Schedule of Events

Do you need to stock up on Western gear? The A.S. Bookstore has a variety of clothing and gifts while you are visiting campus. Get 25% off select T-shirts and all drinkware (including Hydro Flasks!!!) with your B2B wristband.

Every spring, the Western Gallery presents works by graduating students in Western’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program. This year-long studio art program is designed to guide budding artists, help them build their strengths, and propel them to independent careers in contemporary art.

The Western Gallery is the art museum of Western Washington University. It provides free access to a wide range of contemporary art. The Gallery serves primarily the North Puget Sound communities, Western Washington, Bellingham, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. With a point of reference to the national art scene, the Western Gallery creates an environment for learning. 

Located on beautiful Lake Whatcom, this 4,000-square-foot log facility contains a boat house, meeting lounge, and locker rooms. There are more than 60 watercraft, ranging from Windsurf boards, canoes, kayaks and SUPs, to one-person and two-person sailing dinghies, catamarans, and keelboats to provide hours of on-the-water enjoyment for the Bellingham college community.

A 60-minute walking tour of Western's campus led by a Student Admissions Representative. A 30-minute Admission Information Session. Viewing of a residence hall room. Click here to register: https://apply.wwu.edu/portal/campus-tours.

Come to campus to meet Dean, Dr. Caskey Russell and learn about current Fairhaven projects from students and faculty. Tours of Fairhaven will be available.

Calling all WWU alumni! Interested in helping students build their perfect introduction pitch? Want to network with other alumni and grab some great refreshments? We would love to welcome you back to Western to meet, mingle, and mentor WWU College of Business and Economics MBA and Undergraduate Business students who are looking to build their professional development! This afternoon event will be a great chance to meet students and help them develop their networking skills.

Linguistics Alumni - Drop by our Linguistics Department open house and undergraduate research celebration. Meet and mingle with fellow linguistics alumni, faculty, and current students. We will have refreshments and giveaways for our alumni.

Come enjoy an evening learning how to create your own charcuterie board! We will have two classes; 4:30 to 6 p.m. and then again from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Each class includes two drink tickets, an individual charcuterie meat and cheese board, and a take-home engraved charcuterie board.

Alumni Dinner and Drinks at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal . Cost is $25/person (dinner and drinks included). Bring your instruments for a music jam session from 8pm-10pm. This is a 21+ only event.

Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress Ashley Judd is a feminist and social justice humanitarian. Her New York Times bestselling book, All That Is Bitter & Sweet, chronicles her experience as an UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. Her forthcoming summer 2023 travels include Slovenia, Ukraine, and the Sahel. Ashley was Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2017 as one of the Silence Breakers. In 2019, the United Nations honored her as Global Advocate of the Year. She lives part of each year in the Central African rain forest in Democratic Republic of the Congo, where her partner has a bonobo research camp.

By invitation only

Built in 2003 and quickly heralded as one of America's top recreation centers, the Wade King Student Recreation Center is a sight to see! Take a guided tour through this fantastic facility or purchase a Back2B'ham Weekend discounted day pass and try out the equipment for yourself. Tours available between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

By invitation only

The bike tour will begin at the Outdoor Center. The group will travel via the Whatcom Creek Trail up through Whatcom Falls Park arriving at the north entrance to Galbraith Mountain. The group will then take the Ridge Trail up to Bob's Trail. The total ride is 12 miles round trip and will take approximately 3 hours. The ride will consist of road, gravel trail and single-track mountain biking. Attendees should be prepared for continuous uphill climbing before descending one of Galbraiths favorite moderate mountain bike trails. Bikes and helmets are included! Not available for children ages 0-10.

The bike tour of Bellingham's Waterfront will begin at the Outdoor Center. The group will travel down to Fairhaven and travel via bike through Marine Park, Boulevard Park, Waypoint Park, and Zuanich Point Park before returning to campus. This loop will be 10 miles long and take around 2 hours to complete. Bikes and helmets included. Not available for children ages 0-10.

BECU is hosting their annual Shred and eCycle Event on May 20, 2023, located at the Lincoln Creek Parking Lot (off campus). This event is free and open to the public. Bring up to 3 grocery bags or two banker boxes of sensitive documents for BECU to shred at no cost to you. You may also bring old TVs, desktop computers, computer monitors, laptops and cellphones for safe disposal for free. A small recycle fee may apply to some electronic items including printers and VCRs.  In addition, support the WWU Food Pantry with cash and nonperishable donations. More information can be found at https://www.becu.org/support/shred-and-ecycle-event.

