JUNE 2017 ISSUE
Dear <<First Name>>,
In April, more than 1,000 Homecoming guests reunited with friends on our Walla Walla University campus. Together we honored the Aviation Program's 50th anniversary and our Engineers Without Borders Chapter's 10th anniversary, but we especially kicked off this year's Walla Walla University 125th birthday celebration.
From the moving Thursday night banquet (coordinated by Terri Dickinson Neil '82) to our 19th Annual Alumni Car Show on Sunday (one of the largest yet), the weekend celebrated all that WWU has become since 1892. A memorable highlight was the Blast from the Past Birthday Extravaganza, featuring WWU's iconic traveling singing group, The Messengers, followed by a wonderful fireworks show that lit up the College Place sky.
Take a few moments to experience our special weekend! You can view the Blast from the Past Birthday Extravaganza here. Or, enjoy the faces and places of Homecoming as you click through the weekend's photos here. Plus, watch your mailbox for the summer Westwind, which will include this year's honored alumni and honored class photos.
During this birthday year, we have good reason to be proud of Walla Walla University, and the alumni family that has strengthened it these 125 years. May God bless you as you represent WWU in your corner of the world!
Jodi Wagner
Vice President, University Relations and Advancement
alumni@wallawalla.edu
P.S. Plan now for Homecoming 2018, April 26-29!
Class of 2017 Graduates as WWU Celebrates 125 Years
On Sunday, June 11, nearly 370 undergraduate and 61 graduate students became our newest alumni, receiving their degrees in near-perfect weather on Centennial Green.
It's been 25 years since WWU graduation was first held on Centennial Green, and during the program we acknowledged Gene Jacobson '77 for his vision that has transformed the space into the shady, park-like setting we enjoy today.
This year's youngest graduate was 19, and the oldest was 58. As a group, the Class of 2017 received more than $15 million in grants or scholarships while at WWU. Two students from the class graduated with 4.0 GPAs.
Sir Patrick Linton Allen, governor-general of Jamaica and longtime Seventh-day Adventist, was this year's commencement speaker, the first head of state to give a commencement address at WWU. After earning his doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Andrews University in 1998, Allen turned to leadership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served as president of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists for over eight years before accepting the position of Jamaica’s governor-general. Allen's commencement address, “I Still Believe,” encouraged graduates to commit their lives to Christian service. "God shares His blessings so that you can also bless others," he said.
Have news to share?
Send it to us at alumni@wallawalla.edu.
CAMPUS NEWS
WWU VP Accepts Presidency of Pacific Union College
Bob Cushman '75, vice president for academic administration at Walla Walla University, has accepted the position of president of Pacific Union College. Cushman has served as vice president at WWU since 2012. Bob Cushman has more than 26 years of experience as a researcher, author, professor, academic dean, senior vice president, and chief academic officer. He will be the 23rd president of PUC in the institution’s 135-year history. Cushman will officially assume office at PUC on July 1. To read more, click here.
New VP for Student Life Starts in July
Doug Tilstra will be the new vice president for student life at WWU. Tilstra comes to WWU after 17 years with Southern Adventist University, where he was most recently director of outdoor education and leadership, overseeing the master’s degree program training educators to use the outdoors as a classroom. He begins July 1.
Hilary Catlett, who has been serving as interim vice president since February 2017, will return to her role as assistant vice president of student life/dean of students. For more about Tilstra, click here.
WWU Selects New Alumni/Parent Relations Director
Claudia Santellano ’14 has joined the Alumni and Advancement Services team as Alumni and Parent Relations Director. In her new role, Claudia will organize the university's alumni events and activities, and serve as a liaison for parents. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, worked for WWU’s academic administration for 10 years, and previously worked as a paralegal in Silicon Valley. Family is important to Claudia—she is married and has two school-aged children—and she hopes to continue to extend the university’s unique sense of family to those she serves. Welcome, Claudia!
