Kindle Murray
Pronouns
Degree and Class Year
Hometown
Major
Minor
Extracurriculars
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
What’s your favorite class? Why?
This answer changes every semester! Right now, my favorite class is Feminist Theory with Professor Kim Brodkin (not just because she is the advisor for the Gender Studies Symposium!) Every day, everything I know about the world is challenged. I have never felt so compelled to question the way I live my life, the way I interact with others, and even my understanding of who I am. It is an amazing class, and Kim is such a warm and accommodating professor. She diligently creates an atmosphere that allows us to discuss challenging and uncomfortable topics.
What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?
Besides wanting to attend school locally, I wanted to come to Lewis & Clark because I prefer smaller class sizes. It was important that I had the opportunity to connect with my professors on a more personal level.
What do you like or find most interesting about your major?
The thing that I love most about sociology and anthropology is how critically it teaches you to examine and understand the world around you and to find nuance in every person, thing, idea, and situation. SOAN is applicable to nearly everything.
What do you like or find most interesting about your minor?
I have found so much hope in health studies. It can be depressing at times, especially given the state of health care in the United States, but there are glimpses of warmth and opportunity that I think are exciting! I love learning about how communities show up for each other.
Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.
I have found the most support from my professors who treat me like I am just another person and work to dismantle the hierarchy that exists between professors and students. I have found friendships in extracurriculars that blend the three campuses, like Community Dialogues! I actually made a great friend who attended as a graduate student, and we’ve remained friends even though we don’t see each other on a regular basis or interact on campus.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Stay organized, and learn to advocate for yourself. Professors here want to help you, but the first step to receiving help is communicating that you need it!
Tell us about the upcoming Gender Studies Symposium. What has your experience as a cochair been like? How does this event complement your academic experience?
I have had such a wonderful experience as a cochair. It is a lot of work, but it is so worth it. Seeing our work come to fruition is an incredible feeling! I love my fellow cochairs and our advisor, Kim Brodkin, is just the best. She is an incredible mentor and her experience is truly invaluable. The research that is required for the Gender Studies Symposium exposed me to so many new writers, artists, speakers, theorists, activists, etc. that I actually ended up encountering throughout the school year. As our theme this year is a reflection of how our community is feeling and addresses resistance, solidarity, and activism, I have felt significantly more prepared for conversations that are taking place around campus right now.
How did your financial aid package influence your decision to attend Lewis & Clark?
My financial aid package directly influenced my decision. I would not be attending school here without the support of Lewis & Clark, for which I am immensely grateful.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?
Portland has excellent coffee.
How did you decide on your major?
I chose a degree in SOAN to complement my health studies minor! I felt that a degree in SOAN would help me understand the nuances in our lives that are missed by medical providers and open up different forms of research that aren’t solely based in quantitative methods.
How did you decide on your minor?
I knew that I was interested in public health, particularly in the patient-provider relationship and how the long term exposure to trauma and stress impacts health. I felt that a SOAN/health studies combination would provide me a path to research these relationships and educate medical students and professionals on the importance of communication, how to communicate, listen, and practice cultural humility.
