Last Thursday, I attended an event at my university called Distinguished Alumni Awards and Recognition Celebration. This event is a “long-standing tradition established more than four decades ago,” and “of the more than 126,000 living graduates of Western, [they]…have recognized 326 alumni through these distinguished awards.” As a student employee with Western’s Alumni Association, I was there to help set up and greet people as they came in. As attendees walked in, I gave them their name tags along with their table numbers, making sure the start of their evening went smoothly. After some light mingling, I sat down at a table with honorees Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, along with their guests to fill the last table spot.
Throughout the night, Western alumni were honored for their success and outstanding work, each one going up to the front to accept their award and give a short speech. I was seated near the back with a full view of the room and its occupants. There were musicians, doctors, authors, and many other well-deserving alumni. Every person in the room showed great appreciation and admiration for every honoree, acknowledging their accomplishments with applause and cheers.
Western Washington University has produced so many amazing alumni that have not only impacted the school, but the community as well. Western alum Kelli Linville is Bellingham’s first female mayor, serving since 2012. Kay French Hovde was a student employee during her time at Western before finding employment through the Foundation Office, playing a key role in the fundraising and scholarships of the university. Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, an EDM duo known as Odesza, hit one million views with their first EP called “Summer’s Gone,” hit number one with their album “In Return” on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic chart, and were nominated for a Grammy. They are now frequent sights at music festivals and are headlining Seattle Capitol Block Party. These alumni, as well as many others, were recognized for all that they’ve done for Western as well as their impact in the community.
What I took away from the evening was a strong sense of school pride and an urge to remain connected to my university once I graduate. I have the choice of leaving everything Western gave me and everything I learned behind, or I can stay connected to my school’s community. I choose the latter. Western has given me so much over the last four years, and I don’t want my association with the university to end the moment I graduate. Through Western’s Alumni Association, once I graduate, I will be able to remain a part of Western’s community and will continue to have their support.
From my evening recognizing distinguished alumni, I was even more inspired to achieve my dreams not only for myself, but also my university.
