Not Unto Ourselves Alone
One of the joys of my spring is traveling up and down the West Coast meeting hundreds of potential Bearcats and their families. Almost 400 admitted students and more than 600 family members attended events in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose, and joining me this year were the real stars of the show — a group of current Bearcat students from each area we visited. Our application pool this year was particularly strong, so students we met had been admitted to the very best schools in the country. Beyond the typical questions about our academic programs, the quality of food in Goudy and life on campus, they wanted to know what sets Willamette apart from the many other schools bombarding them with beautiful brochures and emails. They’d clearly done their research. They already knew that our students are highly engaged — in the classroom, through campus activities and in the wider community. They picked up on our distinct culture that not only encourages civic engagement but celebrates it. Nearly every college touts its efforts to engender social justice, but our commitment to others and society runs deeper — it is embedded in the warp and weave of our culture. And Bearcats define civic engagement in different and often deeply personal ways. Students volunteer tens of thousands of hours each year, go “Into the Streets” during MLK week and participate in efforts like the Take a Break alternative spring break program, giving up free time to address environmental or societal issues. In recognition of that depth of commitment, Willamette was featured on the Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in three areas in 2014: quality of education, economic opportunity and general community service. It isn’t only our students. Faculty lend their expertise to drafting new public policy regulations and legislation. Alumni disproportionally serve their communities as teachers, police officers, activists, lawyers, local government officials and much more.
Together, their actions, contributions and impact lead to true progress in communities near and far. Non nobis solum nati sumus, indeed. Willamette’s historic connection with the seat of civic life in Oregon undoubtedly spurs some of these efforts. Faculty in all our schools and academic programs take full advantage of this unique opportunity for learning, application and collaboration in public policy and service. Just as often as you see a legislator or state official eat in Goudy Commons, you also see a student trek across the street to the Capitol for an internship or class project. Opportunities to make important and enduring change in the world seem proximate and achievable here. The challenge is figuring out where to begin. Through teaching, learning and mentoring — by faculty, but also with the help of dedicated alumni and friends — Willamette provides our students an outstanding place to start. On May 17, our new group of graduates prepared to take the next step. With their proud families looking on, they filed into the commencement tent on the Quad. As they headed out into the world, we reminded them what it means to live our university’s motto — and to define civic engagement through their lives and careers. Since they’re now Willamette alumni, I’m confident they’re already well on their way.
Stephen E. Thorsett President
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
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