Sally Goldman

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

Constructing the American Landscape with Professor Reiko Hillyer! Reiko’s class changed the way I look at the city when I’m walking around. We studied how the landscape shapes U.S. history and culture as well as how our relationship to the environment has changed over time. We studied prisons, schools, fast food restaurants, parks, and all sorts of places you wouldn’t think had a rich history.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I wanted to go to a small liberal arts college in a place that was completely different from my hometown (Little Rock, Arkansas). Two of my mom’s sisters are alumnae and encouraged me to apply. Lewis & Clark is also gap-year friendly.

How did you decide on a major?

I knew before I came to L&C that I wanted to study history and philosophy. I was fairly involved in an oral history club in high school and enjoyed my high school philosophy class. Over my gap year I worked as an intern for the National Park Service. A large part of my internship was doing historical research to develop museum programs and historic walking tours. I was hooked, and knew I wanted a career involving public history. At the same time, I missed the unique intellectual stimulation of my high school philosophy class and couldn’t imagine college without doing philosophy.  

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

Watzek Library. There are lots of comfy couches and a variety of places to study, depending on if you want silence or a relaxed group study environment.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

I love living in a big city because many of my favorite bands come through. There’s a lot of great all-ages music venues in town.

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

As captain of the sailing team, I organized a trip to a regatta in Seattle. After a long day of racing and celebrating my birthday at dinner, the team sat on the beach together and watched the sun set over the Puget Sound. It was a great bonding experience and one of my favorite birthdays.

How do you manage stress?

My mantra is “don’t stress about the things you have to do; just do them.” I write down everything in my planner and study with the pomodoro method. When that gets old, I go sailing on the Willamette!

Where do you find community on campus?

There are lots of great communities on campus! I create community by hosting monthly programs in my residence hall. The sailing club is a great group of people, too. The history department has a strong sense of community that’s fostered by classes and fun events that the department hosts, like the Throckmorton lecture and Historical Project Runway.

Do you have a job on campus? If so, how do you fit work into your schedule?

I’m a resident advisor in Hartzfeld Hall. I have designated times in my schedule that are dedicated to RA duties only, and adjust my homework and social schedules around those blocks of time.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Take a gap year if you can. You will come into college much more mature and with a better sense of self. I worked full time during my year off, which gave me professional skills as well as savings to help pay for school.

How has Lewis & Clark has changed you?

I value learning much more than I did before college. My philosophy classes have taught me how to think critically, and I’ve found that I have a greater appreciation for nuanced discussions and precise arguments over generalizations.