Editor’s Note: Over the course of their time on campus, each student comes to a unique understanding of what the Willamette University motto — “Not unto ourselves alone are we born” — means to them. Our rich campus community and the strong relationships students find here are a defining part of our culture and what sets us apart. We asked students to share their thoughts on how they understand the motto and their stories of how they came to belong at Willamette.
My first days in Salem and at Willamette started with some required events I didn’t always want to go to — but they turned out to be surprisingly beneficial. Not because I met anyone or particularly loved the activities, but because they set an expectation: get out of your dorm, interact with people, and engage with the community. Combined with a good attitude, you can go a long way. That small step set a foundation that has served me well during my time at Willamette.
I’m a rising senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business. I come from a small town in Nebraska — home of the invention of Kool-Aid. (You’re welcome). Leaving home and the state I love, even temporarily, meant betting on myself that I'd find a new community, a new routine, and a new sense of belonging. In hindsight it seems obvious I'd figure it out, but at the time it was not an easy choice.When I first sat down to write this, I struggled to pinpoint exactly why I feel so welcomed here. But after some reflection, I realized that belonging at Willamette is no different than belonging anywhere else. It’s built in small moments — when someone notices you, helps you, or values what you bring. Or, even better, when you do that for someone else. Over time, those moments accumulate into a true sense of belonging.
This idea connects closely with the Willamette motto: “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.” Cicero reminds us that life isn’t about “me, me, me.” It’s about what you can do for others. A fulfilling life is a life of serving others. That service doesn’t have to be complicated: say hi to someone, smile, check in on friends, or ask how their day is going. Even small gestures accumulate into something meaningful. On a bigger scale, take initiative: if a professor is doing research that interests you, reach out. If a club or organization sparks your curiosity, join in.
One of my favorite Willamette moments happened during Thanksgiving break of my freshman year at Denver International Airport. After a week in cold Nebraska, I spotted a man and his son in a Willamette hoodie. I asked if he was an alum — turns out he was Kelley Strawn, then Assistant Provost and now Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Coincidentally, we all sat next to each other on the plane, and they offered me a ride back to Salem.
I love this story not just because it’s serendipitous, but because Kelley has become one of my closest mentors and biggest supporters at Willamette. I consistently go to him when I need advice or want to shoot the breeze, and he consistently delivers. That initial encounter at the airport evolved into regular lunches at Goudy, conversations about life, academics, and career, and a sense that I truly belonged.
The Willamette community makes an internship possible
Another moment of belonging came at the end of my freshman year. I didn’t have any internships lined up for the summer. During the last month of school, I participated in a service project picking up litter at a park near Bush Elementary. While doing so, I met a man walking his dog. After talking about my project and my studies, I learned he was the executive director of a state agency in Oregon. That brief conversation turned into an incredible summer internship doing meaningful work for the people of Oregon — a summer I would have otherwise spent back home in Nebraska.
What truly made this experience a moment of belonging, however, was the support I received from Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement Tommy Van Cleave. He helped me secure an apartment near campus and even gave me a place to work at the University Center when the internship required remote work. Tommy’s guidance, encouragement, and belief in me made me feel seen, valued, and like I truly belonged at Willamette. That experience showed me how small acts of support from others can transform an opportunity into a place where you feel at home and part of a community.
What I’ve realized is that belonging takes time. I didn’t feel it immediately. Belonging, like anything meaningful, takes time and effort. But by showing curiosity, being approachable, and taking initiative, you create opportunities to be seen, valued, and connected. Belonging happens at the friendship level, in mentorship, and in the communities you engage with. It grows when you actively participate and invest in relationships.
Willamette — and more importantly, the people who make up the university — has taken chances on me, and I am incredibly grateful. Whether it’s a professor, administrator, or peer, the individuals here have shaped my experience through their willingness to listen, support, and uplift.
So my advice to my fellow and future Willamette students: embrace curiosity. Go to the events you don’t feel like going to but you know you should, ask questions, smile at someone new, and reach out to professors or peers who inspire you. When you need help, let others know. Take the small steps that build connections. Over time, these moments will accumulate into belonging, meaning, and a fulfilling time of service — exactly what the Willamette motto calls us to.
Welcome to Willamette University.
