Dear Parents,

You chose well when you chose Walla Walla University for your student's home away from home! Eighty-four percent of last year's freshmen have returned to WWU as sophomores, a retention number that's higher than the national average, and just one way we assess how well we're serving our students.

We provide a multitude of support services to ensure our students are cared for, and have the best chance to succeed in college. Be sure to encourage your student to take advantage of these services.

Thank you for keeping our Walla Walla University family in your prayers...and know that we're doing the same for you and your family. Enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
 

Claudia Santellano

Alumni and Parent Relations Director

Tips and FAQs
curated for parents like you.

Travel/lodging plans for holiday break

Final exams will take place December 10-12. Remind your student to review their exam schedule to help with scheduling of travel plans (see link below)!

Residence hall closures
As a reminder, residence halls will remain open during Thanksgiving and spring break. During Christmas break, the residence halls close the Friday of test week and reopen the Friday before school resumes. If students need assistance finding a place to stay over Christmas break, please contact Kristen Taylor, director of residential life and housing, by phone at (509) 527-2539 or email kristen.taylor@wallawalla.edu.

Local shuttle service from Pasco airport (airport code PSC)
The Grape Line shuttle runs seven days a week, several times a day between Walla Walla/College Place and Pasco. Cost varies depending on the place of departure and the destination. Find more information or to make an online reservation >

Uber
Uber is now available in College Place and Walla Walla. As with any taxi service, we encourage all to exercise utmost care when securing transportation to and from the campus.

Send some cheer during finals

Fall quarter final tests are just around the corner, and our "Surprise Your Student” program is an ideal way to send your student cupcakes and/or care packages delivered straight to their door. Cupcakes are from Frosted, Walla Walla's very own gourmet cupcake shop. The care packages hold an assortment of fun, creative and tasty treats, and they can be personalized with several different themes:  "Birthday,” "Thinking of You,” "Get Well," and "Missing You.” Through this program, you can also order balloon bouquets, and gift cards for local merchants.

Got health insurance?

Wintertime can bring sniffles and sneezes, and sometimes more sinister health bugs that our University Health Clinic may be able to help treat. Here are just a couple of reminders in case your student needs care:

• All undergraduate students and graduate international students taking more than 6 credits must be covered by a health insurance plan.
• Be sure to check that Providence Medical Group — the provider that runs our University Health Clinic — is included in your in-network coverage, or consider another health insurance plan.

Our commitment in action

Last April, WWU President John McVay announced eight areas of diversity focus that Walla Walla University would immediately pursue in keeping with its mission which affirms that “every person is created in the image of God as a being of inestimable value and worth.” These eight areas have been developed into a plan called "Our Commitment to Diversity," which is being shepherded into action. Progress will be reported annually. Learn more about the Office of Diversity here.

Time with family

College Place Family Weekend — From Friday afternoon ice cream cones to Sabbath lunch and an old-fashioned talent show, our October Family Weekend was full of fun. On Sabbath, 800 guests enjoyed lunch at the largest "restaurant" in town (our own gym), and more than 150 family portraits were taken (download your 2018 family portrait here). Fall colors were on gorgeous display for an afternoon stroll, and Saturday night's student/faculty/staff talent show ensured a grand time was had by all!

Portland Parent Sabbath — More than 180 WWU students and their family members enjoyed Sabbath church services with WWU President John McVay at Sunnyside Adventist Church, followed by a delicious Sabbath lunch. Following lunch, 67 junior nursing students were welcomed to the noble nursing profession during a special Nurses' Dedication service.

Join us next year — Plan now to join us for Family Weekend 2019 (Oct. 25-27) or Portland Parent Sabbath (date to be determined). No RSVPs are needed, but you'll want to plan well ahead for lodging!

Fall's focus on faith and service

Fall quarter is chock-full of opportunities for students to strengthen their faith and serve others. Ask your student about:

Week of Worship, Oct. 1-6 — Our guest speaker was Laurence Turner, Ph.D., a noted Old Testament scholar, author and international speaker. Dr. Turner was well-received on our campus, and students appreciated his witty and insightful presentations. Watch our October 2018 Week of Worship series here.

Service Day, Oct. 17 — Twice a year our College Place students, faculty and staff participate in service projects all over the Walla Walla Valley, helping local organizations and private residents. During our fall Service Day, more than 400 students helped with approximately 35 projects. Read more about Service Day here.

ASWWU Global's project — Each year the Associated Students of Walla Walla University (ASWWU) launch an ambitious year-long service project. Past projects have included funding wells in Africa, building an orphanage in Uganda, starting a school in Indonesia, covering tuition for Rwandan refugees, and supporting a trade school in Haiti. This year they'll partner with Room to Read, a nonprofit organization that provides education to children in Nepal. ASWWU Global plans to raise $35,000 by June. Learn more about this year's project here.

"SAVAGE: Hard Sayings of Jesus" — This fall quarter sermon series from the Walla Walla University Church explores some of the more challenging or direct things Jesus said. The title "Savage" refers to bold words, or impudent behavior or speech that generates uncomfortable social consequences. Watch sermons from this series here.

Is a study tour in your student's future?

This past summer, 20 Walla Walla University students participated in the UK Study Tour, a history and literature tour that took them from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Scottish Highlands. Students learned on-the-go, exploring castles, churches, museums, and the homes of the great English authors. They also stayed in some of Europe’s oldest colleges, including the Queen’s College at Oxford University. See photos of the 2018 UK Study Tour here.

Now, we're looking forward to this summer and the 2019 Bible Lands Study Tour, June 24-July 19. Only 42 students will have the opportunity to travel to Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey, following in the footsteps of Moses, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and John the Revelator...while earning up to eight credits of lower and/or upper division credit that counts toward general studies religion requirements!

Notes from Student Financial Services

FAFSA is open for 2019-2020
The federal government opened the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for next school year on Oct. 1. The FAFSA for 2019-2020 uses 2017 tax information. Since most families have their 2017 taxes done by now, this should make applying for financial aid easier. Students and families whose financial situation has changed since 2017 can work with Student Financial Services on an individual basis, after their initial award letter has been generated.

How do students find a job?
Students needing employment should contact the Student Employment Office by phone at (509) 527-2357, and/or in person in Room 307 of the Canaday Technology Center Building. Visit wallawalla.edu/jobscene for current job listings.

Scholarships applications for 2019-2020: Open Feb. 1-22
This is prime hunting season for scholarships for next school year. Visit wallawalla.edu/scholarships for tips on finding scholarships, and resources. Students enrolled this year (but are not graduating) are eligible to apply for WWU’s continuing student scholarships for 2019-2020. These are funded by alumni and friends of WWU. The application will be open February 1-22; late applications are not accepted. Visit wallawalla.edu/awards for more information.  Make sure this deadline is in your student’s calendar!

Supportive parents: Get involved!

Visit your student

Local shuttle service from Pasco airport: The Grape Line shuttle runs seven days a week several times a day between Walla Walla and Pasco. Costs varies depending on the place of departure and the destination. Find more information or to make an online reservation >

Reserve a room: There are three guest rooms available on campus for rent. The fee for these rooms is $60/night plus tax. Arrange to stay in one of these rooms or to learn about other area lodging options >

Camper/RV accommodations available: Camper/RV parking is available behind Sittner Hall, 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 for details.

Quick resources for parents