It’s commencement weekend at Walla Walla University, Seattle University, and Seattle Pacific University. When the last diploma is handed out on Sunday almost 9,000 students will have graduated from Independent Colleges of Washington member institutions. Our 10 colleges and universities confer about a quarter of the baccalaureate and higher degrees earned in the state each year! And, by the way, they do it on less than two percent of the state budget, brought in as financial aid given to students.
Seattle University is the biggest in our membership, and will graduate more than 2,000 students on Sunday at Key Arena. In the morning undergraduates will hear a keynote speech from Bob Craves, co-founder and CEO of the College Success Foundation. In the afternoon grad students will listen to a speech from Cheryl Crazy Bull, president of Northwest Indian College. Mr. Craves is no stranger to ICW; in 2007 he was the recipient of our Stanly O. McNaughton Leadership Award, our highest honor and recognition for people who do marvelous service in support of independent higher education.
Sunday at Safeco Field more than 1,100 grads from Seattle Pacific University will receive their diplomas, including 810 undergrads, 300 master’s degrees, and 21 doctoral. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Richard J. Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary.
Walla Walla University holds commencement on the Centennial Green on its campus in College Place, Washington, where 376 students–247 undergraduates, and 129 master’s–will receive their sheepskins. Dr. Eric Anderson, president of Southwestern Adventist University, will give the commencement address.
Independent Colleges of Washington are committed to high-quality, academically rigorous learning. Students, regardless of major, graduate with a solid grounding in the liberal arts, an education that stresses critical thinking, lifelong learning, ethics, leadership, and community service. They’re ready to tackle what the world throws at them!
Good luck to all!
