Erickson named associate director for special collections and archives

Dear Colleagues,

I’m excited to announce that effective of June 1, 2014, Doug Erickson’s position at Watzek Library will be Associate Director for Special Collections and Archives.  

Special Collections and Archives is an area of increasing relevance to the Library and the College. Over the past decade, the collections have grown in stature while student and faculty engagement with them has increased markedly.  The collections are now a distinctive strength of Lewis & Clark that align well with the College’s emphasis on undergraduate research and the linking of theory and practice.

In this new position, Doug will build on his record of innovative programming and strategic acquisitions to position our Special Collections and Archives program as an exemplar among those at liberal arts colleges.  He will continue to foster student and faculty engagement in the collections.  He will also build on his connections to the literary, historical, and archival communities to develop beneficial relationships for Watzek Library and the College.  

Going forward, Doug will take a leadership role in planning College-wide events that tie in with Lewis & Clark’s history and academic legacy including an upcoming symposium on Ralph Ellison and the College Sesquicentennial in 2017.  In his new role, Doug will also bring his experience and creative capacity to the library administrative team and participate in the management of Watzek Library as a whole.

In his 23 years at Lewis & Clark Doug has proven to be a visionary leader who has worked tirelessly on projects at Watzek Library and well beyond.  Over the last two decades, Doug has been instrumental in building the library’s rare book, archival, and digital collections to a level of international stature. He has developed innovative programming around the collections and secured outside funding for a number of initiatives.  This year, Doug was instrumental in winning a grant from the Portland General Electric Foundation for programming that engages Oregon’s Spanish speaking communities in William Stafford’s poetry.

Over the years, Doug has organized countless literary and historical events for Lewis & Clark. Doug’s creative leadership and organizational skills have been at the center of this year’s multi-faceted centennial celebration of William Stafford.  

Please join me in congratulating Doug on his new position.

Best regards,

Mark Dahl
Director
Aubrey R. Watzek Library