Previous president spends his last day at Western
Former Western President Bruce Shepard spent his last day at Western on July 31 after eight years as the 13th president at the university. His wife, Cyndie Shepard, also left as the first Compass 2 Campus director.
More alumni are receiving doctorates after attending Western
In the Survey of Earned Doctorates by the U.S Federal Government, Western ranked 9th out of 590 universities for alumni going on to receive doctorate degrees. This is the highest Western has ever been ranked in this survey.
Tuition is dropping for resident undergraduates, rising for out-of-state undergraduates and graduates
Western’s Board of Trustees approved a 15 percent reduction for resident undergraduate’s tuition for the 2016-2017 academic year. This came after the five percent reduction approved by the board of trustees for the past 2015-2016 academic year. This amounts to saving about $1,400. For out-of-state undergraduates and graduates, a three percent tuition increase was approved.
Western is the highest-ranking public masters-granting university in the Pacific Northwest
According to the 2017 U.S. News and World Report college rankings, Western is the top college in the Pacific Northwest for granting masters degrees. The university is 2nd in the West category, which reaches out as far as Texas.
Woodring College looks for new dean
Woodring College's current dean, Francisco Rio, will transfer as a faculty member for the Secondary Education department after the 2016-2017 school year.
Western remembers faculty and staff who have passed away
Liz Partolan-Fray, director of Education Abroad in the Institute for Global Engagement, passed away in August after 35 years working at the university. Her memorial service was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ferndale. Her memorial book is in Miller Hall 210.
Retired associate marketing professor TJ Olney passed away after a paragliding accident in July. A memorial was held for Olney at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bellingham.
Ethnic Student Center expansion approved
Western's Board of Trustees voted yes to expand the Ethnic Student Center. Beginning fall 2017, students will begin paying a $30 fee toward the building and renovations. It is projected to grow five times its current size. The project is estimated to be $17 million and the date of its completion is not set.
Western student dies in motorcycle accident
Western sophomore Trevor D’Mello, 19, died in June in a motorcycle accident. Friends, family and community members gathered in the Mary Queen of Peace Church in Sammamish in his memory. He was pursuing a degree in business administration and accounting.
Theatre program recognized as one of the top ten Bachelor of Arts programs
Western’s theatre and musical theatre program is listed as the 10th program in OnStage’s top ten theater programs in the country. OnStage is an online theater blog with over 2 million active readers.
