More than 500 students — representing the College of Arts and Sciences, Atkinson Graduate School of Management and the College of Law — graduated from Willamette University on Sunday at the first fully in-person commencement in two years.
The College of Arts and Sciences honored about 339 students and featured Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, chief executive officer of Mercy Corps in Portland, as the commencement speaker. McKenna also received an honorary doctor of public service. Miles Disciullo was the senior class speaker and Roger Hull, an independent arts writer, curator and professor of art history emeritus at Willamette, received an honorary doctor of fine arts.
The College of Law graduated about 100 students on or before May 16 and featured Oregon Court of Appeals Judge Darleen Oretega at its ceremony. Graduates Megann Elizabeth Meier and Derek Olson were the Class of 2022 co-valedictorians.
Atkinson Graduate School of Management recognized about 99 graduates and featured Monte Hong BA ’84, MBA ’86, the worldwide communications industry business strategy lead at Microsoft, as its commencement speaker. Stephanie Gates, president of the Atkinson Student Association, delivered the student address.
Willamette Academy graduated 21 students, three of whom committed to attending Willamette University this fall.