Tour beautiful Bellingham Bay with the A.S. Outdoor Center, learning about sea kayaking and northwest wildlife. There are two sessions: 9:00-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m.

The 2.5 hour tour is led by experienced student guides from the Outdoor Center and provides a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Kayaks and life jackets will be provided. Bring drinking water, a snack, a rain jacket, sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat) and dress for outdoor activity (layers and comfortable clothes are recommended.) Trip is weather-dependent. Registration is limited to nine people. Not available for children ages 0-10.

Location update: Please meet at Marine Park and arrive 10 minutes early.

Do you need to stock up on Western gear? The A.S. Bookstore has a variety of clothing and gifts while you are visiting campus. Get 25% off select T-shirts and all drinkware (including Hydro Flasks!!!) with your B2B wristband.

Discover the birds that live on Western’s campus and Outback Farm with Professor John Bower of Fairhaven College. Learn about the bird life surrounding campus while taking a leisurely walk with one of Western's most popular faculty members! The tour will begin in the Outback Farm. You'll be covering uneven ground, so wear appropriate footwear.

Come see where Alumni have served as Peace Corps Volunteers around the world and learn more about what's new with the Peace Corps.

ALL GUESTS MUST STOP HERE FIRST! Pick up your Back2B'ham packet, a WWU Scavenger Hunt guide, wristband, and everything you'll need to enjoy the weekend! Day of registration is available.

Attendance for the weekend is free, as are most of the events. Some events/activities may have an additional cost.

Back2B'ham Weekend Package Options
Registration includes: Lunch on Old Main Lawn, Carnival in Red Square, Party in the Library, and Concert on Comm Lawn (food trucks not included).

$25 for adults; $15 for 11-17 years old; Free for 0-10 years old.

Fun for kids of all ages, the Red Square Carnival includes rockwall, bouncy items, face painting by Glitt3r Lyfe, KUGS music, Shannon Point touch tank and more. Free with registration or $5 à la carte or day of.

WWU students are encouraged to stop by and learn more about the Student Health Center on campus and the services provided. *Tabling may end earlier than 4:00 pm.

Join us for one of our Classes without Quizzes! Sugar affects the same pathways activated by drugs of abuse. The talk will cover the basic neurobiology of addiction with emphasis on how we study "sugar addiction" in the laboratory here at WWU. Presented by WWU Professor, Jeff Grimm.

Discover the birds that live on Western’s campus and Sehome Arboretum with Professor John Bower of Fairhaven College.  Learn about the bird life surrounding campus while taking a leisurely walk with one of Western's most popular faculty members!  The tour will begin in Red Square, explore the Arboretum and end at Fairhaven College.  You'll be covering uneven ground and climbing stairs, so wear appropriate footwear.

We will honor the tremendous vision of those who dreamed up the Law and Diversity Program and we will celebrate the accomplishments of our law and social justice students from then and now.  Please join us for a short report on today’s LDJ program, and updates  from current LDJ students and faculty.  We will also discuss opportunities for engagement – mentorship, class visits, volunteering for mock trials and moot court, etc.  Free event; Open to everyone!  No registration needed.

Come walk through the Outback Farm to see veggies, fruit trees, chickens, and bees! Learn about food and farming education at Western - including classes, volunteer work parties, community gardens, and job opportunities. Please note that paths on the farm can be uneven and close-toed shoes are recommended.

A delicious farm to table lunch is included with your paid Alumni Weekend registration! Join the WWU community of students, alumni, faculty, staff and families on Western's Old Main Lawn while listening to the live music of Baby Cakes, a soul/funk group from Bellingham. We will relocate to the Viking Commons in the event of rain. Free with registration or $15.45 à la carte or day of.

By Invitation Only

WWU's Advanced Treble Chorale will share their spring repertoire at a 30-minute concert in the Concert Hall of the Performing Arts Center.

Take a guided tour of this famous outdoor collection! Western is internationally known for its leadership in integrating art into the daily living environment of a university community. With 29 unique pieces, the WWU Outdoor Sculpture Collection is a treasure on Western's beautiful campus.

