Welcome

Deanna Kennedy
Dean of College of Business and Education

The College of Business and Economics officially opened the doors on Jan. 1, 1976, but its roots stretch back further and are interwoven with the university’s own legacy. 

Read about the history, and prehistory, of CBE here.

PHOTO: People stand on the walkway next to the Environmental Studies building overlooking Parks Hall under construction. Photo: Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections Campus History Collection (ID: CHC-PH_1981-0001)

Alumni, you are a huge part of our history, and we’d like to hear about where life has taken you. We invite you to share your story to our “Where Are You Now” 2026 project. 

Come play a round of golf at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club with CBE alumni, faculty, and staff on Friday, Oct. 2, while raising funds to support scholarships and resources for our new direct freshman admit program. Questions? Contact Kati Johnson at Kati.Johnson@wwu.edu.

Save the date! Gather with alumni and community members on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle. More information and registration coming soon.

Professor Emeritus Farrokh Safavi (far right) capped off the academic year with a $5,000 donation to CBE’s 50th anniversary fund, and is reaching out to other emeritus faculty with a challenge to match his contribution.

This summer, Professor of Marketing Ed Love, 2024 CBE alum Gavin Bohling, and undergraduate Forrest Morse will represent the U.S. at the 2026 World Boomerang Championships in Indonesia where they’ll face top competitors from around the world. 

“There’s something about watching this thing make a magical turn. A beautiful arc that seems to defy what sticks are supposed to do,” said Love, who has been throwing boomerangs for decades. 

Read about WWU’s world-class boomerang throwers here.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free, high-quality tax preparation services to the community. This tax season, 49 trained volunteers, mostly students, worked with 190 taxpayers to secure more than $194,000 in tax refunds for local residents. It’s a win-win for students, who get hands-on experience in tax preparation while making a real difference in the community.

Read more about the VITA at WWU program here.

After more than 100 years combined service, Professor of Decision Sciences Deepinder Bajwa, Professor of Decision Sciences Peter Haug, and Associate Professor of Finance Pamela LaBorde retired at the end of spring quarter.

Read more about the three retiring faculty members here.

WWU Presidential Scholar for the College of Business and Economics

Emma Smith, Accounting - Management Information Systems

Outstanding Graduates, Master’s Degrees 

Outstanding Graduates, Bachelor’s Degrees 

Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award 

Professor Matt Roelofs, Economics

Podcast: Finding Your Natural Allyship Rhythm With Dr. Meg Warren, Management’s Meg Warren, The Good Men Project

The Problem With Efficiency, co-authored by Marketing’s Ed Love, Psychology Today

VIDEO:  The New World Order: Canada’s Perspective and Leadership: What it Means for Canada, the U.S. and Whatcom County, Bellingham City Club featuring Management’s Edward Alden

Noon Business Lunch 5/28/26: Inflation surging, consumer spending resilient, data center impact, WGN Radio 720, featuring Economics’ Michael Miller

Western rower’s final push for a national title depends on relentless schedule, Cascadia Daily News, features MBA student Janisa Cook

Seattle-area prices jump nearly 5% from a year ago, Seattle Times, featuring CEBR’s James McCafferty

The Problem With Empathy, co-authored by Marketing’s Ed Love, Psychology Today

Noon Business Lunch 5/7/26: Airport jobs, Fitbit Air, labor market demographics, WGN Radio 720, featuring Economics’ Michael Miller

VIDEO: Hart Hodges and James McCafferty of the Center for Economic and Business Research presented at Bellingham City Club in March 

Why Is Washington State So Expensive?, Governing, featuring CEBR’s James McCafferty

Unexpected Ally Stepping Up Against Sexual Assault in Kenyan Slums: Landlord, by Management’s Meg Warren, Inter Press Service News Agency  

3 Strategies To Make Allyship Sustainable In Your Workplace Culture, Forbes, featuring Management's Meg Warren 

VIDEO: Finding Your Natural Allyship Rhythm with Dr. Meg Warren, featuring Management's Meg Warren 

Raspberries and Coachella, After Office Hours podcast with Puget Sound Economic Forecaster, from Center for Economic and Business Research

Noon Business Lunch 4/14/26: Market jump, core inflation, negotiation complexities, WGN Radio 720, featuring Economics’ Michael Miller

Why Hating the Gym Might Be Your Greatest Asset, co-authored by Marketing’s Ed Love, Psychology Today

Rising gas prices add to Bellingham residents’ burdens, Cascadia Daily News, features CEBR’s James McCafferty

Hart Hodges and James McCafferty: The Millionaires Tax, My Bellingham Now

Thank you for being a part of the College of Business and Economics community. If you would like to know how you might support these types of projects or hear how others are getting involved, please reach out to us via email: Dean Deanna Kennedy at kennedd7@wwu.edu or Brock Veltri, our partner in University Advancement, at veltrib@wwu.edu. We will be happy to have those conversations with you.

Western Washington University
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

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