Meet Our Ambassadors

The Willamette Ambassadors are current students who lead campus tours, assist at events such as Cardinal & Gold Day and Bearcat Day, and love sharing their experiences with future Bearcats. Check out more about what they are studying and involved with on campus.

  • Image of Alfie Aston ’27 (he/him)

    Alfie Aston ’27 (he/him)

    Hometown: York, England
    Major: Environmental Science
    Involvement: Dempsey Scholarship Recipient, Outdoor Program
    Why WU? Willamette stood out to me during my application process, no other college (even those back in the UK) were as nice or helpful.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Nutria
  • Image of Brooke Austin ’27 (she/her)

    Brooke Austin ’27 (she/her)

    Hometown: Austin, TX
    Major: Undecided
    Involvement: The Collegian; Womxn’s Rugby Team; KWU Radio
    Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the support provided by the staff and the tight knit community.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
  • Image of Safia Bethune ’27 (she/her)

    Safia Bethune ’27 (she/her)

    Hometown: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
    Major: Psychology and Public Health
    Involvement: Willamette Dance Company; Bearcat Chat; JED Campus Student-Faculty Taskforce
    Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the kindness and willingness to reach out that all of the counselors and students showed me. I truly felt like I belonged here from the moment I stepped onto campus.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Baby Nutria
  • Image of Lily Blair ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Harleen Brar ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Hazel Chu Lant ’24 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Laura Cady ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Emilee Cirbo ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Teya Fukuhara ’27 (she/they)

    Teya Fukuhara ’27 (she/they)

    Hometown: Centennial, CO
    Major: Environmental Science
    Minors: Creative Writing and Biology
    Involvement: Blitz Handler Team; WU Growing Oaks Club; Music Scholarship Recipient; Voce Ensemble
    Why WU? I chose Willamette because the professors are very passionate and there is a really good career development office! I also like the large Japanese/Japanese American community.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
  • Image of Joel Garcia-Peña ’26 (he/him)

    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
  • Image of Derec Gregory ’27 (he/him)

    Derec Gregory ’27 (he/him)

    Hometown: Sherwood, OR
    Major: Data Science
    Minor: Music
    Involvement: Chamber Choir; Willamette Singers; Headband A Cappella; Tandem A Cappella.
    Why WU? I chose Willamette because of the individualized education as well as vast music and theater related opportunities.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
  • Image of Will Grenawalt ’26 (he/him)

    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
  • Image of Emilia Hahn (she/her) ’26

    Emilia Hahn (she/her) ’26

    Hometown: Eagle, ID
    Major: Civic Communications and Media
    Minor: Graphic Design
    Involvement: Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
    Why WU? I chose Willamette because I knew I wanted to go to Oregon for school and fell in love with the small campus experience.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Ducks
  • Image of Reese Hamilton ’24 (he/him)

    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
  • Image of Aggie Hunziker ’27 (she/her)

    Aggie Hunziker ’27 (she/her)

    Hometown: Kahului, HI
    Major: Politics, Policy, Law, and Ethics
    Involvement: Member of Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU) Senate; Restorative Justice Coalition; Tiger Club; Alpha Phi Sorority
    Why WU? I joined for the 3+3 law program, the internship opportunities at the state capitol, the beautiful campus, and the teacher to student ratio.
    Favorite Campus Animal: Squirrels
  • Image of Emily Huynh ’25 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Jordyn Johnson ’24 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Natalie Klett ’24 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Grace Kline ’25 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Julia Koorn ’24 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Sam Krug ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Will LaDuca ’26 (he/him)

    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
  • Image of Sage Lamott ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Ava Merritt ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Seira Ramchandani ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Maggie Ramos ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Lehiwahiwa Ritte ’25 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Annemarie Roth ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Kyrsten Smith ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Courtney St.Onge ’26 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of Jack Shostrom ‘26 (he/him)

    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
  • Image of Catherine Treadwell ’25 (she/her)

    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
  • Image of McKenna Turner ’24 (they/them)

    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
  • Image of Charlie Wiebe ’25 (he/him)

    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
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

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