Baristas at the Boulevard Park Woods wearing a pin to show their support for WWU.

Viking Blend: Supporting Scholarships/Environment

Bags of the Viking Blend on display.

It's a ritual … you wake up, roll out of bed, start your coffee machine, and wait for that morning cup that somehow gets you through the day. The smell alone is almost enough to get the sleep out of your eyes … admit it, just reading these few words has made you think about pouring another cup. But now its time to add something new to your morning routine, something with a richer taste and bolder aroma, something that also gives back to the students of WWU … make your morning coffee the Viking Blend!

"The first thing you need to know is that the coffee tastes great! A lot of testing went into discovering the taste of Western, and I can't count how many pots of coffee we brewed in the process … too many perhaps" said Deborah DeWees, Executive Director of the Western Washington University Alumni Association. "We worked in partnership with a local coffee company, The Woods Coffee; the beans are 100% organic and fair trade certified; and $2 from every bag goes directly back to Western student scholarships … your morning coffee ritual can now easily help students and the environment."

Margaret Curtis, Co-Owner of Wilson Engineering; a Bellingham based civil engineering and land surveying company, supports the idea behind the Viking Blend. "I wanted to reward The Woods Coffee for their philanthropic thinking with respect to WWU scholarships," Curtis commented when asked why she recently bought Viking Blend coffee for her company. "I first bought ten bags and laid them out for employees to use at the office or to take home. One of our coffee hounds said that the Viking Blend was ‘incredibly good!,’ but the bags disappeared almost immediately so I haven't personally tried it yet; I'll have to buy some more bags and let you know!"

Wes Herman, owner of The Woods Coffee, and Deborah DeWees, Executive Director of the Western Alumni Association at the Boulevard Park Woods Store.

The Western Alumni Association is happy to be working with The Woods Coffee in producing the Viking Blend. Established as a single store in 2002 by the Herman family of Lynden, WA, Woods has since grown to nine locations throughout Whatcom County, with more in the works, and a plan to keep expanding south (read more about the Herman family in Bellingham Alive). With a core value to "eliminate waste," Woods was named 2008 "Green Business of the Year" by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry. "We are continuing to grow, and we're moving toward zero waste as we do it," said Wes Herman, owner of The Woods Coffee. "We have been working with Sustainable Connections and the FoodPlus! program here in Bellingham, adopting sustainable practices in all our stores, managing everything from the coffee grounds, to compostable cups, to even complying with LEED guidelines in all construction projects."

Wes continued by talking about the Western Wednesday partnership that initially drew The Woods Coffee and the Western Alumni Association together.

"In an effort to promote sustainable habits, every Wednesday we offer a great opportunity for the Western Community to enjoy a free cup of coffee at any Woods location...simply bring in a reusable mug while wearing your Western clothing, and your mug will be filled with the Viking Blend on the house. We saw this as a great way to get people in the habit of participating in a sustainable practice (using personal mugs and not relying on paper cups). Plus, it helps build excitement around the University. Western is a huge part of our community, and we employ a ton of Western students and grads; they enjoy Getting Their Blue On and wearing their Western gear on Wednesdays too."

"Getting Your Blue On isn't only about wearing Western clothing every Wednesday," continued Deborah DeWees, "it's about building a sense of community and growing the sprit of WWU. The creation of the Viking Blend came out of our desire to help; $2 a bag may not seem like much, but it adds up. With nearly 100,000 alumni, over 16,000 parents of current students, plus a ton of supporters in the Western community, think of the potential impact if even only half of them buy a bag; it would mean over $100,000 in vital scholarship dollars. Buying a bag is just a small thing you can do that has a huge impact on a Western student."

Buy Your Bag of the Viking Blend Online Today. It's easy and secure!

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Student 'Raps' at Commencement

In the spring Byron Yee ('09) graduated with special honors, and a 3.8 GPA, while earning a dual major in Theater Arts and Business Administration. An alum of Skyline High School, and son of Jim and Wendy Yee of Issaquah, Byron was named an "Outstanding Graduate" by the Theatre Arts department (click here to read about all "Outstanding Graduates" at WWU), and was selected as the student speaker for his commencement ceremony by the College of Business and Economics this past June.

