Star Trees: Planted in 1942, these five giant Sequoias are the largest on any college or university campus in the U.S. Walk into the middle of them and look up to see a star-shaped sky — and campus lore says that if sweethearts share a kiss there, they might be destined for marriage.
Mill Stream: The Mill Stream running through the heart of campus is the place to see and be seen on sunny days. Students usually stay away on their birthdays, or else their friends might throw them in.
Birthdays: Birthdays are a big deal at Willamette. Stop by the President's Office to have a slice of cake to celebrate making it around the sun again.
*Don't step on the seal: *On the ground outside of the Hatfield Library in Jackson Plaza is the bronze Willamette seal with a beaver (possibly a nutria). Don't step on it or legend has it that you will fail a class.
Bistro: Whether they’re picking up a latté on the way to class, studying for an exam, catching up with friends or performing at open mic night, students and professors often cite the student-run Bistro as one of their favorite hangouts.
Matriculation: Our undergraduates begin their college journeys by floating candles down the Mill Stream during Matriculation at Opening Days. The moving points of light symbolize their varied paths through Willamette.
Midnight Breakfast: Willamette professors and staff members serve up eggs, bacon and pancakes at Midnight Breakfast, a late-night study-break event for students during finals.
Student Scholarship Recognition Day: On this day every spring, we cancel classes so that our undergraduates can present their research and creative work to the campus community. Their classmates and professors pack the audience.
Brownwater Regatta: Every spring, students and faculty in the Willamette MBA program celebrate the end of the academic year with a series of events, including tubing down the Mill Stream.
Barrister's Ball: The College of Law's annual spring formal event where students, faculty and administrators dust off their finer clothes after midterms for a night of food, refreshments, music, dancing and fun.