WWU Student Wins Film Award
Senior Jacob Patterson received two Sonny awards in April at the Sonscreen Film Festival sponsored by North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. The awards were for two of his ASWWU videos: the award for Best Cinematography for "Chef's Table: Walla Walla" and the Jury Selection Award for “Class of 2017 // One Step Forward.” To read more and for a link to watch his videos, click here.
BULLETIN BOARD
• Come stay with us. The three alumni guest rooms, housed in the Havstad Alumni Center and managed by the Alumni Association, continue to be a great and convenient value for lodging in the WW Valley. Nightly rates are $60 (plus tax). WWU also offers University Guestrooms that are near the campus for $60/night. To make an online reservation, click here.
• Camper/RV accommodations available. Looking for a place on campus to stay while visiting? 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. 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. You can also look for the Summer edition to be arriving in your mailbox soon.
• 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 12 | Walla Walla, Wash.
Join fellow alumni on Wednesday evening at Borleske Stadium. Tickets are $3 each, and ticket holders will receive a free
fountain drink and bag of popcorn.
Gates open at 6:00 p.m.; first pitch is at 7:05 pm. Remember to wear your WWU gear: orange, green, or anything with Walla Walla University printed on it.
Contact Alumni and Advancement Services at (509) 527-2631 to buy tickets or for information.
Alumni Rosario Weekend
Aug. 25-27 | Anacortes, Wash.
Join alumni and friends for Sabbath or the full weekend at beautiful Rosario Beach. Programming begins Friday evening at
6 p.m. Paul Dybdahl, WWU's professor of mission and New Testament, will be the weekend speaker. Additional activities continue throughout the day on Sabbath. Registration opens June 20, 2017. For more information, click here.
Family Weekend
Oct. 20-22 | Walla Walla Campus
We welcome families to campus for class visits on Friday morning; Friday afternoon 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 talent program. For more information, click here.
Parent Sabbath/Nurses' Dedication
Nov. 11 | 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, contact Alumni and Advancement Services at (800) 377-2586.
Stay tuned for more about alumni events planned in your area! Click here for the latest updates, watch your mailbox or
e-mail in-box, or call Alumni and Advancement Services at (800) 377-2586.
CAMP MEETING SCHEDULE
Be sure to stop by and visit our WWU booth at the following camp meetings:
Oregon Conference
July 13-15 (Spanish)
July 18-22 (English)
Alaska (Southcentral)
July 18-22
British Columbia (Hope)
Aug. 5
CAMPUS CALENDAR
Fall Quarter Begins
September 25
The Longest Table
September 30
Family Weekend
October 20-22
Distinguished Faculty Lecture
November 12, Pedrito Maynard-Reid,
professor of biblical studies and missiology,
and assistant to the president for diversity
Parent Sabbath/Nurses' Dedication, Portland Campus
November 11
Thanksgiving Break
November 19-26
Department of Music Christmas Concert
December 8
Christmas Break
December 14- January 7
SPRING/SUMMER SNAPSHOTS
Dr. John McVay, WWU president, awards Ethan Osias a Walla Walla University diploma on June 11. Ethan is among nearly 430 graduates who received degrees this year. He completed a degree in business administration, magna cum laude, and was recognized as a Christian Service Volunteer. Click here to see a full list of graduates in the 2017 commencement program.
It’s full steam ahead for Bowers Hall’s exciting $4 million rejuvenation project! Elevator footings are poured, excavation has begun for the new addition, the interior has been reinforced, and the classrooms are taking shape.
I Cantori sings on May 20 for outdoor church on Centennial Green as part of Pastor Alex Bryan’s spring sermon series, “The Pulse: How to Stay Alive,” which focused on healthful living, inside and out. Find those sermons and others here.
Pi and Pie! Winners of the 24th Annual Randy Yaw Pi Contest, which was held at 3:14 pm on Homecoming Friday in April.
Alwin Vyhmeister ’87, principal program manager at Microsoft Corporation, works with students at the annual WWU Hackathon, hosted by the Computer Science Club, on Sunday, May 7. The Hackathon is a time where students use a variety of programming tools to create and submit a project for review in a short period of time. Vyhmeister and other Microsoft volunteers serve as advisors and judges for the contest.
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