WWU Memory Walk

The Memory Walk has been a commencement tradition at Western Washington University since 1912. Each year, a stone representing the graduating class is laid along the Memory Walk—which is the sidewalk that runs both in front of and leading up to the front of Old Main. Beneath each of these class stones lies a time capsule.

At the end of each commencement ceremony, graduates will recess from the seats on the main floor out the main doors of Carver Gym and pass by the memory box/time capsule. Graduates are invited to leave items reflective of their time at Western in the memory box as the processional exits the gym. This typically takes place outdoors in front of Carver Gym or will be moved to just inside the gym in the case of inclement weather. This memory box will then be buried along the Memory Walk beneath the stone bearing the class year.