February 18, 2013

Dana Plautz ’82

2012
Donald G. Balmer Citation
After successful careers in the entertainment and computer industries, Dana Plautz—an avid volunteer throughout her life—now spends most of her free time helping others. Through her service on the Board of Alumni from 2005 to 2011, and as a chair of the Events and Volunteers Committee, she worked to increase interactions between students and alumni, including at the biannual Careers for Pioneers event. Dana also serves on the Parents Council, Alumni Career Corps, reunion committees, and the L&C Strategic Planning Work Group, and she helps select recipients of the Alumni Leadership Scholarship.

Dana Plautz graduated with a major in communication and went on to spend 10 years in the Hollywood entertainment industry, followed by 13 years at Intel. She held a government appointment for six years chairing the Oregon State Film and Video office. She is also an accomplished video and web producer.

An avid volunteer throughout her life, Plautz served on the Board of Alumni from 2005 to 2011. As chair of the events and volunteers committee, she worked on creating opportunities to increase interactions with students and alumni, resulting in the Careers for Pioneers event that brings students and alumni together twice yearly at industry-centered
roundtables for networking and advice. She also serves as a reunion volunteer and on the Parents Council, and she was a member of the recently completed Lewis & Clark Strategic Planning process.

Plautz is one of the founding volunteers of the Alumni Career Corps, a program that brings together students and alumni one-on-one for mentoring and mock interviews. She also helps select each year’s Alumni Leadership Scholars. She has always been generous with her time to individual students, working with them to develop resumes and networking skills and assisting them as they make the transition from college to career.

Plautz is married to John Sprietsma. Their son Miles graduated from Lewis & Clark in 2007.