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Forward with Western (1949)
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- Forward With Western (1949) From the records of the Public Information Office WWU Archives, Accession 82-18 Video digitized in 2016 from the original 16mm film
- FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY MOTION PICTURE This motion picture is dedicated to the success and growth of Western Washington College over the last fifty years. We know that all the faculty and students, past and present, are looking forward with Western to another fifty years of progress and development. THANK YOU. The Motion Picture Committee
- [SINGING]
- WESTERN WASHINGTON COLLEGE of EDUCATION Presents
- FORWARD WITH Western
- Written & Directed by JACK SHALLOW, Jr. Photographed by .. Ed Racine
- Produced by Western Screen
- This is a story of college life, college life at the Western
- Washington College of Education.
- Colleges, you know, in a very real way are like people.
- Each one is different, has a particular individuality.
- The 82-acre campus and buildings of the Western Washington
- College of Education are situated on Sehome Hill.
- The school itself was founded in 1899
- expressly for training public school teachers.
- Over the years, however, it has grown and developed
- a threefold academic program of college training.
- It is located in the colorful city of Bellingham
- on the shores of Puget Sound.
- To the east of Bellingham stand the Cascade Mountains,
- topped by majestic Mount Baker with its awe-inspiring slopes
- and snow-capped peak.
- The mountain looks on the campus,
- and the campus looks on the sea.
- Bellingham is a thriving prosperous city.
- Due north about 18 miles is the International Peace arch
- on the border between the United States and Canada,
- gateway to Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Yes, back to college means an exciting time
- as another year of progress looms ahead.
- Students arrive from all over Washington
- and many other states, as well as Canada and Alaska.
- Old friendships are renewed and new ones
- are made as the students gather at the residence
- halls and the student lounge.
- And of course, that first date for the back-to-college mixer.
- There are the necessary supplies to purchase
- at the student-operated bookstore,
- and other last-minute preparations have to be made.
- Many students wish to discuss their problems
- with the Director of Student Personnel.
- Students are given every possible help
- in career planning.
- It is important that each student
- develop his own plan of action.
- To help the student, group instruction in planning
- is given.
- Special aptitude tests and individual records
- are used to guide the student toward his goal.
- All students are given periodic health examinations.
- Every possible aid is given those students
- wishing part time jobs.
- The Dean of Women offers advice and helps guide the students,
- as does the Dean of Men.
- It is the policy of the college to provide
- as much opportunity for student employment
- on and off the campus as possible.
- The academic program at Western is threefold.
- Here, in this splendid building right on the campus,
- is one of the finest elementary schools in the country, where
- every facility is provided to enable the student
- teacher to acquire firsthand experience
- in the art of teaching.
- First, for prospective teachers, the college
- offers a four-year program of studies,
- leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in education.
- A master of education degree may be granted students
- taking a fifth year.
- There is a lot of young talent here,
- and it has to be carefully guided.
- Here the professional student has a real chance
- to understand children and to learn how to teach them
- on a very practical basis.
- The second division of the threefold program
- is for those students seeking a general or liberal arts
- education.
- The college offers a four-year course,
- leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree,
- and a student may choose a major from many fields, some
- in sciences either biological or physical,
- and/or the social studies such as history, political science,
- and geography.
- The drama department offers interesting courses
- and firsthand experience in stage production.
- Perhaps a music course is desired.
- Individual instruction and singing
- in Western's popular a capella choir, too, are available.
- Industrial and Fine Arts, sculpture,
- drawing from life, these and many other subjects
- may be taken.
- The Third Division is for professional and
- pre-professional students.
- There are one and two year programs
- for those who plan to finish their college
- education elsewhere.
- Typical fields are pre-medicine, clothing, and dressmaking.
- Foods, student prepared in this sparkling modern kitchen.
- Mm, good.
- Another interesting field is journalism.
- Here, young journalists can get the first year's work,
- which includes publishing a student-operated weekly
- newspaper.
- Yes, and besides the few subjects we have touched upon,
- there are many more from which to choose.
- Within this library are thousands
- of volumes to help students gain knowledge
- in the many courses that are offered by Western.
- The quiet atmosphere helps the student
- make the most of his time.
- Campus day is the big rally day of the year at Western.
- The democratic and friendly spirit everywhere cannot be
- overemphasized.
- There are no fraternities or sororities here.
- Several men's and women's groups,
- organized on the basis of community interest,
- fill the social calendar with many activities.
- The prexy joins in the fun.
- The day's activities are climaxed by a tug of war
- with both students and faculty taking part.
- Somebody is always sure to get wet,
- but that's all part of the game.
- Exchange fireside meetings are fun on the cold winter evenings
- and help to while away leisure hours.
- Many dances are held throughout the year.
- They're all wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed.
- Well, looks as though he got that date after all.
- One of the highlights of the year's social activities
- is the annual cruise to Sucia Island
- for both faculty and students.
- Talk about relaxation and peace of mind.
- This is it.
- Everyone helps as we disembark and prepare to establish
- our overnight camp.
- This cruise is only representative
- of the full calendar of outdoor recreational activity
- at Western.
- College-owned Viqueen lodge looks out over the colorful San
- Juan Islands.
- It is truly an inspirational location.
- The next morning, campers get up with the roosters
- so they can get an early start and enjoy
- the wonderful outdoor life here in the San Juan Islands.
- The outdoor life at Western is an everlasting source of wonder
- and enjoyment for everyone.
- There's nothing better than breakfast
- cooked on an open fire.
- The salty breeze really helps to whip up an appetite.
- During the skiing season at Mt.
- Baker, which runs from early November
- through the 1st of May, there are
- many thrills to be had racing down the snowy slopes.
- For those less hardy folk, however, there
- are many other activities.
- For the women, the traditional Associated Women Students' teas
- and the formal teas with the house mother presiding.
- Then there's tennis.
- Students may also enjoy a good game of golf
- and, say, swimming.
- They're year round, too.
- Mixed swimming parties are a regular activity.
- For those who wish to develop real form
- regular classes are offered.
- Every progressive college has a well-developed sports program.
- Here at Western, students have their choice
- of any of the major college sports.
- One of the most exciting sports events
- is Western's homecoming football game.
- [CHEERING]
- Excitement runs high as 64 breaks away.
- He starts around him and it looks
- as though he's on his way.
- He's stopped momentarily, but then punches again
- for a substantial gain.
- Now Western in the white and blue uniform
- is practically on the goal line.
- This next play should tell the story.
- Yes, Western scores, and the crowd goes wild.
- It's all a part of college life at Western.
- It's work, anxious moments.
- It's study and recreation.
- In 1899, Western Washington College
- started in this single building.
- In its 50 years, this college has
- grown into one of the outstanding colleges
- of its type in the country.
- Through the years, students come and go,
- taking with them a part of this great college.
- They leave something behind, too,
- their spirit of friendliness and cooperation.
- One of the customs at Western Washington
- is that of the graduates dropping one of their student
- activity cards in the box beneath the year
- block in Memory Walk.
- The spirit of this fine institution
- is reflected in the mirror of time.
- From this campus every year go men and women,
- rich in knowledge and a desire to do good,
- and to take their place not only in the schools
- across the country, but as well-educated citizens
- of our great United States.
- So we say forward with Western.
- [SINGING]