Breaking: Willamette announces intent to merge with Pacific University

Waller Hall, which contains the office of President Steve Thorsett, in October of 2024. Photo by Lucy Devlaeminck.

On Dec. 11, students, staff and faculty of Willamette University received a set of emails from university President Steve Thorsett and Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences Kelley Strawn outlining a proposed merger between Willamette University and Pacific University.

The combined school, currently slated to be named “the University of the Northwest,” would include all higher education institutions currently under the umbrella of each university, including the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), which Willamette merged with in 2021, and all offered graduate programs.

According to Thorsett’s email, the universities are presently “at early stages of this project. … Pacific and Willamette leadership teams are working to complete financial and legal due diligence and negotiate a definitive agreement.” As such, both universities are working toward a finalized agreement.

Thorsett said the three institutions would retain their names, athletics and admissions standards, and that “all current academic programs would remain in place.”

Thorsett wrote to WU students, “The most important thing for you to know right now is that you remain a Willamette student and your education and experience at Willamette will continue uninterrupted.”

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. But as a student-run organization, The Collegian is mostly on hiatus for final exams and winter break. We will continue to cover the merger, and what it means for WU, in the future. Have questions about the merger? Email collegian-feedback@willamette.edu or leave a comment below. The Collegian will work to address your question in future coverage.