Media Mentions

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.