The upcoming Walla Walla University graduates of 2018 marched into the University Church sanctuary wearing their graduation caps and gowns for the Senior Recognition service during CommUnity on Feb. 13. This event offered a taste of what graduation weekend will involve, featuring the graduates in their special attire as well as sacred music and inspirational speakers. There were 296 students from various WWU campuses across the Northwest who participated in the program.

The class of 2018 includes students from 20 states and 18 countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Germany, Honduras, Japan, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Not only are many cultures represented within this class, but a broad age range is represented as well. The youngest senior is 19, while the oldest is 60.

Senior Recognition speakers this year were the senior class sponsors, Montgomery Buell, associate professor of history, and David Lindstrom, director of the Student Development Center. Buell has taught at WWU for 22 years. He served as chair of the history and philosophy department for 10 years and was director for the WWU natural resources conservation and management program for three years. Lindstrom began working at WWU in 2013 as the director of the career center. He has 16 years of experience in management and more than seven years of experience teaching at Tillamook Community College and at WWU.

The 2018 WWU graduation weekend will take place June 15–17. For more information, visit wallawalla.edu/graduation.

Posted March 7, 2018