Building, working, studying:
Celebrating 125 years of community at WWU
This year Walla Walla University celebrates its 125th birthday. On Dec. 7, 1892, WWU opened the doors to our first students, a day made possible by support from our local and regional communities. Since then, WWU has expanded from a single building in College Place, Washington, to five vibrant campuses across the Pacific Northwest, educating more than 50,000 students over these 125 years.
Want to learn more about the first 100 years of Walla Walla University?
- Check out Professor of History Terrie Aamodt's book Bold Venture: A History of Walla Walla College.
- View this chronology of university events from the WWU archives, 1892-2011
- Find more photos in the WWU archives digital photo collection.
Thursday, December 7
$1.25 off Yogi Burgers
The Express
WWU’s tastiest tradition is $1.25 off all day.
Birthday Commemoration Service
8:30 a.m., Administration Building
Ring in our birthday like they did in 1892 with song, prayer, ringing of the bell, and morning refreshments.
Bowers Hall Grand Re-Opening
Noon, Bowers Hall
Ribbon-cutting ceremony, self-guided tours of the transformed School of Business space, and tasty treats.
Dining Hall Birthday Party
Noon – 2 p.m.
Dine on vegetarian apricot chicken and other WWU favorites, and enjoy some birthday cake.
Havstad Alumni Center Open House
4:30–7 p.m., Havstad Alumni Center
Visit the Havstad Alumni Center for festive refreshments in a warm environment.
College Place Winterfest Parade
5:30 p.m., College Avenue
President McVay, Wally Wolf, WWU clubs, and more.
College Place Winterfest Tree Lighting
6:10 p.m., College Place City Hall
WWU birthday cupcakes, carols, WWU President McVay speech, tree lighting and more.
College Place Winterfest Fireworks
7:30 pm, WWU’s Old Rogers School Field
Festive fireworks, brought to you by Hayden Homes, Walla Walla University and City of College Place.
On-campus Resources
A seal has been created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of WWU operation. This seal is to be used on all materials produced by the University from Dec. 7, 2016–Dec. 7. 2017.
Birthday Commemoration Service
Program begins right at the 3:30 mark.
WWU 125th Birthday Celebration
Posted by Walla Walla University on Thursday, December 7, 2017
The Walla Walla College School Song was selected in 1924 following a campus song-writing contest. Download a copy.
Blast from the Past Birthday Extravaganza
This homecoming celebration was streamed live on April 29, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Loren Dickinson, Betty Duncan ’66, Tom Thompson ’68, Alden Thompson ’65, and WWU’s iconic traveling singing group, the Messengers, presented a retrospective of God’s leadership of WWU since 1892.