The celebration for the Class of 2021 combined virtual ceremonies with in-person events for graduates and some guests. CAS departments held individual gatherings across campus while the College of Law and AGSM arranged diploma pickup events.
Willamette honored 291 undergraduate students and featured the much-beloved Chaplain Karen Wood as commencement speaker. Wood, who had for several years given the commencement invocation, joined the class in saying goodbye to the university. She will retire in July after 19 years of service.
The College of Law graduated about 115 students on or after May 16 and featured speaker Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne C. Nelson, who in 2018 became the first Black person to sit on the state’s highest court and on any appellate state court.
AGSM recognized 86 graduates and five others who received their Certificate in Data Science. Their ceremony featured CEO of Abom Optics Jim Fitzhenry MBA/JD’81.
Willamette Academy celebrated its largest class ever — 30 graduates — and nine have committed to attending Willamette University this fall. Willamette graduate Raymond White '12, who works in information services at Salem Health, gave the keynote address.
Emeriti Faculty
AGSM
Professor of Management and Global Human Resources Lisbeth Claus — 18 years of service
Professor of Marketing Elliot Maltz — 22 years of service
Professor of Psychology Jim Friedrich — 29 years of service
Professor of Psychology Sue Koger — 28 years of service
Professor of Economics Don Negri — 31 years of service
Professor of Spanish Patricia Varas — 29 years of service
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Xijuan Zhou — 24 years of service
Photo galleries and video recordings
The online ceremonies for the colleges have been recorded and are currently being edited. They will be posted online, likely on Willamette's YouTube channel, when they are completed. Check the Commencement webpage for updates.
Event photos are available for free download online. Here are a few images from the weekend's festivities.
Graduates and faculty from the Department of Women's and Gender Studies celebrate at Ford Hall.
Chaplain Karen Wood delivers the College of Arts & Sciences' Commencement address.Anna Hope MBA’21 is hooded via livestream during the Willamette MBA ceremony as staff members work behind the screen to remotely feature all the graduates. Graduating Class Speaker Lizbeth Gonzalez Gabriel, McKay High School, addresses Willamette Academy's Class of 2021.Meghan Graf JD'21 is celebrated by a group Willamette Law faculty and staff during the diploma pickup event outside the College of Law. Professor of Computer Science Haiyan Cheng hands a diploma to Zachary Haroian '21 MS'21.Cameron Taggesell '21 speaks at the Department of Physics celebration.Amber Yonamine JD'21 bumps elbows with College of Law Dean Brian Gallini.Will Fruhwirth MBA'20, a fall graduate of the MBA for Professionals program, receives a diploma from Atkinson Graduate School of Management Dean Mike Hand.Willamette Academy graduates celebrate with staff members. From left: Benicio Patterson, Adrian Bernal, Academy Executive Director Emilio Solano, Leslie Garfias Arreola, Academy Program Director Delia Olmos-Garcia, Jazmin Morales and Fatima Villa.Willamette MBA graduates watch the livestream of their commencement ceremony on Zoom. Bailey Joell Wright '21 poses for a portrait in front of the Star Trees with Department of Studio Art faculty members (from left) Chelsea Couch, Cayla Skillin-Brauchle and Alexandra Opie.Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne C. Nelson delivers the College of Law Commencement address.President Steve Thorsett addresses the viewers of the virtual Willamette MBA celebration as staff technicians broadcast the interactive event live. Graduate Courtney Chun '21, Chinese studies and biology, receives a gift bag and kudos at a departmental celebration. Keynote Speaker Raymond White '12 addresses Willamette Academy graduates.Alexander Vasquez '21 is congratulated by Professor of Politics, Policy, Law & Ethics David Gutterman. Jim Fitzhenry MBA/JD ’81 addresses Willamette MBA graduates.Sociology graduate Micah Fleming '21 speaks at the departmental celebration. Ryan Whithorn '21 MBA'22 acknowledges his mother via the Zoom livestream when his name is read during the College of Arts & Sciences celebration.Willamette Academy and Willamette University graduate Rebeca Lopez '19 delivers the alumni message at the Willamette Academy ceremony.Professor Amandou Fofana poses with graduates from the Department of French and Francophone Studies. Associate Professor of Quantitative Methods Robert Walker (left) and Associate Professor of Accounting Romana Autrey (right) place a hood on graduate Tommy MacDevitt '20 MBA'21.Mark Seepe JD'21 receives a diploma and enthusiastic congratulations from the Willamette Law faculty and staff at the diploma pickup event. Thank you, staff volunteers and technicians, who worked tirelessly to make the weekend's various events and livestreams a reality.
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