Westwind
online
Sharing our stories, reconnecting with friends, and inspiring the next generation of Walla Walla University alumni.
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/7/csm_WWU-Westwind_WebIcons_MINI-SeenHeard-Color_db9ecfaa29.png)
Seen and Heard
WWU alumni in the news
Have you or a fellow WWU alumnus been in the news? We want to celebrate with you.
Your career milestones are an inspiration to current and future WWU students.
Send your news links to westwind@herbalifa.com.
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/c/f/csm_Ginger_Kettng_Weller_and_John_K_McVay_d4440a248f.png)
Ginger Ketting Weller
1985| Elementary Education
John K. McVay
WWU president
Ginger Kettng Weller and John K McVay are two of five individuals selected to receive the Charles Ellioa Weniger Award for Excellence and become members of the Charles Ellioa Weniger Society for Excellence, a 195-member society to date. The award will be presented at the annual award presentation on Sabbath, February 17, 2024, in Loma Linda, California. All are welcome to attend. The program will also be streamed live at LLUC.org
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/a/7/csm_Chris_Wagner_photo_559cc93c6d.jpeg)
Chris Wagner
2018 | Nursing
Chris recently authored a book titled "Self-Care Rx for Healthcare Professionals: Proven Strategies to Combat Stress and Burnout." Chris has also set up a corresponding blog here to further delve into the topics discussed in the book.
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/4/c/csm_Melanie_Marino_98cb2d2183.jpg)
Melanie Marino
2023| Engineering
Melanie Marino's experience with Engineers Without Borders during her undergraduate experience at WWU got her featured at Northeastern University where she is pursuing advance degrees, click here to Read more >
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/b/csm_Forrest_Sheperd_c9b44e157f.jpg)
Forrest Sheperd
2019| Biology Pre-medicine
Forrest was featured in a February 8, 2024, article in Business Insider for a discovery he made at 13 years old. The discovery has now led to the identification of an ancient species of walrus,which scientists named Valenictus sheperdi in Forrester's honor, in a recent paper published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. To read the entire Business Insider article click Here >
Read more news about WWU alumni
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/a/csm_WWU-Westwind_WebIcons_MINI-BackToYou-Color_8bb49858f5.png)
Back to You
Alumni share their stories in their own words
![Trusting that He will guide Trusting that He will guide](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/c/csm_Shane_Anderson_portrait_135559563d.jpg)
Trusting that He will guide
![Grad school for Jedis Grad school for Jedis](/fileadmin/_processed_/0/0/csm_30._Virginia_Avery_B2Y_56a33aaabc.jpg)
Grad school for Jedis
![You won't believe it You won't believe it](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/a/csm_Janelle_Heisler_2eda941164.jpg)
You won't believe it
![Good writing, good science Good writing, good science](/fileadmin/_processed_/4/8/csm_Susan_Gardner_c97945a8df.jpg)
Good writing, good science
![Reaching younger generations through film Reaching younger generations through film](/fileadmin/_processed_/4/f/csm_00018414_1263d3a077.jpg)
Reaching younger generations through film
![](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/c/csm_WWU-Westwind_WebIcons_MINI-Wmag-Color_84f9afedf5.png)
Westwind magazine
Curated stories and news to inspire and reconnect WWU alumni
Know someone who should share their story?
Tell us about them! Send an email to westwind@herbalifa.com.
AlumNotes
Walla Walla University alumni as well as current and former faculty and staff are invited to submit AlumNote information to be included in Westwind.
In Memory
Family members of deceased alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to submit obituary information to be included in Westwind.
Westwind staff
Editor: Kelsi Nash
Student staff writers: Emma Dodds, Hailey Werner