Media Mentions

July 26, 2026 | In an op-ed published in The Oregonian, Pacific President Jenny Coyle and Willamette President Steve Thorsett outline the benefits to the region of the merger of the two institutions. "The question behind this decision is: What does Oregon need from its universities? In our view, it needs institutions agile enough to keep pace with a changing economy — and confident enough to grow when others are pulling back."

July 23, 2026 | Pacific President Jenny Coyle and Willamette President Steve Thorsett told Dave Miller and OPB's "Think Out Loud" program about how the upcoming merger between the institutions will save money and will serve the region's students better.

July 15, 2026 | Pacific President Jenny Coyle appeared on HI Now Daily on Hawaii News Now, discussing the university's 808 to 503 event and the university's upcoming merger with Willamette.

July 14, 2026 | The Oregonian tells readers that Pacific President Jenny Coyle and Willamette President Steve Thorsett "hope the combined universities will open up access to a great alumni network and more career pathways for current students, particularly in healthcare, law and education."

July 14, 2026 | "Research on college merger has shown that strategic consolidation can lead to institutional growth, cost savings and improved success. But higher ed experts warn that a successful merger comes long before either institution is in a financial crisis. Willamette and Pacific appear to be heeding that advice," says OPB in its coverage of the Pacific/Willamette merger.

July 14, 2026 | Pacific President Jenny Coyle and Willamette President Steve Thorsett explain the upcoming merger of their two schools to KOBI-TV in Medford, Oregon. "I think one of the great things that makes us such compatible institutions is that we are both adventurous, creative, and adaptive institutions," Thorsett said.