Time-honored traditions that shape the Willamette experience
Planted in 1942, Willamette's iconic five giant Sequoias are the tallest of their kind on any university campus in the U.S. Step into the center of the grove, look up, and you’ll see the sky form a perfect star. Legend has it that if you share a kiss beneath the starry canopy, you might just find your forever. Don't miss the annual Star Tree Lighting ceremony in December, a cherished campus event that kicks off the holiday season.
Willamette’s undergraduates begin their college journeys with a powerful tradition. During the Matriculation ceremony, students float candles down the Mill Stream, symbolizing the start of their unique and diverse paths at Willamette. The glowing points of light serve as a reminder that though every journey is personal, they are all interconnected within the Willamette community.
At the Pacific Northwest College of Art, first-year students take sustainability to the runway. As part of their curriculum, they create striking garments made entirely from recycled cardboard. The project culminates in a fashion show that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of PNCA students, a unique start to their creative journeys.
The picturesque Mill Stream flows through the heart of campus, making it the perfect spot to study, relax, or gather with friends on sunny days. Beware of your birthday, though! It’s tradition for students to toss their friends into the stream to celebrate, making it a place of both serenity and playful memory.
A staple of campus life in Salem, the student-run Bistro serves up coffee, snacks, and a cozy space for students to study or socialize. From picking up a latté before class to catching a poetry reading at open mic night, the Bistro is a Willamette favorite. It’s a hub for community, conversation, and creativity.
Outside Hatfield Library, embedded in Jackson Plaza, you’ll find Willamette’s official bronze seal. While it’s a beloved campus landmark, be careful not to step on it! Campus lore says misstepping on the seal could cost you dearly—failing a class is the rumored consequence.
Every spring, undergraduate classes in Salem are canceled for Student Scholarship Recognition Day, a campus-wide celebration of academic achievement. Students present their research, creative projects, and scholarly work, and the campus community turns out to support them, filling lecture halls and classrooms with applause.
When finals week hits, Willamette students can count on a campus favorite: Midnight Breakfast. Professors and staff step behind the counter to serve up breakfast classics like eggs and pancakes as a much-needed late-night study break. It’s a celebration of community and support as students prepare for their exams.
Willamette MBA students celebrate the end of the academic year with a splash—literally! The Brownwater Regatta is an annual tradition that sees students and faculty tubing down the Mill Stream, marking the end of the school year with fun and camaraderie.
Each spring, students, faculty, and administrators at the College of Law put on their finest for the Barrister’s Ball. This formal event is a chance for everyone to unwind after midterms, with an evening of food, music, and dancing.
