Nearly 400 to graduate from WWU Aug. 24

Robert H. Brim, CEO and founder of Dealer Information Systems Corp., will address Western Washington University graduates and their families at Western’s summer Commencement ceremony, which starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 in Carver Gymnasium.

Approximately 327 undergraduates and about 50 master’s candidates will receive degrees this quarter. Summer Commencement includes all majors, and only one ceremony will take place.

Tickets are not required to attend the summer Commencement ceremony, which will be televised and broadcast in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMATE) building room 150, on Whatcom County Comcast Cable Channel 26, and streamed live online.

Brim, a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Sciences and Technology, graduated from Western in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics. He also holds master’s degrees in Electronic Engineering Technology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and in Business Administration from the University of Washington. He is the founder and CEO of Dealer Information Systems, a Bellingham-based company that develops software systems for more than 2,300 heavy equipment dealerships in North America. Brim is also a consultant to small and emerging businesses in China, Vietnam, Canada and the U.S. He serves on the board of directors of the Mount Baker Theatre and as chairman of the College of Sciences and Technology External Advancement Board.

The ceremony’s student Commencement speaker will be Kelsey L. Looper, a graduate in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management. Looper is completing an internship at The Boeing Co., leading a team of colleagues through projects focused on improving efficiency on the manufacturing floor. The daughter of Mark and Denise Looper of Sammamish, she is a graduate of Eastlake High School.

Following WWU tradition, graduates will proceed to the path in front of Old Main after the completion of each ceremony, where they will pass through a corridor of faculty and deposit their Western identification cards in a box that is later cemented into Memory Walk.

Commencement parking is available at no cost in most lots. Because of construction on South College Drive, guests will be directed to parking lot 12A and parking lot C via Bill McDonald Parkway. West College Way will be restricted to one lane going west (up the hill) near the Wade King Student Recreation Center and a detour will be available for eastbound traffic.

A shuttle service to Carver Gym will be available from the tent in lot 12A off Bill McDonald Parkway near Fairhaven College. The shuttle cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Guests who use wheelchairs may park in lot 17G on East College Way. Visitors must observe regulations for handicapped and individually reserved spaces. Lot 14G will be reserved for faculty and staff.

Parking attendants will be available to assist guests with special parking needs.

For more information or for disability accommodations contact the Registrar’s Office, (360) 650-3701.