Dear Willamette Alumni,
The new academic year has begun, and our campuses are once again filled with the energy, excitement, and sense of possibility that the start of a new semester brings. On August 23rd, I participated in my 15th Convocation ceremony as president and welcomed the Class of 2029 to the Willamette University family.
It is an exciting time for Willamette. While many institutions across higher education face unprecedented challenges, Willamette continues to grow and has some of the highest enrollments in our history. This success is a testament to the commitment of our faculty and staff, our enthusiastic students, and to the dedication and support of alumni like you who help us make giant strides forward toward a bright future.
Although summer may bring a slower pace to our campuses, we never truly take a break. This summer saw progress on several fronts, including some exciting additions to the Willamette team. In July, we welcomed Dr. Jennifer Henderson as Willamette’s new University Provost. Since her arrival, Jennifer has been busy working with faculty and staff teams across all of our schools to enhance our focus on student success and career readiness. Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue evolving to meet the needs of today’s students.
Additionally, I’m happy to share an exciting development that will enhance and support the spiritual life of our campus community. Following conversations and consultation with leadership of the United Methodist Church, we’ve welcomed Pastor Ken Wytsma as Willamette University’s new part-time University Chaplain.
Under our contract with the UMC, Pastor Wytsma will serve in a role focused on core chaplaincy functions. Pastor Wytsma is an employee of the UMC, but will work closely with the University Provost and be embedded as a member of our campus community. This partnership with UMC allows us to continue to provide access to pastoral care and spiritual guidance within a new framework.
Pastor Wytsma brings over 20 years of experience in teaching, ministry, and organizational leadership. He is a passionate historian and scholar focused on the theology of justice, human rights, and the movements that shape identity and ethics in contemporary society.
He has been the lead pastor at churches in Portland and Beaverton and an adjunct faculty member at universities in our region. His book, The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Top 5 Religion Books of the Year in 2017. We are happy to welcome Pastor Wytsma to the Willamette community.
As we launch into another academic year, I’m excited for what lies ahead as we continue our tradition of academic excellence while nurturing the whole person. Thank you for being vital partners in this journey.
Here’s to our newest Bearcats and to the bright future we’re building together!
Non nobis solum,
Steve
