Peter Smith

What’s your favorite class? Why?

Electronic Music with Jeff Leonard. Jeff shows enthusiasm and commitment to all of his students, those who are involved in music, and those who are taking it as a fun elective. The class teaches you great skills for music production and lets you make professional quality music. Jeff is also supportive of all types of music. Jeff keenly listened to all my projects and gave thorough and helpful feedback, even though I know some may not be what he would choose to listen to on his own time. He encouraged me to be myself musically and taught me how to produce high-quality work. For anyone who likes to create and enjoys music, I highly recommend this class!

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

Being from a small town, I wanted to experience what it was like to live in a city. However, I also knew that it could maybe be a bit overwhelming to go directly to city life. LC’s location of being in Portland while also being tucked away, provided me with this opportunity. I also was intrigued by the small class sizes that would allow for personal connections with both professors and other students.

What do you like or find most interesting about your major?

I love knowing where things came from. In the history department, professors often say that “history is alive.” History is all around us and our professors very much show this to be the case. There are survey classes that teach you broad histories of places and periods, but there are also more niche classes such as food history taught by Dr. Susan Glosser. In this class, you learn the history of the food we eat every day. The commitment to history being alive led me to want to be a civil rights lawyer as it provides the opportunity to use history to help people in our present day.

Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.

First and foremost, I have my friends. In high school, I didn’t have many friends, let alone close friends. LC is the first place I have ever had a real community of people who care about me and are genuine. I have friendships across campus and across different friend groups, all of whom care about me and support me. LC is where I have made all of my “best friends.”

Besides friends, I have a deep bench of professors who have supported me. While my advisor, Dr. Elliott Young, has been there for me since I was a freshman, other professors, from a variety of departments, have established relationships with me and have given me support throughout my college career. Outside of school, I also have my bandmates from Jazz Combos. We all play music together, which is how our relationship formed, but we all have become friends through playing music. The instructor of combos, Dan Balmer, is also my guitar teacher and has remained a steady source of support and guidance throughout my time here.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

I have two pieces of advice for students. The first is to always say hello. Whether it’s a friend, a person you have class with, staff, or whoever, it always pays to say hello. I have found that being friendly to all is the best way to navigate college. It helps create a wide community and sense of belonging. Secondly, do what excites you and makes you happy no matter what others think. College is a time for you to explore what makes you unique. Don’t skip joining a club or taking a class because your friends don’t want to. Often you will meet new people and will have a great time. It is a little cheesy sounding, but I think that some of the best college experiences I have had are from pursuing the things I love.

Did you visit campus before deciding to come to L&C? How did your visit influence your decision to attend?

I came to campus before my college search, the summer of my junior year. The beauty of the campus certainly had an impression on me, but so too did the general atmosphere of the interactions I saw between students who were here over the summer. Everyone seemed to know everyone. It made me feel like LC was a place where people valued community.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

I describe the liberal arts as a way to explore education holistically. My education through the liberal arts has shown me how connected fields are. Economics relates to history, music to physics, physical education to philosophy, etc. Our classes and professors utilize this to its fullest potential. In my history classes, it is often the students who are not history majors who have the most interesting insights. I also believe that the liberal arts are a way for one to explore multiple facets of what makes a person who they are. I have pursued multiple interests throughout college: jazz, guitar, electronic music, history, literature, art, and occasionally even physics. The liberal arts allow students to make connections across disciplines and also within themselves.

What do you remember most about your New Student Orientation (NSO)?

The thing I remember most about my NSO was going stargazing. My NSO group was very tight and we had been hanging out all week, but on the night of stargazing, our leader–Helen Hitz–grouped up with another NSO group and I got to meet a ton of people, even if socially distanced. It was the first time I remember being around a substantial group of fellow students, learning their names, what they liked to do, and where they were from. It was the first time I really felt like I was in a community on campus.

What is/was the best thing about living on campus?

It is very hard to choose, but the best thing about living on campus is being immersed in the L&C community. You have the opportunity to meet a wide array of peers and develop deeper connections than just being classmates. While many upperclassmen live off campus, I chose to live on campus during my senior year because I have really enjoyed living amongst my peers. I now live in the apartments which I think is the best! You get the experience of living independently with a kitchen and private living space but also get to enjoy seeing classmates all around you. It has also allowed me to meet new people and develop friendships I probably would have not made otherwise.

Who is your mentor on campus? Why?

Elliott Young is my mentor on campus. Besides being my advisor for my thesis and major, he has also shown me how history can be applied outside of the academic setting. He applies his knowledge of history to help those in need and to better the greater Portland community. His Immigration and Asylum Law class was what inspired me to follow law post-grad and use my degree in history to make an impact on the communities I am a part of. I am inspired by his passion for history and the world. He has been very encouraging and supportive of me and my work, guiding me through all four years of college. Dr. Young is my mentor not just because he is an excellent professor, but also because he is an example of how a degree has applications greater than academia.

What’s one of the best spots on campus?

I think the Albany Quadrangle is the best spot on campus by far. There is a great lawn area and benches so it’s perfect for doing some homework, reading, or just chilling with friends.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

Being from a small town, living in Portland has been a super exciting experience! However, my favorite thing has been the live music in the area. There are tons of awesome local bands that play across town. My favorite spot is the Jack London, where you can catch the fabulous Mel Brown and other jazz legends. In the summer, there are also great outdoor concerts. Also one of the best parts about being in a city is that many of your favorite artists will come to town while on tour!

How did you decide on your major?

During my freshman year, my advisor, Elliott Young, was super supportive and encouraging of me. The two history classes I took with him that year opened my eyes to how history applies to the present. I initially wanted to be an English major because I loved stories. I quickly realized that history is kind of like a bunch of stories that teach us how the world became what it is today. Once I met more of the department, it was a no-brainer for me. The faculty is lovely, my fellow history students are so supportive, and the subject is full of opportunities to explore.

What’s one of your best Lewis & Clark memories so far?

One of my best memories of Lewis & Clark is coming to Dr. Lyell Asher’s office hours my freshman year. It was during covid and class was virtual, so Dr. Asher told us that if we wanted to chat with him we should and could book a meeting with him, even if we didn’t have questions on the material. I nervously signed into Zoom one day and had one of the best meetings of my life. Lyell and I talked for an hour about where we are from, what books we like, our favorite movies, funny stories, and music tastes. It was the beginning of one of the deepest connections I have had with a faculty member. To this day, Lyell and I still say hello and chat. We sometimes still even share the occasional music recommendation.

How has Lewis & Clark changed you?

I came into college being really insecure, shy, and unsure of myself. My time at LC has completely changed me into a confident person. I of course still sometimes have doubts about my abilities–as we all do–but I have found communities across disciplines and ages who support me and encourage me to do my best. Professors have made me feel confident in my academic work and have encouraged me to push myself to new heights. Peers have embraced me for being genuine and showing my talents. I am leaving LC confident in my abilities and myself as a person. As a senior, looking back at myself as a freshman I am so proud of myself for taking risks in college and becoming who I am today.

How are you involved in the arts at L&C?

I take jazz guitar lessons with Dan Balmer and am in the combos. It has been a great musical outlet for me all four years of college and my skills have increased significantly. I also have taken electronic music with Jeff Leonard which has been one of the best classes I have ever taken! I learned how to make original music and have continued doing so even after the class. Besides on-campus music, I also am in several bands made up of students. L&C’s music scene is inviting and allows anyone who wants to be in a band and is willing to practice to find a music group.

History