MAY 2016 ISSUE
Dear <<First Name>>,
“Thank you for saying ‘YES.’”
As the last strains of the Hallelujah chorus rang through the WWU Church on Saturday evening of Homecoming, I was reminded of these words. This phrase of gratitude was expressed to Kraig Scott ’84, WWU Professor of Music, in December 2014 when he agreed to the proposal of a Touring Choir Reunion in April 2016. These words of thanks were uttered again on Friday afternoon when I stepped into the church to enjoy a few moments of glorious practice, observing the five guest conductors and hearing 200 beautiful voices. When the last word of thanks was uttered, the last hymn was sung and the last alumnus had quietly slipped away, “Thank you for saying ‘YES’” was on our lips for the “Beauty in Expression” displayed through this amazing reunion.
In addition, Homecoming 2016 owes thank you’s to several alumni who said “YES”; alumni who gave suggestions and who collaborated to provide excellent programming during this weekend’s 60-plus events: Larry Witzel ‘91 and “Take ’91”; Steve Meharry (former staff) for initiating the Facilities/Plant Services Reunion; Erlene (Bolton) Lau ‘67 for a gentle reminder about her father’s (Earl Bolton ‘36) reunion; and Charles Scriven ‘66 for the “Sabbath” banner hung in the church. WWU has engaged, loyal alumni!
Take a moment to look at Homecoming pictures online and enjoy the “Beauty in Expression” that was experienced on the WWU campus during the weekend events. Honor class photos and honored alumni profiles will be in the summer edition of Westwind.
Terri Dickinson Neil
Director of Alumni and Parent Relations
alumni@wallawalla.edu
P.S. Homecoming 2017 will be held April 27-30. WWU will be celebrating its 125th birthday throughout 2017, including at alumni weekend.
Library Stairs Renovated
We are grateful to the Committee of 500 members (pictured here) for contributing to this newly renovated area bordering our Centennial Green and look forward to many families gathering here for those milestone photo sessions.
WWU Opens Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Culture
 Walla Walla University (WWU) opened the Donald Blake Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Culture on April 24 during Alumni Weekend. The center is named in honor of Donald Blake, one of the first black tenure track faculty at Walla Walla College from 1962 to 1969. Timothy Golden, WWU professor of philosophy, has been named director of the Donald Blake Center. To learn more, click here.
Have news to share?
Send it to us at alumni@wallawalla.edu.
CAMPUS NEWS
New Church Pastor
 Walla Walla University welcomes Alareece Collie, new executive pastor for the University Church. For more about her, click here.
WWU Students Win Film Award
Walla Walla University students took top awards for the second year in a row at the SONscreen Film Festival for the film “The Exquisite Outdoors.” To read more and for a link to watch the video, click here.
WWU Engineers Help Bring Electricity to Peru
 The Walla Walla University student chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-WWU) is working on plans and raising funds to bring electricity to Japura, Peru, which is a village high in the Andes Mountains. To learn more, click here. You can also read firsthand reports from three students who are involved in the project. These are available on the news section of our website. Read them by clicking here.
Communications Professor Recognized for Being Great Student Advisor
 WWU communications professor, Deborah Silva, has won an award for outstanding advising. She has been teaching at Walla Walla University since 2000. To read more, click here.
Distinguished Scholar Lecture Scheduled in November
 Marilynne Robinson, Pulitizer Prize winning author and essayist, and author of the Gilead, Home, and the Lila Triology, will speak on the WWU campus November 11 and 12. Her books and meditations center around the spiritual and political history of America. Her appearances will include an essay reading followed by a question-and-answer session on Friday as well as a morning lecture on Nov. 12 and a reading in the afternoon, all to be held in the University Church. For more information, contact Dan.Lamberton@wallawalla.edu.
BULLETIN BOARD
• Come stay with us. The three alumni guest rooms, housed in the Havstad Alumni Center, continue to be a great and convenient value for lodging in the WW Valley. Formerly managed by Alumni and Advancement Services, the Alumni Association is now overseeing their usage. To make an online reservation, click here. The rate is still $60/night plus tax.
• Camper/RV accommodations available. Looking for a place on campus to stay while visiting? Camper/RV parking is available behind Sittner, the men’s dormitory. Power, water, and sewage hook-ups are included in the $10 nightly fee. It is a first-come, first-serve arrangement. Contact Sittner Hall if you have questions: (509) 527-2111.
