Mike Shiffer

Mike Shiffer, Mathematics 1969, enrolled at Lewis & Clark during the memorable 1960s. He is proud to be a product of the time when the country found voices for so many under-represented persons. Mike was born and raised in southeast Portland and was the first person from his extended family to go to college. Although he was a “math nerd” he loved the opportunities to learn and experience the diverse areas that a small liberal arts college provided. While at Lewis & Clark, he worked on the 1968 Presidential campaign, acted in a Senior project play in the old Fir Acres and worked in the first LC computer center.

Right after graduation, Mike married his high school sweetheart (Mary, Portland State University ’69) and following a military interruption, they settled in Tacoma before moving back to Portland. Mike’s experience in the LC computer center helped him secure his first job in computer technology. Mike retired as a project manager in 2009.

Mike is co-founder of a community food bank in Tualatin, Oregon. He has been Board Chair of that organization for 17 years. He has also served on the Oregon Food Bank Board of Directors. Mike has volunteered at Coffee Creek Correctional Institution (Women’s Prison) where, with his wife, he led a Cub Scout program for inmates and their sons.

Mike and Mary love theatre and make at least one trip a year to Ashland, Oregon for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They were introduced to ice hockey by their two children and have been Portland Winterhawks season ticket holders for over 25 years.

Prior to retirement, Mike’s favorite travel destination was Fiji. In 2022 Mike and Mary are participating in the Lewis & Clark alumni and travel program with a trip to Iceland.

Mike is the current chair of the Albany Society Board of Directors. He looks forward to sharing the voice of Albany Society members with the Board of Alumni.