All Welcome Messages
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Posted by Laurie Babka, UCSC on October 9, 2011, 10:50 a.m.Hi Steve -- you look well-welcomed up at Willamette!
I want to "personally" introduce Julia Rose Wehe as an incoming freshman at WU
and honorary second cousin of mine. Her grandfather and my father were lifelong best friends. Her parents, Nan and Chet Wehe, are coming to family weekend and I told them to introduce themselves via my name. Julia is charming and will be a credit to the incoming class.
Hope all is well with settling in -- busy I'm sure. Best regards as always, Laurie
Posted by Mary Kiegelis, on October 2, 2011, 8:47 a.m.Hi Steve, Congratulations! One of the ladies from ACP stopped by the store and I asked how you were doing. She told me that you were no longer at PBSci. I was sorry for UC but am thrilled for you. You have certainly found your niche. Please give my best to Rachel. I wish both of you the very best and many wonderful years at Willamette University.
Mary
Posted by Aidan Coffino 2012, on July 30, 2011, 10:45 a.m.Welcome and congratulations on your appointment. I hope you enjoy a smooth transition to the Northwest and the Willamette community. I am hopeful your leadership will assist the university as it attempts to maintain itself as an able-bodied provider for a well-rounded and fruitful education. As I begin my final year at Willamette I would like to see our new president be mindful of the lived student experience, the university motto, and its commitment to a just and diverse community. Often times these are forgotten. I believe it to be the responsibility for the institution to engage in a dialogue that is supportive of an ethnically diverse community. I am confident that your tenure here at Willamette University will not only be a successful one but also one that will enable a system of accountability and visibility between the institution and the student. If we wish to contribute to something meaningful and sustainable then it becomes imperative to own the potential for our knowledge to right the wrongs and reverse the injustices we ourselves contribute to. I believe that Willamette University provides each of its students with a specific lens to view the world. And if we do not embrace the intersections of these epistemologies then we fail to meet our responsibility to build a better future not only for the individual but also for the community.
This place is filled to the brim with excited and passionate young people. We must assist these great and bright minds. Not unto ourselves are we born. More than ever must we highlight this. Again, welcome to Willamette and may your time here be meaningful, enjoyable, and educational. I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Thorsett.
Posted by Freddy Leon '13, on July 6, 2011, 8:11 p.m.Congratulations, President Thorsett! As a student of color I feel blessed with the amount of support that the Office of Multicultural Affairs provided for me my first year at Willamette. It is because of this support that I was able to have a smooth transition into Willamette. I realize too, that there is always room for improvement and I hope that with your support we will be able to move forward in the pursuit of a more collective and inclusive community.
I look forward to meeting you!
Freddy León
Posted by Sarah Tapp December 2011, on July 6, 2011, 5:30 p.m.Welcome to the Willamette Community President Thorsett! My time at Willamette has been a defining part of who I am and I owe much of that to many of my professors and peers, specifically those invested in social justice and equity. These relationships have been some of the most important and significant during my time here. I look forward to seeing and participating in the development of your relationship with the social justice community here at Willamette.
Congratulations and I wish you the best of luck!!
Posted by Kim Sogge CLA '12, on July 1, 2011, 3:30 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett,
I am assured that the search committee made an excellent decision in bringing you into our Willamette community. I look forward to your assistance in continuing discussions of diversity, equity, justice and service. Best of luck and I look forward to meeting you!
Posted by Jonathan Gates CLA '12, on July 1, 2011, 12:04 p.m.Dear President Thorsett,
Welcome back to the Willamette campus community, and congratulations on your appointment. I hope that your leadership will continue the University's support of social justice and commitment to promoting diversity, through both institutional programs like Willamette Academy and student-led initiatives like CAUSA and the Multicultural Peer Mentor program. I look forward to working with you, and seeing where Willamette grows from here.
Posted by Rachel Krow-Boniske 2012, on June 28, 2011, 3:24 p.m.Welcome and congratulations! I´m eager to begin working with you and the rest of the Willamette community as we continue to grow and expand in our strong commitment to social justice. I look forward to meeting you, and am excited for your leadership in supporting the increasingly diverse communities in and around Willamette. Again, congratulations!
