Hall of Fame
Alumnus and Life Trustee Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. is nationally recognized as a business pioneer and philanthropist. A lifelong athlete and advocate of physical fitness, in 1992 he sponsored the Chairman’s Challenge. More than 2,000 members of the Lewis & Clark community gathered to “Beat Bob” in a series of athletics contests that raised funds to expand the library. This September he reprised a similar challenge during the first week of classes where he did 31 pull-ups and 311 push-ups. Lewis & Clark’s prestigious Pamplin Society of Fellows, which he founded, recognizes students deeply committed to academic excellence and physical fitness. Dr. Pamplin is an avid and successful weightlifter, boxer, and practitioner of karate.
Dr. Pamplin has earned eight degrees including two doctorates in business, economics, accounting, education and theology. He has been honored nationally as a businessman, philanthropist, ordained minister, educator, historical preservationist, and author of fourteen books. Dr. Pamplin’s business interests include Media - Portland Tribune and 25 community newspapers, textiles, construction, and agriculture. He has been awarded many honorary degrees, and featured in national magazines, newspapers and on television. He has served on Presidential and State Commissions and as Chairman of the Board for three colleges, including Lewis & Clark. National and local publications have written of Dr. Pamplin - “Not since the late Victorians has any person accomplished so much in a ... single concentrated life.”
