Class of 2023 celebrates excellence and new beginnings

Nearly 500 graduates representing the College of Liberal Arts, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, College of Law, Pacific Northwest College of Art, and the School of Computing and Information Sciences commemorated their accomplishments at the May 21, 2023, Commencement ceremony.

After exchanging heartfelt embraces and capturing cherished memories with their families, the new alumni bid farewell to their classmates, marking the official end of their time on campus and the beginning of their next chapter.

Following tradition, each college ceremony featured student speakers, an invocation led by the chaplains, and recognition of emeriti faculty. Commencement speakers shared career advice and stories of personal growth, leaving a lasting impact on the graduates.

The Class of 2023 now stands on the threshold of boundless opportunities, carrying their experiences at Willamette and a memorable commencement ceremony that celebrated their accomplishments and affirmed their dedication to shaping a brighter future.

Commencement speakers captivated graduates with invaluable guidance  infused with humor and humility.

Atkinson Graduate School of Management Ceremony

Tim Boyle, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Sportswear, was the commencement speaker for the Atkinson Graduate School of Management and the Glen L. Jackson Leadership Awardee. Boyle received the award for demonstrating leadership, integrity, and a sense of civic responsibility to the state and fellow Oregonians in advancing entrepreneurial ideals and values.

Boyle offered words of encouragement during his commencement address and surprised AGSM with a donation of $25,000 to replace chairs in one of the classrooms after learning from MBA students that it was the one thing they would change about their experience in the program.

College of Law Ceremony

The Honorable Erin Lagesen JD’00, Oregon Court of Appeals Presiding Judge encouraged College of Law graduates to be a “maker” in their profession. “Because criticizing is easy, it can be easy to get stuck in tear-down mode. Getting stuck in that mode can make you a little less human. All of which can make it harder for the law to perform its necessary function of helping us live together. It's hard to have confidence in destruction. For the law to best serve humans, the people practicing it must aim to be humans at their best.”

Salem Undergraduate Ceremony

Retired Oregon State Senator Margaret Carter was the commencement speaker at Willamette University's Salem undergraduate commencement ceremony, where she also received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service. During her speech, Carter told the graduates about the importance of service, referencing Willamette's motto, "not unto ourselves alone are we born." "Along with laughter, another way to strengthen your heart is to reach down and lift people up. You are blessed with a degree from one of America’s outstanding universities—a university with the motto “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.” My hope is that whatever path you choose in life, part of your mission will be to turn those words into action. To give back. To volunteer. To share your time and talents with organizations that make our communities better. And, perhaps, as so many Willamette graduates have done before you, to serve in elective office."

Pacific Northwest College of Art Ceremony

Ophir El-Boher, sustainable designer, artist, and fashion leader, inspired students with her remarks that helped graduates see themselves as a global community of makers and leaders--particularly about how their creative work is part of a cycle of care for other artists, community, and planet. El-Boher referenced her time as a student in the Collaborative Design/Design Systems program and that her time at PNCA had shaped her way of seeing the world and her commitment to being part of an ecology of care and humanity.

By the numbers

Atkinson Graduate School of Management

Awarded degrees to 44 students

• 43 Master of Business Administration for Business Government and Not-for-Profit Management, 22 of which were BA or BS/MBA and 2 were JD/MBA.
• MBA for Professionals Program:
  • 1 Master of Business Administration
    • 43 Master of Business Administration degrees were awarded in August 2022 and January 2023

College of Arts and Sciences

Awarded degrees to 259 students

• 210 Bachelor of Arts, 1 of which was BA/MBA
• 55 Bachelor of Science
• 6 students earned a BA or BS from the College of Arts and Sciences and a BS from the Committee of Studies

Committee of Studies

Awarded degrees to 13 students

• 12 Bachelor of Science
  
  • 6 students earned a BA or BS from the College of Arts and Sciences and a BS from the Committee of Studies
• 1 Master of Science
  • 10 Master of Science degrees were awarded in August 2022

College of Law

Awarded degrees to 84 students

• 82 Doctor of Jurisprudence, 3 of which were BA or BS/JD and 2 were JD/MBA
• 1 Master of Laws
• 1 Master of Legal Studies

Pacific Northwest College of Art

Awarded degrees to 80 students

• 48 Bachelor of Fine Arts
• 5 Master of Arts; 3 will also earn a Master of Fine Arts
  • 1 MA was awarded in August 2022
• 30 Master of Fine Arts; 3 will also earn a Master of Arts
  • 2 MFAs were awarded in August 2022
  • 16 MFAs were awarded in October 2022

Willamette Academy

• 27 students, 8 of which will attend Willamette
• 2 Ford Family Scholars
• 11 Academy alumni graduated from WU on Sunday
• WU student staff worked 3,000 + hours in support of Academy students

Emeriti Faculty

College of Arts and Sciences

Emeritus Faculty REBECCA DOBKINS, Professor of Anthropology; Curator of Native American Art – Hallie Ford Museum of Art 27 years of service

Pacific Northwest College of Art

LINDA KLIEWER Associate Professor, and Director of BFA Thesis, Department Head Video + Sound, teaching in Intermedia and Video + Sound – 22 years of service