Local & Global Outreach
Student Activities and Initiatives
Willamette students are dedicated to ecological and social sustainability, exemplifying the spirit of “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.”
On campus, students and student organizations have been central to Willamette’s sustainability initiative, meeting with President Pelton, College of Liberal Arts Dean Carol Long, and serving on the University’s Sustainability Council. Students have fostered a culture of sustainability by undertaking public education campaigns on energy, water, and materials consumption, promoted composting in residence halls and university apartments, adopted mug swaps at the local Bistro, created a public transportation pamphlet for incoming first year students, and developed a sustainability training course for residence assistants. In 2004 and 2005, students received external funding to put on a university-wide Sustainability Forum and the “Visions of Sustainability” convocation in conjunction with the 2005 Dempsey Environmental Conference.
Beyond campus, Willamette students advance social and environmental sustainability in many ways. These include
- Willamette’s very successful alternative spring break program in which students dedicate the week to building and construction projects in at-risk communities throughout the West.
- Willamette students run successful mentor programs in place nearby elementary and middle schools, focusing on disadvantaged and at-risk students.
- Every year, approximately 100 students participate in the Saturday service program called Into the Streets, and the senior class sponsors an annual service day.
- Through the support of the Lilly Foundation and the Lilly Project at Willamette (willamette.edu/dept/lilly/facres.htm), student groups and living organizations conduct dozens of community service projects throughout Oregon.
- Student groups like ECOS, the Outdoor Club, Rod and Reel Club, BUC-WU, and Roots and Shoots dedicate hundreds of hours each year to beach and stream clean-ups, wetlands restoration, removal of invasive plants, and mentoring environmental clubs and classes at local middle and high schools.
Student dedication to ecological and social sustainability does not end upon graduation. Over 230 alumni have served in the Peace Corps-in the state, only Oregon State University and University of Oregon have produced more. Nationally, Willamette was recently recognized by the Peace Corps as one the top 15 small colleges of all time in terms of numbers of participating alumi. Of some 16,000 Willamette alumni, over 4100 are involved in non-profits or public service. It is no wonder, then, that Willamette has been named a Truman Foundation Honored Institution.