Mike Sexton, dean of undergraduate admissions, is leaving Lewis & Clark at the end of August to become vice president of enrollment management at Santa Clara University. The campus community is invited to say goodbye to Mike at a reception on Tuesday, August 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Manor House.
Since Mike’s arrival in 1991, applications have risen from just over 2,000 to a record 5,551 in 2008, and a near-record 5,342 this year. During Mike’s tenure, incoming classes have become more ethnically and geographically diverse, and they have become academically stronger as measured by their grade-point averages and standardized test scores. For example, the high school GPA of entering first-years in 1992 was 3.4; last year, it was 3.7. The entering class of 1992 had an average combined SAT score of 1185; by 2008, it had risen to 1302.
The Source caught up with Mike to glean some parting wisdom.
In what ways has Lewis & Clark evolved over the last eighteen years and how has that affected what you do?
Certainly the campus has a new (and better) look now. I’ve been here for the Signature Project (Watzek, Miller and Fields), astroturf, the apartments (West, Roberts, East,) Howard, renovation of Albany, the Glade, etc.
What strikes you as the most unique moment in Lewis & Clark’s history during the time that you’ve been here?
I think the post-Katrina efforts to help students who were displaced was us being at our best. Students with few records available were welcomed based upon conversations with them and verbal recommendations from high school colleagues.
What impresses you most about Lewis & Clark as a whole?
The students are an incredibly accomplished and intellectually curious bunch. I think the same can be said for the faculty and staff and that makes for a great match.
Can you share with us the most memorable Lewis & Clark student admission application you’ve seen?
The first one and the last one. There are too many to choose from the 70,000 others.
What are you going to miss most about your job?
Easy. The admissions staff without whom our successes would not have been the same.
What kinds of systems are in place so that the Admissions Office may continue to operate smoothly after your departure?
The College is blessed with one of the most experienced and stable admissions operations in the country. The top three—Emily, Janice and Erica—have over fifty years in admissions at LC! I have already had colleagues at other institutions calling me asking about when the search will begin!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
This has been an amazing 18 years for me professionally and for our family. Thanks to everyone who has made us welcome all these years.
Comings and Goings Update
Several people have joined the community recently, and some continuing employees have taken on new roles and responsibilities at Lewis & Clark.
Kurt Armstrong, facilities manager, Law Business Services; Christopher Beisel, associate director of development, Law External Relations; Latricia Brand, associate dean and director, Multicultural Affairs; Timothy Burgard, campus safety officer, Campus Safety; Brienne Carpenter, bookstore clerk, Law Bookstore; Samantha Cikara, administrative assistant, Graduate Admissions; Brian Cutler, bookstore manager, Law School Business Services; Jeffrey Feld-Gore, associate dean of students, Campus Living; Shawna Feldt, head softball coach and instructor, Physical Education & Athletics; Toni Holloway, departmental specialist, Institutional Advancement Services; Julie Johnson, assistant director, Student Support Services; Michelle Kirton, associate director, Counseling Center; Annie Kumar, executive assistant to the Dean’s Office, Dean of the Law School; Sarah LaLonde, computer purchase program consultant, IT Client Services; Ana Lopezrevoredo, area director, Campus Living; Jacqualine Loran, legal assistant 1, Law Dean of the Faculty; Elise Maxwell, research technician, CAS Biology; Cori McGrew, conferences and events specialist, Conferences and Events; Lindsay Morey, admissions counselor, Admissions; Rachel Orlansky, director, Student Support Services; Alexander Neu, circulation attendant, Law Boley Library; Debra Richman, administrative assistant, CAS English; Karen Smith Geon, executive director, Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center, Law Natural Resources; Margaret Thomson, administrative coordinator, Law Career Services; and Edward Ziegler, network and client services engineer, Law Computing Services.
The following people have left Lewis & Clark. Here’s wishing them good luck in their new adventures:
John Bruce, campus safety officer, Campus Safety; Marion Burnett, campus events specialist, Conferences and Events; Sally Harlow, campus safety officer, Campus Safety; Dale Holloway, coordinator/director, Student Support Services; Randy Main, administrative assistant, Graduate Admissions; and Jeffrey Tuzik, computer consultant, IT Client Services.
