My word for Willamette is...
- Community--WU provided me with many opportunities to be involved in worthwhile and fulfilling community projects. For example, I enjoyed helping other students as a member of residence hall government. Student government also allowed me to participate in significant projects that helped people outside of Willamette.
- —Vincent Pontier '01, M'03
- Balancing--Regardless of the set of skills and lacks one owns when arriving at Willamette, the balance with which a graduate departs, and the tools to re-balance as needed in the face of accelerating change, are a unique gift of the WU experience.
- —Steven Fullmer '78
- Continuation--Great education, inspiring and continuing into later life. Continuing into marriage with a WU athlete (later to become a NY Yankee minor leaguer). Continuing with son's marriage to another WU student. Son to continue as a college prof and Dr. of Criminology--author and scholar. So the WU tradition continues!
- —Esther Manning '36
Endowed Scholarships
Amanda Strauss ’08 and Anna Travers ’08 are both passionate about the past — Strauss is intrigued by women’s history and the western U.S., while Travers studies European history, particularly about Ireland. Both women hope to continue exploring that passion in graduate school.
These two students were able to pursue their dreams at Willamette thanks to the help of the Dr. Ivan Lovell History Scholarship. Mark Teppola ’60 and his wife, Melody, established the endowed scholarship in honor of Professor Lovell, who taught history at Willamette from 1937–66. “It was really encouraging to get this scholarship,” Travers says. “It gave me confidence that I can contribute something to the history field.”
Endowed scholarships support many students who energize our campus through their leadership, artistry, intellect and character, but who cannot afford a private college education on their own. Our academically and socially diverse community is the source of Willamette’s strength and distinctiveness, and endowed scholarship donors create opportunity in perpetuity for students who can further enrich our community.
Each year Willamette hosts a Scholarship Reception to unite our donors with the current recipients of their scholarship. This year's event was held in February at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, and featured student speaker Alisa Anderson '10.
If you are interested in learning more about how to endow a scholarship at Willamette, we welcome your inquiry. Please email development@willamette.edu or call 866-777-8122.