Soundings (12/5/06)

New member prospects: Two applicants have been approved by the membership committee and board.
1. Rodney Bring is the owner of "Employee Benefits Planning", which negotiates healthcare service contracts. He's a former teacher and coach at Sehome HS. He was sponsored by Jim Wells, and also knows Matt Rose.
2. Mike Hammes is the president of Ram Construction, a local general contractor. He has supported a wide variety of charitable and civic causes. He was sponsored by Frank Chmelik and also knows Pete Dawson, Sarah Rothenbuhler, and Brad Cornwell.
If anyone has any objections or comments abouty these individuals becoming members, please contact Matt Rose or Barry Kramer.

Bucks in the Bay
Barry Kramer for a trip to Walla Walla wine country;
Anna for successful Whatcom Hospice auction raising $150K gross;
Mike Kirkland for successful Hospice auction, and for getting back to just one job title (Exec director of Whatcom Hospice);
Robin Schmidt for being a "no-show" last week, and for daughter receiving a $30K scholarship;
Bob Jones for missed ending to Michigan/Ohio football game;
Gordon Plume for daughter being made partner at the firm Holland and Knight;
Bill Geyer for football game, ACB Boats wins an award, trip to Naples, FL;
Stowe Talbot gave bucks to our Foundation, and to Pure Water;
Brad Cornwell for 18th wedding anniversary;
Bryant Engerbretson for trip to Napa Valley during the Bellingham snowstorm;
Brent Walker gave bucks to Foundation and reported on recent trip;
Denise Bosman for weekend at Tacoma Dome watching the football successes of Lynden and Meridian;
Curtis Dye for getting stuck in a house with his extended family for too many days!

Sergeant at Arms by Lynn Templeton
Fined Denise B, Bill Boyd, John Templeton, Karen Morse, Tim McEvoy, Gary Barnett for his tropical attire, Bryant Engerbretson, Dave Nichols for no reason, Scott Walker, Byron S, Matt G, Harold Scott and Tim Krell for their ties, Lance Calloway, Dick Stark, skiers, Ohio St. fans, John Hulbert the golfer.

Program
Tim McEvoy introduced Dr. Karen Morse, President of Western Washington University, who came to WWU in 1993 from Michigan by way of Utah State.

Karen's overall goals remain excellence in education, diversity, and community service. WWU has 13,000 students, 3,300 new freshmen, GPA average 3.6 (more selective than UW!), 92% students are from WA State.

New directions: Neuropsychology program; Advanced material science and engineering center; Emergency planning and management degree; North Cascades & Olympic Science partnership.

Waterfront redevelopment: In 2004 WWU started studying the possibilities for a waterfront "New Whatcom" presence. The guiding principal is to remain true to WWU's strategic principles AND contribute to the Bellingham community. Programatic elements: Community and healthy living, environmental (Huxley College), community and regional development, visual and performing arts.

Karen reminded us that any development will happen slowly, over the next 5-20 years. WWU has chosen to locate in Area 1, closer to Bellingham, with a Laurel Street connector being built allowing good vehicular connection to WWU main campus. Possibly reuse some of the existing abandoned buildings there.

There will be a campus forum on Dec 12 at 4pm at SMATE room 120.
Also see www.wwu.edu/president/waterfrontnews.htm

Respectfully Submitted,
Stowe Talbot