Tour Willamette University
Explore the First University in the West in Salem Oregon
This Oregon liberal arts school offers excellent academic programs, with successful athletic endeavors and an emphasis on volunteering, echoing its pioneer heritage.
The "First University in the West"
Willamette University is located in Salem, Oregon just across the street from The Oregon Capitol. Willamette University prides itself in being the “First University in the West” as it was founded in 1842. Methodist missionary Jason Lee founded the school as a place to educate the early Oregon settlers. Based in pioneer heritage, the school was founded before most of the region was planned and structured. Willamette University, then known as the Oregon Institute, educated many of the early Northwest leaders for developing states like Idaho, Montana and Washington. The first legislature session in Salem was held at the original university building.
Today the original buildings of the university are still used as classrooms and residence halls for university students. The Art Building dates back to 1905 and was originally used as Willamette’s Medical School. Gatke Hall, originally the Salem Post Office, was built in 1908. The hall housed the College of Law until the new Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center, named for the university’s famed professor and historian, was finished in 1967. Dedicated to one of the most notable Willamette alumni, Senator Mark O. Hatfield, the 63,000 sq ft library houses the Hatfield Archives and contains valuable memorabilia from the senator’s time in office. The library includes a 24-hour study room for students and other services. The Theatre Playhouse, built in 1923 after the original theatre burned down, houses the Department of Theatre.
Academics at Willamette
Willamette University offers a diversity of liberal arts undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university boasts an 11-1 student-to-faculty ratio, proving that smaller size is valuable to students. The 1,800 undergraduates study for degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, Law, or Education. Programs in the College of Liberal Arts include music, art history, economics, biology, French, history, sociology, theatre and many more. Law students have the unique opportunity to watch lawmaking and Oregon’s legislature in action daily, as The Oregon Capitol Building lies on the edge of Willamette’s campus. Graduate programs include degrees in law, business or education. The Atkinson Graduate School of Management excels in producing successful MBA graduates.
Willamette University’s motto “Not Unto Ourselves Alone Are We Born” can be seen living within its students. The university emphasizes study abroad, volunteering and excellence throughout the community. Students from Willamette were some of the first volunteers to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. Willamette students are quick to respond to community needs, volunteering for programs such as Habitat for Humanity.
Go Bearcats!
Although Willamette University may be considered a small college, its successful athletic program boasts pride in teamwork and valuable practice. Willamette’s Division III athletes compete in 12 sports including baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. The Willamette Bearcat teams play hard, no matter how small the crowd, priding themselves on excellence.
