I recently attended a local charity event and was seated at a table with others from the community. As we waited for dinner to be served, we went around the table and introduced ourselves and our lines of work. When it was my turn, I introduced myself and explained my role at Weber State University. What I didn’t expect from my introduction was for it to carry into our dinner conversation. Almost every person at the table had some tie to Weber State. As they shared their stories and connections to Weber, it sparked a reflection on what we Wildcats affectionately term “the Weber way” or the “Weber family.”

The first person to share their Weber connection was the charity event’s harpist. She talked about being a former student, having completed her musical training and bachelor’s degree at Weber State. As a student, she explained how welcomed she was on campus and how connected she felt to her peers and professors. She talked about not being just another name on a roll call list, but rather a valued student whom her professors and peers made an effort to get to know. On a recent visit to campus, she ran into a former professor who remembered her by name. Though she’s been graduated and away from Weber for quite some time, the professor still remembered her. She ended by saying, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”

As the conversation continued, another tablemate talked about his current enrollment in one of Weber’s online programs. As a devoted provider juggling full-time work and family responsibilities, he expressed gratitude for being able to earn his degree through online education. He said the program fits his busy schedule and he appreciates the convenience of being able to complete coursework from anywhere. Even though he’s a fully online student, he still feels connected to Weber State. He ended by saying, “I’m just as valued and connected as students who are on campus every day.”

Another guest at the charity event was a member of Weber State’s board of trustees who shared her long history with the university. Her father, a former WSU football coach, would take her to campus often. She reminisced about visiting campus, watching its incredible growth over the years and said she knew from a young age that she would attend Weber State. She described Weber as her “second home” and talked about what an honor it is to be an alum and currently serve on the board of trustees. She ended by saying, “I truly bleed purple.”

On my drive home from the event, I thought about those stories and experiences and got to thinking about some of my own. One experience quickly came to my mind. As an adjunct instructor for the English department at Weber State, I had the pleasure of teaching an introductory English course to a group of college freshmen. All but two students in the class lived in university housing and, for most, it was their first time living away from home and family. As we made our way through the semester, I found myself in awe of just how connected and close the students in my class were.

One day during class, I asked my students if they were friends outside the classroom. They told me how they’d formed a tight bond living in university housing together. They shared with me their weekly schedule: Mondays were study night, Tuesdays were taco night, Wednesdays were game night, Thursdays were pizza night, Fridays were popcorn and movie night, Saturdays were for WSU sporting events and Sundays were spent prepping for the new week ahead. A few students talked about being the chefs of the group, while others coordinated game and movie nights. Each played a role well suited to their strengths. Together, this group of students built a strong community where all were welcome. They supported each other through their first semesters of college and formed lifelong friendships. The conversation with my students ended with this final comment: “We look out for each other, we build each other up and we will do this until we ALL graduate.”

The stories and connections shared are good examples of the “Weber way” and what it means to be a part of the “Weber family.” From the enduring impact on a former student to the inclusive support for an online learner and the legacy of a dedicated trustee, these diverse experiences paint a picture of belonging and pride. My personal experience affirms the unity and camaraderie fostered among students and the depth of connection within the Weber community. In every story, the common thread was clear: a shared passion for Weber State, a sense of belonging, and the commitment to supporting and elevating one another.

Brooke Lindgren is the associate director of the Office of Sponsored Projects at Weber State University, where she helps faculty and staff prepare and submit grant proposals for external funding.

Newsletter