Cami Hildum

What’s your favorite class? How has it expanded your knowledge?

My favorite class has to be The Art of War taught by Professor Bob Mandel. The course mostly focused on in-class discussion guided by the professor. We debated topics such as what should and shouldn’t be allowed in warfare, and where to draw moral lines. The class gave me the tools to facilitate constructive debate and the opportunity to hear new viewpoints.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

The small class sizes and the stunning campus.

How do you describe the liberal arts?

The liberal arts provides a well-rounded education that explores multiple perspectives and ideas. I think it is an amazing space to combine fields of study and explore available majors from many different perspectives.

Where do you find community on campus?

I find community on campus in my classes by forming study groups. It’s easy to make friends after working together in group projects. I have also found community by participating in clubs such as Fire Arts, Garden Club, and Campus Activities Board.

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 have lived in the Forest Hall complex, and I love it! They have a lot of kitchen space so it is always easy to bake something with friends. The forest halls tend to have very close knit communities. It’s common to see a couple of residents with a mandolin and a guitar jamming out together, or sitting out on the picnic tables doing homework in the sun.

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

I went on a trip at the end of the year due to COVID. It was really encouraging that the college was still able to put together trips while being safe despite the circumstances. I got to backpack the Deschutes River and it was stunning. I made a lot of awesome friends during that trip, some of them ended up being my neighbors the following year.

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 so far?

I am really excited to study abroad this coming spring in Australia! I chose to go to Australia to learn more about the country’s history and explore the beautiful wildlands there.

What made you interested in becoming a tour guide? How has being a tour guide added to your experience at Lewis & Clark?

I really like sharing the campus with prospective students, and being a part of the process that brings new students into this awesome community! Lewis & Clark is such a beautiful place to spend four years.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

My advice would be “go for it!” If there’s a club that you think is cool, join it. If there’s a class that looks fun but has nothing to do with your major, do it! L&C provides such an awesome environment to explore tons of different and exciting classes and clubs. The resources here are incredible. Use them while you can.

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

My parents met while attending Lewis & Clark so when they showed me around campus it was hard to consider choosing anywhere else.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

I love to study out on the steps next to the reflection pool. There are some beautiful red vine maple trees and some gazebos where you can charge your computer.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

My favorite thing about Portland is its easy access to exploring the outdoors. The ocean is only an hour and a half away, and Mount Hood is even closer. The Columbia River Gorge is a national scenic area that sits 30 minutes outside the city. I love how easy it is to go on adventures for the weekend, or just for the day.

What’s your best Lewis & Clark memory so far?

I think my best memory has to be during a spring evening when the frogs in the reflection pool started croaking. My friends and I quietly went down to listen and figured out that the frogs would get louder to match us when we started talking. This resulted in us yelling and hollering with the chorus frogs.