College Avenue The latest from across campus
A history worth celebrating Day-long birthday party marks WWU 125th anniversary
Watch the 125th birthday commemoration service at
wallawalla.edu/125.
in front of the Administration Building to reflect on the past and celebrate the future. After the bell rang 125 times, Terrie Aamodt, professor of history and English, and Don Weaver ’56 took the crowd back to opening day, speaking in character as 1892 matron Sallie Sutherland and WWU benefactor and former Walla Walla mayor Nelson G. Blalock. The crowd sang “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow” as they did in 1892 on the first day of classes. At the close of the program, a gift of $185,035 from former ASWWU and ASWWC presidents was presented to kick off a new Student Life and Ministry Center project.
WWU President John McVay spoke to the crowd gathered on the front lawn for the celebration on Dec. 7.
The daylong celebration featured yogi burgers at The Express for $1.25 off, three popup parties across campus, and a birthday party in Kellogg Hall. That afternoon, an open house in Havstad Alumni Center kept people warm until the start of the College Place Winterfest when the City of College Place teamed
A good sign
Key marker of student satisfaction at all-time high The freshman retention rate—the number of students that return for their sophomore year—is 86 percent this year at WWU, marking a 5 percent increase over the 2015–16 school year. The national average retention rate at four-year colleges is 75 percent. WWU registrar Carolyn Denney says the high retention rate at WWU indicates that students are happy
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Westwind Spring 2018
both academically and socially and that they are receiving the support they need to be successful. She credits several programs at WWU for contributing to student retention. “JumpStart is an important element of orientation. The program introduces students to campus facilities, policies, and expectations, and connects them with other students,” she says. Other factors
Mentors help new students navigate the challenges of adjusting to college life.
up with WWU for a parade down College Avenue, a tree lighting at City Hall, and a fireworks show. The community turned out to be a part of something special. “It’s good to remind ourselves of who we are,” says Aamodt. “This place didn’t just sprout up out of nothing for no reason. It’s bigger than any one of us, it’s bigger than any day of the year or any department or any particular classroom or any particular teacher.”
include renewable merit scholarships, the freshman mentoring program, which partners freshmen with a personal mentor, and a class introduced fall quarter 2016 called On Course, which teaches life-skill strategies and study skills. Denney credits other factors as well: “Advisement is more consistent and systematic, faculty are responsive to students who need special attention, and Student Financial Services proactively works with students who are in financial need or in danger of losing their
merit scholarships.” Retaining students from the beginning can be significant for their progress. When students transfer from one college to another, they often lose credits, which costs time and money. Increased retention can improve the chance that a student will meet their expected graduation date.
Learn more about WWU resources that support student success at
wallawalla.edu/ student-success.
READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WESTWIND.WALLAWALLA.EDU
PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE
W
ALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY first opened its doors on Dec. 7, 1892. On that cold morning, a small community gathered in the snow to consecrate an unfinished building that lacked central heat, running water, and a functional kitchen stove. They knew conditions would be rough for a while, but celebrated anyway, because that bleak morning represented a bright future. Flash forward 125 years to Dec. 7, 2017. At 8:30 a.m., students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered