Virtual ALUMNI WEEKEND COVID-19 may have changed our homecoming plans in 2020, but it didn’t change the Walla Walla University spirit of community
W
hile we couldn’t be together in person this year, alumni from around the globe took part in Virtual Alumni Weekend. We gathered online for worship through praise music on Friday evening and for a special church service in the University Church with alumni participating through streaming services from around the globe. WWU President John McVay spoke for church. Other online events included a seminar titled “Nuclear Idaho—Learning from the rise and fall of the biggest collection of nuclear reactors on the planet” by Greg Brothers ’80; Evensong with Kraig Scott ’84 and Rodd Strobel ’87; and an unforgettable performance of the WWU school song by Bill Gerber ’84, Bethany (Gerber) Folkenberg ’15, and her husband, Rob Folkenberg ’14. We’re also pleased to introduce our 2020 Alumni of the Year whose careers embody the Walla Walla University spirit of excellence.
Pull up a seat and watch recordings of all Virtual Alumni Weekend events at
wallawalla.edu/ virtual-alumni.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Village Hall.
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Westwind Summer 2020
2020 Alumni DOUG CLARK
Class of 1970
FIFTY YEARS AFTER graduating from WWU with a bachelor’s degree in theology and biblical languages, Doug Clark still believes that attending WWU is the best investment he has made, largely due to the support he received from faculty and staff. “Coming away from WWC with a top-notch education, the drive to excel, and friends forever made possible whatever I have done or become,” says Clark. Clark completed a master of divinity degree in 1974 at Andrews University and a doctorate in Hebrew Bible at Vanderbilt University in 1984. He returned to WWU to teach in the School of Theology in 1987 and served as dean of the school from 1990 to 1998. In 2004 he accepted a position as executive director of the American Schools of Oriental Research in Boston, a position he held until 2006. He began teaching at La Sierra University in 2006 where he joined the HMS Richards Divinity School and for two years was associate director of the honors program. Throughout his career he has also served as