An active theatre performer and producer while at WWU, Byron volunteered his time as the financial manager for Student Theatre Productions, and served as an artistic director for "Plays 4 Us." Byron was also responsible for "Kickin' Cancer's Derriere: A Benefit Show for the Cure," which raised more than $1,000 for the American Cancer Society .

Byron recently left to serve in the Peace Corps, in Senegal, Africa. Follow Byron on his adventure in Senegal by visiting his blog http://www.thebyronyee.blogspot.com

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Honoring Outstanding Western Alumni

One of the greatest honors a person can receive is one that comes from a peer— so the question is, do you know someone whose commitment to WWU has lasted a lifetime? Have you read about a Western grad who is doing great things in the community? Do you know a Viking who has more spirit than any graduate from any other university? Well then, do your part to add another Western graduate to the ranks of Alumni Award Winners. CLICK HERE to download the 2010 Alumni Awards Nominate Form; and attend the Alumni Awards Celebration Banquet on Friday, May 14th, 2010 to honor these alumni as we kick off our Back-to-Bellingham weekend!

Since 1980 the Western Alumni Association has recognized over 120 alumni for their dedication and passion to Western. Representing every college from across campus, these individuals have helped WWU become the innovative leader in higher education it is today! Scroll down to read about the 2009 honorees!

The deadline for submissions is October 1st, and we are accepting nominations in the four following categories:

• Larry "Go Vikings!" Taylor Alumni Service Award
  Recognizes an alumnus who has provided continuous and passionate service to Western Washington University.
• Young Alumnus of the Year Award
  Identifies high achieving young alumni (age 39 or younger) who have distinguished themselves in an exceptional way.
• Lifetime Achievement Award
  Honors an individual whose knowledge, experience and insights have lead to success in personal, professional or community service.
• Legacy Family of the Year Award
  Celebrates generations from the same family who have continually graced the campus of Western Washington University.

2009 Alumni Award Recipients

LARRY "GO VIKINGS!" TAYLOR ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

"Moose" Zurline
Bachelor of Arts in Education in Physical Education/Elementary Education ('50)
College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Vi Zurline
Business and Home Economic courses ('50)

It would be difficult to find two people who exceed Moose and Vi Zurline's passion, dedication and true love for Western Washington University. Now in their 80's and both retired, the Zurline's each have been honored individually by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce as the Man and Woman of the Year for their service to the community and dedication as local business owners (Bellingham Travel).

Moose and Vi have both served on the Western Foundation Board of Directors, and they continue to be passionate supporters of Viking Athletics as they remember Moose's time as a Western football player and 40+ years as a referee. Over the years their dedication of time and resources has created an enormous bond between them and the entire athletics organization; they know the players, coaches and administration, and are hands down the #1 Vikings fans!

YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Jonathan Main
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & International Business ('94)
College of Business and Economics

Jonathan Main is a 1994 Western graduate from the College of Business & Economics with a B.A. in International Business. In addition to managing his family's investment company, SARME Corporate Holdings, Jonathan is also the COO for a start up nanotech company, Carbon Nanoprobes. Previously, Jonathan worked in global shipping and logistics with the Tower Group (now part of the FedEx Network), DSR Senator/Hanjin Shipping and Kamino International Logistics.

Building on a tradition of attending Western he inherited from his father who received his Masters in Mathematics, Jonathan reveled in the opportunities and personal touch Western's smaller class sizes and inviting professors allowed. While he openly admits he wasn't the best student in his International Economics and Business Law classes, he credits them as his favorite, and acknowledges Dr. Spitch, (International Business) Dr. Plumlee (Management) and Dr. Haug (Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management) for teaching him that "time" and "support" are the most valuable commodities one can give. Jonathan remains active mentoring Western students and volunteering his time for workshops organized by the International Business Club.

LEGACY FAMILY OF THE YEAR

Bowman - Frazier Family
1923-present

The Bowman - Frazier family embodies all the elements of a true Western legacy family. For more than eight decades the family has attended WWU, and we are proud to honor this family as they continue to celebrate the pride, commitment and community that makes Western one of the best universities in the nation.

