Get to Know Western: Alen Woods Jr.

Q: Why did you pick Western? A: It actually has to do with why I’m wearing this. I needed a change of venue from where I lived. My mom passed away in 2012, and I went back to school to study social sciences. I want to be a counselor, but since I started at Western, I’ve merged into other things like family dynamics and relationships. Q: What is your favorite thing about Western? A: The people. I like the people. I really like the environment. Just the general Bellingham area is really great. It reminds me of home, but not too much of it. Q: What has been your favorite class so far? A: Psychology and the law, which is taught by Professor Davenport. She’s a really great professor. It’s what got me interested in possibly going to law school after this. Q: What do you like to do around Bellingham? A: I like to go to Whatcom Falls if the weather is nice, or Boulevard Park. I like to be around the water. Q: What is your best piece of advice for students? A: My primary advice is: do not cram for an exam. Try to space your learning out. The whole idea is that if you have an exam coming up, do not cram the night before, but learn through little blocks that actually space out your learning process. Q: Why are you wearing the breast cancer awareness shirt? A: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. My mom was diagnosed in 2010 with metastatic breast cancer, which means it started in the breast and migrated to other parts of her body. She was diagnosed as terminal, but when an oncologist looked at her she was determined to be treatable. For two years she fought the cancer. When she started chemotherapy she started losing her hair, so I shaved my head, which was around October, too. Every October I shave my head. I normally try to grow it out as long as possible before I shave it. When she passed away, I started the tradition of shaving it on Oct. 1. I also wear the breast cancer logos and I donate to a lot of cancer research. Q: What’s one piece of advice you have for either awareness, or for students with family members struggling with breast cancer? A: It’s never too late. Always hold hope, never lose it. Even if the battle is lost, there always is a chance for other people to get better.

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