Back 2 Bellingham set for May 15-17

Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/17/2015 - 8:03am

Western Washington University will host its 6th Annual Back2Bellingham reunion weekend for alumni, families, students, faculty, staff and the community on May 15-17.

“The enthusiasm about Back2Bellingham from Western alumni, students and families just keeps building every year, and we’re so glad that community members are joining in as well,” said Western President Bruce Shepard. “Back2Bellingham really is a celebration of all the things that make Western and Bellingham such a special place to learn, live and play.  Western’s uniquely engaging and adventurous approach to education – inside and outside of the classroom – is on display all weekend long, and there’s something for all ages and interests.  It’s a great opportunity for alumni to reconnect and for everyone to experience the myriad of ways that active minds are changing lives at Western.”

This year’s headliner is our own local celebrity Ryan Stiles and his cast of “Whose Live Anyway?” performing a show at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 16h in the Performing Arts Center Main Stage.

Back2Bellingham’s sixth year also features more than 130 reunions, tours, educational discussions, athletic events, recreational and entertainment opportunities and live music. All attendees will have an opportunity to see the outstanding work of current Western students with the 16th Annual Scholars Week Showcase. Additionally, Western's Office of Admissions invites high school students interested in attending WWU to attend “Spring into Western.”

The $15 registration includes: a barbecue lunch on Old Main Lawn with live music from Baby Cakes; the Red Square Carnival with a 250-foot zip line through Old Main Lawn; Party in the Library; Classes without Quizzes; Junior Viking Blast Pass; kids athletic camps; Downtown Bellingham Bash at Boundary Bay Brewery, and campus tours. Some theatrical events and reunions require additional tickets, which can be purchased at www.back2bellingham.com and at the WWU Box Office throughout the weekend.

Back2Bellingham offers an opportunity for all WWU colleges, departments, clubs and organizations to showcase their programs as well as bring potential and current students, families and staff together to network with alumni and former faculty.

The Golden Vikings Reunion begins Friday and extends through the weekend to welcome and celebrate our alumni who have graduated 50+ years ago.

Compass 2 Campus will again host its annual brunch at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 featuring both President Shepard and First Lady Cyndie Shepard in attendance. Come learn about Western’s nationally recognized and award-winning interdisciplinary mentoring program to encourage underserved students to go to college.

“Back2Bellingham is not only for alums; we invite anyone with a connection to Western and from the community to come experience campus, Classes without Quizzes and a variety of events available to create an entertaining weekend,” said Chris Roselli, director of young alumni and student programs at the Western Alumni Association.

Back2Bellingham fun goes beyond Saturday’s big events in Red Square and into the community. “The list of activities extends to the entire Bellingham community and Whatcom County, including local businesses that will sponsor events and offer special discounts for that weekend,” Roselli said.

Beginning Friday, participants can enjoy guided tours of Bellingham, Lakewood and Bellingham tours by bicycle, kayak or go on a whale-watching boat.

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