Academic programs and student life at Walla Walla University are centered firmly on the mission of building faith among collegiate students. At the start of the 2024–2025 school year, student leaders for worship programs, service organizations and residence halls gathered for training and team building.
The retreat was centered around the theme “Give Me the Mountains,” based on Joshua 14, where Caleb requests his allotment of the promised land to be the hill country.
The powerful calling to take on difficulties with firm faith in God’s power has clearly spoken to students. Several all-campus gatherings focused on the theme and student leaders decided to make it the theme of their Student Week of Worship as well. Each day, students shared about the difficult moments in life that helped build their faith.
As Darren Wilkins, WWU vice president of student life, explained, “If you have the Almighty God on your side, why would you want the easy things?”
Spiritual leadership by students is enforcing campus as a place to step out in faith.
Students are tackling literal mountains as well. This winter, WWU partnered with Bluewood, a nearby alpine ski area, to offer students a once-in-a-lifetime ski deal, with eight full-day tickets costing only $320. For first-time skiers, WWU offers a ski class for credit where students can learn with instructors.
ASWWU Outdoors is also a great resource for students wanting to discover new ways to conquer the mountains or just get outside. Trips cover everything from rock climbing and white water rafting to cabining in the snow and surfing. “We specifically work to make trips accessible and easy for students who haven’t done these activities before,” explained Wilkins. “We want to introduce students to the power and fun of God’s creation through a breadth of activities.”
For more experienced adventurers, student life also offers Sacred Mountains trips, tackling a new famous international peak each summer. In summer 2025, Wilkins will lead a group to Mount Ararat. “These are bigger, bucket list experiences. The effort needed to drag yourself up a mountain connects to a certain spiritual journey. It can be a difficult task that takes dedication and the support of friends,” said Wilkins.
These faith-building moments, in community and in nature, abound at WWU. Located in the Pacific Northwest, WWU is blessed with a certain proximity to beauty and wilderness that makes adventure easy.
“Students who choose to come here tend to have a certain adventure ethic,” said Wilkins. “Whether it's literal mountains or the adventure of finding new friends, taking on leadership skills or tackling hard academics, we really have a campus of students who are up for stuff. They are willing to tell God, ‘Give me the mountains, I have faith in You.”
