Relevant Measures

In the constellation of metrics used to evaluate colleges, the following three carry significant weight: stellar academics, value relative to cost, strong career prospects for graduates. Any president whose school earns recognition on any one of these measures would be proud to spread the word. I’m fortunate to be able to share the news about all three.

President’s Letter

Barry Glassner Barry GlassnerIn the constellation of metrics used to evaluate colleges, the following three carry significant weight:

  • Stellar academics
  • Value relative to cost
  • Strong career prospects for graduates

Any president whose school earns recognition on any one of these measures would be proud to spread the word. I’m fortunate to be able to share the news about all three.

The recent recognition comes from the Princeton Review, which includes Lewis & Clark in its latest edition of Colleges That Pay You Back. The Review tallied return-on-investment ratings for some 650 colleges and universities, and chose the top 200 after weighing data ranging from academic quality to alumni job satisfaction.

The Review also names Lewis & Clark one of the nation’s top 25 schools for making an impact. That ranking is based on student ratings of factors such as community service opportunities and student engagement, and on the percentage of alumni who report having highly meaningful careers.

In sum, we received high marks for providing a great education that pays lifelong dividends, both personal and professional. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff in all three of our schools turn what they know into positive action.

This issue of the Chronicle, which is published as commencement season unfolds, showcases an abundance of honors, awards, and distinctive achievements. In these pages, you’ll meet Janet Steverson, a longtime member of our law faculty who is our new dean of diversity and inclusion. You’ll also learn how Lewis & Clark prepared three alumni for far-flung careers as international journalists; what makes our new overseas study program in Berlin distinctive; and how our strong ties to Havana’s arts community led to a groundbreaking exhibition in the Hoffman Gallery.

You’ll also discover what happens when professors and students from our law school join forces with the wider community to fill a long-standing and gaping hole in Oregon’s criminal justice system.

These stories come to you as our Graduate School of Education and Counseling continues to be the go-to resource for employers seeking to hire the region’s best teachers, counselors, psychologists, principals, and school superintendents. A recent example: this issue’s profile of Heidi Sipe Ed.S. ’11, Oregon’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year.

At the same time, we continue to be one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbrights: 11 seniors and young alumni have won awards for 2016–17. In addition, four biology alums have been named National Science Foundation Fellows, and Eve Lowenstein cas ’17 was named a Goldwater Scholar, the nation’s preeminent award for undergraduates in math and the sciences. Lewis & Clark is the only college or university in Oregon to earn that distinction this year.

Whether measured by the Princeton Review’s data or the honors awarded to our students, faculty, and alumni, our success is verifiable. And no wonder: It builds on a solid foundation established by generations of Pioneers.

Barry Glassner, President