Fall 2021

Western’s new Marine and Coastal Sciences Program already has a deep history
Some say you can never go home again, but that's just what I've done.
Scientists are looking for signs that water used to flow on the dry, dusty planet
After his son died of E. coli poisoning, Darin Detwiler has never stopped working to protect our food supply
Alma Clark Glass’s family helps open Western’s newest residence hall
Meet Western alumna Val Thomas-Matson’s empathetic TV alter-ego, as she showcases preschoolers of color on her children’s show ‘Look, Listen & Learn’
Can computer science save the whales? Alum Gracie Ermi is trying—and she wants more young women to follow her into unexpected STEM careers.
NSF-funded grant programs have resulted in more women and other underrepresented groups in computer science and math
Video: A reunion of four marine scientists who all got their start at Shannon Point
Students who wanted to catch a ride home for the holidays in the 1970’s would check out the Ride Share/Commuter Car Pool Board in the Viking Union to see who was traveling their way.
Western is planning two in-person ceremonies to celebrate summer and fall 2021 graduates
The stories in this edition underscore the importance of being with our students through every step on their journeys.
Anyone in the Western community can select attire from the Career Closet to start building their professional wardrobes.
The biggest ever Give Day raised funds for scholarships, clubs, academic departments and student support
Kendi will be the virtual keynote speaker at the event Jan. 17, 2022
Western students, faculty and staff are vaccinated at higher rates than the surrounding Bellingham community

Class Notes

Larry Thomas Stewart - 1967

Obituaries
Larry Thomas Stewart, 76, a retired teacher and coach, on March 2, 2021.

Daniel Warner - 1966

Obituaries
Daniel Warner, 82, a military veteran who in retirement volunteered for the Seattle Aquarium and the Museum of Flight, on June 27, 2021.

Leah Lackey - 2021

Class Notes (General)
Leah Lackey, B.S., electrical and computer engineering, worked over the summer with Yale University’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Lens Media Lab on a machine learning model to visualize and sort texture images, which would be very helpful for photography historians. Leah continues to work as an associate in the Lens Media Lab this fall.