Family members who attended Western include: Vyra Mae Bowman ('23), Alma Hoyt-Bowman ('35), Evelyn Frazier ('39), George Bucher (attended '48 - '49), Jo Ann Bowman (attended '50 - '52), Bob Bowman ('53), Jack Bowman ('54), LaVon Bucher ('54), Mary Anna Bowman (attended '54 - '56) Lynn Phillips ('56) Ann Olason (attended '57 & '58) Tom Bowman ('59) Dennis Olason ('59), Linda Larson Bowman ('61 - '63), Paul Bowman ('63), Audrey Bowman ('65), Joanne Barry ('72), Betty Kamrar ('74), Judi Nason ('74), Rhonda Curtis ('75), Daniel J. Bowman (attended '75 - '76), Laurie Hoyt ('77), Paula O'Halloran ('93), and Sam L. Bowman (current student).

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

John Wolfe
Bachelor of Arts in Economics ('74)

In 1974 John Wolfe graduated from Western with a self-designed major in political economy, a degree focusing on the interplay between the economic and political systems. Recognized today as a leading white collar criminal defense attorney in the Puget Sound Region by Chambers USA Client Guide; Best Lawyers in America and Seattle Magazine's "Best Lawyers in Seattle" edition, John has been a guest lecturer for the CBE Ethics & Social Responsibility Speaker Series, and serves on the Dean's Advisory Board for the College of Business & Economics as well as the Western Washington University Foundation Board.

Initially drawn to Western by the success of its forensic (debate) team and the opportunity to join one of the best programs on the West Coast, John later went on to become the Associated Students President. He remembers his interactions with President Jerry Flora, Economics professor Ben Frerichs and Political Science instructor Eugene Hogan, and the influences of these individuals on him, combined with his belief that WWU is one of the great small liberal arts schools, has in turn lead John's daughter to attend Western to represent the next generation of student leaders.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA FAIRHAVEN COLLEGE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus
Bachelor of Arts in History ('74)

Fairhaven's size, its openness, and the possibility of interdisciplinary and independent study drew Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus from a larger mid-west university to Western where she graduated in 1974. Later to become the first woman to hold the Presidency of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, and currently only the second woman to be President of the New York based Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbi Dreyfus's career since becoming ordained in 1979 has included service as a hospital chaplain, a synagogue educator and rabbi of congregations.

Now as a resident of Homewood, IL on the south side of Chicago, Rabbi Dreyfus remembers the walk between Fairhaven and Western on those rainy days as she worked her way to the classes that pushed her to think beyond her own experiences and opened her eyes to new possibilities. In 2000, Rabbi Dreyfus came back to Fairhaven to co-teach a class with her favorite Western instructor, Bob Keller, entitled "The 21st Century: Road Guide to the Future."

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS COLLEGE OF FINE & PERFORMING ARTS

Steven Arnold
Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance ('79) & Bachelor of Arts in Theatre ('81)

Steve Arnold attended Western Washington University from 1976 to 1981 where he earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Music Performance (Voice) and a second degree in Theatre; he also attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where he completed his Master's in Fine Arts in Scenery Design. After designing for a couple of small theaters, he continued his work in New York City assisting several Broadway designers.

He subsequently started working in film in 1984 and over the years has worked his way up the ladder within the Art Department on well known films including Mississippi Burning, The Doors, Forest Gump, The Hudsucker Proxy, and Bugsy which won the Oscar for Best Art Direction. He's since been the Art Director on films such as Get Shorty, Face/off, Unbreakable, Van Helsing and Appaloosa; was the Supervising Art Director on Spider-Man; and has recently started Production Designing. Along the way he has had the chance to work with such noted Directors as Oliver Stone, Barry Levinson, the Coen brothers, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Zemeckis, M. Night Shyamalan, Sam Raimi, and Ang Lee.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES

Kevin Jackson
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism ('92)

Four-time winner of a Sports Emmy Award with ESPN, Kevin Jackson is a 1992 graduate of Western Washington University with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in History. During his 14 years with the worldwide leader in sports, Kevin has spent time as the NFL Editor, helped integrate ESPN.com with ESPN television, and was the Founding Editor of the Page 2 section of ESPN.com; most recently in 2007 Kevin was promoted to Vice President and Executive Editor for ESPN.com.

At Western, Kevin learned the importance of good writing while working under a deadline and remembers the late nights closing Klipsun Magazine on deadline; he credits professors Floyd McKay and Carolyn Dale for teaching him many of the skills he uses to this day. Kevin maintains that Western houses the best journalism program in the state and has generously volunteered his time as a participant in the Bellingham Visual Journalism Conference (2006 and 2008) and as Editor-in-Residence for the Journalism Department (February 2009).

