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Anya Olsson ('24) fully fitted up in her WEMS uniform on Jan. 16, 2026 at Willamette University. Photo by Sofie Szigeti. On late afternoons in Willamette, you may spot a student carrying a giant red backpack and a dark blue uniform shirt. These students are a part of Willamette Emergency Medical Services (WEMS).  Every day of the week, from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., volunteers of hardworking student first responders are ready to take on a call from a student in need of medical assist

Ryan Vickroy (’26) and Lliam Mattingly (’26) duel outside Smith Auditorium on Nov. 17. Photo by Patricia Krepel. Weekly, a group of friends practices sword fighting in the Kaneko Quad, allowing anyone to take a swing. This is not just some regular fighting; it’s HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts).  HEMA is a combat fighting style that originated in the Middle Ages, though its techniques have since faded out of popularity or have evolved into different sword fighting prac

Chicken katsu curry, a popular dish that was served during the Akimatsuri fall festival on Nov. 4. Photo courtesy of JSSL. On Nov. 4, you might’ve noticed a line much longer than usual at Goudy Commons. Maybe you saw the Japanese-inspired decorations on all the tables and walls. That day, Japan Studies Student Leaders (JSSL) hosted Akimatsuri, a fall festival at Goudy serving Japanese foods. The festival celebrates the fall harvest season, and JSSL worked with Goudy and Bon A