UW News

April 13, 2015

UW Bothell, Tacoma campuses honored in Olympia for 25 years of educational excellence

The University of Washington Bothell and Tacoma campuses were recognized today by both Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Senate with a proclamation and Senate resolution acknowledging the 25th anniversary of the state’s newest public university campuses.

Gov. Jay Inslee's proclamation

Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation

Legislation signed by Gov. Booth Gardner in 1989 resulted in the creation of five branch campuses to provide access to affordable public higher education in the state of Washington. UW Tacoma, UW Bothell, WSU Vancouver, WSU Spokane and WSU Tri-Cities all opened their doors in 1990.

In May, UW Bothell will celebrate its 25th anniversary. It now has nearly 5,000 students, almost 15,000 alumni and is the fastest-growing public university in the state of Washington, with 66 percent enrollment growth since 2010. The university has added 33 new degrees in the last five years with more launching in fall 2015. Yet, the administration remains committed to the student-faculty relationship. To keep pace with enrollment growth, the administration continues to recruit competitive faculty members and explore additional instructional space.

In July, UW Tacoma will celebrate its 25th anniversary. An economic engine for the South Sound, the university has revitalized downtown Tacoma. From its 40-acre, urban campus, loaded with restored 19th century warehouses retrofitted into modern educational facilities, UW Tacoma’s influence penetrates virtually every aspect of the South Sound community. Almost 5,000 students and more than 16,000 alumni reflect the success of the university’s urban-serving focus.

Both the Bothell and Tacoma campuses have become destinations of choice for highly competitive faculty and students from across the state of Washington, including nontraditional and traditional students.

At UW Bothell, more than half of its first-year students are the first in their families to attend college. Sixty-nine percent of students are from diverse backgrounds. Students benefit from internship and mentoring opportunities through strong community partnerships.

At UW Tacoma, 68 percent of first-year students are the first in their families to attend college. The campus is the UW’s official liaison to the U.S. military at Joint Base Lewis McChord, and is designated a “military-friendly campus” by GI Jobs. Twelve percent of students receive Veterans Administration educational benefits.

UW Tacoma and UW Bothell continue to surpass expectations set forth in 1989. They are providing access to an affordable and exceptional UW education and meeting industry needs by graduating people who are contributing to this state’s economy and leading change in our state, our country, and our world community.

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More information about UW Bothell: www.uwb.edu

More information about UW Tacoma: tacoma.uw.edu

 

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