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS HUXLEY COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Mike Town
Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Analysis in ('84) & Bachelor of Arts in Education in Biology/Secondary Education in ('85)

Mike Town received his B.S. in Environmental Science in 1984 and a B.A. in Secondary Education in 1985 and has spent the past 24 years at Redmond High School where he currently teaches AP Environmental Science. During his tenure Mike has received numerous honors including being named the Conservation Fund Environmental Educator of the Year for the United States and Environmental Educator of the Year for Washington State. In addition to his role inside the classroom, Mike is a tireless environmental advocate. In the spring of 2008 he was instrumental in turning the Wild Sky Wilderness Act into law, and with it transforming 106,000 acres near Snohomish into the first wilderness area to be designated in Washington in nearly 24 years.

Mike chose Western for two reasons, the beauty of the area with all its recreational opportunities, and Huxley College of the Environment where professors Ruth Weiner and John Miles helped him become an environmental leader and mentor. Mike and his wife Meg, a middle school teacher, live in Duvall in a house powered by solar energy that feeds surplus energy back into the grid.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA COLLEGE OF SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY

Kathleen Grega Digges
Bachelor of Science in Geology in ('71)

It was a love for Geology that led Kathleen Grega Digges to Western Washington University where she completed her degree in the subject in 1971. Continuing her education by earning a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Washington, and attending medical school at Georgetown University, Kathleen went on to a distinguished career as a general surgeon and specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Northern Virginia where she lived with her husband Robert.

Although Dr. Digges passed away in late 2008, she remained passionately interested in geology and her memory lives on through the generous support she bestowed on the university she credits as creating the foundation for her academic and professional success. In addition to endowing the Robert H. and Kathleen Digges Distinguished Professorship in Engineering Geology and funding graduate fellowships, Kathleen's support also helps continue a geology field trip program because some of her fondest memories while a student at Western were of her educational experiences outside the traditional classroom.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS WOODRING COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Ronald H. LaFayette
Bachelor of Arts in Education in Special Education K-12 and Speech Pathology & Audiology in ('69) & Master of Arts in Speech Communication in ('71)

Ronald H. LaFayette graduated from Western with a degree in Elementary Education and Speech Pathology/Audiology in 1969 and earned his Master's degree with an emphasis in Audiology in 1971. Dr. LaFayette began his 25-year career in higher education at Seattle Central Community College where he served as the Assistant Director of the Regional Program for Deaf Students. He went on to serve as Associate Dean of Instruction at SCCC, Director of the Urban Center at WWU, Interim President of Spokane Community College, and Interim Director of Workforce Education at the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. He is currently the Vice Chancellor and President of North Seattle Community College.

Ronald has played a critical role in supporting Woodring's partnership with NSCC by providing a path for nontraditional students to become excellent teachers for the state of Washington through programs like "Today's Students - Tomorrow's Teachers," which works with public high schools to identify students with the potential to be great teachers. Without a doubt Dr. LaFayette considers Dr. Loran Webb, a former member of the Department of Speech and Hearing, as the most influential in his educational life.

ALUMNI COMMUNITY SERVICE RECOGNITION

Bill Kalenius
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting in ('74)
College of Business & Economics

After Bill Kalenius graduated in 1974 with a B.A. in Accounting he spent a career working within the timber industry where he helped with sawmill construction and improvement projects throughout the nation. These experiences however were only training for Bill's dream job...today, Bill is the director and coach of the Vancouver Lake Crew, and in 2007 was voted one of the Top Ten "Most Caring" coaches by USA Today.

As a junior in 1972 Bill began rowing under Coach Bob Diehl at WWU and after graduation went on to join Lake Washington Rowing, one of the most active clubs in the country. After serving as a coach for clubs and schools throughout the region, he took a handful of donated boats and a passion for rowing and turned them into the Vancouver Lake Crew. So strong is this club today that even after a rare northwest tornado tore through their boathouse, ripping up the club and leaving behind crumpled boats, Bill had them back on the water within days. Many of his rowers have gone on to compete at the college level, including at Western on our women's national championship teams.

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An English Teacher in Africa
By: Philip Dierking / Guest Columnist

"Salem Alekum!" "Alekum Salem! Nabaad?"

