University Advancement Merges Organizations

The WWU Foundation and WWU Alumni Association are now a single organization.

Following 18 months of planning, a unanimous vote of the Alumni Association and approval by both boards, the WWU Foundation and WWU Alumni Association merged into a new organization, The Foundation for WWU & Alumni, effective July 1.

“Our board members couldn’t be more excited and optimistic for what the future holds,” said Board Chair Andrea Sturm. “This new organization will advance the mission and strategic goals of Western, deepen engagement of alumni and the broader community and inspire philanthropy that is inclusive of time, talent and treasure.”

On campus, there will be no change to the services provided to our partners. The Foundation for WWU & Alumni will continue to operate as a 501(c)3 organization and maintain its role in working with alumni, donors and community members to provide support for Western students, faculty and programs. The streamlined approach, though, will help the Foundation increase its engagement with its constituents and provide more ways to be involved.

“There are so many ways to become and remain active,” said Scot Studebaker (’90), former president of the WWU Alumni Association and now vice-chair of the new board. “Alumni and community members can encourage prospective students to attend Western, attend events, serve on advisory boards, mentor students and make a philanthropic gift.”

“I am so grateful to our board members who worked so hard to make this merger possible,” said Kim O’Neill, WWU vice president of University Advancement and CEO of the new organization. “These volunteers dedicate so much of their time to support Western and their vision for this new organization will make the Western community stronger. I look forward to working with our campus partners to engage our alumni and community members more deeply in the great work that occurs here every day.”

To learn more visit foundation.wwu.edu.