Celebrating 50 years of the landmark Title IX legislation, Western will honor female athletes from 1968 to 1981 with the presentation of their "W" letter. All are invited to Carver Gym beginning at 11:45 to cheer on these Vikings as they receive their overdue recognition for their accomplishments as student-athletes.

Every spring, the Western Gallery presents works by graduating students in Western’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program. This year-long studio art program is designed to guide budding artists, help them build their strengths, and propel them to independent careers in contemporary art.

The Western Gallery is the art museum of Western Washington University. It provides free access to a wide range of contemporary art. The Gallery serves primarily the North Puget Sound communities, Western Washington, Bellingham, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. With a point of reference to the national art scene, the Western Gallery creates an environment for learning.

Located on beautiful Lake Whatcom, this 4,000-square-foot log facility contains a boat house, meeting lounge, and locker rooms. There are more than 60 watercraft, ranging from Windsurf boards, canoes, kayaks and SUPs, to one-person and two-person sailing dinghies, catamarans, and keelboats to provide hours of on-the-water enjoyment for the Bellingham college community.

Join us for one of our Classes without Quizzes! Come look at some popular and classic memes through the eyes of linguistic anthropology. Celebrate the amazing human capacity to stretch our languaging muscles and get things done with meaning! Presented by WWU Professor, Judy Pine.

An opportunity for alum to get together for drinks whiel overlooking Bellingham Bay . This venue is 21+ and is dog friendly. Fairhaven will provide snacks, but attendees are responsible for their own drinks.

Solar System Tour - 1:00 pm
Join us as we get an up close and personal look with each planet of our solar system and talk about what makes each unique.

All About Moons - 2:00 pm
We'll visit several moons in the solar system (including our own) and find where water, cryovolcanoes, and methane has been found. We'll visit Enceladus, Titan, Europa, and more and talk about the unique environments found there.

These presentations are recommended for ages eight years and older. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event, with no admittance after the show begins.

We've brought the ocean to Red Square! Kids of all ages can touch, hold and interact with marine wildlife in Western's Shannon Point Marine Center Touch Tank. Starfish, anemones, sea slugs and more will be on display for the marine biologist in all of us.

Tours will take place every 30 min between 1:00-4:00 at the ACG Hall. Residence Life staff will be your host, as well as provide signage for the tours. No RSVP will be required.

A good estate plan should ensure: (1) that your assets are distributed in the way that you prefer; (2) that someone else has the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so; and (3) that your beneficiaries are clearly defined. Understanding – and focusing on – these priorities should help ensure that, when the time comes, the administration of your estate can proceed smoothly and achieve your goals while minimizing any legal and/or family disputes.  

Discover the birds that live on Western’s campus and Sehome Arboretum with Professor John Bower of Fairhaven College. Learn about the bird life surrounding campus while taking a leisurely walk with one of Western's most popular faculty members! The tour will begin in Red Square, explore the Arboretum and end at Fairhaven College.  You'll be covering uneven ground and climbing stairs, so wear appropriate footwear.

What do you think about when you think of Chemistry? Chemical A mixes with Chemical B…then BOOM! That's what guests will experience in this fun and interactive session hosted by the WWU Chemistry Club. If it smokes, fizzes, explodes, and sparks, you'll see it here.

University Residences is hosting a reunion for all previous Residence Life staff members. Please join us in the Edens Hall Atrium for light snacks and refreshments as you reconnect with and meet RAs, AAs, IAs, RDs, ARDs, and other staff members from over the years.

The Institute for Watershed Studies at Western Washington University will be hosting an open house on May 20th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. which will be held in Environmental Studies 604.  Come see our lab, visit staff and students, and learn about how we serve the university and the region.  All are welcome!

Come back to Parks Hall to reminisce and reconnect with former classmates and faculty from the Marketing Program. The Student Marketing Association is excited to host alumni from the Marketing Program back on campus to share your stories from your time at Western as well as your career advice and successes since leaving Western.

Learn about the different countries and  jobs Peace Corps offers,  the application process, the benefits of serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer and the intercultural dynamics of serving in a different country.  We will show how Peace Corps has evolved over the years and what the current messaging is to  promote world peace through Peace Corps service

During this event we will recognize those who led the space including Michael Vendiola and Janna Cecka. We will also be honoring you, our alumni, who paved the way for us to continue to do this work and provide support for our students and clubs.

