The one thing these leaders all share is their desire to meet and assist new students. The leaders are carefully selected during a competitive application process in February of each academic year. After their selection, they complete a Spring Training and then return to school in August for intensive training and preparation before Opening Days begins.
Besides leading the new students during Opening Days, these leaders are also responsible for planning all the events and programs that occur during Opening Days. Every leader is a member of one of the OD committees, each responsible for planning different events.
Aggie (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Kahului, HI, US
- Major
- PPLE
- Minor
- Economics
Favorite thing about WU
The opportunities and my friends
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Cow
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spoon
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a paleontologist or veterinarian. Now I want to be a lawyer.
Alex Richards (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2025
- Hometown
- Bellevue, WA
- Major
- Civic Communication and Media
- Minor
- Business
Favorite thing about WU
How pretty the campus is during the fall and how I can always run into anyone I know when walking around!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
penguin
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spoon
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a paleontologist or veterinarian. Now I want to be a lawyer.
Alfie (He/Him)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- United Kingdom
- Major
- Environmental Science
- Minor
- None (yet)
Favorite thing about WU
The small class sizes and speaking with professors. Being between the mountains and the coast is also pretty neat.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Dogs are my favorite animal.
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Probably an oven mitt.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
A pirate, and probably still a pirate. Realistically, I would like to do something in forestry and wildfires.
Amelia Perez (She/They)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Portland, Oregon
- Major
- Biology, Sociology
- Minor
- Chemistry
Favorite thing about WU
The proximity to downtown for good coffee.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Sloths
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Espresso Machine; although I've never personally had one I feel like it would save me a lot of money.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a FBI Profiler but now I want to be a Dentist.
Amy (She/Her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Boise, Idaho
- Major
- Film
- Minor
- Japanese
Favorite thing about WU
The people!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Fox
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
chopsticks
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a marine biologist, now I want to study film!
Audrey (She/They)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Boise, ID
- Major
- ENVS and Chemistry
- Minor
- n/a
Favorite thing about WU
the people
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
raccoon
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
wooden spoon
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
ballerina and now idk
Cassie Thomas (She/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Major
- Possible CCM
- Minor
- English or Environmental Science
Favorite thing about WU
The awesome wildlife around campus and the amazing faculty and staff!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Crabs because they are silly and cute :)
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
I love a good measuring cup.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid I wanted to be batman and now I still want to be batman.
Charis Brown (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Springfield, Illinois
- Major
- Psychology
- Minor
- Studio Art
Favorite thing about WU
The sense of community and acceptance that you feel on campus. This is a place that is welcoming and accepting and you can feel that when you're on campus.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Cicada
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Measuring spoon!
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Artist. Pediatric psychiatrist.
Clare Strode (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Helena, MT
- Major
- Math and Spanish
- Minor
- Chemistry (maybe)
Favorite thing about WU
The community and my friends!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Cat
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spork (the kind with a spoon on one end and a fork on the other)
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to own a cafe, and now I don't know exactly what I want to do yet.
Derec (he/they)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Sherwood, OR
- Major
- Data Science
- Minor
- Music
Favorite thing about WU
I love the sense of community at Willamette, especially how inclusive and kind the student body is. I also love how helpful the teachers are, and how they genuinely care about the success of their students.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Red Panda
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Muffin Tin
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Lawyer, Music Teacher!
Elise (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Arvada, Colorado!
- Major
- English & (eventually) International Relations
- Minor
- Unsure, but perhaps Spanish or Economics
Favorite thing about WU
My favorite thing about WU is the professors!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
My favorite animals are cats.
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Wooden kitchen spoons
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be an author, I am unsure of what I want to be now.
Emilee (she/they)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Centennial, CO
- Major
- Art History and Archaeology
- Minor
- Classics and Environmental Science
Favorite thing about WU
The Community!!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Blue Heeler
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spoon
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
A paleontologist, now I wanna be an archaeologist
Emilie (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Oceanside, California
- Major
- History and CCM
- Minor
- Cinema Studies
Favorite thing about WU
I love campus, especially the Cherry Blossoms in Spring. Campus is so pretty in every season!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Badger
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Frying Pan
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid I wanted to be a Mermaid, but now I'm thinking about being a teacher or doing something in communications.
