Wolfbytes 2/1/24 - Marketing & Communication

Western Oregon University’s Newsletter: February 1, 2024

Students, employees, and community members marked their place in history as they inscribed their names on the final steel beam during the Topping Out Ceremony for the new Student Success Center.

A Message from President Peters

Dear Community:

Last week we held a Topping Out Ceremony for our new Student Success Center. This is a symbolic moment when the last structural beam is placed in a building marking an important milestone in the progress of the structure. This year, we asked members of the Western community to sign the beam. We also welded the name of Bruce Tuma onto the beam. Bruce was a member of the WOU facilities team for over 30 years and recently passed away. For me, Bruce’s name and all the other signatures on the beam remind us of the people who created the place. A building is empty until it is filled with the energy, passion, knowledge, and kindness of people who create a community.

The new Student Success Center will be an important moment for this university. It will signal our commitment as a community to the success of our students just as the steel beam supports the physical structure, the people at Western support the success of each other. I’ll see you again at the grand opening!!

We. Are. Wolves!

Student Success Center Update

Watch the time-lapse video highlighting the construction progress made over the past few months on the new Student Success Center.

News

Western awarded a grant to boost services for veterans

Western was among 14 institutions chosen to receive grant funding from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. This grant will elevate existing resources and support projects or programs, dedicated to amplifying the academic success of student veterans.

Earth and Environmental Science program showcases success at prestigious conference

Western’s Earth and Environmental Science Alumni Society presented at a recent Geological Society of America conference, highlighting the program’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers in geoscience.

Western’s Cybercrime Investigations and Enforcement program addresses critical gaps

Western’s Cybercrime Investigations and Enforcement minor stands out as an innovative, hands-on program that effectively addresses the pressing skills gap in cybercrime investigations, catering specifically to the needs of businesses and public service agencies in Oregon.

Alumni Spotlight: Quinn Miller Murphy ’15

Murphy’s formative years in a diverse and culturally rich household instilled in her a profound appreciation for the role of food in fostering connections with both family and heritage.

As a child, she was an avid reader but found that picture books featuring characters of her racial background were not readily available, so she wrote her own. “What Did My Ancestors Eat?”, is a board book where a multiracial protagonist explains her family’s history through food.

Check out Murphy’s conversation with The Seattle Times about heritage, picture-book writing, and her favorite family dishes.