Western Washington University ranks 33rd nationally among the 100 “Best Buy Colleges and Universities” in a list compiled by Forbes Magazine.

Forbes Magazine, which has a circulation of over 900,000, ranks colleges and universities across the nation that provide the best education at the lowest possible cost to students.

Western Washington University is 12^th on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the nation’s top 20 green energy purchasers in higher education.

Western annually purchases 100 percent of its electrical energy from green sources via renewable energy credits (RECs).

Western was the only college or university in the State of Washington on the recently released EPA list.

The genesis for Western’s renewable energy program began more than five years ago when a small group of Western students set a goal of having Western obtain all of its electrical energy from a 100-percent renewable source. To meet that goal they proposed a student initiative to implement a fee that would offset the cost of purchasing renewable energy.

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University is the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2011 U.S. News & World Report college rankings. 

“While we are pleased to be recognized by this and other national rankings, the true measure of Western’s excellence is the quality of our programs and, consequently, the caliber of our graduates who are highly sought after by employers and who become leaders in their fields and communities. The active minds of our more than 100,000 alumni change the lives of the citizens of our state and nation in so many important and enduring ways,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard. “Our students realize their aspirations because of our dedicated, gifted and inspiring faculty and staff.”

The Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) team from Western Washington University that just completed a dramatic run all the way to the last days of competition in the finals of the $10 Million Progressive Automotive X-Prize will arrive back in Bellingham this week in time for a celebration event at noon on Thursday, Aug. 5, at the PAC Plaza on the WWU campus.

Western Washington University has been selected by G.I. Jobs magazine as a “Military Friendly School” for 2011, placing Western in the top 15 percent of all higher education institutions nationwide.

“Your steadfast commitment to educating our great nation’s military veterans will enable the United States to prosper for generations to come,” read the award presented to the university.

The purpose of the Professional Staff Organization Award for Excellence is to recognize one professional staff employee annually for an assortment of exceptional efforts and contributions to Western Washington University. The award is presented annually at Fall Convocation.

This award honors professional staff employees who demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

Nominations are being accepted through Friday, Aug. 6, for the 2010 Outstanding Classified Staff Award at Western Washington University. The award recognizes an individual who exemplifies a positive and creative approach to problem solving and innovation that significantly advances departmental goals and/or university mission.

Western Washington University honored its Outstanding Graduates for the 2009-2010 academic year at spring Commencement June 12.

Faculty Members from each academic department select one graduate to honor as the Outstanding Graduate of the year. Selection is a high honor based on grades, research and writing, service to the campus and community and promise for the future.

This year’s Outstanding Graduates include:

ANACORTES

Western Washington University’s student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has been awarded the Superior Merit Award for 2009-10 academic year.

The award is based on outstanding achievements in chapter operations and commitment to providing meaningful programs and services to its members, and this is the 38th consecutive year that WWU’s student chapter has received the award.