"Ha, wa nabaad!"

As I greet my neighbors in Somali, I open the gate to my apartment complex and begin heading to work. However, outside I find the neighborhood kids frozen in place, staring in awe at something I can't see. I look around the corner and find a camel chewing the leaves of the tree next to us. Apparently one got away from its herder. As I put on my sunglasses and continue walking to work, I smile to myself and think how a typical day here in Djibouti is, well, not that typical at all.

So where am I exactly, and how did I, a guy from Alaska, find himself on the complete opposite side of the globe? To begin with, since September I've been living in the country of Djibouti, a tiny east African nation sandwiched between Eritrea and Somalia, and sitting right on top of Ethiopia. I've been sent here by IFESH (International Foundation of Education and Self-Help), a nonprofit organization whose focus is specifically on sub-Saharan Africa. My main project is to serve as an English language teacher at the University of Djibouti, while also assisting with other student and university development projects. It has proven to be an experience in no way ordinary and in every way unbelievable.

"Hello, teacher," my students say as I enter the room. After sharing stories of what we did over the weekend, I hand out the assignment for the day, and write today's topic, "applying for a job,-" on the board. Later, we engage in mock job interviews, with one female student pretending to interview to be the next president.

I'd be lying if I said that I had always imagined myself teaching English in Africa. It would also be a bold-faced lie if I said that Djibouti was even remotely on my mind when I was filling out my application a year ago. A hot, dry country with summer temperatures reaching 130 degrees, bordered by three countries in almost constant conflict - it just is not what you typically put on the top of your "must see" travel list. Sure enough however, the country has grown on me, and I've discovered not just the intense warmth of the country, but of its people as well.

It also doesn't hurt that in just the few months I've been here, I've already been able to go swimming with whale sharks, run a 15 kilometer race across an enormous desert, snorkel among several massive coral reefs, and star-gaze side-by-side with a group of camels lounging on the beach.

Teaching English has been an extraordinary endeavor for me here, and often I feel that after the conversations my students and I have in class, I've learned as much about the culture of their world here as they have about the English language. Being a recent college graduate, it seems somewhat bizarre to so quickly find myself on the other side of the exam table. It's interesting being a mentor for my students (who often are the same age as me), when I am really on the same quest as they are to find my place in the world.

Learning English has recently become the number one priority for Djibouti. Although its official languages are French and Arabic, Djibouti finds itself a mere tiny French-speaking Island in a predominantly English-speaking region of Africa. In addition, as the backbone of Djibouti's economy lies in its massive international port, one of the largest and most stable in East Africa. The country knows that to truly develop it needs its workers to be competent in English. This desire is reflective in the classroom. One of my student's parents abandoned her several year ago, yet despite having to look after her brothers and sisters she still finds time to come to class every day. Another student of mine returns home each day after class to go teach English himself at a private school in his local community. I find a level of desire and commitment in my students that I could only hope one day to emulate.

It's just another remarkable aspect of the country that is already a kaleidoscope of cultures. The original people of Djibouti are of the nomadic Somali and Affar tribes. Yet due to it's proximity to Yemen, there is a large Arab influence on the culture and religion. Mix in the fact that Djibouti was a former French colony, and you then understand the prevalence of cafés, baguettes, and the cheerful "Bonjour chef." heard around town.

Part of that kaleidoscope is also found in my classes, where I have students dressed in everything from western clothing, to traditional booboos, beautiful multi-colored light dresses with a matching scarf wrapped around their shoulders and heads, to the full Islamic jilbab, dark black fabrics covering all parts of the bodies except a slit for the eyes (the latter two being mostly for women).

From the sights, to the food, to the people themselves, every day proves to be a new adventure for me. As I sit here now in my apartment room, watching the sun turn a deep violet as it sets over the Red Sea, listening to the mosques blasting their prayer call in Arabic throughout town, I know without a doubt that I truly am in a different world.

[Philip Dierking is a 2007 graduate of Western Washington University with a degree in Communications. After graduation Philip worked as an International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH) volunteer in the east African country of Djibouti, where he taught English at the only university. Want to read more stories by Philip? Check out his other articles in the Juneau Empire; Egypt Unpacked and Surprised to find an Ethiopian Utopia]

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	Become an Alumni Association Member Today!

Become an Alumni Association Member Today!

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