Posted by Elizabeth Calixtro '13, CAUSA Chapter President on June 27, 2011, 11:27 a.m.Dear President Thorsett, Congratulations and welcome to the Willamette Community! I would like to let you know that I am excited to see where your leadership will take us. I hope that as the year unfolds you get a chance to meet all the dedicated young men and women at Willamette who are continuously fighting for social justice as well as the supportive and valuable faculty we have. The WU CAUSA Chapter for example, is a social justice group that will work on issues affecting the immigrant community in the state of Oregon. Members of this club are passionate and inspiring students who are eager for justice and equality. As President of the new WU CAUSA Chapter I would like to let you know that you are welcome to come see our work anytime and that we would be greatful to have your support in future projects. Looking forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Calixtro.
Posted by RoseAnn Glade, on June 26, 2011, 8:46 p.m.Welcome to Willamette University Mr. Thorsett! I hope you have all the support you need to make a smooth transition and become an integral part of our community. As a student of color, I feel lucky about the support I've had, and I think this is thanks to the commitment Willamette makes to building a just community. Under your leadership, I'm excited to see how Willamette builds on its values of service, equity, and inclusivity to embody the motto "Not unto ourselves alone are we born".
Posted by Margarita Gutierrez CLA Class 2012, on June 25, 2011, 6:15 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett! Welcome to the Willamette University community! I am looking forward to meeting you and to experience your leadership at our University. I am also eager to work with you as I continue developing my own leadership as a student regarding Willamette's commitment to diversity and social justice. Again, congratulations!
Posted by Angela Fujii CLA '11, on June 23, 2011, 10:18 a.m.Congratulations Dr. Thorsett on your appointment as President of Willamette University. As a recent graduate from the College of Liberal Arts, I hope that you will continue and build on the efforts of your predecessor, President M. Lee Pelton, in regards to support of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of campus community members. Over the four years that I spent on campus, I found my home away from home at Willamette Academy amongst the Academy students, classified staff, and fellow student workers; all of us working together towards the common goal of preparing underrepresented students from middle and high schools in the Salem-Keizer school district to pursue a post-secondary four year education which we were privileged enough to have obtained for ourselves. I also found a family in the people that I met through the organizations that are encompassed by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and particularly the Director, Gordy Toyama, who is tireless and selfless in his individual and collective efforts towards valuing all people as they are. I sincerely hope that you will support these areas of campus and others that encourage understanding between people, broaden our awareness, and seek to positively impact our campus and the world in just ways that make for a better, more vibrant place to live and thrive.
I look forward to the leadership and commitment to social justice that you will bring to this position and I wish you the best during your time here in Salem!
Posted by Luis Guerra CLA'11, Alumnus on June 22, 2011, 10:08 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett! I just graduated from Willamette and feel fully indebted to the university as a whole for providing me with such a well rounded education. I am especially grateful for the professors and faculty who inspired me to do social justice work. With their guidance and support, I was able to start working with CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, as soon as I graduated. I am a first generation college graduate of color and can proudly say that I graduated from one of the best universities in the NW. I would love to see other students of color get the same opportunities that I had during my four years there, while keeping in mind that our resources and support for them can always be improved. I am confident that with your leadership, Willamette will continue to find ways to become more diverse in all regards and strengthen its commitment to social justice.
I wish you the best and gladly accept you into what I consider my Willamette family!
Luis Guerra
Posted by Lucille Muli - Kituku CLA '11, on June 21, 2011, 1:15 p.m.Congratulations Mr. Thorsett and welcome to Willamette University! I am confident that the Board of Trustees made an excellent decision selecting you as the next president of this wonderful institution. I look forward to hearing about your innovation and direction overall, and more specifically with social justice and diversity. As a recent alumni I am thankful for the opportunity I had to attend Willamette. I eagerly anticipate the continued dialog and development of institutional support for our increasingly racial and ethnically diverse campus and Salem community in support of our university's commitment to social justice and equity. Hopefully someday I'll have the honor of meeting you in person!
Congrats again and welcome to Willamette!
Lucille Muli-Kituku
Posted by Jillian Toda BA'12 / MBA'13, on June 20, 2011, 9:33 a.m.Welcome President Thorsett to the Willamette community! I am excited to start the coming year as your leadership continues Willamette's commitment to community, service, social justice, academic excellence, and diversity. Congratulations, and I look forward to meeting you!
