Lily Blair ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Healdsburg, CA
Major: English
Involvement: Queer/Trans People of Color (QTPOC)
Why WU? I chose WU because I loved the tight-knit community and personalized experience it provided.
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Harleen Brar ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Molalla, OR
Majors: Civic Communication and Media; Data Science
Minor: Music
Involvement: Co-President, South Asian Student Union; Asian Coalition for Equality; Willamette Dance Company
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the strong emphasis on community and support from professors.
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
Hazel Chu Lant ’24 (she/her)
Hometown: Lake Oswego, OR
Major: International Studies
Minor: Economics
Involvement: Operations Intern, Office of Admission; French Tutor; Sexual Assault Response Advocate (SARA)
Why WU? I chose Willamette because it kept me close to family and offered small class sizes.
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducklings
Laura Cady ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Major: Biology
Involvement: Vice President of Social Media and Marketing, Alpha Phi Sorority
Why WU? I chose Willamette for the sense of community and advancement opportunities!
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Emilee Cirbo ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Centennial, CO
Majors: Archaeology; Art History
Involvement: Intern, Hallie Ford Museum of Art; Archaeology Club; Fabric, Yarn and Textiles Club; Opening Days Leader
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the opportunities (Access to Excellence, Book Drives, Career Development, and more) offered for first generation students, like myself!
Favorite Campus Animal: Raccoons
Joel Garcia-Peña ’26 (he/him)
Hometown: Rio Grande Valley, TX
Major: Exercise & Health Science
Involvement: Kappa Sigma Fraternity; Public Health Club.
Why WU? I chose Willamette because it has a unique social-work balance that works so well for me!
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Will Grenawalt ’26 (he/him)
Hometown: Denver, CO
Major: Biology
Involvement: Frisbee Club; Soccer Club; Willamette Emergency Medical Services (WEMS)
Why WU? I was drawn to the academics of the school based on the “Colleges That Change Lives” book. I also had the most genuine admissions experience with Willamette staff, and they truly helped me feel welcome.
Favorite Campus Animal: Neil the Chemistry Corgi
Reese Hamilton ’24 (he/him)
Hometown: Lopez Island, WA
Majors: Economics; 3+1 Masters of Science in Data Science
Involvement: Basketball Club; Opening Days Leader; Sigma Chi Fraternity
Why WU? I chose WU because I loved the vibe of a small school and the way I could personalize my education the way I want, as well as all of the extra-curricular opportunities Willamette provides.
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
Emily Huynh ’25 (she/her)
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Major: Civic Communication and Media
Involvement: Social Media Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Admission; Asian Coalition for Equality; Choice Action Team; Opening Days Leader
Why WU? I was interested in the 3+2 MBA program and I liked the idea of small class sizes.
Favorite Campus Animal: Raccoon
Jordyn Johnson ’24 (she/her)
Hometown: Winslow, AZ
Major: Economics
Minor: Business
Involvement: Softball
Why WU? I chose WU because I play softball here! I never got to visit because of Covid, so I went in not knowing exactly what to expect, but I was sold by the size of the school and the class sizes!
Favorite Campus Animal: Walter the Corgi
Natalie Klett ’24 (she/her)
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Major: Studio Art
Involvement: Team Engagement Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Admission; Community Service Learning; Opening Days Leader; Poetry Club
Why WU? I chose WU for the sense of community support and beautiful art opportunities!
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducklings
Grace Kline ’25 (she/her)
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Major: Global Cultural Studies
Minor: Art History
Involvement: Co-President, Fabric, Yarn & Textile Club; Willamette Rugby Football Club
Why WU? I chose Willamette because the students I talked to were so welcoming and kind so it felt like a community where I could see myself belonging. I also love the academic and study abroad options!
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Julia Koorn ’24 (she/her)
Hometown: Purmerend, The Netherlands
Majors: Biology; Environmental Science
Involvement: Office of International Education; Softball
Why WU? I chose a school where I wanted to be more than a number, somewhere where I could make lifelong connections with both peers and professors!
Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrels
Sam Krug ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA
Major: Psychology
Involvement: Restorative Justice Club
Why WU? I was interested in a small liberal arts school and I felt like I belonged on this campus when I attended Bearcat Days.
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
Will LaDuca ’26 (he/him)
Hometown: Salem, OR
Major: Economics; Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics
Minor: Spanish
Involvement: Debate Union; Moot Court Team; Special Olympics Swim Coach; Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC); Swim Team
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the community and its proximity to the capitol.
