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OVERVIEW

Western Washington University neighborhood encompasses the four-year state university. Western has about 13,000 students, of whom about 3,800 live on campus.

Western consistently receives high marks for its excellence and affordability, and is a leading local employer, with nearly 1,500 workers.

CONTACTS
City Council, Fifth Ward: 676-6970
Associated Students, WWU: www.as.wwu.edu

The main campus covers 195 acres, including Sehome Hill Arboretum, a popular hiking spot. The campus has undergone a building boom in recent years, with several new buildings, including a student recreation center on south campus.

For non-students, attractions include the many plays, sporting events, exhibits, concerts and lectures presented on campus, plus Westerns acclaimed collection of outdoor sculpture.

HISTORY

In 1893, Gov. John H. McGraw signed legislation establishing New Whatcom State Normal School. Old Main was built three years later to hold classrooms, offices and a library, but funding fell short and the school didnt open until 1899.

SCHOOL

Western Washington University.

PARKS

Sehome Hill Arboretum, Laurel, Pine and Cedar, Connelly Creek Trail.

QUOTE

Being around students makes for an invigorating atmosphere. Theres always something going on.
Carole Morris, assistant to the associate dean of Woodring College of Education

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WWU students return to town this weekend

WWU students return to town this weekend

BELLINGHAM - The population of Bellingham is about to increase - Western Washington University students return to campus this weekend.

The first day of classes is Wednesday, Sept. 21, but students can start moving into campus housing Friday, Sept. 16. Students will continue to arrive throughout the weekend.

About 4,000 students, mostly freshmen or those new to the university, are expected to live in university dorms and apartments. The other roughly 11,000 WWU students expected this school year will live throughout the community.
Stephen Prothero, Western Reads Book author, to speak Nov. 15; tickets available Oct. 3 (School Days Blog)

Stephen Prothero, Western Reads Book author, to speak Nov. 15; tickets available Oct. 3 (School Days Blog)

Stephen Prothero, religion professor and author of this year’s Western Reads Book, will discuss religion and American culture during a lecture at Western Washington University on Nov. 15.

Prothero’s book, “Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t,” is the Western Reads Book for the 2011-12 school year. Western Reads is a campus wide program designed to promote intellectual discussions; all new Western students received a copy of his book at orientation.

The lecture is free, but tickets are required. They're available at the university's Performing Arts Center box office starting Monday, Oct. 3.
Christian college information fair Oct. 18 in Lynden

Christian college information fair Oct. 18 in Lynden

LYNDEN - High school students and families interested in learning about Christian-based colleges and universities are invited to an information fair Tuesday, Oct. 18, on the Lynden Christian Schools campus.

Nearly 40 U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities will be represented, including Seattle Pacific University, Trinity Western University, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, George Fox University and Whitworth College.

The National Christian College Fair is part of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals.
WWU named to two national college rankings

WWU named to two national college rankings

BELLINGHAM - Western Washington University was recently named to two national college ranking lists: the annual U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" and G.I. Jobs' "Military Friendly Schools."

For the fourth year in a row, WWU was ranked by U.S. News as the third-best public, master's degree-granting university in the West, a region stretching from Texas to Alaska. WWU was the highest-ranked university on the list from the Pacific Northwest; The Evergreen State College was ranked fifth and Central Washington University was ranked 13th.

When compared to public and private master's-granting schools in the West, WWU ranked 22nd, one spot below last year's ranking.
Whatcom fifth-graders learn about college at Compass 2 Campus day

Whatcom fifth-graders learn about college at Compass 2 Campus day

BELLINGHAM - Ten Mile Creek Elementary fifth-grader Amerdeep Singh may only be 10 years old, but he knows he wants to go to college because he "wants to get an education."

But before Tuesday, Oct. 25, he hadn't been to Western Washington University or to any other college campus.

Amerdeep was one of nearly 800 fifth-graders who descended upon WWU's campus as part of the annual Compass 2 Campus program event. Now in its third year, the program partners WWU student mentors with public schools in the region to encourage students to start thinking about higher education at an early age.