MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University proudly announces the successful completion of its annual Destination Western program, with nearly 160 students participating and successfully transitioning into university life.
Destination Western is an immersive, all-expenses-paid ten-day residential program tailored to equip students with essential skills for success in college-level writing and mathematics while fostering social connections. Participants engage in small-group academic sessions, workshops, and a variety of social events throughout the program. This year’s cohort comprised 95 first-generation college students, 22 transfer students, and 130 first-year students. The program also offered a range of excursions designed to enhance connections and enrich the overall student experience.
First-year and first-generation student Nathan Jaggar shared that his favorite part of Destination Western was the social aspect, and added that he’s met some cool friends. First-year student Melany Tornez shared that she loves the WOU community and how close the cohorts became during the program.
Among the highlights was an excursion led by Western’s President Peters, who guided students through the state capitol grounds in Salem, followed by a visit to the local Farmers Market and a meal at a nearby restaurant. “It was important to me to be directly involved with this program,” said Peters. “I wanted these new students, and all of our students, to know that Western is a place of belonging and empowerment, where we place students at the center of everything we do. These future leaders are an inspiration to us all.”
After the culmination of Destination Western, these students joined the rest of the incoming class at PACK (Prepare, Advise, Connect, Know) Welcome Week, a series of orientation activities designed for admitted students. Throughout the week, current students participated in a variety of activities to help them become more familiar with WOU, ranging from Fingerprint Like a Forensic Investigator to How to Succeed in Math and Science, Ballroom Dance for All, and Financial Literacy. Other highlights included the annual New Student Sunrise and sidewalk signing tradition, where students come together at dawn to sign their names into university history. Later that day, students attended Prof-Panels with faculty from their academic divisions. Every division was represented, and more than 425 individual new students participated in these valuable conversations about their academic paths. Watch a recap of the week.
“Each year, Destination Western brings new excitement to campus and serves as a reminder that at our core, what we at WOU bring most to this world is a strong sense of community,” said Megan Habermann-Guthrie, director of New Student and Family Programs. “From our faculty and staff engaging meaningfully with the new students in and out of the classroom, to the student peer advisors creating memories through homegrown murder mystery parties and games of family feud, I felt honored to witness the nearly 160 new Wolves grow into their new identities as college students.”
Destination Western remains an essential program for new students at Western, nurturing connections and a sense of belonging as they begin their academic journeys. This initiative also plays a significant role in student retention. In the fall of 2024, participants in the program achieved an impressive 97 percent retention rate from their first fall term to their first winter term, surpassing non-participating students by seven percentage points.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.