Come celebrate the groundbreaking for Western's newest academic building, the first net-zero/zero carbon building on a public university campus in the nation.

This is the big one! Our Back2B'ham registrants are invited to come together to celebrate the weekend! Live music, appetizers, local brew and delicious wine will be provided as you connect with fellow Vikings. Back2B'ham wristband is required to access the party. Party on! Free with registration or $15 à la carte or day of.

Be sure to meet some of Western's best undergraduate students and see why Western and its faculty are recognized nationwide for providing students with world-class undergraduate research opportunities.

Join the MBA Program Faculty and Staff for a casual get-together in the Taproom at Twin Sisters Brewing. Friends and family are welcome. Reserve your spot today!

Reception for Alumni of Art and Art History in the Western Gallery. In the gallery the newly opened exhibition showcases our graduating BFA students who have produced work in painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, fibers, photography and animation. On the front lawn of the Fine Arts building Sasha Petrenko's Wood Sculpture class has created an outdoor tent space that will house short animations, film, and sound art created by students. Please join us for a special reception in the gallery with food and drink where you can reconnect with your favorite Professor and old friends! 

You and your fellow Behavioral Neuroscience alumni are cordially invited to our private event in the Roosevelt K2 Brewery for the 2023 Behavioral Neuroscience Reunion. Catch up with your faculty, friends and hear about the research of current BNS students. The event will include our historical Neuroscience On Tap event, with trivia and graduate student data blitz presentations. Refreshments will be provided and a no-host bar.

Right after the Party in the Library, keep the party rolling with live music featuring Bellingham's popular SpaceBand. Food trucks will be available for you to purchase your dinner and dessert!

College of the Environment Professor Gigi Berardi will lead a "Whatcom County Farm to Table Tour" on Sunday morning. You'll meet at Bellewood Acres, known for their delicious Honeycrisp apples. What goes with apples? Cheese! You'll hop into a van and head to Twin Sisters Creamery for cheese sampling and then on to Inspiration Farm for a, well, inspiring farm tour. The $25 fee covers van transport, cheese sampling, and a copy of Gigi's book, FoodWISE.

We begin the tour at 9:00 a.m. with an option for coffee and baked goods at Bellewood Acres, and end the tour at 12:45 p.m. at Bellewood Acres with an option for a delicious brunch from their menu. Please note that lunch is not provided.

Come join Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation of Whatcom County, Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, and the Western Outdoor Center for a day of community trail building, group rides and good times! Nestled right in our backyard Galbraith is a world class mountain bike destination chalked full of a litany of trails to meet all rider abilities, from beginner to advanced! Join us as we work to widen and expand the Simple Green, Gate and Switch and Bunny Trails to increase their accessibility for ALL riders in our community. After a morning of hard work with good people, join us for free lunch and groups rides to cap off the day.
To Register Please Follow This Link: https://w689.app.neoncrm.com/eventReg.jsp?event=1703&. Not available for children ages 0-10.

Do you need to stock up on Western gear? The A.S. Bookstore has a variety of clothing and gifts while you are visiting campus. Get 25% off select T-shirts and all drinkware (including Hydro Flasks!!!) with your B2B wristband.

Built in 2003 and quickly heralded as one of America's top recreation centers, the Wade King Student Recreation Center is a sight to see! Take a guided tour through this fantastic facility or purchase a Back2B'ham Weekend discounted day pass and try out the equipment for yourself. Tours available between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Book a guided sailing experience aboard one of Lakewood's J22 keelboats (max party size of 4 per sailing), two bookable sailings every hour from noon-4 p.m.

Located on beautiful Lake Whatcom, this 4,000-square-foot log facility contains a boat house, meeting lounge, and locker rooms. Over 60 watercraft, ranging from Windsurf boards, canoes, kayaks and SUPs, to one-person and two-person sailing dinghies, catamarans, and keelboats provide hours of on-the-water enjoyment for the Bellingham college community. 

This event is to renew acquaintances and promote networking among all past and current WWU LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty.

Renew acquaintances and promote networking among all past and current ATUS students and staff.

Tickets will go on sale online and in-person at the Performing Arts Box Office May 1st $10 for Western students and $15 general admission.