Winter 2011

Gabrielle Nomura's
summer job took her
to Alaska.

Summer jobs can be a great opportunity for college students to earn money to pay for school. But working during the summer can also give students some early career experience, a taste of adventure or even a chance to catch up on college credits.

Learn more.

Plus: Some jobs offer a bit of adventure along with a paycheck. Read about the experiences of two WWU students, one on a fishing boat, the other on a train.

"This positioning effort will help people better understand what Western is all about today," says Bruce Shepard, WWU President, in a press release today.

"Effectively telling our story means critically understanding just what it is that we are, and are especially good at. This has a critical connection to a pressing issue: having the resource base to continue to do what we do so well. And competition for limited resources will continue to intensify."

In its February 2011 issue, Kiplinger's magazine ranks Western 56th on its list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges for 2011.

Students expect information to be available on the devices they choose to use, says Christopher Cox, dean of WWU Libraries. It falls to librarians to provide the information students need when and where they need it.

Learn how WWU Libraries are changing to get students what they need.

As students begin to make their housing plans for fall, Elva Giddings, director of Prevention and Wellness Services, and Lyndie Case, coordinator of the Campus Community Coalition, discuss what students can expect and offer tips for a positive off-campus living experience.

Each fall during Welcoming Convocation, new students write notes to be placed in a WWU time capsule.

This word cloud illustrates some of the most common words the students used to describe their hopes, ambitions -- and some fears.

Read the story for more, longer examples of their words.

The Dead Parrots Society is heading to the national College Improv Tournament in Chicago in February to compete with other students who specialize in improvisational theatre, the fine art of performing comedic scenes at the drop of a hat.

Learn more.

Catch two upcoming WWU basketball games on Fox Sports Northwest TV:

• WWU Women host Seattle Pacific: Feb. 2, 6 p.m.
• WWU Men host Central Washington University: Feb. 16, 7 p.m.

Fox Sports Northwest will also broadcast the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men's championship game on March 4 at 5 p.m.

Each year, Western students call families to ask for donations to the WWU Foundation’s Parent Fund, which supports the Career Services Center as well as other important student services that aren’t covered by tuition and state support.

Find out how you can help.

Back 2 Bellingham Alumni and Family Weekend, Western's weekend extravaganza of reunions, family events, social gatherings and academic presentations, will be May 13 to 15.

Make plans to join us.

Western officials knew the 100,000th degree would be awarded at Fall Commencement on Dec. 11, and selected a student at random to represent the recipient of the landmark degree.

In addition to the celebration in December, Western is honoring the entire 2010-11 graduating class with a commemorative brick paver installed in the sidewalk in front of Old Main.

Make sure you're getting the latest news from Western -- including emergency text messages.

University Catering's Gifts From Home program is a great way for friends and families to show love and support for their Western students.

Wondering what to do with your student in Bellingham? Bellingham native and University Communications intern Liz Hansen offers some of her favorite family activities.