Popular L&C Headlines of 2023
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.
Check out some of Lewis & Clark’s top stories from 2023. From the completion of L&C’s historic fundraising campaign to revitalized facilities and programs, we’ve had a year of collaboration, success, and impact.
Institutional
Lewis & Clark Reaches $155 Million Fundraising Campaign Goal One Year Early
Lewis & Clark recently met―and surpassed―the most ambitious fundraising goal in its history, marking a new era of growth and momentum. On October 19, a reception celebrated this achievement and the community that made it possible.
Hayes Elected New Chair of L&C’s Board of Trustees
Paula Hayes BS ’92, Lewis & Clark’s new board chair, is an entrepreneurial cosmetics chemist and founder and CEO of Hue Noir.
L&C Generates Economic Impact for Oregon and for Graduates
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.
L&C President Invited to State of the Union
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.
College of Arts and Sciences
Lewis & Clark Unveils Revitalized Student Center
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.
Washington Monthly Ranks L&C No. 1 in Service
Washington Monthly has ranked L&C in the top third of national liberal arts colleges, as well as No. 1 in service and No. 27 in research. The magazine ranks four-year institutions based on their contribution to the public good.
L&C’s First Native Scholar-Artist in Residence to Focus on Shakespeare
Waylon Lenk BA ’08, a Shakespeare scholar and theatre artist, joined the college as its first Native Scholar-Artist in Residence this fall. Lenk gave a talk at New Student Orientation and directed the theatre department’s fall production of Henry IV, Part 1.
Stellar Seasons for Baseball and Women’s Rowing
In 2023, L&C’s baseball team won its first Northwest Conference Championship since 1987 and advanced to its first-ever NCAA Tournament. Also in 2023, L&C women’s rowing dominated the Northwest Conference (NWC) en route to the program’s first NWC Title and the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division III Women’s Rowing Championship Regatta since 2006.
Revisioning the Future of Portland’s Monuments
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 Graduate School of Education and Counseling
$500,000 in Scholarships Diversify Counseling in Oregon, Advance Culturally Specific and Responsive Mental Health Care
Seventeen graduate students received awards in fall 2023, most of which cover their outstanding tuition in full for the 2023-24 academic year.
Graduate Student Clinicians Offer Trans-Competent Mental Health Care, Address Critical Need in Oregon
Trans-competent mental health care providers are knowledgeable and skilled in providing affirming and ethical mental health care to individuals across their developmental lifespan, while also understanding the issues and challenges that are unique to trans and/or nonbinary clients.
Inaugural Part-Time Elementary Teaching Cohort Succeeds With 100% Graduation Rate
The graduate school’s new pathway to teaching for K-12 school employees increases access to the elementary teaching program and accommodates the needs of full-time working professionals.
New Partnership Helps Bring STEM to K-12 Schools
The Oregon nonprofit In4All and Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling pair L&C undergraduates with career professionals to inspire and engage Portland-area K-12 students.
A New Gathering Space Comes to Life at the Graduate School
From Corbett Circle to Grad Commons: Watch the transformation!
Lewis & Clark Law School
Advocacy Center and New Courtroom Expand Experiential Learning
The Lewis & Clark Advocacy Center reinforces the school’s strong commitment to prepare students to be practice-ready advocates. A new teaching courtroom provides the perfect setting.
Oregon Leads Attorney License Reform With New Pathway: The SPPE
Several Lewis & Clark law faculty and administrators were key leaders of the movement to provide a rigorous alternative to the bar exam, including Associate Dean John Parry, Associate Dean Libby Davis, Advocacy Director Jo Perini-Abbott, Assistant Dean of Career Services Devra Hermosilla, and Professors Sandy Patrick and Tung Yin.
Law School Ranks #3 in the Nation for Grads Employed in Public Interest and Government Positions
Over one-third of our 2022 law graduates are employed in public sector jobs, making Lewis & Clark Law School third in the nation for graduates in public interest work post-graduation.
Announcing the World’s First Animal Law Doctoral Program
Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural fall 2024 class.
L&C Law Review Is Among Top 50 Law Journals in the Washington & Lee Rankings
The renowned Washington & Lee Law Journal Ranking Survey has listed Lewis & Clark Law Review (LCLR) as one of the top 50 law journals.
Undergraduate Admissions Graduate School Admissions Law Admissions
More Stories
Career Exploration
Behind the Swoosh at Nike HQ
A group of L&C students got an exclusive tour of Nike headquarters, connecting with alumni and discovering what it’s like to work at one of the world’s leading sportswear brands.
New Leadership
TransActive Gender Project Announces New Director
Hayes Young, an LGBTQIA+ advocate for 20 years in work across Mississippi and Oregon, is the new program director for the graduate school’s TransActive Gender Project.
Rankings
Niche Names L&C One of Oregon’s ‘Best Liberal Arts Colleges’
According to the 2025 Niche college rankings, Lewis & Clark is one of the best liberal arts colleges in Oregon as well as one of the state’s top performers in academics, student life, English, and history.
Teacher Readiness
A New Chapter in Social Studies Education
Oregon’s 2024 Social Studies Standards introduce fresh perspectives and a more inclusive curriculum. Clinical Assistant Professor Cari Zall explains the new standards and how Lewis & Clark’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling is preparing future educators to work with these guidelines.