglas School District through the AmeriCorps program through June. Then, a colleague recommended her for a full-time position as community school coordinator with the Parks and Recreation Department of the city of Portland. "It’s an amazing job and is really, really fun," she says. In three or four years, Schmitt plans to enroll in law school and, eventually, to become a judge.
Jeremy Skinner ’00, a history major from Gold Beach, is the librarian and archivist for the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation in Great Falls, Mont.
Jesse Smith ’00, a communication major from Medford, was the technical director for the Northwest Regional Puppetry Festival. He has worked at the Portland Actors Conservatory, Artists Repertory Theatre and Tygres Heart Shakespeare Co. Currently, Smith is the stage manager for Lakewood Theatre.
Anne Stone ’00, an environmental studies major from Chapin, S.C., spent her summer working as an intern for AMD&ART, an organization in Johnstown, Pa., that transforms environmental liabilities into community assets.
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