Friday, Oct. 8, named Viking 45 Day in Bellingham

Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike named Oct. 8, 2010, Western Washington University Vehicle Research Institute Viking 45 Day in Bellingham in honor of the team's success at the recent Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition. WWU finished in the Top 10 and was the highest-finishing U.S. university.

A crowd of well-wishers gathered on the WWU campus Friday for a celebration in honor of the team. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D - Everett) also spoke at the ceremony, mentioning some words he entered into the Congressional Record in late September. Also speaking were WWU President Bruce Shepard, Associated Students President Colin Watrin (who read an AS proclamation about the VRI), College of Sciences and Technology Dean Arlan Norman and VRI Director Eric Leonhardt.

A number of the students who worked on Viking 45 have graduated, but a handful were at the celebration Friday.

Viking 45, which was on display Friday with Viking 40 and Viking 32, drew a number of onlookers curious to see the car that competed with the nation's best during the X PRIZE contest. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Viking 45, which was on display Friday with Viking 40 and Viking 32, drew a number of onlookers curious to see the car that competed with the nation's best during the X PRIZE contest. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Viking 45, which was on display Friday with Viking 40 and Viking 32, drew a number of onlookers curious to see the car that competed with the nation's best during the X PRIZE contest. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
From left: Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, Associated Students President Colin Watrin, U.S. Rep Rick Larsen (D-Everett), WWU President Bruce Shepard and VRI Director Eric Leonhardt. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike congratulates Eric Leonhardt, director of the VRI, at the recognition ceremony on Friday, Oct. 8, on the WWU campus. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Dan Pike, mayor of Bellingham, shakes hands with WWU President Bruce Shepard at the ceremony Friday, Oct. 8. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Dan Pike, mayor of the city of Bellingham, reads a proclamation in honor of the WWU X PRIZE Team on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
President Emeritus Karen Morse was on hand to congratulate the WWU X PRIZE Team at the community celebration on Friday, Oct. 8. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Rick Larsen refers to remarks he entered into the Congressional Record during Friday's celebration. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
WWU President Bruce Shepard speaks at the celebration for the VRI X PRIZE Team on campus Friday, Oct. 8. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Viking 45, which was on display Friday with Viking 40 and Viking 32, drew a number of onlookers curious to see the car that competed with the nation's best during the X PRIZE contest. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
A few of the students who participated in the WWU VRI's success at the Progressive Automotive X-PRIZE competition are recognized on Friday, Oct. 8. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU