Getting Back to Bellingham!
If you are looking for that perfect occasion to go back to where it all began. The chance to revisit the campus which gave you the education that has led you to where you are today. The ability to catch up with those old friends you haven’t seen in years while participating in some great activities … well, don’t miss your opportunity to get Back 2 Bellingham – May 14-16, 2010!
“People are always telling me how they need to get back up to Bellingham,” explained Chris Roselli (‘99), Assistant Director of the Western Alumni Association. “Those off-the-cuff conversations are where the idea hatched. As a result, we came up with the Back 2 Bellingham (B2B) Alumni & Family Weekend to give graduates a great excuse to revisit their old stomping grounds – and we’re taking care of all the details.”
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| Old Main in spring |
“We are planning a huge array of events and activities. For only $20 you can take a tour of campus and new facilities, or sit in on a class with your favorite professors; you can attend a celebration in the Library with Boundary Bay Brewing (where Alumni Association members receive a commemorative pint glass), and there will even be a host of departmental, club, and athletics reunions. It’s going to be big! We are expecting to see a ton of people back on campus!” (Click here for a complete listing of all B2B events)
As an experience for the whole family, the B2B Kid’s Zone will also be a part of the festivities. For an additional $20/child, parents can enroll their ‘young Vikings’ in a day of activities which include movies, access to the Wade King Rec. Center and its swimming pool and climbing wall, plus educational classes and games; all supervised by Woodring College of Education students/staff and the Key Club. The best part, this service runs until midnight so adults can visit their old haunts while the kids enjoy the camp.
“It’s family friendly; we want to expose the next generation to all the great things that make up Western Washington University,” added Chris.
Another integral part of the Back 2 Bellingham weekend is the various reunions which will be taking place across campus; from an assembly of AS Board Members, and the Ethnic Student Center, to athletic teams, academic departments, and many more. Residence Life is among one of the larger organizations planning a gathering to coincide with B2B. While they hope to highlight their new ‘Residence Education Model’ to the staff of yore, they have set aside a majority of time for alumni of Residence Life to mingle and catch-up with each other.
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| Bellingham Bay and Mount Baker |
“Hall staff, in particular, form very tight bonds during their time on campus. After graduation, however, it’s often hard for them to maintain these close connections,” said John Purdie (‘91), Associate Director of Residence Life. “I think a lot of people stay in contact through Facebook and other forms of social media, but it just isn’t the same. Even if it is only for a couple hours, the ability to sit down and talk with your old friends is an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.”
“For me, B2B is Western’s answer to Homecoming,” John continued. “An opportunity for alumni to reconnect with other alumni, faculty, staff and the campus. But it’s more than just a reunion; there are so many activities going on that dollar for dollar, the vacation value alone of the Back 2 Bellingham weekend makes it worth it. For the price of admission, a few bucks in gas if you are coming up from Seattle, and maybe a hotel room and a couple meals; the cost of the trip is well worth the flood of memories.”
John, a Western RA from ’89 to ’91, explained that after graduation he didn’t come back to campus until he accepted his current role with Residence Life in 2006. He mentioned how surreal it was to be back for those first months. The additions of structures like the Biology and Chemistry buildings, the Communication building, the Academic Instructional Center, plus the Wade King Rec. Center have completely changed south campus. What he was really struck by though, was how much it still felt like home.
As a former ASWWU President, Keith Boyd (‘95) is behind yet another event coinciding with B2B; a reunion of perhaps some of the most active students during their time on Western’s campus ... Associated Student Government members. “It just seems like such a natural idea,” expressed Keith, “bring together a group of former student leaders to reminisce about our experience and discuss the ways that experience has enhanced our lives, both personally and professionally. Many of us that served on the Board in the early to mid-90s are still friends, although we don’t see each other very often, so the thought of reconnecting – even with former rivals, was very compelling.”
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| Downtown Bellingham |
Keith has another special connection to WWU because it was where he met his wife Leslie ('97) when she was President of the Resident Hall Association (three years later, Leslie also became an ASWWU President). He reflected that when you are a student, you have no idea that many of the relationships you make would blossom many years later. He is glad they have.
“Back to Bellingham represents a fantastic opportunity for all the proud alumni of Western to become reengaged with their University,” Keith continued. “Western is one of the most beautiful universities in North America, and every time I step back on the campus I feel a surge of energy and pride as I think of the formative experiences that I had as a student. Coming back to Bellingham and celebrating everything that makes Western special just feels right – I can’t wait to retrace my footsteps and relish the memories of my collegiate experience.”
Since a big part of the collegiate experience also goes beyond the borders of campus, as part of the Back 2 Bellingham weekend the Alumni Association has partnered with several iconic downtown Bellingham establishments, as well as a few new ones, to offer a passport of deals and discounts. Starting with a bash at Boundary Bay Brewing, Saturday evening has been set aside as a night out on the town.
“Alumni will be amazed at some of the places that are no longer a part of the downtown scene,” added Chris Roselli. “Stanellos and the 3B are gone; but the Horseshoe is still there and kicking, the Up and Up will be offering Happy Hour prices all weekend, and Don remains the bartender at the Beav. For Back 2 Bellingham we have tried to bring together everything you loved about Western, and put it into three days so graduates can relive their experiences – for one weekend in May, Western Alumni are going to take over campus, and Bellingham - just like they did when they were students!”
To learn more about the Back 2 Bellingham Alumni & Family Weekend and register online click here.
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