Dear Colleagues,
When the Lewis & Clark community comes together, our strength is unparalleled. Now is the time for us to look ahead and think about how we can best shape our future for continued success. Last semester institutional leadership began developing a new strategic plan and, with the help of a growing circle of faculty and staff, we have made good headway. We are now looking for wider participation in the process.
This message will show you (1) what we’ve done so far, (2) the broad strategic themes that are taking shape, and (3) explain how you can be involved. We aim to gather information and feedback by the end of the semester and then draft and deliver a plan to the Board of Trustees.
As the calendar year draws to a close, we’ve compiled a sampling of top stories from the undergraduate college, the graduate school, and the law school.
Lewis & Clark recently met―and surpassed―the most ambitious fundraising goal in its history, marking a new era of growth and momentum. A reception is planned for October 19 to celebrate this achievement and the community that made it possible.
This fall, Lewis & Clark is welcoming first-year classes across its three colleges, totaling more than 1,000 students, including nearly 950 degree-seeking students.
Waylon Lenk BA ’08, a Shakespeare scholar and theatre artist, will join the college as its first Native Scholar-Artist in Residence this fall. Lenk will give a talk at New Student Orientation and direct the theatre department’s fall production of Henry IV, Part 1.
In partnership with the City of Portland, Lewis & Clark helped develop recommendations for community engagement around several monuments that were toppled or removed during the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd. L&C also assisted in creating guidelines for considering new city monuments in the future.
Lewis & Clark is one of 12 schools that generated an economic impact of $3.5 billion to the state of Oregon during fiscal year 2020-21. An average bachelor’s degree graduate from the same time period is expected to see annual earnings that are $35,700 higher than those of an Oregon high school graduate.
Paula Hayes BS ’92, Lewis & Clark’s new board chair, is an entrepreneurial cosmetics chemist and founder and CEO of Hue Noir.
President Robin Holmes-Sullivan was honored with a “Pillar of the Profession” award from the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated distinction in their field and made a lasting impact on the institutions where they have worked.
This spring, Lewis & Clark unveiled the newly renovated Stephanie Fowler Student Center (formerly known as Templeton). Designed to be the “heart of campus,” the updated student center features enhanced meeting and activity spaces, outdoor gathering spots, and improved accessibility features.
More than 80 students participated in the second annual L&C Peer Collective Summit, held on March 10 and 11. The event, designed for current and emerging student leaders, featured a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and numerous opportunities to connect with like-minded peers.
President Robin Holmes-Sullivan has been nominated to the International Women’s Forum, which is made up of 7,500 members representing 33 different countries.
Dr. Robin Holmes-Sullivan attended the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., on February 7. She was the special guest of Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer BA ’70, JD ’76.
Open Office Hours for February 2023