Posted by Jackie Leno Grant, Chair, Or Indian Coalition Post Sec Ed on June 7, 2011, 6:17 a.m.Welcome President, Thorsett and congratulations. As Chair for the Oregon Indian Coalition on Post Secondary Education I want to extend our best wishes to you and your family. Willamette University will certainly benefit from your presence here.
Jackie
Posted by Anne Tignanelli, on May 31, 2011, 10:22 a.m.Welcome!! My daughter will be returning as a junior come the fall to W.U. I am sure all the great experiences she had her past 2 years will continue into the next 2 years. You're a great find. Best wishes.
Posted by Scott and Margaret Thomson 1951, Retired on May 28, 2011, 10:41 a.m.As a current neighbor living in Carmel Valley, we
extend a warm welcome to Willamette. I have enjoyed
a successful professional life in public education to
which I attribute my education at Willamette and Stanford. To highlight, I was Superintendent at
the Evanston Township [Illinois] High School District
which was selected by U.S News as the #1 high school in the United States and am now retired as
executive director of the National Association of
Secondary School Principals.
I am an especially strong advocate of a liberal arts
education, both for personal fulfillment and also for
providing a broad view of the human potential and
the sharpening of knowledge to realize that potential.
Every good wish for success as "our" new president!!
Posted by Gordy Toyama, Director: Office of Multicultural Affair on May 25, 2011, 8:27 a.m.Congratulations to our new President and welcome to Willamette University and its people. Your vitae, your message and your proven success leaves many with great hope on continuing the impact WU has had on the communities to which we belong. We are excited to continue this journey with you and look forward to your vision and leadership regarding the support and continued dialog in regards to our diverse racial and ethnic communities, and our university's commitment to social justice and equity.
Welcome to Willamette!
Posted by Stephen Brier, Associate VP for Gift Planning on May 22, 2011, 8:04 a.m.Congratulations on your appointment as Willamette's President. Everything I have heard about you during the past ten days is extraordinary. However, it all pales in comparison to what your father has told me about you during the past few years. I am eager to meet you.
Posted by Rich Hill, on May 19, 2011, 12:43 p.m.I am pleased to offer a sincere welcome to you as Willamette's new president. I am not only a parent of an incoming freshman, but also the son of two Willamette alumni and a graduate of UCSC. I am very impressed with your CV and am confident of your success.
Should you find you need an occasional reminder of Santa Cruz (e.g. Boardwalk taffy or a tie-dye tee shirt) let me know, since I reside in Capitola. Also should you need parent support, I am retired and available to provide service.
Best of Luck,
Rich Hill
Posted by Nora Hill Shigemoto 1980, on May 19, 2011, 11:41 a.m.Welcome back to Willamette! I realize you will receive numerous emails from "old" students who remember your father and his great classes!
Congratulations on becoming our next President. I look forward to the great things you will do for Willamette. I am an alum and I now have two children attending the school! Do you have any great second child discounts? As I tell everyone, our family has been at Willamette for over 100 years and am happy that it is still going strong!
Congrats again, see you in August!
Nora Hill Shigemoto, 1980
Posted by Holli Davenport, Assistant to the Chaplains/Lilly Project on May 19, 2011, 8:11 a.m.I was delighted to read the announcement of your appointment Saturday morning and look forward to working with you. Welcome home!
Posted by Tim Bernasek '93, MBA/JD '98, Alumni Board on May 18, 2011, 3:57 p.m.Welcome back to Willamette. I look forward to meeting you and it sounds like your background is a perfect fit for our great institution. Congratulations.
Posted by Linda Kelly '69, Member Alumni Board on May 18, 2011, 10:50 a.m.President Thorsett,
Welcome back to our amazing Willamette Community. As an alumnus, a parent of two Willamette graduates, a member of the Willamette Alumni Association Board of Directors, and a person who is on campus almost every day of the week, and as a person who grew up spending summers in Swanton, just north of Davenport, with my aunt and uncle and cousins in the Santa Cruz mountains, I look forward to meeting you and getting to know you.
I, too, left Willamette years ago, and I, too, returned to this wonderful environment, thanks to my children, who attended Willamette. It was because of them that we moved back to Salem from California, after our youngest graduated in 2003.
