Photos: 2016 winter commencement | WWU News | Western Washington University

Ralph Munro, former Washington Secretary of State, addressed Western Washington University graduates and their families in one of three winter Commencement ceremonies, and author, scientist and educator Jennifer Hahn spoke in two ceremonies March 19 in Western’s Performing Arts Center Mainstage.

Munro also received an honorary doctorate at the 3 p.m. ceremony, and Bellingham residents Jerry and Truc Thon received the President’s Award at the 9 a.m. ceremony in recognition of their service to the community.

Approximately 550 undergraduates and about 30 master’s candidates received degrees this quarter.

As Carver Gymnasium undergoes a $70 million renovation project, summer, fall and winter Commencement ceremonies are being held in the Performing Arts Center Mainstage. Spring Commencement will be held at Civic Field in Bellingham.

Hahn, who spoke at the 9 a.m. and noon ceremonies, is an author, scientist, teacher, culinary explorer and wilderness guide. She has long made her living by sharing her love of the outdoors. She has written two books about finding wild edibles, and teaches courses in sustainable wild food harvesting at Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies and the North Cascades Institute. Hahn is also working toward a master’s degree in Environmental Studies by examining pollution contamination in Salish Sea seaweeds.

Munro spoke at the 3 p.m. ceremony, and be honored for his three decades in public service, including 20 years as Secretary of State. He was instrumental in streamlining voter registration procedures and modernizing the state’s election system. He is also known for working to ban the capture of orcas in Puget Sound, among many other accomplishments in public service.

The 9 a.m. ceremony’s student commencement speaker was Victor Johnson, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy. Johnson works for Lummi Natural Resources and is co-owner of Lotus Coffee Co.

Jerry and Truc Thon are among Western’s biggest supporters in the Bellingham community. Jerry Thon, who graduated from Western in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, has served on the Western Foundation board of directors since 2005, including a term as president, and is a member of the steering committee for the Western Stands for Washington campaign. Truc, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry from Western, serves on the Board of Advisors for the College of Science and Engineering. The Thons give generously to scholarships and to other programs at Western and to other community groups.

The student commencement speaker for the noon ceremony was Joseph Eason, who received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting and Management Information Systems. A graduate of Spanaway Lake High School and Whatcom Community College, Eason served internships with the Washington State Auditor’s Office and Symetra Financial in Bellevue.

The student speaker for the 3 p.m. ceremony was Tahlia Natachu, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature with an emphasis in Secondary Education, as well as minors in American Indian Studies, and Education and Social Justice. Natachu, from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, served as co-chair of the Native American Student Union and presented her research on multicultural education at two academic conferences.

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Western Today staff