Dear Willamette Alumni,
Willamette is more than an academic institution; it is a launchpad for meaningful careers and lives of purpose. As we navigate an ever-changing professional landscape, Willamette’s commitment to student success extends beyond commencement day — demonstrated most recently by our investment in an expanded Career Center.
A Willamette education isn’t merely about acquiring knowledge — it’s about developing the versatile thinkers and innovative problem-solvers our society needs. Employers tell us consistently that they value graduates who have not only technical expertise but also critical thinking abilities, ethical judgment, and the ability to collaborate across differences — the skills developed from a Willamette education.
Our faculty and staff’s dedication to mentorship and experiential learning opportunities prepares graduates to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. This commitment to excellence and student success is also embodied by our leadership team, who are dedicated to creating an environment where students can thrive.
A true example of this over the years has been Ruth Feingold, dean of Willamette College. Ruth will step down at the end of June to become vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college at Grinnell College in Iowa. She has served Willamette with dedication during a period of change and challenge in American higher education, including the immense difficulties of the pandemic and its aftermath.
Her commitment to the continuing strength and vitality of the arts and sciences, paired with her embrace of embedding our liberal education ideals at the heart of a larger, broader, integrated university, has allowed Willamette to adapt to our changing environment in ways that are frequently noted with envy not just by our Northwest peers, but by liberal arts colleges around the country. Hers will be difficult shoes to fill. We will share details soon about interim leadership plans that will position Willamette for continued excellence and growth in the years ahead.
In times of uncertainty, a Willamette education recognizes that we are not just preparing students for the world they’ll enter after graduation — we’re preparing them to shape it. The next dean of Willamette College will ensure we continue to meet the moment for our students, city, state, and nation.
Sincerely,
Steve