About Willamette

adirondack chair on Willamette University Quad Set in the lush rolling hills of the Pacific Northwest, Willamette University is a nationally recognized liberal arts school with graduate programs in law, business and education.

From the caliber of its students to the level of expertise among its faculty, Willamette University embodies academic excellence. More than 1,800 undergraduates benefit from Willamette’s 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and 165 years of tradition as the First University in the West.

Willamette challenges its students to broaden their college experience beyond the classroom. Activities such as study abroad, one-on-one research with a faculty member, debate tournaments in Eastern Europe and choir performances in South Africa all contribute to the liberal arts education offered at Willamette University.

Our students embody Willamette’s motto: “Not Unto Ourselves Alone Are We Born.” Each year, undergraduate and graduate students volunteer more than 31,000 hours on a variety of projects including building homes for Habitat for Humanity, feeding and clothing the homeless, providing pro bono legal work, and assisting local and regional businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Support from Willamette’s alumni and friends contribute to an atmosphere of excellence. Last August Willamette welcomed students to the new $14 million housing project – Kaneko Commons. Willamette’s Division III athletics and intramurals benefited from a renovation of the soccer field, including state-of-art lighting and artificial turf, allowing for year-round competition. All of these improvements contribute to Willamette’s exceptional academic experience.