September 23, 1997
Grand opening celebration for UW, Tacoma, set for Sept. 26 and 27
A weekend of events Sept. 26 and 27 will mark the opening of the permanent campus for the University of Washington, Tacoma.
UWT will begin the academic year in its new facilities Monday, Sept. 29. It will serve a population of 1,230 students in three major academic structures comprising 133,000 square feet. The campus is located in the historic Union Depot/Warehouse District of Tacoma, bounded by South 21st St., Tacoma Ave., South 17th St., and Pacific Ave.
Approximately 500 UWT supporters are expected to attend a black-tie event Friday evening, Sept. 26. Elected officials, donors, business leaders and alumni will participate in a progessive dinner which will encourage patrons to mingle through the three campus buildings. Net proceeds from the event will benefit a UWT endowed student scholarship fund.
Incoming students will be honored at a formal academic convocation at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Rialto Theater. Featured speaker will be William Richardson, UWT liberal studies professor and former UWT acting dean. The convocation will be followed at 11 a.m. by a special campus brunch hosted by the Asssociated Students of UWT.
The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the campus will occur at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Featured speakers will include UW President Richard McCormick, Tacoma Mayor Brian Ebersole, Gov. Gary Locke, and UWT Dean and Vice Provost Vicky Carwein. Puyallup Tribal Chairman Bill Sterud will bless the site.
The ribbon cutting will be followed at 1:15 p.m. by a community celebration and open house. There will be a variety of musical entertainment, food booths, historical walking tours and family-oriented activities. Inside the buildings, each academic and student service program will have displays and information. <!—at end of each paragraph insert
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