Mission, Motto & History | About Willamette University

Our History

Willamette University’s story is intertwined with the development of the historic Oregon Territory. We educated the Pacific Northwest’s first leaders, lawyers, doctors, artists, and businesspeople. Downtown Salem encompasses much of our original campus and the state Capitol grew up around Willamette. Founded on principles of community engagement, our history continues to shape our programs and campus experience.

Milestones

Over its 180+ years, Willamette University has grown in both its footprint and in its offerings and impact. Here are few key milestones:

1834—Jason Lee, university founder, arrives in Oregon Territory
1842—officially opens as the Oregon Institute
1853—charter granted for “Wallamet University”
1867—Waller Hall (then called University Hall) opens
1870—first official use of current spelling, Willamette
1883—law school established
1942—star trees planted in honor of centennial, a gift from that year’s class
1997—lighting of the star trees tradition established
2005—during Founders Day, Willamette and regional tribes held a Ceremony of Renewal to acknowledge the university’s Indian mission legacy
2008—Willamette acquires 305 acres of diverse and historically significant land; known as Willamette University at Zena, this place is a real-life learning lab
2009—Ford Hall opens
2013—construction of Sparks Athletics Center enhancements begins
2021—Portland-based Pacific Northwest College of Arts merges with Willamette
2023—School of Computing and Information Sciences created

Read Willamette's History Visit University Archives

Acknowledging Our Past

Founded by frontier-bound missionaries, Willamette University has a responsibility to speak honestly about its beginnings.

Read Land Acknowledgement

Learn About Diversity at Willamette

Willamette University's Eaton Hall as seen from below, a red brick building surrounded by trees with orange leaves

FOUNDATION FOR OUR FUTURE

"Every day, I come to work in a building whose cornerstone was laid nearly 160 years ago, a physical reminder of the durability of this institution."

Stephen E. Thorsett

President

Our Mission

Through nationally distinctive programs connecting liberal education to professional practice, Willamette University prepares graduates to turn knowledge into action and lead lives of achievement, contribution, and meaning.

Willamette Professor David Craig leads a class.

Our Motto

Non nobis solum nati sumus—Not unto ourselves alone are we born. You may not immediately understand its full meaning right away, but its meaning will continue to grow and become a part of who you are. Our alumni embody the ideas and ideals of these words and hold them close long after graduation.

Willamette alumni make a difference in Salem, across Oregon, and around the world.

Notable Alumni

Among our most notable alumni is Emily J. York, the first graduate of Willamette University in 1859. Others include:

Mark Hatfield ’43 — former U.S. senator and Oregon governor
Dale Mortensen ’61 — 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences
Norma Paulus ’62 — former Oregon Secretary of State and first woman elected to state-wide public office
Jim Cuno ’73 — past president/CEO of The J. Paul Getty Trust
Jay Inslee JD ’76 — Washington governor
Lisa Murkowski JD ’85 — U.S senator for Alaska (and first female to hold the position)
Liz Heaston ’89 — first female to score in a college football game
Nick Symmonds ’06 — U.S. Olympic runner
Punit Renjen MBA '86 — Global CEO Emeritus of Deloitte

Student & Alumni Achievements

We’re proud of our high-performing, research-driven students and young alumni who’ve earned these prestigious national awards:

25 Fulbright Scholars
13 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
13 Gilman International Scholarships
Four Goldwater Scholarships
Three Truman Scholarships
Two Udall Scholarships

Our Traditions

Traditions literally run through our campus. Take Mill Stream, for example. (Trust us. You should avoid it on your birthday. Instead, stop by the president’s office for a piece of cake.) The opening and closing of each academic year are marked by special events, with plenty of fun in between.

Discover Our Campus Traditions

Candle lighting ceremony takes place every year at matriculation to welcome new students.

Pride in Leadership

Stephen E. Thorsett is the 20th president of Willamette University. Together, he and the Board of Trustees set the strategic direction for the university—and are supported by a team of vice presidents and deans from across campus. The lasting impact of our past leaders is evident on campus, from new programs to named buildings.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Willamette President Stephen E. Thorsett stands in front of a lectern next to an

Inspired by our surroundings and emboldened by the future, we continue to evolve our academic and student experiences.

As always done at Willamette, preparing students to tackle our times’ most pressing challenges—and equipping them with the most in-demand skills and knowledge. In the 2020s, that means focusing on big data, climate change and democracy in action.