San Francisco Chronicle

• Bay Area conceptual artist David Ireland dies
  David Ireland, a Bay Area sculptor and conceptual artist of national reputation, died of pneumonia Sunday after suffering for several years from dementia with Lewy bodies. He was 78.
  He was born in Bellingham, Wash., in 1930 and educated there in public schools and at Western Washington University. In 1953, shortly before being drafted into the U. S. Army, he received a degree in industrial design and printmaking from California College of Arts and Crafts (now California College of the Arts) in Oakland. (Note: Ireland's work, "Bigger Big Chair" was installed on campus as part of WWU's Outdoor Sculpture Collection in 2007)

Spokane Spokesman-Review

• Wazzu regent balks at book choice
  A book chosen by a Washington State University committee as appropriate food for thought for all incoming freshmen will not be distributed at summer orientation after a member of the board of regents raised concerns about the work’s focus on problems associated with agribusiness.
  WSU’s president said the decision to halt the “common reading” program was related to the university’s financial crisis.
  In “Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals,” author Michael Pollan discusses the social, political, moral and environmental implications of the food people eat.
  By coincidence, Western Washington University also picked “Omnivore’s Dilemma” for distribution to freshmen at orientation next fall.  But at WSU, the common reading program has been halted.

The Bellingham Herald

• Koppenberg in 14th at nationals
  Jake Koppenberg, Western Washington University's lone representative, shot a 3-over par 74 for the second round and sits tied for 14th. The tournament continues on Thursday, May 21.

Northern Light

• WWU students to perform opera at Blaine PAC
  If you thought that you had to live in New York City and be fluent in Italian to enjoy the opera, think again. 
  On Tuesday, May 26, students from the music department at Western Washington University will perform an opera based on “The Ugly Duckling,” a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen.
  The performance is free and begins at 10 a.m. in Blaine’s Performing Arts Center.  In addition to the students of Blaine elementary school, all members of Blaine’s community are invited to attend. 
  

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• Blaine students honored at AAUW event
  Three Blaine students were among 30 outstanding math, science and technology students from 11 Whatcom County high schools to be recognized Saturday, May 9.
  The students were recognized by the Bellingham Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW).
  The 2009 Blaine honorees include: Caitlyn Dudley, math; Michelle Berry, science; and Sierra Johncox, technology.
  The event honors female students selected by their schools, and is cosponsored by Western Washington University’s College of Sciences and Technology and BP Cherry Point Refinery. This is the eighth year for the event.