Board Chair’s Letter
On January 28, I had the great pleasure of announcing that one of our own, Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students Robin Holmes-Sullivan, will be the next president of Lewis & Clark.
Dear Lewis & Clark Community,
Today I have a less pleasurable task: saying goodbye to Wim Wiewel, our 25th president and the man who has led our institution with grit, determination, and tremendous skill during one of the most difficult times in our history. The Board of Trustees and the entire Lewis & Clark community are deeply grateful to Wim for his transformational leadership and his unwavering commitment to our college.
Lewis & Clark is a much stronger institution now than when Wim first arrived five years ago. We enroll more degree-seeking students than ever before. The faculties of all three schools have launched new cutting-edge programs that build on our many strengths. The Campaign for Lewis & Clark, the first fundraising campaign in 20 years, is well on its way to meeting its $155 million goal. Major upgrades to campus infrastructure are under way. Our bottom line is strong and continues to improve. And, most important, our students continue to excel as thoughtful, dedicated citizens, both here on Palatine Hill and out in the world.
These have not been easy years to be a college president. A pandemic forced us to rethink everything we do. Wildfires and ice storms tested our resilience. Demographic changes are stiffening competition for students. Growing inequality and polarization have strained the fabric of our democracy in ways few of us expected. Yet with Wim at the helm—and a strong leadership team and dedicated faculty and staff at his side—Lewis & Clark has not only weathered these storms, but has thrived. Few other colleges can claim to have emerged from the pandemic stronger than before, but Lewis &Clark can.
There is someone else who shares credit for Wim’s success: Alice Wiewel. Wim and Alice are a true partnership. We have benefited greatly from their shared deep commitment to our students, faculty, and staff. Their regular presence at athletic events, concerts, lectures, and performances across campus will be missed. As Wim and Alice both ease into their well-earned retirement, we hope they remain active members of a community that they have enriched and strengthened over these past five years.
Again, my deepest thanks to Wim and Alice. Due to their leadership and commitment, the future of Lewis &Clark has never been brighter.
The campus will bid its final farewell to Wim on Friday, June 24, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., on the Great Plat Field as part of Alumni Weekend; please RSVP. I hope to see many of you there.
With gratitude,
Stephanie Fowler
Chair, Board of Trustees
