Alumni Events

WGU Alumni Night Owl Trot 2022

We’re excited to announce our annual Night Owl Trot, a virtual 5K for all Night Owls brought to you by WGU alumni! The concept is simple— register, order one of three Night Owl Trot packages, and then get your run on sometime during Thanksgiving weekend. Proceeds benefit the Student Emergency Aid Fund, helping students who are in jeopardy of not completing their degrees. Plus, every package includes a commemorative Night Owl Trot medal, courtesy of WGU Alumni (Please note that purchasing a package is optional and you can still participate without it).

Ready to trot? Follow these easy steps:

• Register and purchase the Night Owl Trot package of your choice at the WGU online store.
• Download the Strava app so you can easily track and share your progress.
• Wear your swag and run five kilometers between November 24 and 27.
• Share your participation on social media using #WGUGrad and #NightOwlTrot.

WGU Alumni Kindness Quest 
October 1-8, 2022

Once again our amazing alumni community has stepped up in incredible ways. Over the past week, more than 2,200 Night Owls have given time, service, and money to benefit others in our now annual WGU Alumni Kindness Quest. 

We are incredibly touched by your examples and generosity. It is wonderful to think of the ripple effect our combined alumni network is spreading throughout our neighborhoods, communities, and beyond. We were also excited to see that many of you participated in the service opportunities suggested, utilizing our partnerships with United Way, The Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House of Charities, and donating to the Student Emergency Aid Fund. So many real individuals have and will benefit from these contributions.

We would also like to share some of the photos that were submitted by your fellow night owls highlighting their acts of kindness!

WGU in the Seattle Pride Parade
June 26, 2022

WGU participated in a large-scale Pride event for the first time in the university’s history.

WGU walked in the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade on June 26th. In an effort to promote widespread support of the LGBTQ+ community, we invited Night Owls to join us and bring friends and family! WGU provided a rainbow feather boa and WGU rainbow sunglasses to all those walking in the parade.

WGU Impact Day - Atlanta
April 27, 2022

WGU students, alumni, and staff from the Southeast Region joined together for food, drinks and a great cause!

In addition to a great time and the chance to network with others, they collected donations of socks and toiletry items to help HACEMOS in its mission to help supply much needed items to the homeless living in Metro Atlanta's "Tent City".

WGU Giving Day: Night Owls Unite
April 21, 2022

Night Owls celebrated WGU Giving Day with the WGU community on April 21, 2022! This year, Night Owls across the nation united for 25-hours in honor of WGU’s 25th anniversary.

WGU Giving Day is not only a day to give back, but also a day to reflect on how far you’ve come and celebrate WGU’s impact with your fellow Night Owls! When you visit givingday.wgu.edu you can make a gift, save #WGUGivingDay social media images to share with your friends and family, participate in fun challenges, and learn more.

Alumni Gatherings with WGU Advancement Team
2022

The WGU Advancement Team recently held a meetup to connect with graduates in the Silicon Valley. Photo: West Regional Vice President Operations Rick Benbow, Bob Benson, Annalisa Holcombe, Erica Adams, and WGU Trustee, Lenny Mendonca with local graduates: Mira Gillet ’12 Med, Grace Benlice, ’20 MSN, Mark Jansen ’15 BS, Justin “Ty” Shipp ’21 BS, Cornelius Delogramatic, MD ’21 MBA.

Cybersecurity Career Awareness Live Event
November 10, 2021

On November 10, 2021 Night Owls were invited to participate in the Fourth Annual Cybersecurity Live Event. The field of cybersecurity continues to grow as we all rely more on tech solutions and the internet to connect, work, and communicate. But what does a career in cybersecurity look like today, and is it a smart move for current and future IT professionals? View the recorded event here to learn more.

The panel included representatives from the FBI, Zions Bancorporation, ClearShark, and WGU.

4th Annual Texas Cyber Summit Cyber Security Conference
October 29-30, 2021

Through a joint sponsorship with WGU Texas and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, WGU staff, students, and alumni were given free access to the virtual events of this hybrid summit on October 29-30..

WGU Alumni Haunted Hustle 5K
October 22-24, 2021

On the weekend of October 22-24, the WGU Alumni Relations team hosted a virtual 5K for WGU alumni, students, faculty, and friends! Nearly 400 participated all across the country and many logged their activities in the WGU Night Owls Strava app group! Participants who purchased a running package received a commemorative Haunted Hustle medal courtesy of WGU Alumni. Proceeds benefited the Student Emergency Aid Fund.

WGU Night at Rio Tinto Stadium
July 21, 2021

On Wednesday, July 21, WGU Night was held at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT! Students, alumni, WGU staff, and family joined us at the WGU pregame BBQ inside the stadium.

Webinar: Why You? Understanding the Value You Bring to the Workplace
June 23, 2021

Night Owls joined Darlene Brown and LaQuientta Abbott from Truist Financial as they discussed, “Why You? Understanding the Value You Bring to the Workplace.” A recording of the webinar was made available with registration.

To learn more about upcoming webinars, please visit the NBMBAA webinar page.

WGU Alumni Kindness Quest
June 13 - 19, 2021

We would like to express our gratitude to you for participating in the WGU Alumni Kindness Quest. We had more than 1076 Night Owls participate and report their acts of kindness. We were moved by the time and generosity you offered to your communities. We also had a select group of graduates donate to the Student Emergency Aid Fund that helps support students who are in jeopardy of not completing their academic journey.

Virtual Washington Mixology & Trivia Night
May 20-June 10, 2021

We gathered with a self-proclaimed “cocktail nerd” who led us in crafting two beverages while playing trivia. Attendees also had the opportunity to connect with fellow alums!

WGU Northwest Region 5,280 Milestone Celebration
May 28, 2021

To celebrate the achievements of our 5,280 WGU graduates in Colorado, the home of the Mile High City, we held a mile-long virtual race—one foot for every grad!

Spring Virtual Alumni Celebration
May 21, 2021

This event kicked off the Virtual Commencement Weekend where we celebrated new WGU grads and their accomplishments! The event was live on Facebook and YouTube Friday, May 21 (the night before commencement).

WGU Alumni Mustache Dash 5K
April 16-18, 2021

The WGU Mustache Dash was a success with hundreds of runners all across the country. Participants received a commemorative Mustache Dash medal courtesy of WGU Alumni. Proceeds benefited the Student Emergency Aid Fund.

Winter Virtual Alumni Celebration
February 19, 2021

This event kicked off the Virtual Commencement Weekend where we celebrated new WGU grads and their accomplishments! The event was live on Facebook and YouTube Friday, February 19 (the night before commencement).

WGU Yoga Night
January 28, 2021

The first-ever WGU Yoga Night, a virtual wellness event for all Night Owls brought to you by WGU alumni! Night Owl Yoga kit order proceeds benefited the Student Emergency Aid Fund, helping students who are in jeopardy of not completing their academic journeys. Plus, every package included a multi-function head buff, courtesy of WGU Alumni.

Night Owl Trot 5K
November 27 - 29, 2020

Night Owls across the nation participated in the 5K Night Owl Trot and received a special commemorative medal with every participation package purchased from the WGU store. Proceeds benefited the Student Emergency Aid Fund.

Fall Virtual Alumni Celebration 
November 13, 2020 

Summer Virtual Alumni Celebration
August 21, 2020