• Stay connected. Join fellow alumni online by becoming a fan of the WWU Alumni page on Facebook or connecting to WWU on LinkedIn, Flickr or Instagram.
• See the most recent edition of Westwind. Click here.
• Share what's new in your life! Whether you're recently married, received a promotion or an award, completed a new degree, or had a baby, we want to hear about it. Submit your alumnote now!
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ALUMNI EVENTS
Walla Walla Sweets Baseball Game
July 13 | Walla Walla, Wash.
Join fellow alumni on Wednesday evening at Borleske Stadium. Tickets sales will begin June 6; click here to buy tickets or call Alumni and Advancement Services at 509-527-2631.
Gates open at 6:00 p.m.; first pitch is at 7:05.
Remember to wear your WWU gear: orange, green, or anything with Walla Walla
University printed on it.
Alumni Rosario Weekend
Aug. 26-28 | Anacortes, Wash.
Join alumni and friends for Sabbath or the full weekend at beautiful Rosario Beach. Programming begins Friday evening at
6 p.m. Dave Thomas, Dean of the School of Theology, will be the weekend speaker. Additional activities continue throughout the day on Sabbath. Registration opens in June. For more information, click here.
Family Weekend
Oct. 28-30 | Walla Walla Campus
The weekend is a special set of events that includes class visits on Friday morning, Friday ice cream, Student Missions Welcome Back Vespers and Apple Fest, and Sabbath church services followed by dinner with WWU Administration. The weekend concludes with Evensong as well as a faculty/staff talent program. For more information, click here.
Parent Sabbath
Nov. 12 | Portland Campus
Plan now to attend Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church for a special program and a complimentary meal for the families. The Nurses' Dedication will be held in the afternoon followed by a reception. For more information, click here.
Portland Alumni Event
Nov. 12 | Clackamas, Ore.
Join us for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory at 7:30 p.m. RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Stay tuned for more information about alumni events planned for this fall in Spokane, Washington, and Boise, Idaho.
For more information about any of our events, call Alumni and Advancement Services
at 800.377.2586 or click here for our web page.
CAMP MEETING SCHEDULE
You're invited to stop by and visit our WWU booth at the following camp meetings:
Idaho Conference
June 14-18 (President John McVay speaking)
Montana Conference
June 15-19
Washington Conference
June 16-26
Upper Columbia Conference
June 22-25
Oregon Conference
July 19-23
Hope, British Columbia, Canada
July 30, 5:30 p.m. (Ice Cream, Blueberries, WWU Update)
CAMPUS EVENTS
Commencement
June 12
Fall Quarter Begins
September 26
Longest Table
October 1
Family Weekend
October 28-30
Distinguished Scholar Lecture
November 11, 12
Parent Sabbath/Nurses' Dedication, Portland Campus
November 12
Thanksgiving Break
November 20-27
Department of Music Christmas Concert
December 9
Christmas Break
December 19- January 1
Distinguished Faculty Lecture, Paul Dybdahl
February 5
SPRING SNAPSHOTS
Our 2016 Alumni of the Year (from left):
Laurel Dovich '86, Charles Scriven ‘66,
Fred Gemechu ‘66 and James Christianson '96.
Randall Jones '93, David Hutton '85, Rodd Strobel '87 and Curtis Kuhlman, att., were certainly the best dressed golfers at this year's Eugene Winter Alumni Golf Classic.
Best wishes to WWU retirees Bill Lane (Technology), Bev Scott '71 (Academic Admin), Bruce McClay (Portland Library), Betty Duncan '66 (Advisement), Leonard Richter (Music), Sylvia Nosworthy (English), and Darold Bigger '66 (Theology, Assist to the President, Social Work).
RESOURCES
Give a gift to WWU
Update your contact info
Happy  Birthday, Effie! A long-time student and a 1939 theology graduate of WWU, Effie Pampaian turned 106 on May 16. Currently, she's taking History of Christianity with history professor Greg Dodds '97 (pictured right).
 Ronald E. Fritz, att., studied at Rosario Beach Biology Station in 1966. He then went on to complete degrees in dentistry and public health at Loma Linda in 1972, and has been involved in dental mission work ever since. He spent two terms in Puerto Rico for Bella Vista Hospital.
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