Evyn
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Salem/OR
- Major
- Data Science
- Minor
- Political Science
Favorite thing about WU
The Millstream-resident ducks, the Chicken Fountain, the Quad, Chamber Choir, ASWU and my friends!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Polish Chicken
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Wisk and/or Spatula
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Hey there! When I was a kid, I used to dream of becoming an entomologist. But now, my interests have shifted and I'm pursuing my Master's in Data Science through the 3-1 program here at Willamette.
Isabel
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Denver, CO
- Major
- undeclared but I am likely to double major in English lit and CCM
- Minor
- undeclared
Favorite thing about WU
The people and the ducks
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
pigeon
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
spoon
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid I wanted to be an artist and now I am not sure what I want to do
Izzy Funes (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Conway, Arkansas
- Major
- Archaeology and Global Cultural Studies
- Minor
- Latin American Studies
Favorite thing about WU
sweet treats from Blitz!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
sharks are my favorite!
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Tongs
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid I wanted to be a music producer, now I want to be an archaeologist!
Jay (he/him)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Elk Grove, California
- Major
- Psychology
- Minor
- none
Favorite thing about WU
The ducks
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Marmot
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Air Fryer
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a truck driver. Now I want to be a Sports Psychologist.
Kate Crosby (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Moraga, CA
- Major
- English: Creative Writing
- Minor
- German
Favorite thing about WU
Doing yoga by the Mill Stream
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
California Grizzly Bear
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Chopsticks
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
A poet... and still a poet
Kaya Sullivan (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- San Francisco, CA
- Major
- Psychology
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
Star Trees!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Fox
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Chopsticks
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Marine Biologist, Adolescent Therapist
Kiele Jarnagin (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Keizer, Oregon
- Major
- Theatre
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
All the events put on by RHA!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Unicorn. Or a small chihuahua
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spork! Spork! Spork! Everyone buy a spork.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be an actor...still want to be an actor!
Laura Cady (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Los Angeles, CA
- Major
- Biology
- Minor
- none
Favorite thing about WU
the community!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
butterfly
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Fork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be an actress as a kid, now I want to work in a lab with cells!
Lizzie (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Pittsburg, California
- Major
- Psychology
- Minor
- none currently declared
Favorite thing about WU
the people
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
lizards
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
blender
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Robin, Robin
Lucca (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Davis, CA
- Major
- Data Science
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
Accessible professors and the puzzle table in the library
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Sea Otter
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Measuring cup
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a teacher. Now I want to do something with statistics.
Maddie (she/they)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Ketchikan, AK
- Major
- PPLE
- Minor
- Psychology
Favorite thing about WU
The supportive community!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Otters!
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
The good ole rubber spatula- preferably a holiday themed one.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a marine biologist! Now I want to be a senator
Mason (He/him)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Happy Valley, Oregon
- Major
- English (Creative Writing Concentration)
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
It's small community and classes
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Dog
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Fork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Wanted to be an author as a kid, still do
MB (She/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Salem, Oregon, USA
- Major
- Psychology
- Minor
- None (yet)
Favorite thing about WU
The people!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Hyena
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Fork!
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
Either a Veterinarian or a Illustrator
Nardin (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- I was born and grew up in Egypt, but I moved to Portland, OR five years ago!
- Major
- Biology and Public Health
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
The millstream, cherry blossom season, and Ricks+The Bistro!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Seal
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Soup spoon/Spatulas
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a lot of things, but mainly a pilot, lawyer, or doctor. I now want to be a cardio thoracic surgery Physician Assistant or Nurse Practicioner.
