Soundings, the newsletter for WWU families, is available online.

Here are some of the stories you'll see in the latest edition:

Good news for this spring's class: Employers plan to hire more than 19 percent more new college graduates than they did last year, according to a national survey.

But with so many people still looking for jobs, new-graduate job seekers need to represent themselves the best way they can.

"There's no better weekend to connect with your student and enjoy campus and the surrounding area," says Anna Carey, director of New Student Services/Family Outreach.

Western is offering more opportunities than ever this year to travel the world with Western faculty while earning WWU credit.

With 15 different trips to five continents courses will explore topics such as religion and post-colonial literature in Senegal, sustainability in Greece, conservation in Costa Rica and ecotourism in Peru.

With a growing number of Western students taking advantage of the GI Bill, WWU's Vetarans Services Office has grown, too.

Now there is enough space to pull together a couple of couches and put on some coffee for veterans and dependents who want to stop by and chat. Creating a sense of community for veterans is just as important as providing technical help, say staff members. They should know -- they're veterans, too.

Soundings, the newsletter for WWU families, is available online.

Here are some of the stories you'll see in the latest edition:

Students can start planning now for summer jobs Summer jobs can be a great opportunity for college students to earn money to pay for school. But working during the summer can also give students some early career experience, a taste of adventure or even a chance to catch up on college credits. Learn more. Plus: Some jobs offer a bit of adventure along with a paycheck. Read about the experiences of two WWU students, one on a fishing boat, the other on a train.

'Dead Parrots Society,' WWU's student improv team, is heading to nationals The Dead Parrots Society is heading to the national College Improv Tournament in Chicago in February to compete with other students who specialize in improvisational theatre, the fine art of performing comedic scenes at the drop of a hat. Learn more.

Western creates a clearer focus on its identity "This positioning effort will help people better understand what Western is all about today," says Bruce Shepard, WWU President, in a press release today. "Effectively telling our story means critically understanding just what it is that we are, and are especially good at. This has a critical connection to a pressing issue: having the resource base to continue to do what we do so well. And competition for limited resources will continue to intensify."

Read who was WWU's honorary 100,000th degree recipient Western officials knew the 100,000th degree would be awarded at Fall Commencement on Dec. 11, and selected a student at random to represent the recipient of the landmark degree. In addition to the celebration in December, Western is honoring the entire 2010-11 graduating class with a commemorative brick paver installed in the sidewalk in front of Old Main.

New students' words create a patchwork of hopes Each fall during Welcoming Convocation, new students write notes to be placed in a WWU time capsule. This word cloud illustrates some of the most common words the students used to describe their hopes, ambitions -- and some fears. Read the story for more, longer examples of their words.

This week: Catch WWU basketball on television Catch two upcoming WWU basketball games on Fox Sports Northwest TV: WWU Women host Seattle Pacific: Feb. 2, 6 p.m. WWU Men host Central Washington University: Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Fox Sports Northwest will also broadcast the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men's championship game on March 4 at 5 p.m.

WWU Libraries evolve to meet students' academic needs Students expect information to be available on the devices they choose to use, says Christopher Cox, dean of WWU Libraries. It falls to librarians to provide the information students need when and where they need it. Learn how WWU Libraries are changing to get students what they need.

Make plans to join your student on campus for Back 2 Bellingham Back 2 Bellingham Alumni and Family Weekend, Western's weekend extravaganza of reunions, family events, social gatherings and academic presentations, will be May 13 to 15. Make plans to join us.

Reconnect with students at Fall Family Open House

Ryan Stiles and Friends headline Fall Family Open House

Soundings interviews Ryan Stiles about the WWU show -- and building a home for improvisational comedy in Whatcom County.

Click here to see the rest of the schedule for Fall Family Open House, including sports, arts, a reception in the Western Gallery, and academic presentations.

Financial Aid funds must go further

While Financial Aid staff members have worked hard to ensure the overall amount of financial assistance to WWU students stays the same, it's clear families need more aid than ever due to the economic crisis.

"Financial Aid counselors have been literally working around the clock to review special circumstances and revise the aid offers of impacted students," says Clara Capron, WWU's Financial Aid director.

Plus: Financial Aid goes paperless. What does that mean for your family?

Advice for student job seekers

Caryn Regimbal, director of the Student Employment Center, and Brianne Kumar, personnel director for the Associated Students, offer tips to students looking for work.

Plan ahead for leadership jobs

Students who work with Admissions, orientation programs, academic advising, Residence Life and other important student services gain crucial leadership experience -- and often get paid. But students who want these jobs need to plan ahead; hiring often takes place one or two quarters before the first day of work. Learn more about qualifications, deadlines, and which jobs come with a paycheck.

University Catering can help you send gifts from home

Whether you want to help celebrate your student's birthday, wish them good luck on finals, or just to tell them you miss them, University Catering offers many themed gift packages.

Is your student looking for a way to get involved? Check out these volunteer opportunities

Students help their communities -- and build their own skills -- by pitching in.

Free Money Sense seminars boost students' financial literacy

Upcoming topics include "Your Rights as a Renter," "Financing Your Education" and "Investing." The seminars, offered by Business students, include dinner and discussions geard toward college students.