Spring 2016
Dear Parents,
Centennial Green – a beautiful outdoor stage for WWU events, and currently being readied for the graduates and their families who will convene on Sunday, June 12, for this year’s graduation ceremonies.
New this year are the renovated stairs to the left of this expansive space. Lest you are thinking “stairs?”, pause for a moment and note the photo here and how this  revitalized area enhances Centennial Green, creating a backdrop for photo sessions and family memories. We are grateful to the Committee of 500 members (pictured here) for contributing to this portion of our campus beautification project.
Whether your student is graduating, wishing they were graduating, or a few years from crossing this stage, welcome to campus. Take a moment to stroll down the newly (almost) completed College Avenue and enjoy the enhanced beauty.
This newsletter includes upcoming important events for next school year, including JumpStart, Registration, and Family Weekend. Mark these dates now -- we hope to welcome you here on our campus soon.
Happy graduation and happy summer break.
 Blessings,
Terri Dickinson Neil
Director of Alumni and Parent Relations
alumni@wallawalla.edu
P.S. If you would like to recognize your student's accomplishments on completing another school year, see our gift options below.
Graduation 2016, June 12
 The 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 2016 as they walk across the platform on the Centennial Green and receive their hard-earned diplomas, ready to embark on their next adventure. The Class of 2016 boasts 340 students, who will receive their bachelor degrees.
Commencement begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 12. Addressing the Class of 2016 during the weekend will be two speakers: Kerry Heinrich, a 1980 graduate, and now CEO of Loma Linda University Medical Center, for the Baccalaureate Service on Sabbath morning, and Jeffrey Charbonneau, 2013 National Teacher of the Year and high school teacher in Zillah, Wash., for the Commencement address on Sunday.
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 12. Call the bookstore at (509) 527-2441 to place your order. Several choices are available:
Double lavender leis - $42 plus tax
Half-dozen red roses - $25 plus tax; One dozen red roses - $35
Flowers are available to pick up at the bookstore booth on the Centennial Green on Sunday morning. If there are any flowers left, they will be available for sale on Sunday morning, first come first serve.
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 Classes, Housing and Finances
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 campuses or online. Summer session starts June 20 and goes until August 12. Click here to learn more about the opportunities available.
Summer classes & financial clearance
Will your student be taking any summer classes? Even if you know they’re away from campus for the summer, they might be planning to take an online class. If they will be taking six or more credits and get financial aid, they should submit a summer aid request form. Financial clearance for summer quarter begins June 2, with a deadline of 4 pm on June 20.
Summer online classes
Speaking of online classes, WWU will offer over 40 online classes this summer. You can look at the summer schedule and click the box for “Online Only” courses. Regular tuition rates apply to online courses. Many of these classes meet the General Studies requirements (coded “GS”).
Financial aid awards & payment plans
If your student applied for financial aid for 2016-17, they will be sent the financial aid award letter and the payment plan. Make sure they share that information with you if you’ll be helping with their finances. Student Financial Services has been sending out award notices within about a week of receiving all required information. Your student’s “To Do” list on myWWU will show any missing items.
Summer housing
Planning on renting from WWU this summer, but not taking classes? Students will need to meet four criteria: 1) Their student account needs to be paid; 2) They must be enrolled in classes for fall quarter; 3) If they get financial aid, they need to have financial aid awarded for fall quarter; and 4) They need to pay for the summer rent up front, or if they’re working on campus, they need to sign up for at least a 75 percent payroll deduction. For exceptions to these criteria, talk to a financial counselor in Student Financial Services.
Co-curricular Transcript
 This year, Walla Walla University has launched an all-new co-curricular transcript (CCT). The CCT is an official record of student activity outside of the classroom including items such as awards, leadership, professional development and service (such as student missions as illustrated by the map on the right).
The CCT is designed to be a tool for students when planning their involvement in college and preparing for post-graduation success. It can be used when applying for scholarships, jobs, awards, graduate schools, or when updating a resume.
WWU maintains a co-curricular transcript for every undergraduate student and students can view their unofficial CCT or request an official CCT free of charge by clicking here. For more information, click here.
Surprise Your Student!
 There is still time to send a gift to your student before the end of the school year. We have a number of great options.
Our "Surprise Your Student" program offers cupcakes from "Frosted," Walla Walla's very own cupcake shop. We also have personalized "Birthday” and "Thinking of You” packages, gift cards to local merchants, and balloon bouquets. We would love to help you make your student's day! For the details, click here or call (800) 377-2586.
Have comments or suggestions to share, email the editor.
|
Dates to Remember
June
12 Commencement
20 Summer Session Begins
August
12 Summer 8-Week Session Ends
26 Summer 10-Week Session Ends
September
18 Jumpstart (for Freshmen Students)
18 President's Welcome/Luncheon 11:30 a.m., WWU Church/Alumni Gymnasium
26 Fall Quarter Begins
Fall Quarter
Oct. 1 Longest Table
Oct. 28-30 Family Weekend (see more below)
Nov. 12 Parent Sabbath/Nurses Dedication, Portland Campus
Dec. 9 Department of Music Christmas Concert
Nov. 20-27 Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 19-Jan. 1 Christmas Break
Save the Date!
Family Weekend
Oct. 28-30, 2016
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 Friday evening, 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.
Local Shuttle Service Offered from WWU to Pasco
You may have wondered if there is transportation between Walla Walla and the Pasco (Tri-Cities) Airport? The answer is YES! The Grape Line shuttle runs 7 days a week several times a day between Walla Walla/College Place and Pasco:
• Destinations/Departures are: Walla Walla Airport, Walla Walla Transit, College Place, Touchet, Wallula, Burbank, Pasco Intermodal, Pasco Transit, and Pasco Airport.
• The Grape Line also makes connections with other transportation services such as Greyhound, Amtrak, and Ben Franklin Transit.
Costs for tickets range from $7 to $15 depending on the place of departure and the destination. Click here for more information or to make an online reservation.
Reserve A Room
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 your student? Camper/RV parking is available behind Sittner, the men’s residence hall. Power, water, and sewage hook-ups are included in the $10 nightly fee. First come first served. Call Sittner front desk at (509) 527-2111 to more information.
Alumni News
Campus Directory
Dean's List
Meal Plans
Payment Options
Scholarship Search
Spiritual Life
Student Handbook
WWU Calendar
University Church
University Clinic
Frequently Used Numbers
Academic Advisement
(509) 527-2132
Academic Records
(509) 527-2811
Advancement/Alumni
(509) 527-2631
Campus Ministries
(509) 527-2010
Career Center
(509) 527-2664
Counseling and Testing Services (509) 527-2147
Marketing and Enrollment Services (509) 527-2327
Parent Relations
(509) 527-2644
Student Financial Services
(509) 527-2815
Student Employment
(509) 527-2357
Student Missions
(509) 527-2633
Teaching Learning Center
(509) 527-2313
University Clinic (509) 527-2425
10 Things We Love About WWU
Narrated by our very own President John McVay, here are "10 Things We Love About WWU." Click here to see the video.
New Campus 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. |