Nolan (He/Him)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Snoqualmie Washington
- Major
- PPLE/Business
- Minor
- n/a
Favorite thing about WU
$3 coffee at Ricks
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
bird
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
spork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a dump-truck driver, now I want to be a Criminal and Civil Defense attorney
Payton (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
- Major
- Biology and Public Health
- Minor
- Chemistry
Favorite thing about WU
I love all of the friends I've made at WU and exploring Oregon together. Plus, the campus is so pretty in the spring.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
A koala because they like to sleep a lot.
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Chopsticks
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor. Now I've narrowed it down to becoming a pediatrician.
Q (they/he/she)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- St Paul, MN
- Major
- Religious Studies and Gender Studies
- Minor
- none
Favorite thing about WU
The small class sizes and passionate professors, and the ducklings in the springtime!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Pigeon
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
A cast iron wok (they work on the dorm induction stoves)!
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a fashion designer. Now, I'm pursuing academia and hope to be a professor of comparative religion with a focus on Western esotericism.
Rya (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Whitefish, MT
- Major
- Undeclared (prospective PHEAL)
- Minor
- none
Favorite thing about WU
The baby nutria (and the adults as well I suppose) !
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Whale
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
the spork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a doctor, and I still would love to go into the health professions!
Sarah (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2025
- Hometown
- Normandy Park, Washington
- Major
- Public Health
- Minor
- Chemistry and Classical Studies
Favorite thing about WU
The amazing communities I'm involved in- swim team and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
dolphin
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Fork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
A marine biologist as a kid and a Public Health worker now
Shauna (She/her)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Kent, Washington
- Major
- Biology
- Minor
- Chemistry
Favorite thing about WU
How close knit the community is at Willamette is one of my favorite things about the school.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
My favorite animal are foxes.
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
My favorite kitchen utensil is a spoon.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a writer and now I want to be a veterinarian.
Sheridan Skerritt (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Great Falls, Montana
- Major
- Environmental Science
- Minor
- n/a
Favorite thing about WU
I love the community and how friendly everyone is. The people make this place so special and welcoming.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
Moose!
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Whisk
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I used to want to be the first women president when I was little. Now I want to be a researcher and work for a National Park.
Sophia Kaplan (She/Her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Silverton, OR
- Major
- Public Health
- Minor
- Women's and Gender Studies
Favorite thing about WU
All of the social communities at Willamette really make it feel like home! Everyone is so fun and welcoming in and outside of the classroom.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
I love bumble bees!
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spatula for sure. Very multi-purpose and makes the best pancakes :)
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a teacher when I was a kid, and now I have no idea!
Stella Puckett (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- Salem, Oregon
- Major
- Economics
- Minor
- None
Favorite thing about WU
Vegan chai cookies from The Bistro
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
My favorite animal is an English Bulldog. I have a bulldog named Murphy, and he is my sidekick.
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
A fork because it is versatile
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I originally wanted to become a veterinarian, but now I aspire to manage an estate venue and plan weddings.
Tila (she/her)
- Year
- Class of 2027
- Hometown
- San Francisco, CA
- Major
- Undecided
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
The people! I’ve loved all the friends I’ve made and teachers I’ve met here at Willamette.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
My favorite animal is the bear!
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
The stand mixer is man’s greatest (baking based) invention
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a kid, I wanted to be a baker and work in a pastry shop. I’m still figuring out what I want to do in the future :)
Tuttle (he/him)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Roseville California
- Major
- English and Classical Civilizations
- Minor
- Business
Favorite thing about WU
The animals! There is a family of racoons and nutria that can be seen every day but every once in a while there is a great blue heron in the Mill stream.
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
My favorite animal is a sheep.
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Fork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
I wanted to be a lawyer, and now I would like to go into non-profit fundraising.
Yahaira Vazquez (She/Her/Ella)
- Year
- Class of 2026
- Hometown
- Albany, OR
- Major
- Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics
- Minor
- N/A
Favorite thing about WU
My favorite thing about Willamette has to be the location, along with the friends I have made here!
Animal that best describes your personality or your favorite
A shark
Favorite Kitchen Utensil
Spork
What did you want to be when you were a kid? What do you want to do now?
As a child I wanted to be a detective, and now I want to be a lawyer!