Burton Scheer

What’s your favorite class? Why?

African American Literature with Associate Professor Kristin Fujie has been my favorite class so far. The expansive syllabus of poetry and prose includes a range of different authors such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and James Baldwin. Professor Fujie facilitates discussion in a purposeful and inclusive manner that encourages students to make connections between different texts and timelines. I often find myself connecting information I have learned in this class with my other courses.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

Lewis & Clark was the only college I applied to in the Pacific Northwest, but I knew it would be the right fit for me after I visited the beautiful campus. Coming from a small town heavily influenced by a big university, I was impressed by the smaller classroom environment and intimate social scene. I was also drawn to the curriculum that encourages exploration of all areas of study and how passionate students are outside of the classroom.

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

I applied to Lewis & Clark as a political science major, then switched to psychology, then to English. I found that what I was really interested in was exploring how people worked. Learning about storytelling has taught me a lot about human behavior, history, and writing techniques that will be helpful for my future career. Getting to have discussions about books of all different perspectives and timelines has also improved my own writing and creative skills.

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

The discussions I have had within my gender studies classes have been some of the most interesting I have had in college. Because everyone in these classes comes from different majors, we frequently get to analyze topics in a multidisciplinary way. Additionally, I have enjoyed how multi-media focused my classes have been. I have been assigned silent films, albums, novels, photography collections, and ethnographies to study for these classes. I appreciate the interdisciplinary and intersectional approach my professors take when teaching about gender, sexuality, and race.

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

I met some of my best friends during the week of my New Student Orientation my first year. Something funny about my friend group is that out of the 10 of us, there is no overlap between majors. I guess we are the perfect example of a liberal arts college friend group! I have also found community in my classes and in the clubs that I am involved in. Being in a position of leadership at the Literary Review has brought me closer to other English majors and people involved in the arts on campus.

If you went on a New Student Trip with College Outdoors, how did it shape your experience as an incoming student?

I went on the Explore the Coastal Rainforest New Student Trip through College Outdoors. Going to different places on the coast showed me the lush environmental spaces Oregon has to offer outside of Portland and inspired me to take more trips to the coast with my friends afterwards. Additionally, my trip leaders were very supportive and shared important information about how to navigate the academic and social atmospheres of Lewis & Clark. I also met one of my closest friends on this trip during one of the bonding activities.

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 am traveling abroad in Berlin, Germany, this upcoming fall semester. I was drawn to this program due to its focus on the arts and history. As an artist, I am excited to learn more about German art history and architecture and explore outside of my major.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Put yourself out there and get involved with as many opportunities as possible! Sign up for clubs at event fairs, apply for leadership positions, and go to school events. You might find a passion that you had never explored before and friends that you might have never met in your classes.

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

I am thankful to have visited Lewis & Clark before the pandemic started when I was a freshman in high school. Something that stood out to me was that the admissions team already had a file with my name on it. It made me feel like I was an important candidate and future student to them already. I also loved how green and connected to the forest the campus was.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

The liberal arts challenges students to learn a foundation of knowledge from all areas of study before choosing a major.

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?

I lived in Odell my first year and loved how welcoming my neighbors were. There is a big kitchen in lower Odell that someone was always cooking focaccia bread in. It fostered a lot of interesting conversations. This year, I am living in Hartzfeld with three friends and I have really enjoyed having a more personal bathroom space. The best thing about living on campus is the halls’ proximity to Watzek and the Trail Room. I love being able to study late at night and only have to walk five minutes back to my room.

What’s one of the best spots on campus?

The KPH Radio room is one of my favorite places on campus. I have had a few different radio shows since coming to Lewis & Clark—one was in the morning before class, one was in the afternoon, and one was in the evening. I love inviting my friends on as guest hosts and unwinding through music. KPH also has an extensive collection of records and CDs that are really fun to look through.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

I really enjoy the music scene in Portland. On the weekends, you can usually find me at a local house show or attending an indie rock concert at one of Portland’s various venues. My personal favorite is Polaris Hall. I’m also a big Elliott Smith fan and I love discussing how Portland shaped his journey as an artist.

Have you been involved with one of our symposia, as an organizer or participant? What was the experience like? How did the event complement your academic experience?

I was a member of the planning committee and an art show cocurator for the Gender Studies Symposium this year. I loved getting to promote student artists through the art show and learning about how different people on campus interact with the field of gender studies. I also had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner with one of the keynote speakers this year, Dr. Davis, and learn more about reproductive racism in her talk. Learning from artists and scholars from off campus is important in understanding multiple perspectives on topical issues.

Have you had the opportunity to do research with a professor? If so, please describe the project and the experience.

I am currently taking a practicum in the Lewis & Clark Special Collections and Archives unit. Under the guidance of Hannah Crummé and Crystal Willer, I cocurated an exhibit on Alan L. Hart for the Watzek library. I am also currently processing an archival collection of rare artifacts and books.

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

As associate editor for the Literary Review, I vote and edit student poetry, prose, and visual art. Our literary review is unique due to its student-run structure. I enjoy reading and reviewing creative writing and visual art from students on campus and how constructive the feedback is at meetings. I am also an art attendant for the Hoffman Gallery, which has allowed me to see a variety of student and faculty artwork and artwork from local Oregon artists. The art community here is very strong and passionate about the importance of self expression.

English Gender Studies