Again, welcome back to our wonderful community.
Linda Kelly
Posted by Arminda Lathrop '03, Director of Corporate and Fdn. Relations on May 17, 2011, 1:57 p.m.Welcome back, Dr. Thorsett. I look forward to working with you.
Arminda
Posted by Richard Lariviere, President, University of Oregon on May 16, 2011, 5:27 p.m.On behalf of the University of Oregon, congratulations and welcome, Dr. Thorsett. I hope we have a chance to meet in the coming months. As a somewhat new Oregon president myself, I think you’re going to love this state. All the best, Richard Lariviere
Posted by Loran Sell, on May 16, 2011, 11:57 a.m.Dr. Thorsett, Welcome home! Good to see a South Grad at the helm. Dick Mosman (currently in poor health) and all of your faculty at South will be quite proud.
Loran Sell, Grad School of Ed.
Posted by Rita A. Moore, Interim Dean GSE on May 16, 2011, 9:16 a.m.Welcome to Willamette! We in the Graduate School of Education look forward to learning more about your vision for how we can play a stronger university role as a teacher preparation program at Willamette. It will be a pleasure working with you!
Posted by Brian Hufft '01, on May 16, 2011, 9:14 a.m.Congratulations Steve and welcome home. The Alumni Association is delighted to have you and your family at Willamette. We look forward to working with you to further advance the University.
Posted by Joe Stewart '87, on May 16, 2011, 8:39 a.m.Welcome aboard! I am on the Alumni board and very active with the University. I want to welcome you aboard and congratulate you on the opportunity to come home to Willamette. I remember your father when I attended. I live in Cupertino, so if you find yourself in the San Jose area before you move to Salem I would love to have a coffee and meet you in person.
I am glad Willamette was able to attract such an outstanding candidate.
Joe Stewart '87
Posted by Bill Wustenberg, DVM BS1979, on May 16, 2011, 7:56 a.m.Dear Steve:
Congratulations on your appointment. Your father was a favorite professor during my career at WU. Best of luck to you and please pass on my regards to Grant.
Posted by Dave Rigsby 2000, Associate Dean/Athletics Director on May 15, 2011, 9:53 p.m.President Thorsett,
It has been nice chatting with you this weekend. I look forward to working more closely with you in the weeks and months ahead. Rebekah and I look forward to welcoming you, Rachel and Laura to Salem!
Posted by Colin S. Ray JD / MBA 00, on May 15, 2011, 9:43 p.m.Dear Pres. Thorsett,
Congratulations on your appointment as president. I have some advice which I hope will be helpful and not too blunt.
By way of background: I really like Willamette. Many of my relatives (my father, my uncle, my aunt, my brother, my grandfather . . .) attended Willamette. I went to St. John's College - the "great books program" - for undergrad. When I was looking into schools, Willamette seemed like a natural choice, a rare chance to be close to my extended family.
What I found at Willamette was interesting; the quality of teachers seems great at the business and law school. However, the less-than-stellar academic aptitude of some of the incoming students seemed to lower the levels of many classes, especially first year classes. My brother (Kevin Ray, class of 1992) had a similar view of the undergraduate program.
I spoke extensively with some professors, asking why the level of some courses seemed, frankly, bordering on remedial. Their answer was that they needed to adapt to the levels of the incoming students. Certain students (in my graduate programs) did not have good basic skills - such as being able to write a decent sentence. Several teachers told me that the "higher level" discussion needed to wait for later years. To me, this is simply writing off the first year or two . . . and has the overall effect of dumbing down discussions.
My advice for you is to take the risky approach of drastically raising the bar for incoming students. Don't just accept "okay" students - accept those who truly excel. Don't just have average liberal-arts requirements. Require something exceptional, something that is more work. (Perhaps require all graduating students to be truly fluent in a second language - I think of Thunderbird . . . Have a core curriculum that is demanding, tougher than other schools.)
Any immediate focus on the composition of incoming students (lack of certain minorities, etc.) in a particular year misses the point; talent (whether minority or otherwise) gravitates to excellence.
If Willamette becomes known as a school of high academic standards, the rest will follow. There would, of course, be several years of financial difficulty; but I firmly believe that high-level academics would eventually attract the talent.
