Board unanimously endorses strategic plan

The Lewis & Clark Board of Trustees has unanimously endorsed the institution’s new strategic plan, capping a nearly two-year planning process and setting in motion a series of actions to implement this blueprint for the future.

In other action at its October 27 to 28 meeting, the board passed resolutions honoring two distinguished retirees from the graduate school faculty, received important reports on undergraduate retention and programming for entrepreneurship, and participated in break-out group discussions on trustees’ role in fundraising.

With the board’s enthusiastic endorsement of The Journey Forward: A Lewis & Clark Strategic Plan for 2020, Lewis & Clark now has an operative vision and framework for action. The plan emphasizes international and environmental education and experience and concerted efforts to enhance the institution’s visibility, reputation, and financial support—all toward making Lewis & Clark the destination for students seeking this kind of innovative education in undergraduate liberal arts, or in graduate programs in law, teaching, and counseling. (For details on the process and a complete draft of the plan, visit the strategic planning website.)

Rob Kugler, professor of religious studies and director of strategic initiatives, will convene a new strategic planning council to oversee the implementation of the plan. Kugler has led the strategic planning process to this point and presented the plan to the board at the October 27 meeting.

“We now have an exciting vision for Lewis & Clark in 2020 and beyond, and a blueprint for the concrete actions that will make that vision a reality,” President Barry Glassner said. “Our strategic plan invites every member of the Lewis & Clark community—students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and friends of the college—to help bring this vision to reality. I’m grateful to the many dozens of Pioneers who contributed their time and knowledge in the planning process.”

In addition to receiving and endorsing the strategic plan, the trustees took the following actions at their plenary session:

• Approved resolutions honoring life trustee Edward A. Stamm, who served on the board from 1972 through 1981 and who passed away October 15, and former trustee D. Hugh Peniston, who served on the board from 1960 to 1966 and from 1975 to 1984 and who passed away in July
• Approved resolutions granting faculty emeritus status to two distinguished professors from the Graduate School of Education and Counseling who have recently retired, Zaher Wahab and Gordon Lindbloom
• Welcomed new trustee Jan Baisch JD ’74
• Heard President Glassner’s report on enrollment and his upcoming trip to Asia for alumni and student-recruitment events
• Heard a report on student debt levels by Carl Vance, vice president for business and finance

The CAS Academic Affairs Committee, meanwhile, heard reports by Dean Tuajuanda Jordan and Dean of Students Anna Gonzalez on retention and entrepreneurship programming. At the Law and GSEC Academic Affairs meeting, trustees were given a report by Dean of the Law School Robert Klonoff on the school’s work to support students’ job placement, and by GSEC professors Mollie Galloway and Boyd Pidcock, and Associate Dean and Professor Janet Bixby, on how they are adapting teacher and counselor education to meet the state’s new challenges and changing demographics.

At the Institutional Advancement meeting, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Hal Abrams outlined his vision for fundraising at Lewis & Clark, and trustees divided into small groups to explore ways in which trustees can advance the effort.

The board next meets in February 2013.