Mike Kasperzak
Pronouns
Degree and Class Year
Hometown
Current City
Major
Extracurriculars
Overseas study
Job Title, Organization
Continuing Studies
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?
It had a business major and was recommended by family friends.
What have you been doing since graduation?
A lot in 47 years: practicing aviation law and mediation, public service as mayor and council member in the heart of Silicon Valley, and a lot of nonprofit governance work.
How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your career?
It taught me that putting my mind to it and working hard could pay off both academically and in work.
What’s your favorite part or most memorable experience of serving on the Board of Alumni?
Being involved in raising an alumni gift during the Signature Campaign that resulted in the Alumni Circle near Fields.
How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?
I love attending events, reunions, serving as a member of the Philanthropy Council, and other duties as called.
Have you been to Alumni Weekend or other programming, like Homecoming, etc.? What did you enjoy about the event(s)?
Yes, for my 40th reunion. The best part is catching up with old (unfortunately literally old) friends!
How do you encourage other alumni to give back to the college?
I remember being told that your alma mater is your alma mater for life. Why not take advantage of everything it has to offer you? A couple ways are by staying involved and donating (if able) so others can experience what we got to.
What was your favorite class? How did it expand your knowledge?
Any business class taught by Ken Pierce. It was like The Paper Chase (a movie about Harvard Law School, lol). That class literally taught me how to think on my feet.
Where did you find your community on campus?
There were several places, including my Greece overseas program, working for SAGA, outdoor school, and student government.
If you studied overseas while at Lewis & Clark, how did you choose your program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience?
Greece just sounded cool and was a very competitive program to get into. We literally lived through the last coup d’état that Greece has ever experienced, and being witness to a breakdown in democracy was life changing.
