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Walla Walla University is a Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher education founded in 1892. A fully-accredited institution, WWU offers more than 100 areas of study in professional and technical programs and the liberal arts. 

The headquarters of WWU is located on an 83-acre campus in College Place situated in the Walla Walla Valley in Southeastern Washington state. The university also operates four satellite campuses, including a School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon, a marine biology station near Anacortes, Washington, and School of Social Work and Sociology campuses in Missoula and Billings, Montana. Learn more about WWU.


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Guided steps

How six students found their way to Walla Walla University from around the world (part 4 of 6)

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At the foot of the Blue Mountains, surrounded by fields of wheat and unions, it would be difficult to go to Walla Walla University by accident. Many students feel pressure when choosing where to pursue higher education. Sometimes, however, the simplest gestures or the grandest miracles can show God’s calling in our lives.
Meet Abriel Thuc who traveled far because he found hope in the higher Adventist education Walla Walla University has to offer. 

Abriel’s journey to WWU was marked by perseverance and the impact of his new-found church family.

Born and raised in South Sudan, Thuc made the difficult decision to leave home due to an unrelenting civil war. He made his way to Kenya where he would get education at a refugee camp.

Conditions there, however, were not ideal for living, much less for real academic learning. Thuc briefly mentioned having limited access to food and water before explaining that he felt called to pursue something better for himself.

His chance came. A video, posted online, showed Thuc playing basketball with friends on a dirt court—some players without shoes. When a woman in Southern California saw the video, she coordinated with American schools to find athletic scholarships for the players.

Thuc’s journey to the United States was only a small step towards WWU. He studied at two different schools on basketball scholarships before finding his true home in Maryland. There, his host family had a profound impact on his life, and Thuc was baptized as an Adventist.

In 2017, WWU’s basketball coach invited Thuc to join the team. Despite being unable to visit the university before applying, the genuine interest and care he was shown convinced Thuc this was where he should be.

As a proud junior business administration major, Thuc is hopeful God will soon lead him to a job that allows him to pass on the generosity he received along his journey.

“Walla Walla University is a place of hope,” said Thuc. “Things turned out well for me because of the people—the staff, teachers, students—who helped me so much. It’s a good environment. I will never forget it.”

Posted on January 11, 2022 

Portrait of Walla Walla University student, Abriel Thuc
Abriel Thuc// Major: Business administration// Hometown: Tonj, South Sudan

Video gallery

2020-2021 Distinguished Faculty Lecture


Department of Music performance

2019 Christmas concert: Visitors


Life. Together.

All great stories must begin somewhere. Ours begins where the air is clear and where ideas, energy, and people do life—together.


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University magazine

Westwind, the magazine of Walla Walla University, is published three times a year (March, July, and November) to share news and information about WWU with alumni, parents of current students, and other friends of the university.