Western Today for Thursday, May 14

Two wheels are better than four

Steve VanderStaay of Bellingham bikes on East Magnolia Street in Bellingham to his job at Western Washington University Thursday morning, May 14, 2009. VanderStaay says he makes the bike commute every weekday. Volunteers will be at more then 30 stations to give out prizes and snacks on Friday for the 11th annual Bike to Work and School Day in Whatcom County.

Phil Dwyer/Bellingham Herald

Legislature passes WWU mentoring program

House Bill 1986 establishes a pilot mentoring project at Western Washington University in partnership with a community or technical college. The program’s goal is to encourage elementary students to complete high school and pursue college, and to provide positive role models in helping them reach those goals.

Above, Governor Chris Gregoire signs HB 1986 on May 11. At left is Sherry Burkey, WWU associate vice president for University Relations; at right is State Rep. Bob Hasegawa, the bill’s prime sponsor.

For more on this story, visit FAST Online.

CST to host next 'Wizards@ Western' event this Saturday

The next installement in the College of Sciences and Technology's free 'Wizards @ Western' youth lecture series, "Lasers ... Photons ... Action!" will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 in SMATE 150 on the WWU campus. The presentation, by Assistant Professor of Chemistry Elizabeth Raymond, is geared toward youth in grades 4-8.

TVW segment on WWU's budget cutting airs; now online at TVW.org

TVW's "The Impact" filmed a segment on campus at WWU regarding budget cuts which aired last night, featuring WWU President Bruce Shepard, AS President Erik Lowe, and the classes of faculty members Jeffrey Grimm and Janet Mock. The show can be viewed online by clicking here.

Budget forum set for today at 2:30 p.m.

This a reminder that a public forum on the proposed 2009-11 operating budget is scheduled for 2:30 pm on Thursday, May 14, in the Academic Instructional Center West, Room 204.

The President and Vice Presidents (Academic Affairs, Student Affairs/Academic Support Services, Business and Financial Affairs, University Relations, and University Advancement) will be available to answer your questions about the budget proposal available for review at the University Planning & Budgeting web site, to offer additional comments, and to talk about Western's future.

The public forum will be audio-cast live and recorded for later listening; if you are unable to attend the forum in person, you will be able to listen in at your desks or from other locations. The audio-cast link is http://www.wwu.edu/upb/presentations/.

Western's Board of Trustees will consider the President's recommended 2009-10 operating budget for final action on June 12. At that time, the Board will also approve recommended tuition increases for the 2009-11 biennium and review a draft 2010-11 operating budget.

The Bellingham Herald

WWU offers weekend of family fun
Since Western Washington University's campus lies outside Bellingham's commercial core, it's more of a "city on a hill," rather than an institution that dominates the downtown, as some universities do.
So it's easy to forget what the school has to offer families in Whatcom County. If you haven't spent much time on campus, the Showtime Family Weekend can offer a nice introduction. It runs Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17, with varied activities on campus and off.
Health care the focus of Friday panel at WWU
Learn more about health care issues in Whatcom County and Washington state during a panel discussion at Western Washington University on Friday, May 15. Students for Civic Engagement organized the event, which runs 4 to 6 p.m. in room 120 of the Communications Facility. State Reps. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, and Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, will be part of the panel. Others include Sue Sharpe from Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access, and a representative from the Critical Junctures Institute.
Women's golf: WWU's Parker tied for ninth at nationals
Western Washington University's Kaitlin Parker is in a three-way tie for ninth place following first-day action Wednesday, May 13, at the NCAA Division II National Women's Golf Championships being played at the 6,219-yard Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio.
Women's basketball: Local standout Erika Ramstead signs with WWU
Nooksack Valley senior Erika Ramstead has never really had the chance to concentrate on just one sport and see where that takes her. She'll get that opportunity at Western Washington University next season.

Ferndale Record-Journal

AAUW, BP, WWU honor three Ferndale students
Three Ferndale students were recognized Saturday for their academic achievements in math, science and technology by the Bellingham branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The event was cosponsored by Western Washington University’s College of Sciences and Technology as well as BP Cherry Point Refinery.

Tacoma News Tribune

WWU's Koppenberg fifth at US Open Qualifier
Rain made it a long day of U.S. Open local qualifying Wednesday at The Home Course in Dupont. The fortunate golfers in the 120-man field were those who had the early tee times when conditions were dry.
Co-medalists Michael Haack of Bellevue, Josh Immordino of Auburn and Zach Wanderscheid of Goldendale, who all posted 3-under-par 69s, were out on the course by 9 a.m. They played most of their rounds in dry conditions. The remaining two-thirds of the field had to not only deal with a long course playing 7,385 yards, but a steady downpour.
Of that unlucky group, only Yakima’s Brock Mackenzie, the former University of Washington golfer, fired an under-par round – a 70. Everett’s Jake Koppenberg, who also played early, was fifth with a 71, and also advanced to sectional qualifying.
“Playing early was a huge advantage. We got rained on the last couple holes,” said Koppenberg, a senior at Western Washington University. “It was cold, but I’ll take cold over the rain any day.”

The Northern Light

National golf tournament coming to Loomis Trail
Beginning Saturday, May 16, Blaine will host the men’s NCAA Division II national championship on Semiahmoo Resort’s Loomis Trail course, the result of a year and a half of work by course pro and director of golf Brett Eaton.
Eight-man teams from 20 Division II schools from around the county will converge on the course beginning Monday, May 18 for a practice round. That evening, Western Washington University (WWU) graduate Bill Wright will be honored by United States Golf Association (USGA) president Jim Vern on the 50th anniversary of his having won the public links golf championship in 1959. He was the first black golfer to win a national championship.

WWU News Releases

The fine print: Western Today is compiled and edited by John Thompson and Matthew Anderson in the Office of University Communications. Some links have time limitations and may not be accessible in the near future. A few articles may require registration to view. If you prefer to be removed from this list, please let us know via the link at the bottom of this document. For upcoming events, faculty research, or faculty and student achievements you would like publicized, please reply to this e-mail; click here to submit news online, or click here to submit entries to our online calendar of events. For the latest Western athletics news and schedules, see http://wwuvikings.cstv.com/. For more on faculty and staff news, see the new FAST Online at http://fast.wwu.edu/.

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