A Tradition of Leadership and Impact
Willamette opened its doors decades before the flagship public universities of the West Coast even existed, and we’ve stayed a step ahead ever since.
- Willamette was the first university in the Western United States.
- Willamette is one of the only schools ranked among America’s top liberal arts colleges and home to a top-ranked MBA program.
- Willamette is one of the only campuses with a resident professional symphony orchestra.
- Willamette is the most racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse campus in our peer group in the Northwest.
- Fortune ranked Willamette as the #1 Master's in Data Science program on the West Coast.
- In 2021, Willamette merged with PNCA, one of the top art and design colleges in the nation.
- Willamette Law consistently ranks as one of the top law schools in the region for employment rates.
At Willamette, innovation is our tradition. While state schools prioritize numbers over people, Willamette remains focused on offering students an education they can apply directly to the real world.
Featured Alums
Willamette alumni envision a better world and then actively build it. They are inventors, Nobel laureates, CEOs, public servants, and social changemakers – and they have been for generations.
- Mark Hatfield ‘43, former Oregon governor and U.S. Senator who redefined ethical leadership and public service
- Dale Mortensen '61, Nobel Prize-winning economist who innovated an approach to understanding unemployment
- Lisa Murkowski '80, U.S. Senator from Alaska and a bipartisan powerhouse
- Adam Messinger '95, former CTO of Twitter
- Liz Heaston ‘99, the first woman to play and score in a college football game, breaking barriers in athletics
- Connor Mertens '15, national advocate for LGBTQ+ athletes, pictured right
Leadership Starts in the Classroom and Beyond
Willamette’s innovative leadership begins with its dedicated faculty. Recognized nationally for their teaching excellence, our professors guide students through transformative educational experiences.
Faculty Leading the Way
- Professor Melissa Buis, creator of a groundbreaking course pairing Willamette students with inmates to explore restorative justice.
- Professor David Griffith, chemist tracking hormone pollution in the Willamette River with undergraduate student researchers.
- Professor Ryan Pierce, working at the intersection of art and ecology
Turning Knowledge into Action
Intern at the governor’s office between classes. Present real-time climate change research at national conferences. Code machine learning models that go straight into Nike’s sustainability pipeline. Willamette students engage in hands-on learning that connects theory to practice and makes them ready to lead.
Innovative Leadership in Action
From our small-sized first-year seminars to collaborative research initiatives, Willamette creates a unique environment where leadership flourishes. Our community thrives on the intersection of liberal arts and professional education, creating leaders who bridge gaps and build connections across disciplines.
Stories of Leadership
Join a Rich History of Leaders
Leadership at Willamette is about service beyond self. Our motto, Not Unto Ourselves Alone Are We Born, reflects our commitment to nurturing leaders who contribute to their communities and the world. Our alumni live that motto in Fortune 500 boardrooms, rural libraries, the hall of Congress, and everywhere innovation needs a conscience.
Ready to Lead
What’s Next?
Tour campus. Talk to the people who will propel you forward. Decide if you’d rather follow, or create the path others follow.