So - best of luck. I hope my advice does not sound too preachy. I am sure that your job will be challenging and rewarding. I hope that you can help turn Willamette into an amazing institution of learning.
All the best,
Colin
P.S. Collegiate sports should be an afterthought; college should be about intellectual learning. Any college that takes its sports seriously (in any elements of admissions, academic standards, etc.) will be doomed to mediocrity.
Posted by Keri Luttrell '82, on May 15, 2011, 9:14 p.m.Thank you to the search committee for selecting a "Perfect Fit". Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Thorsett.
Posted by Felicia Uhden '81, on May 15, 2011, 5:17 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett!! From reading about you and listening to your message, I am very excited about Willamette's future. I hope to meet you at the Alumni weekend this fall.
Posted by Chad and Betsy Squires Liberal Arts WU 1981, students at Willamette and now Teachers on May 15, 2011, 5:02 p.m.Welcome aboard! Hope the campus and students grow on you over time. We are big supporters of Bearcat football and head coach Mark Speckman. Go Bearcats!
Posted by Eva Kripalani JD '86, on May 15, 2011, 4:31 p.m.I am so sorry that I did not have the opportunity to meet you this weekend. Although I attended the Law School commencement today and at least got a glimpse of you, you were surrounded and I missed my opportunity before we headed out for our procession. I am so looking forward to meeting you and join the chorus in expressing delight at the prospect of your leadership of Willamette. I have heard so many wonderful things about you. I hope we have the opportunity to connect in person before our next Board meeting.
Best,
Eva Kripalani
Posted by Susan Elizabeth-Marsh Tanabe BA '79, MAT '90, Instructor of Japanese on May 15, 2011, 4:10 p.m.Welcome "Home"! Your return to Salem and to Willamette is inspiring and exciting. I am confident you will love many of the changes you see. I also grew up in Salem, lived far away (Tokyo) and returned...though my return was about 25 years ago. My husband Toru ('80) is a staff member at TIUA, I have served on Alumni Board and we are proud parents of a graduate ('07). I now teach (Japanese) at South Salem HS and invite you to visit anytime! My advanced classes enjoy regular visits with TIUA students and Willamette students though Willamette's "Language in Motion" program. We look forward to meeting you!
Posted by Laura Hildebrandt Class of '95', Acoounting Specialist on May 15, 2011, 2:27 p.m.So very excited to have you as our new president. I have worked here for 32 years and look forward to working for and with you in the future. Congratulations and welcome back to Salem, OR.
Posted by Keith Grimm, Director of Human Resources on May 15, 2011, 11:23 a.m.Welcome back to Willamette! Looking forward to working with you on making Willamette an even better place to work, learn, and grow. Congratulations!
Posted by Dean and Laura Langsdorf, on May 15, 2011, 11:16 a.m.We are so excited to have a new president who has ties to the Northwest. Our son, Loftin, will be a junior next year and we wanted to welcome you to the school and to soccer games in the fall.
We also wanted you to know that Loftin's financial aid officer, Laura Collins has been very receptive to our needs.
We are confident that you will continue the upward trajectory of the school. As Whitman College graduates, it is nice to witness the school's progress.
Go Bearcats!
Posted by Tina Alexander MBA '10, Director, MBA for Professionals on May 15, 2011, 9:41 a.m.Welcome President Thorsett! Sending you warm wishes of support and congratulations.
Posted by michael p. schmidt '79 CLA, orthopedic surgeon on May 15, 2011, 6:14 a.m.Congratulations and all the best. Your father was a great part of my experience at Willamette. I wish you the same success in building a legacy at Willamette University.
Posted by Tyler Reich '06, Director of Annual Giving on May 14, 2011, 11:30 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett! What a wonderful fit for the job! I’m excited to get to know you, your family and your vision for Willamette. I look forward to helping you implement the next chapter in Willamette’s promising future. We’re ready to hit the ground running when you arrive. Safe travels as you return home to Salem!
Posted by Mary Milbrath, Albion Colege '62 ICL Member on May 14, 2011, 10:25 p.m.Congratulations, Stephen, and welcome home! We are so pleased for Willamette---I'm glad you are going to teach as well. It is great for Willamette to have a President who is an eminent scientist. Santa Cruz's loss is Salem's gain!
