Gratefully,



Terri Dickinson Neil
Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

  
P.S. If your student is returning next fall, we look forward to seeing you at the beginning of the school year or at Family Weekend, Oct. 24-26.

Graduation 2014
This school year is winding down quickly and in just a few weeks, we (and many of you too!) will be celebrating with the Class of 2014 as they walk across the platform on the Centennial Green and receive their hard-earned diplomas, ready to embark on their next adventure. Commencement starts at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 15. Addressing the Class of 2014 will be Neils-Erik Andreasen. The title of his address is "In Search of Virtue."

Since 1970, Andreasen has served at several colleges, including Pacific Union College, Avondale College, and Loma Linda University. In 1990, Andreasen was named president of Walla Walla College. He served in that capacity until July 1994, when he became the fifth president of Andrews University, where he continues in that role.
   
Click here for more information on graduation weekend details and how to watch the live stream if you're unable to attend.

Order flowers for your graduate 
The Bookstore is now accepting orders for flowers to be delivered at Commencement on June 15. Call the bookstore at (509) 527-2441 to place your order. Two choices are available:

Thai double-orchid leis, one color - $35 plus tax
Half-dozen rose bouquet, various colors - $20 plus tax

Stay Connected
As your son or daughter graduates and becomes part of our alumni family, we want to stay connected with your graduate. Here are four ways they can do that.

Alumni Currents e-Newsletter -- Stay informed about upcoming alumni events, campus news, and alumni activities and accomplishments.

LinkedIn -- Network with alumni professionals through our LinkedIn group. Start by creating a profile that includes your resumé and join the Walla Walla University group. Check out what companies and industries alumni are involved with, and get professional advice and job information.

Facebook -- Socialize and keep in touch online with fellow alumni through our Facebook group. Take a minute to friend the WWU Alumni page.

Westwind magazine -- From alumni profiles to campus news to special feature articles, Westwind is a full-color, 32-page, magazine mailed to alumni three times a year. 

     Summer Session
Even though things get a little quieter during the summer months, WWU still offers a number of academic options. Students wanting to take a few more credits so that they can move more quickly toward their educational goals can take classes in a number of disciplines at one of our five campuses or online. Summer session starts June 23 and goes until August 29, with courses ranging from two to 10 weeks. Click here to learn more about the opportunities available.

WWU Students Show Academic Excellence
Soon, we will celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2014. Meanwhile, on our campus, we have many reasons to recognize and reward our students for displaying excellence in thought by earning awards and participating in competitions and symposiums.

One student, senior Grant Perdew, was named as a 2014 Weniger Fellow by the Charles E. Weniger Society, along with candidates from other Adventist campuses. The society “looks for those who exhibit perennial servanthood,” reflecting the compassionate demeanor of Dr. Weniger who served as chair of two English departments and as dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary from 1948-1961.

In addition to this honor that Perdew received, click on the links below to read about more of our student’s academic accomplishments.

Joseph Englehart Is First Gates Millennium Scholar to Attend WWU

Students Present Research and Class Projects for Academic Symposium

Six Students Represent WWU in State-Wide Ethics Bowl Competition (see photo above)

Ann Stookey Fund Awards Composition Grant to I Cantori

Library Attracts Students With Refresh and Renew Project
Starting fall quarter 2013, students found a library updated with new furnishings plus additional electrical outlets and wired connections and better wi-fi access. As a result, the library has had a 44 percent increase in the average daily use from fall 2012 to fall 2013.
The new reference room (in these two photos), features comfortable seating and tables with lamps with electrical outlets.
We invite you to stop in and visit the next time you are on campus to visit your student.



ASWWU Project:
To Build A Home -- Uganda
Originally this year, the Associated Students of Walla Walla University had teamed up with ADRA (Adventist Relief and Development Agency) to help with building a home in Peru that would house a dozen orphaned children. For a variety of reasons they decided to aid a different Adventist orphanage in Uganda through Christalis, Inc. This home has about 30 children but needs more space and resources.

The board of Christalis and their major donors have decided to match, dollar for dollar, whatever ASWWU can fundraise. With ASWWU’s goal of $100,000 and the match, $200,000 can be put into the To Build A Home project in Uganda. Because of the Ugandan economy and the organization of Christalis, a home will be able to be built for $50,000 in Uganda, about half of the price of a home to be built in Peru.

For more information about To Build A Home in Uganda, click here and to give to the project, email aswwu.fundraising@wallawalla.edu.
 

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