Fall 2022 | Window | Western Washington University

A Western professor and a student standing on a grassy hill overlooking Pichincha on a cloudy day

Window to a Solar Future

An alum who helped develop a new solar window technology in a lab at Western returns to install the finished product at the Western Gallery

Two people, one on a ladder, work on the windows in front of the Western Gallery

First Crush, Second Draft

Alum Will Taylor’s book about first love is one of a growing number of LGBTQ+ stories for kids

A man sits smiling for the camera on a concrete staircase

Cross-Border Coach

Canadian Football Hall-of-Famer and alum Orlondo Steinauer knows there are no do-overs in football—or family

Orlondo Steinauer stands on a football field, holding a football in both hands.

Bee Welcome

It's official: Bees have a happy home at Western

students in bee keeping attire are surrounded by swirling honebees

Alma Clark Glass Hall receives top honors from architecture groups

The Civic Design Awards celebrate quality design arising from collaboration between architects and their civic clients.

Alma Clark Glass Hall is lit from the interior as dusk settles over the campus

This year’s incoming class is Western’s largest ever

Western’s fall enrollment is showing strong signs of a return to pre-pandemic levels

university administrators in academic regalia proceed through rows of standing students

Advice on keeping digital data secure and private

Erik Fretheim, director of Western’s Cyber Security Program, offers a few tips for the rest of us to keep our data out of the wrong hands

A man smiles for the camera in front of a tree turning colors for fall

Professor Liz Schermer joins geology’s top ranks

Schermer was recently elected to be a fellow of the American Geological Society

Geology Professor Liz Schermer holds a white board as she lectures on a rocky slope, surrounded by students

Class Notes: Golf Pro Cathy Kim, '08

Kim uses social media to share golf advice -- and get more people out on the course

Cathy Kim stands on a golf course, a golf bag and clubs over her shoulder

Institute for Energy Studies honored for green design

The U.S. Department of Energy has recognized Western’s bachelor’s degree in Energy Science and Technology as a world leader in teaching zero-energy design.

rows of solar panels line the outside of a building, next to a leafy green tree

A Look Back: Hanging out on ‘Log Ramps’ in 1991

Western has a long tradition of student involvement in campus art, even if they don’t know it.

Students sit and lie down on the sloping stacked logs of the Log Ramps sculpture

Western’s new Chief Diversity Officer will lead the Office of Equity

The Office of Equity bridges two complementary areas, compliance, and community education and development

Class Notes: Journalist and author Andy Campbell, '08

Americans are becoming desensitized to political violence, Campbell warns in his new book

President's Message: Finding a window to a wider world

Pushing beyond our comfort zones can enhance our outlooks

Sabah stands in front of Old Main with hands in pockets, wearing a suit and a reserved smile

Alumni Conversations: We're celebrating a new year

For those of us fortunate to work in higher education, our year begins with the return of thousands of students

Kim O'Neill stands for a portrait on the walkway in front of Old Main.

New state funding boosts retention, workforce goals

The Washington State Legislature recently approved more than $3 million in new spending to support student retention and strengthen Western’s nursing and cyber-security programs

aerial view of the walkways, trees and lawn around Wilson Library on a sunny, fall day.

Wendy Overton - 2008

Class Note

Wendy Overton, B.A., East Asian Studies, is an adviser for the cybersecurity company Safe Security, as well as on the partner advisory board of Code 42, which produces threat management software. Until recently, Wendy led the insider risk mitigation program for Optiv Security Inc.

Jordan Saravanja‐Recania - 2015

Class Note

Jordan Saravanja‐Recania, B.A., communication studies, moved to Tokyo in 2016 and graduated from Kudan Institute of Japanese Language & Culture in 2017. Jordan taught English in Funabashi, Japan, from 2017‐2022 and achieved his dream of earning his first- and second- degree judo black belts from Kodokan Judo Institute in 2017 and 2020. This year, he moved back to his hometown of Federal Way and now works as a seasonal parks maintenance worker for the city of Federal Way.

Carl Ellan Kelley - 1976

Obituary

Carl Ellan Kelley, 78, on Jan. 30, 2019.