Press Releases

Walla Walla University Appoints COVID-19 Response Director

August 11, 2020 | College Place, Wash. | Aaron Nakamura

Kari Firestone, Walla Walla University (WWU) professor of nursing and associate dean of the School of Nursing, has been appointed to the role of WWU COVID-19 response director by WWU president John McVay. In this new role, Firestone will lead a task force that will detail and implement plans related to COVID-19 on the WWU campus for fall quarter and beyond.

In early spring, WWU organized a COVID-19 emergency task force to help with immediate steps for online delivery of education during spring and summer. In early summer, the WWU Return-to-Campus Task Force was formed to carefully make preparations for students, faculty, and staff as they return to campus for fall quarter. As COVID-19 response director, Firestone will now lead a single task force focused on navigating today’s complex public-health climate and guiding the university through its approach to fall quarter.

Since early spring 2020, Firestone has served as WWU’s liaison with the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health, and she will bring expertise to issues that arise during fall quarter.

“Dr. Firestone has a strong and positive reputation at WWU as both an able academician and a skilled administrator, and we will be blessed by her direction as we care for our Walla Walla University family and the communities in which we serve,” said McVay.

Firestone has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Walla Walla University, a master’s degree in nursing education from Loma Linda University, and a doctorate in nursing from Oregon Health & Sciences University. She has clinical expertise in pediatrics, pain, symptom management, health promotion, and public/community health, and has in-depth experience in administering and researching public-health issues and writing policy for clinical settings.

Walla Walla University consists of five campuses in the Pacific Northwest, including College Place, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Anacortes, Washington; and Missoula and Billings, Montana.

— Aaron Nakamura is director of Marketing and University Relations for Walla Walla University.

Walla Walla University Professor Shares on NBC News About Challenges of Keeping Octopuses

During the second week of April 2024, Kirt Onthank, professor of biology at Walla Walla University, was invited to share his expertise on octopuses on NBC News. Onthank contributed to a story about an Oklahoman family that recently welcomed 50 octopus hatchlings and has been garnering attention on TikTok.

It Is Written Announces New VBS Program "Flight 3:16"

It Is Written announces a new travel-themed Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, "Flight 3:16." During Flight 3:16, children will visit five countries as they prepare for the ultimate destination, Heaven. Flight 3:16 is a complete VBS kit that includes supplies for 14 children.

Oakwood University Emerges as the New National Champion at the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

Oakwood University has emerged as the new national champion at the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) held on April 12, 2024. The Alabama-based university defeated 31 other teams to take home the title and a $100,000 institutional grant. Howard University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College finished in the top four.

Washington Adventist University Junior Secures Prestigious Summer Internship at Johns Hopkins University

The biology department at Washington Adventist University (WAU) is proud to celebrate the achievement of Charis McRoy, a junior under the guidance of Sam D. Perez, chair of the biology and chemistry department at WAU. McRoy, also a member of the honors college, has earned a summer internship at Johns Hopkins University for 2024, following her persistent applications.

There Is No Other Experience Like Studying Abroad

Pacific Union College business student Olivia Newman has been spending her junior year studying in Spain through Adventist College Abroad. The thought of traveling and appreciating a different culture excited her. From the beautiful architecture in Spain and her goal of improving in the Spanish language, Olivia chose to study at Campus Adventista de Sagunto.