Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Psychology Joseph Trimble retired in June after 41 years on campus at Western. A national leader in the field of cross-cultural psychology, Trimble's work over the course of his career on better understanding the psychological needs of ethnic minorities in general and North America's Indigenous peoples in particular has garnered awards not only from Western but from his peers nationally and internationally.

More than 50 Western Washington University students and graduates received Outstanding Graduate honors for the 2019-20 academic year.

Faculty members from dozens of academic departments and programs select one graduate to honor as the Outstanding Graduate of the year. Selection is a high honor based on grades, research and writing, service to the campus and community, and promise for the future.

The Outstanding Graduates from University Interdisciplinary  Programs and the University Honors Program are: 

Senior Marine Scientist Suzanne Strom of Western Washington University’s Shannon Point Marine Center has received $182,413 to buy new scientific equipment for the WWU laboratory in Anacortes.  

The grant comes from a program at the National Science Foundation called Improvements to Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSMLs), which aims to fund facilities focused on research and education conducted in natural habitats.  

More than 50 Western Washington University students and graduates received Outstanding Graduate honors for the 2019-20 academic year.

Faculty members from dozens of academic departments and programs select one graduate to honor as the Outstanding Graduate of the year. Selection is a high honor based on grades, research and writing, service to the campus and community, and promise for the future.

The Outstanding Graduates from the College of Fine and Performing Arts include: