I was looking for a small student-to-professor ratio. I graduated from a 70-person high school and realized I really value the support and opportunities that come from a personalized education. I also wanted to stay on the West Coast and be near a city, so once I toured the campus, L&C stood out. No matter how my personal or academic life is going, my walk to class is beautiful, and awesome hiking spaces are easily accessible. The best part about L&C that I didn’t know until I got here? It’s a queer mecca.
What do you like or find most interesting about your major?
Historian William Cronon wrote, “[Historians require] humility and constant attentiveness…honesty in our relationships with each other and with the world around us.” Studying history has taught me this attitude and about the importance of contextualization and storytelling. I love examining the structures and norms of today and finding when they’ve been specifically curated in the past. It helps ground my dreams in reality. The L&C history major is widely interesting and hard, and I highly suggest it to those who like to read and want to hone writing and analytical skills.
What do you like or find most interesting about your minor?
I think everyone should take entrepreneurship leadership and innovation (ELI) business leadership classes, or at the very least, talk to ELI faculty while at L&C. It is an incredible minor with amazing faculty. The psychology of entrepreneurial leadership is the psychology of getting things done, of understanding yourself, and of working with a team. This minor provides the practical, job-focused skills that you need to learn before graduating. Learn the language of business. Build your network. If you don’t understand the system, then you are subject to its whims.
Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.
Clubs and affinity groups are great! Put yourself out there whenever you need to. If you’re lonely, it will be difficult but worth it to put yourself in communal spaces that have repeat attendees. I’ve gone in and out of many clubs over the years. The counseling center is there if you need it as well–do a drop-in session whenever you need to!
If you have studied or will study overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?
I studied in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during Fall ’24. It didn’t check off credit requirements for my major or minor, but the experience was amazing and still absolutely worth it. I had the choice between London and the South East Asia Regional Area Study program, and I chose the latter because I wanted to be abroad anywhere I knew nothing about. To repeat what everyone told me–I highly recommend studying abroad!
What advice do you have for incoming students?Check out as many things (events, clubs) as you can on campus throughout your time here.
Welcome! Explore the campus and hiking trails before it gets too rainy. Talk to your professors! Copy your syllabi due dates into a calendar or spreadsheet at the beginning of the semester (a bit of a time investment) so you know what’s coming. You can’t always finish all of your readings, and that’s ok–you will hone the art of skimming. This is a small school–be wary of the 17+ people friend groups that form in the first year, as you realize all your friends know each other. You can still be friends, but it’s hard to regularly hang out with that many people. Check out as many things (events, clubs) as you can on campus throughout your time here. You don’t need to overbook yourself, but you should go out of your comfort zone. Go on a New Student Trip if you can!
How did your financial aid package influence your decision to attend Lewis & Clark?
Lewis & Clark’s financial aid is pretty great! It definitely influenced my decision to come here. I decided on L&C over other colleges because of the proximity to a city and the beauty of the campus, but all of the final top colleges were on my list because of financial aid offers.
Tell us about your involvement with the Bates Center. How do you feel that entrepreneurship and leadership integrate into and enhance a liberal arts education?
I went over this a bit in my answer to the question about my minor, but I’ll highlight my main point again: If you don’t understand the system, then you are subject to its whims. The American system is capitalist and cultivates ideals of leadership and innovation. The Bates Center helped me navigate this system while I learned to deeply examine and criticize it in other classes. This is an incredible minor with incredible faculty, and you will be learning essential skills that will support whatever paths you take in life.
Did you visit campus before deciding to come to L&C? How did your visit influence your decision to attend?
Yes! The campus is stunning. Location is one of the most difficult things to change about your college experience. Other colleges have much less greenery and are more prison-like, plus industrial buildings and layouts. Alas, the meandering cobblestone walkways are not very accessible.
If you went on a New Student Trip (NST) with College Outdoors, how did it shape your experience as an incoming student?
Great experience! Every school has its pluses and minuses—L&C is small, so NSTs are nice to form bonds as you enter the school.
Which residence halls have you lived in? How would you describe the hall’s personality? What is/was the best thing about living on campus?
Odell Hall is the best—right across from the cafeteria, 3-5 minutes from academic classes (3 if you run). I lived in Platt Hall my first year, and it was nice for a first year, with tiny dorms, but you don’t mind as much then. It also has much better facilities, plus it is quieter than Copeland. Akin was my second-year dorm. It is a good dorm, but the facilities are older than Odell’s.
