When Henry Lorenzen was born, his grandmother, a German immigrant, gave him a gift that he’ll never forget: A $100 savings bond set aside especially for his college education.
Lorenzen said his grandmother was one of the many that inspired his passion for education, leading him eventually to be elected as Board of Education President on Oct. 8. He is the first from his family to graduate from college. He received his Bachelors from Oregon State University, his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard and his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern Law School.
Lorenzen replaces Neil Goldshmidt, who stepped down from office after allegations arose that he had sexual relations with a fourteen-year-old during his term as mayor of Portland.
Lorenzen, a lawyer with Corey, Byler, Rew, Lorenzen and Hojem, LLP, hails from Pendleton, Ore.
He is also from a third-generation farming family and manages a wheat farm started by his parents.
Lorenzen, who has been on the board since 2003, said one of his goals as president would be to examine educational needs in Oregon and then develop a “methodology or structure to meet these needs.” He said his immediate goal is to provide the legislature with information regarding the efficiency of funds in the Oregon University System.
He added he hopes “the
legislature will gain confidence in our efficiency and will fund (higher education) to the best level possible given current budget costraints.”
Board members described the president as “thoughtful and wise.”
“Well, I think he’s extremely bright,” board member and University chemistry professor Geri Richmond said. “He’s knowledgeable in a lot of different fields from engineering to law to public policy.”
Board member Tim Nesbitt called Lorenzen a “deliberate consensus builder.”
“He tries to be fair and open to all points of view,” he said.
Lorenzen said comically that it was his “striking good looks” that got him elected.
“I’m bald-headed, have wire glasses and look like Dick Cheney,” he said.
John Wykoff, executive director of the Oregon Student Association, said one of Lorenzen’s strengths is his ability to deal with both Republicans and Democrats.
“At some point securing funding becomes political,” he said. “You got to have someone who can explain higher education to both sides of the aisle.”
Lorenzen said growing up in Pendleton has shaped his view of higher education.
“(Education) is important for the general welfare of an individual to assure themselves of a secure economic future,” he said.
Others said Lorenzen’s background will allow him to bring a
different perspective to the table. Lorenzen is currently the only
board member from eastern Oregon, though Adriana Mendoza, an Eastern Oregon University student, will officially join the board next month.
Mendoza said Lorenzen’s election was “extremely exciting for eastern Oregon.”
“He will bring a rural perspective, which is a perspective that has been underrepresented,” she said.
ASUO President and Oregon Student Association Chair Adam Petkun concurred that Lorenzen’s background will add another
perspective to the board.
“He’ll be able to … make sure everyone’s voice is heard,” he said.
Richmond emphasized, however, that the background would not bias his perspective.
“He is not parochial in his views,” she said. “It’s very important that anyone who serves on the board take a broad view of the system.”
Wykoff said the board has moved beyond the Goldshmidt controversy.
“There’s not time to look back,”
he said.
Additionally, Wykoff emphasized that Goldshmidt and Lorenzen are very different, saying “it’s like comparing apples and sailboats.”
“Neil was sort of a hurricane of energy and ideas,” he said. “Henry’s a soft-spoken guy who listens.”

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