Dear Parents,

We miss our students — we miss them on campus, in our classrooms, and on "Hello Walk," and we cannot wait until we're together again, in person!

Below you'll find President McVay's announcement about next fall, information about Virtual Commencement, and other helpful information and important dates for next year.

As this year draws to a close, I want to thank you and your student for your understanding and support during these unprecedented times, probably best described with the phrase "we're flying a plane while building it in the air." Thank you for being an essential part of your student's support network; your dedication and determination helps your student achieve our core values — excellence in thought, generosity in service, beauty in expression and faith in God — from your corner of the world.


Keep washing your hands, and be well!

Claudia Santellano
Director for Alumni and Parent Relations

Tips and FAQs
created for parents like you.

Virtual Commencement: June 14, 10 a.m.

In just a few days we'll celebrate with the Class of 2020 as they receive their hard-earned diplomas. Virtual Commencement will be held on Sunday, June 14, at 10 a.m. Addressing the Class of 2020 will be Andrea Cook, president of Pacific Warner University.

To help our graduates announce their Virtual Commencement — and to invite family and friends to attend — we've developed customizable announcements that can be downloaded for social media and/or print use. We're also encouraging the Class of 2020 to upload "14-second speeches," to commemorate the occasion with a favorite memory or shout-out to classmates or professors. And, we're encouraging everybody (including you!) to tag photos, well-wishes and celebratory shout-outs with the hashtag #WallaWallaUgrad. Ask your student about these details and more!

Click here for graduation weekend details, including details about watching online >

And, after graduation you can encourage your graduate to stay in touch with WWU!
Here are six easy ways they can do that:

• Contact Information Updates — New address, new job or name change to share? Simply complete an online Alumni Contact Update Form.
• Alumni Currents e-newsletter — Learn about alumni events, campus news, and alumni activities and accomplishments. Alumni Currents is emailed three times a year.
• LinkedIn — Network with alumni professionals through our LinkedIn group by joining the Walla Walla University Alumni group. 
• Facebook — Socialize and keep in touch online with fellow alumni through our Facebook group. Take a minute to join the Walla Walla University Alumni group.
• Instagram — Follow and tag @wallawallauniversityalumni to stay connected with the university and other alumni, one post at a time.
• Westwind magazine — From alumni profiles to campus news to special feature articles, Westwind is a full-color magazine mailed to alumni.

WWU to hold classes on campus fall 2020

Walla Walla University will welcome students back to its campuses in fall for the 2020-2021 academic school year, prioritizing safety and quality education, announced WWU President John McVay today. “We believe that a strong, active community is absolutely central to the education provided here at Walla Walla University,” he said.

Our university teams are working diligently on strategies to facilitate on-campus instruction, he said. Local health officials will help identify prevention measures and options for testing and treatment. Significant emphasis will be placed on illness prevention and community health.

Click here for President McVay's full statement >

Know anyone on these Dean's Lists?

To be included in one of the two Dean's Lists, a student must have taken a minimum of 15 credits of graded work A-F, with a GPA of 3.5 - 3.749 for the Dean's List, and 3.75 - 4.0 for the Dean's List of Distinguished Students. We are proud of these students' achievements, and recognize them here in a special way.

Summer at WWU: Completely online

All summer courses at WWU will be online, including up to 12 credits of biology! Regular tuition rates apply and students can take classes in a number of disciplines. Many of these classes meet the General Studies requirements (coded "GS"), the eight-week summer session starts June 22 and ends August 14. Click here to learn more about summer session.

Summer classes and financial clearance 
Will your student take any summer classes? If they will take six or more credits and get financial aid, they should submit a summer aid request form. Financial clearance for summer quarter opens June 3, with a deadline of 4 p.m. on June 22. 

Financial aid awards and payment plans 
If your student applied for financial aid for 2020-21, they will be sent a 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 sends 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. 

Project Send Hope

The Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) at Walla Walla University has been helping our WWU community live out generosity in service all around the globe this quarter. CHE student ambassadors created six new programs around a COVID-19 response that can be adapted in your community.
 
One of the programs, Project Send Hope, encourages us to share cards overflowing with encouragement with those who need it most right now – our healthcare workers, hospital patients, and essential workers. CHE provides the cards, printing, and mailing. And you can join our efforts!
 
See the printable cards and find more information about how to join one of these exciting programs at wallawalla.edu/che-ambassador.

Handshake: Helping students and young alums find jobs

Our Student Development Center is open and actively helping our students. Encourage your student to reach out for tutoring, career readiness, and to take advantage of services such as the world’s leading early talent network, Handshake. 

Handshake is a job and internship platform for students and young alumni to help them find the right job for them, no matter where they go to school, what they're majoring in, or who they know. Handshake connects university students and young alumni to a comprehensive national network of employers.

Keep up with WWU alumni event changes

Due to the pandemic, WWU's summer events — such as our annual night with the Walla Walla Sweets Baseball Club and Rosario Alumni Sabbath — are pending. If you're an alum, be sure to keep your contact information updated so we can notify you about schedule changes and event details, or bookmark wallawalla.edu/alumni-events.

Surprise your student!

Our "Surprise Your Student” program is temporarily on hold until the time when we are back together again, in person.

Family Weekends: Save the dates now!

Though we may not know exactly what fall months will bring related to the pandemic, we encourage you to make tentative plans now to join us for one of the two Family Weekends:

• College Place Campus, October 30 - 31: Enjoy 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 lunch with WWU Administration. The weekend concludes with Evensong as well as a talent program.
• Portland Campus, November 14: Worship together Sabbath morning, enjoy Sabbath lunch with WWU Administration, then celebrate with junior nursing students at the Nurses' Dedication Ceremony and Reception.

Supportive parents: Get involved!

Visit your student (when campus is open again)!

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 $20 nightly fee. First come first served. Call Sittner front desk at (509) 527-2111 for details.

Quick resources for parents