The Alumni Office shows it’s for more than just scholarship support with a submerged Moana screening

Movie-goers splash around in the Sparks Pool prior to the screening, on March 8, 2025. Photo by Patricia Krepel.

In the Sparks Pool on March 8, Willamette students didn’t just watch the movie “Moana” (2016) — they experienced the whole atmosphere of the ocean. The venue transformed from a place to train athletes into a movie theater with snacks and a lot of fun.

Tiffany Newton, director of alumni & community engagement, shared details about the event’s setup, safety conditions and future plans. “This is something I’ve organized at previous institutions,” Newton said. She thinks that many students, perhaps due to their backgrounds or comfort levels, don’t always take advantage of the Sparks pool unless they are involved in sports. Some students do not typically attend on-campus events in general. This event was a great way to make the pool a welcoming space for everyone. 

Based on her previous experience organizing university events, Newton believes movie nights are one of the most engaging activities on any campus. For example, when she and her team hosted their first movie night, screening “Wicked” at Willamette this semester, she noticed a lot of international students in attendance, who, in her opinion, sometimes don’t have the same comfort level going to other on-campus events. However, at the “Wicked” showing, “everyone was singing and having a great time,” Newton recalled. For the “Moana” movie night, further efforts were made to ensure attendees had fun and felt immersed in the event; for example, students could grab colorful jewels that mimicked the heart of the sea, diving with them to the bottom of the swimming pool to enjoy their shine. 

Before hosting the event, Newton and her team had to coordinate with the athletics department to ensure the pool was available. “We checked in with athletics to confirm the schedule, making sure we weren’t disrupting any team practices or competitions,” Newton explained. “We also ensured that lifeguards were on duty for safety.” To her, the safety of students was a top priority, especially because “not everyone has the same level of experience or confidence in the water.” As a former lifeguard and swim instructor, Newton knows the importance of creating inclusive opportunities where all students feel comfortable participating. In addition to professional lifeguards, they had the lights on, a safety band system and a lane rope to keep people out of the deep end. 

“I understand that some people didn't like that the lights were on, but as a former lifeguard, I believe safety should come first,” said Fenn Corsello (’26), a Willamette student who attended the movie night. When she first heard about the event, she was concerned about how the guards would monitor people in the dark. However, once Corsello saw the lights were on, she felt much safer. “I will absolutely recommend [similar events] to others,” Corsello said at the end of the night. 

Alumni engagement has plans for more screenings next term. A special event has also been planned for Senior Week, exclusively for the class of 2025. “The next round of movie nights probably won't be announced until August or September, when the school year kicks off,” said Newton. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to host some at PNCA as well. I have a feeling that the next pool party will be in September or October, but it really depends on scheduling. As much as we love having access to the pool, we don’t want to interfere with the swimming team.” 

Newton and her team have a couple of different spots on campus that they keep their eyes on for future events. One idea they have been discussing is to host a screening on the campus quad, inspired by Newton’s experience at California State University Northridge in Los Angeles, where large summer movies were shown outdoors with inflatable seating and a slushy machine. This idea comes with different logistical challenges than the pool movie night though: is it dark enough? Will it rain? The Alumni Office will have to plan carefully, but they are always excited about the possibilities. 

“The most important thing is hopefully students find it fun,” Newton said. While student events often have a more casual and entertainment-focused approach, alumni programming offers a different experience. “The events we organize for alumni might not have the same ‘cool factor,’ but we host gatherings at the Oregon Historical Society, bring in distinguished speakers, and organize wine and brewery events,” Newton said. “We also offer tours and travel experiences throughout the year.”

Newton hopes that alumni will see the engagement team as more than just an organization that reaches out for scholarship support. “We want alumni to view us as a connector and supporter. Our goal is to support graduates as they transition into their careers and beyond.”