Student Life
Kick-start Your College Experience

Do you like to sing, dance or play a musical instrument? Are you interested in learning about foreign cultures? Do you enjoy athletic competition, the great outdoors, debating policy initiatives or doing community service work? Whatever your interests, Willamette has a wide assortment of programs, organizations and opportunities available to help you make the most of your college experience.

Participate in any of the 13 music ensembles Willamette enjoys or tryout for an upcoming theatrical production. Compete athletically in 20 varsity-level sports or field a team for the intramural league. Join any of our dozens of student organizations to indulge your active lifestyle with hiking, camping, climbing, skiing, biking and rafting, learn how to roast a pig luau-style, brush up on your French, get your poetry published or just meet people who share your interest in chemistry. If you can't find a club that supports your interest, it's easy to start your own.

If you are looking to make a difference on campus, consider joining one of the eight Greek organizations on campus, becoming a residence hall assistant or running for student government. Get involved in the Salem community by joining the Community Outreach Program and build shelters for the homeless, mentor at-risk youth or create your own service project. Wherever you find inspiration, Willamette will support you, because education is an activity that should never be confined to the classroom.

Do Whatever You Love to Do

And find plenty of people who share your interests.

To understand the nature of the Willamette community, you have to get to know the people who live and work here. This is a place where smiling faces are the norm, not the exception – and the smiles are genuine expressions of openness and acceptance.

That means it's easy to connect with people when you need a break from your studies. Whether you’re into casual recreation, high-powered competition or creative expression, you can explore your interests in nearly 100 student clubs or organizations at Willamette. You'll undoubtedly meet students whose backgrounds are as diverse as their talents.

And Willamette students don’t just join the club – they lead it. Governing bodies such as Associated Students of Willamette University give students a chance to play a major role in shaping campus life, while other organizations reach out to the Salem community and beyond. In fact, participation in clubs is a key reason why our students devoted 23,000 hours to community service projects last year alone – a fact that reflects our school motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.”