Henry Goodier

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

Moving across the country to Portland, away from everything familiar to me, I wanted a place that felt like home. I was looking to find people who understood me, a coach who I could trust no matter what, and an education that would challenge and prepare me for the future. Visiting L&C for the first time, I saw all of that come to life. And it definitely doesn’t hurt that L&C might just be the most beautiful campus in the country.

What have you been doing since graduation?

Shortly after graduating, I took a leap and moved to Cork, Ireland, on a Working Holiday Visa for the year. I visited every cliffside, explored every castle, and drank every Guinness I could get to during my time in Ireland. In that same year, I traveled to 13 different countries across Europe, trying local cuisine, meeting new friends, and stepping completely out of my comfort zone. With my year of exploration coming to an end, I decided my time abroad needed a bit of an extension and opted to get my MSc management degree in the UK. To my gratitude, I was met with life-long friendships, seven more countries visited, and, of course, what seems to be a never-ending dissertation.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for graduate school?

I may be biased, but I truly couldn’t have asked for a better school than L&C to prepare me for the next chapter of my life. Now, while completing my postgraduate degree, I’ve never once felt unprepared or out of my depth. Whether it’s tackling complex theories, managing deadlines, or engaging in critical discussions, I have always felt confident in my abilities. From note-taking strategies, analytical frameworks I came across in class, and the discipline I built on the baseball field, L&C gave me tools I still use today. Beyond academics, L&C greatly cultivated my communication skills. Across my economics, rhetoric and media studies, and political economy courses, collaboration and problem-solving were constant. Learning how to navigate those dynamic, discussion-driven spaces has been invaluable, not just in grad school, but in everyday life.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

One of the greatest lessons I took from L&C is the profound impact of compassion. Whether it was in the classroom, on the field, late nights at the Mossy Log, or just walking across campus, I was always surrounded by people that genuinely cared. L&C professors made learning interactive and personal, classmates brought their own curiosity to every discussion, my peers at Mossy Log collaborated in the most effective ways, and my baseball team became like family because we showed up for each other every single day. Every person faces their own challenges, often unseen, and the common, small acts of compassion at L&C have a way of making people feel seen, supported, and connected. If there’s one thing I’ll carry with me, it’s that leading with empathy and joy can open more doors than anything else.

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

Being a part of the baseball team while at L&C has provided a fairly easy avenue to stay connected with the college. Namely, Coach Kosderka has made a substantial effort to keep the alumni of the program connected through newsletters, alumni weekends, and meetups throughout different parts of the country. Beyond baseball, I am still in touch with many of my professors on LinkedIn, follow the school on instagram, and try to visit the campus when in the area.

What was your favorite class? How did it expand your knowledge?

My favorite class was Political Economy with Professor Elizabeth Bennett. As an economics major and RHMS minor, I was always drawn to the human side of economics; who’s impacted, who’s influencing policy, and how power operates behind the scenes. This class was the perfect intersection for me. Professor Bennett has a remarkable gift for making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Though it was one of the most demanding courses I took at L&C, it was also one of the most rewarding. The content was challenging, thought-provoking, and deeply relevant, and I walked away with insights that still shape the way I think today.

Where did you find your community on campus?

Playing baseball, I was lucky to be welcomed into a close-knit community from day one, one that I’m eternally grateful for. Being part of Mossy Log for all four years also introduced me to an entirely different circle of students I might never have met otherwise. And, believe it or not, I’m still best friends with five people from my freshman hall in Copeland (shoutout F-20s). Your community can show up in the most expected places, and the most surprising ones. So I encourage you to seek it out both where it feels natural and where it feels unfamiliar. You never know where your people might be!

Economics Political Economy Rhetoric and Media Studies