Willamette University officially approves merger with Pacific University

The leaders of Willamette and Pacific universities have officially agreed to merge, the schools announced July 14. The merger between Oregon’s two oldest universities will create the largest private higher education institution in the state.

After plans were announced late last year, both university boards officially approved the unification on June 6 and ratified the decision in early July.

The new school will serve more than 6,000 students at Pacific and Willamette’s current campuses in…