Foundation News
by Frances Badgett
Seattle attorney Jeff Frank has worked in commercial, construction, and real estate litigation for more than…
Alaska native Megan Lau’s path from Western to winning the 4 Under 40 Award from the American Marketing Association this year is a fascinating one…
Two years ago, Boise native Elise Batten (industrial design, 2024) was looking for a college that…
Dear WWU Community,
Following a nationwide search, I am pleased to announce that Kim O’Neill will join Western Washington University as…
By Frances Badgett
Zoe Evans-Agnew (’21), Outstanding Graduate in Honors and behavioral neuroscience major, came to Western for…
By Frances Badgett
(Oluchi uses ze, zim, zis gender non-conforming pronouns)
When Ebonezé “Ebon” Oluchi wrote…
By Frances Badgett
When Aliki Valdes transferred into Western from Whatcom Community…
By Frances Badgett
It almost didn’t happen. Biology professor Dave Hooper was out on a run when he saw a friend, Dr. Greg…
By Frances Badgett
When Karen Rockwell considered a gift to Western that would benefit students, she thought of her parents,…
by Frances Badgett
Rukhsar Sadat ’21 was born in war-torn Afghanistan. Her Shia Muslim family was persecuted by the predominantly…
by Frances Badgett
Huxley alumnus Woody Wheeler (’76) and his wife Lori Cohen have dedicated their lives to environmental…
by Frances Badgett
Dale Durrwachter (’62) is deeply grateful for the success he achieved in the field of education. The retired…
Ken Johnsen leads the teams that build some of Seattle’s most visible, complex, and well known urban development projects. He’s most proud of how…
By Yara Clark (’22)
Brist Manufacturing designs and manufactures apparel for companies and brands around the world. What makes…
Following two decades as Western Washington University’s Vice President of University Advancement and President and CEO of the WWU Foundation …
WWU President Sabah Randhawa has issued a video titled "A Statement of Solidarity and Action" as a message of support…
Dear Western Community,
In the midst of this pandemic, as we all struggle with loss and fear, we have seen the disproportionate impact of…
Edward Rippe (’11) chose to attend Western the first time he set foot on campus. Nine years later, as a practicing emergency room physician in…
When Western sent a request for donations to the Student Emergency Fund, Paula Rippe answered with her characteristic warmth and enthusiasm. When…
The Western Washington University Foundation has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation on behalf of the Western Gallery.…
The Pacific Northwest has always been my home. I love the rainy weather, the scenic Puget Sound, the proud mountains, and the beautiful woods. I…
This year, thanks to the Western Foundation’s Student Ambassador Scholarship, third-year student Tatum Buss was able to work as…
Dear members of the Western Family,
As you know by now, last week we announced that all classes and instruction will be offered remotely…
A $10 million gift from Fred Kaiser and Grace Borsari will support “Building Washington’s Future,” a campaign to raise $20 million for a new…
Western students who identify as former foster youth or as unaccompanied homeless youth are getting additional support over the next three years…
Supported by a $25,000 grant that the Rose Foundation awarded WWU Foundation in December 2018, Associate Professor Jenise Bauman is making a…
Awarded through the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity, the Kohlmeier-Mikulencak…
Newly launched, LGBTQ+ Western under the direction of L.K. Langley (they/them) works to support the holistic thriving of diverse LGBTQ+ students,…
Children attending Bellingham’s most diverse and lowest-income elementary schools (Alderwood and Cordata) get to participate in free after-school…
Hardworking and up for a challenge, WWU alumna Lauren Hoffmann (’18) grew up wanting to become a professional musician, but a knack for science…
The annual Bellingham Leadership Forum brings together local business leaders, community members, WWU alumni and Western faculty, staff and…