Dear Willamette Alumni,
Now that I’m in my 15th year as president of Willamette University, I can say with confidence that Willamette has never been stronger or better positioned for what lies ahead.
Since I returned to Salem, we've welcomed new schools, expanded our academic reach, and grown into a more comprehensive university. Through it all, all the things that have defined Willamette remain at the center of everything we do: an unwavering commitment to students, personal connections, and the sense of community that makes Willamette such a special place.
This fall delivered evidence of how far we've come, and how much opportunity lies ahead.
In our first appearance in the U.S. News & World Report's National Universities rankings, Willamette was named the No. 1 Best Value university in the Northwest. This recognition confirms what we have long known: a Willamette education delivers an exceptional combination of academic excellence, individual attention, and preparation for a life of meaning and impact. In addition, Bloomberg Businessweek has once again ranked the Atkinson Graduate School of Management’s MBA program No. 1 in Oregon, a testament to our outstanding faculty, our talented students, and the value of a Willamette degree.
Excellence alone, however, is not enough. We must also ensure that talented students have the opportunity to experience a Willamette education, regardless of their financial circumstances. That's why I'm particularly excited about Willamette’s new Oregon Access Scholarship, which provides a tuition-free undergraduate education to qualifying Oregon students from families earning $80,000 or less a year. This scholarship is an important step toward making a Willamette education accessible to more students and families.
We are opening new doors for transfer students as well. This fall, Portland Community College became the newest partner in our Bearcat Pathway program, joining Chemeketa and Clackamas community colleges. The Bearcat Pathway gives community college students a clear academic plan, dedicated advising, and financial aid opportunities toward a Willamette degree.
Willamette’s strength lets us lead boldly into the future. Our planned merger with Pacific University is one of the most significant developments in our 184-year history. Since we announced the signing of the merger agreement in July, colleagues from both institutions have been working together to plan a thoughtful integration. Two steering committees are guiding this work, and faculty, staff, and university leaders are helping shape the governance and future of the combined institution.
We're currently targeting April 1, 2027, for the date of our legal corporate merger, with the institutional merger following approximately two years after that. It is exciting to be building a university with the scale, resources, and reach to serve students for generations to come.
Important decisions remain ahead, and we remain committed to keeping our communities informed as this work progresses. You can follow the latest developments at willamette.edu/bettertogether.
When I compare the Willamette when I arrived in 2011 and the university we are becoming, I'm struck by how much we've grown, but also by how much we've preserved. Rigorous academics, close relationships between students and faculty, and our mission to prepare graduates to turn knowledge into action remain as strong as ever.
None of this progress happens without the dedication of our faculty and staff, the energy of our students, and the support of alumni like you. Thank you for the many ways you continue to strengthen the Willamette community.
I'm proud of what we have built together, and even more excited about what comes next.
Non nobis solum,
Steve