Western Washington University

09/02/2026

Native grasslands have shaped the ecological and cultural landscapes of the San Juan Islands for thousands of years. New research from reveals that 93% of the region’s persistent, old-growth grasslands have been lost since the 1890s, providing one of the clearest pictures yet of how these vital ecosystems have changed over time.

Using historical maps, aerial photography and GIS technology, researchers Kailey Schillinger-Brokaw and Aquila Flower created a resource that can help guide future conservation and restoration efforts while informing community leaders and policymakers.

Explore the research and learn how Western scientists are advancing our understanding of these rare and rapidly disappearing ecosystems: https://news.wwu.edu/wwu-researchers-document-93-historical-loss-of-persistent-old-growth-grasslands-in-the-san-juan

08/28/2026

A new year of firsts is upon us, Viks 🤭

08/26/2026

4 weeks until campus looks like this again…😍✨🥹💙

08/24/2026

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our alumni, parents, faculty, staff, retirees and friends, raised a record $25.5 million in FY26 to support students, academics, research, athletics and programs across the university.

Learn more:

Western Washington University is celebrating the most successful fundraising year in its 133-year history. During Fiscal Year 2026, the university raised a record $25.5 million to support scholarships, academic excellence, student success, research, athletics and programs across Western.

08/19/2026

They’re back…🫶🫶🫶

08/18/2026

Day at the NW WA Fair is this Thursday, August 20!🎡🎉💙

Join us for $2 off admission with your Western ID, free moo-wiches for anyone in Western gear, fun giveaways and more! Details: https://www.wwu.edu/nwwafair

08/17/2026

Sunrise to sunset, Bellingham just gets it 🌅🌲

One of the 11 most beautiful college towns in the U.S. and a great place to spend your college years according to House Beautiful 💙 See our ranking: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/parks/these-are-the-11-most-beautiful-college-towns-across-the-us/ar-AA2a2Tsu?uxmode=ruby&ctsrc=dgst&ocid=edgdhpruby&pc=U531&cvid=6a7f3a53506646abbdb9161ab3fae192&ei=34

08/14/2026

Somewhere between Bellingham and a six-week geology field camp, the classroom starts looking a lot different... 🏕️⛰️

Every summer, geology students head into the field for an immersive six-week experience across the West. They camp under the stars, hike into remote landscapes and learn to map and interpret rocks where they actually formed.

Idaho. Montana. Wyoming. Oregon. Five-plus weeks away from Bellingham. No lecture hall. Just real landscapes, real geological problems and the skills to figure them out. Field camp has been part of Western’s Geology Program for more than 50 years, and it’s a defining part of the experience for students pursuing their B.S. in Geology.

Learn more about Western’s Geology Program and watch a video recap: https://news.wwu.edu/field-camp-sets-wwu-geology-students-apart

08/13/2026

officially opened applications for Fall 2027 on August 1, marking the first admission cycle in which our Western Guaranteed Admission program is available to eligible students from every Washington state high school.

Previously available to students in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties, the expanded program opens a pathway to Western for more students across Washington.

Students qualify for Western Guaranteed Admission if they:

• Attend a Washington state high school.
• Earn a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Are on track to complete Washington state high school graduation requirements.

All students who apply through the WWU application or Common App will be considered for Western Guaranteed Admission. Students who are not eligible for guaranteed admission will still be considered through Western’s holistic review process. A $70 nonrefundable application fee is required, with fee waivers available for students who demonstrate financial need or attend an On the Spot Admission Day at high schools across the state.

Learn more: https://news.wwu.edu/fall-2027-applications-open-as-western-expands-guaranteed-admission-across-washington