Don Floren

 

Class of 1953
Portland, OR

Don Floren is a Portland native. He first visited the Lewis & Clark campus with his church youth group during summers. Initially, he was a journalism major with the goal of being a sportswriter. Before his senior year he reevaluated his career goal and ended up with a split major between English Literature and Philosophy. In addition to his studies, Floren was the Editor-in-Chief of the Pioneer Log, a yearbook editor, president of his fraternity and Senior Class President.

Floren was drafted after graduation and spent two years contemplating what he wanted to do. He ended up getting a teaching certification and taught high school English before moving to work as a technical writer and editor at Tectronics. He worked his way up to doing management and organizational development. The multitude of positions that Floren held over the years are a testament to the skills he learned as a liberal arts student. He says he was prepared for a broad range of activities and had the ability to look at things in a bigger picture.

Floren says “I have never driven in the driveway of the college without feeling like I was home.” He never lost touch with the school over the years and thus felt that joining the Albany Society was an opportunity to be involved with something he felt good about. He wants to ensure that the society will continue to be an effective organization in the future and will continue getting alumni who have lost touch with the school, back in touch. Floren also holds the special position of Albany Society Liaison to the Alumni Board.

He is now retired and is a serious woodcarver and wood sculptor.