Posted by Jeff Sirginson, on May 14, 2011, 6:30 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett! I wish you the best of luck in the coming year. Willamette is truly a special place, and I am glad that we all have the opportunity to have you here. Enjoy your summer!
Posted by James Bailey '88 MS, MBA '96, on May 14, 2011, 6:26 p.m.Steve, It was wonderful reading the message this morning that you're going to be the next leader of Willamette. It is so well deserved and there's no doubt you're going to be an excellent steward to such a wonderful asset. I wish you all the best.
James Bailey (Jamie Bailey from Candalaria, Leslie and South Salem)
Posted by Denise Callahan '95, MBA'00, Interim VP-Development/Alumni Relations on May 14, 2011, 5:58 p.m.Congratulations and welcome back to Salem! I look forward to meeting you and working together on your vision for Willamette's future.
Posted by Keefe Kirshen 1989, BS, MBA, CPCU on May 14, 2011, 5:35 p.m.Congratualations! After listining to a couple of your video takes, I'm 100% convinced they made the right decision. Your history with Willamette, your academic achievement and your committment to learning tell me that the University I love is in good hands.
Good luck.
Posted by Judy O'Neill, Atkinson School, Assoc Dean/Dir of Adm on May 14, 2011, 4:41 p.m.Congratulations and welcome to Willamette!
Posted by Sue McAulay Pyne '86, Alumni Board member on May 14, 2011, 2:27 p.m.Welcome President Thorsett. All that I have read and seen suggests that you will be a great fit as Willamette’s new President.
I had the chance to spend a month with your parents and brother on the Willamette Field Studies in Hawaii program back in the ‘80s. Knowing that you were raised by such good people gives me all the more personal confidence in you. I look forward to meeting you in the Fall when I will be on campus for my 25th reunion. Welcome!
Posted by Melissa Wilmot 2003, on May 14, 2011, 1:50 p.m.Welcome back to Salem and to the Willamette community! As a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, I look forward to meeting you sometime in the near future!
Posted by Ross Stout '85, MBA'93, Director of Campus Safety on May 14, 2011, 1:33 p.m.Congratulations President Thorsett! We look forward to the arrival of you and your family. Welcome to Willamette University and back to Salem.
Posted by Andrew McNall, Director of Parent Relations on May 14, 2011, 1:10 p.m.Congratulations and welcome back to Salem! You're an exciting choice to lead Willamette as the next president. I look forward to working with a fellow South Salem grad.
Posted by Marcia Latta '91, on May 14, 2011, 1:04 p.m.Dr. Thorsett,
Welcome to Willamette and welcome back to Salem! I look forward to watching you lead the university into a new era.
Posted by Madeleine Rhyneer, VP for Admission and Financial Aid on May 14, 2011, 12:34 p.m.Welcome! I am delighted that you were selected by our Board of Trustees and very much look forward to working with and for you. Congratulations and best wishes to you and your family and you make the transition back to Salem. We are very lucky to have you.
Posted by Karen Wood, Associate Chaplain on May 14, 2011, 11:55 a.m.Congratulations and welcome to you and your family! I look forward to meeting you, hearing your vision for our community, and working with you to make it happen.
Posted by Adam DuVander '01, Alumni Association Board on May 14, 2011, 11:25 a.m.Steve,
I'm excited to your joining the Willamette community in a more official capacity. Welcome!
When the search started, I was skeptical that a replacement would live up to Lee's standard. I figured it would take some time. Upon hearing the announcement, I'm delighted by your connection to our community, to Salem and your passion for Liberal Arts.
Looking forward to welcoming your in person.
Posted by Paul Eldred '10, on May 14, 2011, 11:13 a.m.Welcome to Willamette President-designate Thorsett!
I am excited to see you guide Willamette on its next steps to becoming one of the premier liberal arts schools in the nation. There is a lot of potential in our school and much room for growth. We are a diverse school with many talents and passions that all lead to the path of understanding and knowledge. That’s the great thing about Willamette and the liberal arts. We are a school where an athlete majoring in Spanish and a politics major fraternity man sit with a budding biochemist and have lunch by the Mill Stream. Our common quest for learning is what unites us.
Once again, welcome. I am excited to see our commonwealth of knowledge grow and thrive under your leadership.
