Tattler Newsletter May 2, 2016 (May 02, 2016)

Presentations:

New member introductions were made for Andy Day and Rich Bowers.

Andy Day was introduced by Tim Farris. Andy has been a resident of Whatcom County since 1973, and is the Battalion Chief for the Bellingham Fire Department. He enjoys an active life and is a member of the Rotary bike and ski groups. He has been very active with community organizations, and has served on numerous boards and volunteer groups.

Rich Bowers was introduced by Monty McAllister. Rich is Executive Director of Whatcom Land Trust, and has a 25-year career working with non–profit organizations. He is particularly passionate about land and water protection and has held executive positions with the American Whitewater Association and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. He is the husband of Club member Stephanie Bowers, and is an avid outdoorsman, and resident of Bellingham since 2001.

Program:

Teri Treat introduced Stephanie Bowers, VP for University Advancement at Western Washington University. Bowers discussed the recent fund raising campaign called “Western Stands for Washington.” The campaign’s original goal was $50 Million (which was originally considered a "stretch" goal) and later raised to $60 million. To date, over $62 million was raised, with $29 million coming from Whatcom County donors. An additional 108 new endowments were created through the campaign. The campaign was so successful that it surpassed its goal and ended early.

Over $22 million from the campaign will be used to support scholarships, and over $2 million will be used for new equipment

During the campaign, WWU opened the new Bellingham City Center (on the first floor of the Bellingham Herald Building), and launched a local, and regional, advertising campaign. Other new activities include the “Back to Bellingham” event that draws alumni and friends back to the area for a fun weekend each year.

Some noteworthy campaign outcomes include the Alpha Technologies Electrical Engineering Lab, the Ershig Assistive Technology Resource Center, the Spanel Planetarium, the Sanford-Hill Piano Series, and the Fraser Estate gift.

Stephanie thanked Club members for their support during the campaign and invited them to visit the campus and see some of the new improvements that resulted from the effort. She also suggested that the new Bellingham City Center would be an excellent venue for a Bellingham Rotary Rotation Day.

May 2, 2016

Opening:

Announcements: