In Memoriam: Dr. Reneé Collins

Reneé Collins, who served Western for more than 30 years before retiring in 2019 as the associate dean of students and director of Student Outreach Services, passed away on Feb. 24, surrounded by her immediate family. 

Collins first came to Western in 1987 when her family moved to Bellingham from Atlanta and she took a temporary job in the Psychology Department while her husband Frederick pursued a degree at the university. Shortly thereafter she began work on her own bachelor's degree at Western, and eventually went on to earn her master's degree at Western and finally a doctorate from Seattle University as she continued to serve in a variety of roles at WWU. Before they were done, the four members of the Collins family would go on to acquire nine total degrees, seven of which came from Western.

Along the way, Collins also completed a prestigious two-year Community Builders Fellowship with Housing and Urban Development, which included time with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Collins said her family sustained her, as well as the community she nurtured at Western and in Bellingham. Strong community support systems are crucial to the success of people of color, she said in her retirement story in Western Today, and Collins worked to build those communities from scratch over the course of her tenure, whether it was being the founding president of the Northern Puget Sound Chapter of the NAACP or launching and championing the annual Womxn of Color Empowerment Dinner.

Close friends and colleagues from across campus shared their remembrances of Collins and the profound impacts she had on them.

Shurla Rogers-Thibou, director, Academic First-Year Programs

"Dr. Reneé Collins, my Caribbean sister. The Thibou family is blessed to have united with the Collins family, becoming merged as part of our family-circle for the past two decades – we will keep counting in honor of you. You opened your home to us through family gatherings, and you offered me professional advice when I needed it the most. You are my heroine. You inspire, you lead, and you empower. Your grandeur appearance, professional mindset, and down-to-earth personality are a few things that I truly admire. I will forever remember you. I will continue to hold on to your words of encouragement as if they are my best kept secrets, only to share when it is time to inspire, and I shall quote you. Dance with the angels, for you are one too."

Eric Alexander, executive director of Student Engagement

"Dr. Reneé Collins was a colleague, a mentor, and a friend.  The entire Collins family have dedicated so much of themselves to WWU and the Bellingham community.  The passing of our dear friend Reneé will leave a mark in so many places. From her roles with the NAACP and as the Associate Dean of Students at WWU, to every small encounter people had with this incredible human, Reneé made a difference.  Really, it is all of those small moments that add up to incredible change and incredible care.  

As a new colleague at WWU, Reneé was so kind, so giving of herself, and so open to sharing of herself.  I remember times when she would encourage me to speak up in meetings, to put my voice in the room when, as a new staff member, I was not sure of my place.  She was a champion to ensuring people were heard. And when Reneé spoke, people stopped to listen.  Reneé was not one to take up too much air time, but when she spoke we all listened.  When she was on a role, her hand moving up to the heavens, her head tilted, her voice clear, it was incredible to watch and experience as her message and delivery were true to the mark and always seemed to be just what the group needed to hear.  We will miss her voice, her presence, and her beautiful spirit.  Rest well Dr. Reneé Collins.  We love you."

Christina Van Wingerden, Field Studies coordinator, WWU's Woodring College of Education

"I met Reneé when we both started at Western. She has been a force in my life of example, addressing injustices, taking the time, and creating opportunities for others. Over the years as she succeeded in education and obtained more leadership and high administrative roles at the university – she inspired me to take on the challenge!  I wanted to apply for a support staff role in another office she was familiar with. We met for coffee so I could ask her about it.  Instead, she asked me hard questions about what I wanted and my own future.  I headed over to the admissions office to find out how to get back in school– that action was directly related to Dr. Reneé Collins! Her support and mentorship continued, and I have grown in confidence and empowerment as a woman, and benefited from the inspiration, encouragement, examples, and courage of Reneé. 

Additionally, Reneé was an inspirational speaker, true storyteller, adding critical thinking and humor – engaging us into the moments she described, the events, and the people. I heard her speak at the service of her mentor, Violet Malone. I was so moved and captured by Reneé’s authenticity and brilliance. I had the privilege of seeing artifacts of her social justice and human-rights work - a lifetime of service. Reneé was multi-faceted in her service to others and as an educator, and she inspired me to be a stronger woman and to have the courage to stand up for myself. I will forever remember Reneé – the impact she made on my life and countless others, and the ways she modeled and led. I have nothing but deep respect, love, and honor for Dr. Reneé Collins and her beautiful, vibrant family."

Ted Pratt, WWU Dean of Students (retired)

"I have known Reneé and her family, Fred, LaShawn and Freddie since they arrived in Bellingham over 35 years ago. Each family member received their baccalaureate degree from Western, I believe, a total of seven degrees from Western all together. 

When Reneé started working at Western, in a  clerical support position, she did not have her degree. Yet before she retired from Western she had earned three degrees; started the first chapter of the NAACP in Whatcom County, and was the Associate Dean of Students. What was even more impressive about Reneé was that she was able to accomplish so much while raising her African American family in a predominantly White community while also completing her doctorate in Leadership at Seattle University. 

Reneé's spirit will be felt at Western and in the Whatcom community long beyond her years here. She is loved and will be missed ... she was my friend, and her family will be a part of my family! May her precious soul find peace in God's almighty hands!"