FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE

Dear <<First Name>>,

I’ll admit I’m a softy for stories of alumni who positively affect someone’s decision to come to WWU. Even the most unlikely student. Take a moment to read how alumna Kathy (McHan) McMillan’s connection with Joanna Stepp turned into a beautiful opportunity for Joanna’s two sons to attend the university this year.

The countdown to Homecoming 2016 has begun, even though it feels like our office review from Homecoming 2015 was just a few weeks ago!  We are excited this year to have the Touring Choir Reunion and Concert as one of our highlights. Directed by Kraig Scott '84, we expect a well-attended reunion and practice sessions culminating in a choral concert extravaganza on Saturday evening. If you were in one of these specialty choirs, register now by clicking here. Note below a sampling of weekend events – or go directly to our website for a full schedule.

I hope to see you on campus at Homecoming 2016, April 21-24,

alumni@wallawalla.edu
 

ALUMNI NEWS

Join Us in April for Homecoming Weekend
   During Homecoming Weekend did you know that:
•    There are over 60 events including PRISM Vespers Concert, Fun Run/Walk, Catered Sabbath Dinner, Car Show, Art Exhibit, Family Swim, and even a Bird Walk.
•    Each year we celebrate at least one affinity group – this year it is the Touring Choir Reunion and Facilities/Plant Services Reunion.
•    Ten classes are honored each year – this year's classes are ’56, ’61, ’66, ’71, ’76, ’81, ’86, ’91, ’96, ’06.
•    Planning begins over a year in advance.
•    Almost 1,000 alumni attend.
•    There is still room to sign the Belfry Tower on the fourth floor of the Administration Building.
•    The Homecoming Banquet is one of the favorite events.
We never tire of our alumni returning to campus to celebrate, reminisce, and enjoy comraderie with fellow classmates and alumni.   

   A weekend schedule as well as registration information, discounted hotel listings and photos from the 2015 celebrations are online. You are also welcome to call Alumni and Advancement Services at 1-800-377-2586.

Giving Special Honor...
   This year, we will be taking time to give special recognition to the touring choirs from the years 1965-2015 with a reunion. Professor of Music Kraig Scott and former choral directors John Dennison, Bradley Krueger, Stephen Zork, and Ralph Coupland, among others, will be present. Music selections will include favorites from 1965-2015. Rehearsals, beginning Thursday afternoon, will lead toward special performances on Sabbath. To reserve your spot in the chorus and receive music prior to the event,  go to wallawalla.edu/touringchoir or send an email to music@wallawalla.edu.
 
  Finally, the staff and students who have worked for Plant Services (now titled Facilities Services) through the years will meet during Sabbath Dinner. If you worked for this department as a student or staff, make sure to attend this event. Purchase a meal ticket with your registration, then join the group in the Winter Educational Complex (Alumni gymnasium), Room 139. 

Student Begins the New Year With Baptism
   The story begins about four years ago when Joanna Shedd, a nurse at Loma Linda University Medical Center, was baptized by Kathy (McHan) McMillan (att.) at the Calimesa (Calif.) Seventh-day Adventist Church. She shared that her greatest joy would be to see her teenage sons, Greg and Mathew, come to know Jesus. Over time, through their parent’s examples, they become more interested in knowing Jesus and attending an Adventist university. Greg started at WWU his sophomore year. And his brother, Mathew, soon followed, starting at WWU this past fall. 
   
   Through a Bible study led by Timothy Oliver and a religion class taught by Troy Fitzgerald, Mathew (pictured above with his parents Joanna and Brian) came to know and love Jesus and chose to be baptized in January. What a testimony of how students, faculty, staff, and alumni have surrounded this young gentleman with love and solid biblical teaching. Welcome to the family, Mathew.

Walla Walla Wedding Story
   Ken '68 and Rosie '65 Tjen met at Walla Walla University. Rosie was from Hawaii and Ken from Indonesia. Ken says, "I was looking through a brochure of Adventist colleges and saw 'Washington' and thought, 'Oh, good, that's near New York City.'"
   It wasn't until Ken was all registered that he discovered he would be attending college a long way from NYC. Things worked out though. He met Rosie. And just after she'd had her wisdom teeth taken out, Ken came to her bedside and proposed. "I thought that maybe, with her wisest teeth gone, she'd be more likely to say yes.'" 

Resources Available From Career Development Center
   Walla Walla University now uses College Career Network for job and internship listings, career resources, and the Career Mentoring Network. Alumni can register for an account by clicking here. 

Have news to share?
Send it to us at alumni@wallawalla.edu.

CAMPUS NEWS
 

   Each year, the students at WWU choose an international mission project and raise funds to help the people in that area. This year, they are raising money that will make it possible to open and operate Bangka Island Adventist School, a National Plus school in the Bangka-Belitung province of Indonesia. 

   By opening this school, ASWWU Global Service will provide key support in enabling the local Adventist Mission to meet the need for education on Bangka Island. With a National Plus status, the school will be certified to teach both the standard, national curriculum as well as additional classes - such as English - that will open up many more opportunities for local students and provide the experience of a Christ-centered education.

   Our belief in the importance of this project is reflected in its name, which is pulled from Mark 9:36-37: One of These. We are doing this in His name with the faith that Jesus has plans for each of these children and is calling on us to look out for them and their needs. In doing so, we recognize the need for God’s guidance in our own lives as he grows and shapes us through the act of service.
To learn more about the project and follow the progress of the project, you can like our Facebook page by searching for "ASWWU Global Service." You can also view an informational video by clicking here.

Business Students Achieving High Scores
   School of Business seniors scored in the 96th percentile for the annual MFT (Major Field Test) exam. In 2013, WWU seniors scored in the 91st percentile; in 2014, they scored in the 92nd percentile. Read more here about their academic accomplishment. 

 

BULLETIN BOARD

• Need space for your next event? Havstad Alumni Center is a pleasant space for alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of Walla Walla University. Two floors are available for reservation. The first floor is an open living space for up to 131 people with tables/chairs, which can be set up to seat 80 people for a meal.
The second floor is the Alumni Fellowship/Boardroom with a full kitchen available for up to 102 people. Additional tables/chairs may also be set up. Please contact Havstad Manager Twyla Leiske Bechtel at 509-527-2241 for more details or to make a reservation.

• Come stay with us. We have three beautiful guest rooms in the Havstad Alumni Center that are available for your use.  The nightly rate is $60 (plus tax). To reserve one of these rooms, call us at (800) 377-2586 or (509) 527-2631 or email alumni@wallawalla.edu.

• 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.

• WWU has an app. Download it from the App Store or by clicking here.

• Stay connected. Join fellow alumni online by becoming a fan of the WWU Alumni page on Facebook or connecting to WWU on LinkedIn or Instagram.

• 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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