May Art Walk at Western City Center
Bellingham, WA
May 4
Alumni Association
Alumni News
Dr. Mark Wicholas (1940-2017) Recently deceased professor emeritus of Chemistry Mark Wicholas dedicated his years teaching and as chair of the chemistry department to ensuring that students and new faculty had adequate funding for research and research-related travel. Wicholas joined the faculty in 1967 before student research was a part of the academic experience at Western. He shifted the chemistry curriculum from strictly on-campus classroom and lab focus to travel, research, and professional development, effectively engaging students in what was then considered post-graduate pursuits....
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Western Washington University alumnus and Oscar winner TJ Martin won an Emmy Saturday for his National Geographic documentary “LA 92.”
Martin, a graduate of Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, co-created “LA 92” with longtime directing partner and fellow Oscar-winner Dan Lindsay. Their film “Undefeated” earned the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2012. “LA 92” earned this year’s Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. Like “Undefeated,” “LA 92” addresses issues of...
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Ruben Van Kempen (’92) was settling into retirement after a career of teaching theater at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. He directed a production of “Oklahoma” in Evansville, Indiana with plans to teach theater to youth around the country. He applied for Social Security and Medicare in February in advance of his 65th birthday, and fully expected to receive the benefits to which he had been contributing for 37 years. “I was crossing every T and dotting every I,” he says.
He submitted the proper documentation to Social Security and made plans for his...
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Western Washington University honored the 2017 Distinguished Alumni & Recognition Award recipients on May 18 to kick off Western’s Back2Bellingham weekend.
This year, the association honored 13 alumni, a Campus School grad, and a family of 23 who carry on the Western legacy. They come from all colleges and span class years from 1923 to 2017. Each recipient’s commitment to excellence and giving back is apparent and their impacts are felt by many, from those on Western’s campus to foreign countries.
“It gives us great pride to celebrate these alumni...
Programs & Benefits
“My time at WWU not only prepared me for my career but it exposed me to so many other opportunities in life. Having a lifelong connection to the Western community has enriched and enhanced my intellectual growth.”
—Kane Hall (’00), CEO Daylight Properties
—Kane Hall (’00), CEO Daylight Properties
Our Stars Don't Shine Alone
From the summit of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean, Vikings everywhere are making a difference in the world. Our community is strong and growing. Here are some of the faces that make WWU special.
Moss Adams’ Decades of Dedication
Moss Adams’ relationship with Western began in the early 1980s thanks to two key WWU alumni, Rick Anderson (’73) and Russ Wilson (’79), who served as champions of Western at the company. Rick retired from Moss Adams in 2016 after serving as chairman and CEO. What started with a degree in accounting from Western became a long, productive career for Anderson, providing audit and consulting services. In 1999, he became the President and COO of Moss Adams LLP before taking the helm as CEO in 2004. He served as CEO until 2013. Anderson is a member of the WWU Foundation Board of Directors.
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We Are Vikings!
We are innovators and advocates, collaborators and entrepreneurs, we are scholars and activists, we are Vikings! With more than 126,000 living Vikings around the world, our network is strong, and getting stronger with each graduating class.
Jesse Moore (’05)
Principal Consultant, Common Thread Strategies. Former speechwriter for President Obama.
“People coming out of Western don’t always feel compelled to jump out front, or grab a mic to announce that we are ready to lead. We’re people who step into a room or a workplace, who figure out what’s missing, and who can fill that void.”
Schuyler Telleen, (’04)
Emmy Award-winning Production Designer and Graphic Designer "Portlandia," "Mad Men," "Parks and Recreation," "Veep," "Captain Fantastic"
“I love Western. Traveling around the world as I’ve done many times and working in the industry in L.A., I’m always impressed at the valuation of my degree and how much it’s increasing. It’s just incredible.”
Vini Samuel (’84)
Mayor, Montesano, WA
“What Western does so well is shape students into community-minded citizens. I look at Western graduates, and almost all of them are involved in making their communities stronger.”