Favorite Campus Animal: Crows
Sage Lamott ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Major: English
Minor: Environmental Science
Involvement: Alpha Phi Sorority; The Collegian; Volleyball Club
Why WU? I chose to go here because Willamette immediately felt like a creative and welcoming community.
Favorite Campus Animal: The Raccoon by Lausanne Hall
Ava Merritt ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Boise, ID
Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry Track)
Minor: Biology
Involvement: TA, Chemistry; Queer Student Union
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the STEM Program.
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
Amanda Padgett ’25 (she/her)
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Major: Policy, Politics, Law, and Ethics
Minor: Women and Gender Studies
Involvement: Colloquium Associate; Debate Union; Sexual Assault Response Advocate (SARA)
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the location and passionate community.
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Seira Ramchandani ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Kobe, Japan
Major: Data Science
Involvement: Executive Team, Willamette Dance Company; Language in Motion volunteer
Why WU? I chose Willamette because it’s a small liberal arts school that has a unique data science program and close connections with professors!
Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrels
Maggie Ramos ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Majors: Music; Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics
Involvement: Academic Support and Programming Assistant, College Track at Willamette Academy; Secretary, Student Theatre Arts Group for Equity (STAGE), Sunshine Chair, VOCE (treble choir); Choreographer, Willamette Dance Company; Black Student Union; Pro Immigrant Rights Student Union (PIRSU)
Why WU? I chose Willamette because they gave me the flexibility, support, and mentorship to pursue my two (very different) passions in Politics and Music.
Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrel
Lehiwahiwa Ritte ’25 (she/her)
Hometown: Moloka’i, HI
Major: Archaeology
Involvement: Archaeology Club; Hawai’i Club; Outdoor Programs.
Why WU? I chose WU because I love the community and environment here.
Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
Annemarie Roth ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Majors: Exercise & Health Science; Public Health
Minors: Biology; Chemistry
Involvement: Alpha Phi Sorority; Biology Club; Pre-Health Club; Soccer Club.
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the atmosphere on campus and the professors.
Favorite Campus Animal: Blitz the Bearcat
Kyrsten Smith ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Condon, OR
Majors: Chemistry (Biochemistry Track); Sociology
Involvement: Chemistry Tutor; POI Club; Resident Advisor; Volleyball Club
Why WU? I loved seeing the close student-professor relationships on my campus tour. There was also the Mill Stream, which made me feel at home.
Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrel
Courtney St.Onge ’26 (she/her)
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
Majors: Computer Science; Data Science
Minor: Global Cultural Studies
Involvement: Executive Board, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority; Black Student Union; Chamber Choir; Headband (a capella)
Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the academic and musical opportunities and the community.
Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrels or crows
Jack Shostrom ‘26 (he/him)
Hometown: Ashland, OR
Major: Undecided
Involvement: Asian Coalition for Equality; Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Intramural Sports; Opening Days Leader; Volleyball Club
Why WU? I chose WU because of the community and nature that surrounds campus.
Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrel
Catherine Treadwell ’25 (she/her)
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Major: Civic Communication and Media
Minors: Asian Studies; Music
Involvement: Gender Resource and Advocacy Center; Radio Club; Residence Life; Willamette Jazz Collective
Why WU? I chose WU because of the small class sizes and student to faculty ratio. Also, its location and proximity to Portland were great!
Favorite Campus Animal: Blitz the Bearcat
McKenna Turner ’24 (they/them)
Hometown: Junction City, OR
Majors: Global Cultural Studies; Philosophy; Public Health
Involvement: Blitz the Bearcat Coordinator; Colloquium Associate; Opening Days Leader; Tennis Team
Why WU? I wanted a small PNW university that was close to home. I absolutely loved the great energy I experienced on a tour I was given and fell in love with the campus.
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Charlie Wiebe ’25 (he/him)
Hometown: Takoma Park, MD
Major: Data Science
Minor: Biology
Involvement: Intramural Sports; Outdoor Program
Why WU? I chose WU because of how intimate the academic experience is. Professors are passionate about what they teach, prioritize students over their own personal careers, and are so easy to approach and become close with. Also, Oregon is gorgeous!
Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
Meet Our Ambassadors
Willamette University
Office of Admission
Salem Campus
Address
900 State Street
Salem
Oregon
97301
U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6303 voice
1-844-BEARCAT toll free
503-375-5363 fax
503-375-5383 TDD
Email