Dana Plautz

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

The small class size and liberal arts education.

What have you been doing since graduation?

My first job was working for the legendary Norman Lear in the entertainment industry. This was followed by serving as worldwide marketing, licensing, and creative director for Hanna-Barbera Studios. I then specialized in the area of new media and emerging applications in Intel. I also held a government appointment for six years, chairing the Oregon State Film and Video office. After retiring, I cocreated a free children’s literacy website called MrsP.com and continue to promote literacy with a Barn Book Nook program for young equestrians.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your career?

I helped put together a big symposium that brought author Ken Kesey, singer Odetta, and Senator Eugene McCarthy to campus and this was a great resume builder. It taught me many skills that translated to the real world.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

To be a creative thinker, problem solver, and good communicator.

What’s your favorite part or most memorable experience of serving on the Board of Alumni?

Working on creating opportunities to increase interactions with students and alumni.

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

I’ve mentored many students from resume help to mock interviewing through the Career Corp program. For multiple years I was a team mentor at the Bates Center’s Winterim, an immersive week-long entrepreneurial event.

Have you been to Alumni Weekend or other programming, like Homecoming, etc.? What did you enjoy about the event(s)?

I’ve been to many Alumni Weekends and have served as a class reunion volunteer, which is a ton of fun.

How do you encourage other alumni to give back to the college?

I’ve invited them to a reunion or event on campus so they can get reconnected to the school and meet the current amazing students.

Who was your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?

Jean Ward, professor emerita of communication. After all these years, we are still friends and have lunch together. That’s the kind of school L&C is; there are deep bonds that are formed and can last a lifetime.

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?

I loved art and art history, and the Washington, D.C., program took you to see and experience American art history in person. That learning by doing process made a lasting impact on me. Our program got to interview some of the most influential people in the country at the time because of L&C’s many connections. It still blows me away that as college students we got to sit and chat with the head of the World Bank, and with the director of the Office of Management and Budget for the President of the United States, and so many more.