Posted by David Watson, Salem Hospital, Chaplain on May 14, 2011, 11:12 a.m.Welcome, Stephen! A warm welcome to Willamette U, the greater Salem/Keizer mid-Willamette valley and of course a cheery welcome to excellent health care!
David Watson, MDiv, BCC, Staff Chaplain (member First Cong'l UCC of Salem)
Posted by Gunnar Gundersen, Executive Vice President, TIUA on May 14, 2011, 11:10 a.m.Dear Dr. Thorsett,
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of Tokyo International University of America, congratulations on your appointment as President of Willamette University.
We look forward to working closely with you as we continue to develop the TIU-Willamette-TIUA exchange, which includes our jointly administered
American Studies Program (ASP) and a variety of other exchanges and programming involving students, faculty, and administrative staff.
And, welcome home to Salem.
All the best,
Gunnar
Posted by Pamela Sloan '97, MAT '06, on May 14, 2011, 11:08 a.m.Dear Dr. Thorsett,
I am happy to hear that you have been selected to be Willamette's 23rd President.
I was a non traditional,international student from Singapore who attended WU from 1993 to 1997. After graduating, I married an American citizen and worked as an Executive Assistant to the ODOT Deputy Director. I have a son age 11. I went back to WU from 2004 - 2006 and pursued a teaching degree with the first ASPIRE program. I now teach in Salem Keizer School District - 3rd/4th blend Harritt Elementary. We reside in West Salem. I am now completing Initial Administrative License with George Fox University. I want you to know that I had a great time while at WU from 1993 to 1997. There were many international students at that time. While my experience at the School of Education was not that great, WU's CLA has quality staff and faculty.
I am sure that you would be a great fit for the University from what I read about you. I will support you in your leadership of WU, in anyway that I can.
God's Blessing Upon You,
Pam
Posted by Tej Reddy '12, ASWU President on May 14, 2011, 10:46 a.m.President-Designate Thorsett,
Let me be among the first to congratulate you on your appointment. We are excited to see your vision for Willamette.
Willamette is a vibrant community full of diverse students with a plethora of lifestyles, viewpoints, and passions. We are Greeks, non-Greeks, scientists, poets, writers, researchers, athletes and musicians. As you most assuredly are already, I hope that you plan to meet with many students and understand the Willamette campus.
But, for now I hope that you have a successful transition. I look forward to reintroducing myself to you in person in the months to come. Please do not hesitate to call on me before then if I can be of any assistance.
Again, congratulations and welcome back to the Willamette family!
Posted by Greg '64 and Linda '67 Nelson, on May 14, 2011, 10:41 a.m.We are excited to have you return to our community and to lead Willamette forward as an outstanding university and compass for leadership in life. We look forward to meeting you and to observing the growth of the school.
Posted by April Greer '05, on May 14, 2011, 10:31 a.m.Welcome to Willamette University! We all look to you for leadership and guidance to ensure our great institution thrives in the upcoming years.
Posted by Judy Basker JD'81, Major Gifts Officer on May 14, 2011, 9:59 a.m.Congratulations...and a very warm welcome. I have known your Dad for some years...and am thrilled you will be joining us. I'm sure I will be meeting you in person soon.
Best...Judy
Posted by Denton Bayles MBA'12, on May 14, 2011, 9:56 a.m.Welcome to Willamette! I look forward to experiencing the school under new leadership. Now let's get that new building for the Atkinson School. No pressure :D
Posted by Julie Carson , former Dean of CLA on May 14, 2011, 9:47 a.m.Welcome home. You are the perfect fit. I look forward to meeting you.
Posted by Marissa Brotherton (Richards) '09, MAT'10, on May 14, 2011, 9:42 a.m.Welcome to the Willamette community! In looking at your resume, I am very excited that Willamette found someone so qualified and someone who has a connection to WU. Please be good to Willamette, I love that place!
Posted by Jim Knapp, on May 14, 2011, 9:27 a.m.Congratulations to you, Willamette, and the City of Salem. As my brother, Ed, always said, most every good idea has come from a Physicist...and I think he was probably correct! Welcome home!
Posted by Kris H Lou, Director, International Education on May 14, 2011, 9:25 a.m.Congratulations and welcome home President Thorsett! On behalf of the staff in the Office of International Education, we look forward to working with you in making Willamette a truly internationalized university!