LAKE WHATCOM SPRING 2024
Students in the Spring 2024 Advanced Visual Journalism class from Western Washington University dove into the history, recreation, ecology and mysteries of Lake Whatcom. Told through a variety of videos, photo essays and infographics, these students worked to capture the many stories they found. Explore a timeline of Lake Whatcom’s modern history and learn more about the lake’s recreational activities. From legends of a haunted island, to plans of how to protect the lake’s waters, these projects dive deep into the essence of the lake.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT SPRING 2023
Students in the Spring 2023 Advanced Visual Journalism class were curious about sustainable food systems in the area. They ventured out to local farms, gardens, grocery stores and the Salish Sea to get a better understanding of what it takes to get food on our table from local sources.
Pickleball Fall 2022
What started out as a simple backyard game for friends and family in the late ‘60s, pickleball has evolved into a national craze. It is still strongly rooted in Washington, becoming the state’s official sport in 2022. Its wild popularity in the Bellingham area fostered pickleball clubs, campus competitions and a new buzz among younger generations. It’s no longer just a game for your grandparents.
Whatcom Sounds Spring 2022
Whether we are aware of it or not, noises surround us, filling empty space in an invisible landscape. The pitter patter of the Pacific Northwest rain, car engines careening through the curving path of Chuckanut Drive, and the frantic hustle and bustle of the Saturday downtown market all create a backdrop of sound unique to Whatcom County. From a look at audible entertainment at Mount Baker Theatre to a partial exploration of Bellingham’s Deaf community, students in the spring 2022 advanced visual journalism class delve into the sounds of their home. This is Whatcom Sounds.
Chuckanut Drive Fall 2021
Students in the Fall of 2021 Advanced Visual Journalism set off along Chuckanut Drive to discover the rich history and culture nestled along a 21 mile stretch of road where mountains meet the sea. We invite you to take a ride with us from Fairhaven to Bow, Washington as we explore the many facets of this remarkable community offering a closer look into the environment, lifestyles and artwork that have shaped their culture.
Defining Home Spring 2021
Students in the Spring 2021 Advanced Visual Journalism class traversed stories of different homes and lifestyles, paving diverse definitions of what home can mean in the greater Bellingham area. From college houses to tiny homes, they offer a peek into local homes and dwellings, as well as the redefining of “home” as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Connecting Apart Fall 2020
Students in the fall 2020 Advanced Visual Journalism explored how people found ways to stay connected during the ongoing social distancing restrictions stemming from the pandemic. Whether it was through gaming, dating, dining or exercising Civil Rights, the common thread of staying connected proved invaluable.
Coping with COVID-19 Spring 2020
Throughout April and May 2020, students in the spring Advanced Visual Journalism class set out to document how members in the Northwest region of Washington were coping with social distancing mandates stemming from the coronavirus. They explored the impact the pandemic had on education, business, families and community.
The Rhetorician Fall 2019
We profile Jordan Moss, a rap artist known as “The Rhetorician.”
Bellingham Bay Spring 2019
We explore the ways in which local residents connect with Bellingham Bay through recreation, sports, arts, travel, careers and lifestyle.
Mount Baker Fall 2018
We explore our community’s connection to Mount Baker. The mountain has an iconic presence for residents and visitors alike. For some, it’s a recreational playground and for others it’s a scientific laboratory.
Stories Along the Nooksack Spring 2017
Using the Nooksack River as a guide, we explore stories from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay to highlight the river’s impact and significance on the community.
Bridging the Divide Fall 2016
Intrigued by America’s ever-widening gap in the rural-urban divide, we explore the topic on a local level and set out to find individuals, companies and organizations who are “Bridging the Divide” in sustainable ways.
Repurposing Downtown Spring 2016
We narrow our focus to Bellingham’s downtown core to highlight historic preservation and sustainability efforts to show how spaces have been used and repurposed over time.