Dear Walla Walla University alumni and friends,
  
As you can imagine, Walla Walla University has been monitoring the COVID-19 novel coronavirus situation very closely. At this time there are still no confirmed or presumed positive cases of COVID-19 on our campuses, or in residents of Walla Walla County. However, out of caution and concern for health and safety, and recognizing our responsibility to help maintain a healthy university family and local community, we have taken several steps:

• All face-to-face instruction on Walla Walla University's campuses has concluded, effective today through the end of April. The university will begin spring quarter as scheduled on March 30, though all classes will be offered online. University campuses will be closed until April 27.
• The university's international trips have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
• University students and employees are encouraged to limit their personal international and domestic travel, out of concern for their health and shared responsibility for the health of others in their local communities.

Sadly, out of an abundance of care for our cherished alumni, we have also taken the unprecedented step to postpone this year's alumni Homecoming Weekend 2020 until April 2021.

We have big plans for a combined Homecoming Weekend (celebrating both 2020 and 2021 next year on April 22 through 25, 2021), where you will have double the number of friends to visit and lots of events to enjoy! We hope you'll plan to join us — in the next few months look for more details online at wallawalla.edu/homecoming and in future issues of Westwind.

Meanwhile, we would love to hear what you've been up to, particularly if you graduated during an honor year (2020 or 2021). Take a moment now to submit an AlumNote and look for information about your fellow alumni in the AlumNotes section in Westwind.

We're grateful to the alumni who have asked how they can support our students and Walla Walla University during this unusual time. It's true that we face the potential for significant income loss because of the break, and many of our students are wondering how they'll cover tuition because they can't work on our campuses as expected. It's times like these that we rely on generous gifts to the Walla Walla University Fund for help, and I encourage those willing to help to consider this option.

In his communication to our campus family this week, President John McVay shared a particular song that has been echoing in his mind, "He's got the whole world in His hands!" That includes this global pandemic, he reminds us, a wonderful reminder for us all on the eve of Sabbath rest!

Thank you for your continued support of our students, and your prayers for your beloved alma mater and our world at this critical time.

Blessings to you and yours,

      Claudia Santellano
      alumni@wallawalla.edu
      Alumni and Parent Relations Director