Comings and Goings: Doug Erickson to leave Watzek, will continue on as advisor
Doug Erickson, associate director of Watzek Library for special collections, archives, and visual resources, has accepted the position of director of the West Linn Public Library.
“We will miss his leadership, his creative energy, his dedication to Lewis & Clark, and most of all, his warmth and collegiality,” Director of Watzek Library Mark Dahl said. “I am pleased to report that Doug will continue on in an advisory capacity for the college to assist the library and the provost’s office with special collections/archives activities, outreach, and event planning.”
Erickson became Lewis & Clark’s archivist in 1991. At that time his job consisted of overseeing a small institutional archive and managing a minor collection of rare books. Under Erickson’s direction, Watzek Library’s Special Collections and Archives has grown to hold collections of international significance in Pacific Northwest history and literature.
In the 1990s Erickson was central to the college’s acquisition of the world’s premier collection of literature on the Lewis and Clark expedition. During the bicentennial of the expedition, Erickson toured around the country exhibiting the collection with colleagues. In the 2000s Erickson was instrumental in bringing the William Stafford Archives to the college. He developed a number of educational and scholarly projects around the Stafford archives, including an online digital archive and a comprehensive bibliography of William Stafford.
Erickson has continued to expand the college’s archival holdings in institutional history, Pacific Northwest and Portland history, literature, and poetry. He also founded Oregon Poetic Voices, a statewide digital archive of spoken poetry. In recent years, Erickson has emphasized creating faculty and student connections to the collections by developing teaching collections. He recently facilitated the acquisition of a 15th-century illuminated manuscript for the college, which is invaluable in teaching students the history of the book. He has also facilitated seminar courses focused on the collections as well as student practicums and internships. He has placed Lewis & Clark students in archival jobs across the world.
Erickson has designed and organized numerous exhibits and programs around history, literature and poetry at the college. In recent years they have included the tribute to J.R. Howard, the William Stafford Symposium, and the upcoming Ralph Ellison symposium. He has authored and coauthored a number of books and articles. Erickson is extremely active in the rare book and archival communities in the region and beyond. In the recent past, he has served on the Mountain Writers Board and the West Linn Library Board.
The following staff members are either new to campus or have a new job title:
Parvaneh Abbaspour, science and data services librarian, Watzek Library; Cathy Busha, associate dean of students, Student Engagement; Hollie Elliott, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid; Gretchen Jesse, executive administrative assistant; Law School Dean’s Office; Tamara Ko, executive assistant, Dean of Students; Betty Krejci, senior director of major gifts, Institutional Advancement; Valerie Holdahl, customer service, transcript, and verification specialist, CAS Registrar’s Office; Jay Locey, head football coach and instructor, Physical Education and Athletics; Kristin Hutson, administrative specialist, Campus Living; Ernesto Mendez, campus safety officer, Campus Safety; Tara McIrvin, associate director, Alumni and Parent Programs; Kelsey Neussl, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid; Caitlin Power, technology support coordinator, Information Technology; Sara Read, access services and technology specialist, Watzek Library; and Leslie Thomas, executive assistant to vice president, secretary and general counsel, President’s Office.
The following people have left Lewis & Clark. Here’s wishing them good luck in their new adventures:
Ryan Flynn, director of intramurals, instructor, and assistant coach, Physical Education and Athletics; Olivia Foster, lab technician, Biology; April Haddock, administrative specialist, Campus Living;Lise Harwin, director of public relations, Public Affairs and Communications; Diana Meyer, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid; Branden Pursinger, student account specialist, Student Departmental Accounts; Diane Viales, legal assistant I, Law School; Eddie Ziegler, network and client services engineer, Law School; and Pamela Zobel-Thropp, research associate, Biology.
