'Viking Union 50th Anniversary Week' is Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 in Bellingham

The Viking Union celebrates its 50th birthday this year with a week of events, activities, food and giveaways on the campus of Western Washington University. The Viking Union has for 50 years been a gathering place for the Bellingham community and as the center for student and campus life at WWU.

The VU, which opened in 1959, houses the Associated Students Board of Directors, a variety of Associated Students programs, the VU Gallery, KUGS and other offices and services of Western.

The week of celebration includes a visit from Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike, who will visit the Viking Union at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, to proclaim Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 “Viking Union 50th Anniversary Week” in Bellingham. Pike also will participate in the opening of the 1959 time capsule during the kickoff ceremony.

Monday through Friday of the 50th Anniversary Week week will include a daily celebration of the past five decades. “Decade Days” will begin on Monday with the 1950s and conclude on Friday with the 1990s.

There will be an opportunity during the week to view the contents of the 1959 time capsule as well as make suggestions of what to put into the new time capsule. The celebration’s theme is“Uniting the Past With Tomorrow.”

KUGS, Western’s student-run radio station, will be participating in Decade Days as well, with its daily decade music program broadcasting from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday from the VU 6th-floor lobby. There’ll be a 50th Anniversary Candy Sale put on by the VU Info Desk, and dining discounts will be offered throughout the week. From Monday through Friday, Dining Services be offering discounted 12-oz. cups of drip coffee at the VU Market, VU Café and the Underground Coffeehouse. Discounted fountain soda also will be available at the VU Market.

For more information about these events, visit http://www.vu.wwu.edu/50th-anniversary/, or for disability accommodations contact Amy Arms at (360) 650-6219 or vu.marketing.intern@wwu.edu.