First Freshmen

UW Bothell began as upper-division and graduate institution. This changed in 2006 when it welcomed its first class of lower-division students. The first class had 130 students, fresh out of high school.

When they first arrived, we asked them about their decision to attend and to be pioneers of this first class. As many are now approaching graduation, we followed up, curious to learn about their experiences over the course of their educational journeys.

What a difference a few years can make!

Sara Nausner

2006

"I came from Shorecrest High School and didn’t really know anyone coming to school here, but at our first event, the Convocation, I met new friends right away and felt like I fit in. the classes are small and my teachers are always available and they really care about the relationship with the students. I value that. Plus, if I get stuck, the resources here to help you are tremendous and the people are terrific. We’re building a program and it’s very exciting to be a part of it here at UW Bothell."

2009

"Wow! Is it senior year already? I can hardly believe that these past 4 years have flown by so quickly. Campus is bustling with new students, faculty, and staff this new year. I no longer feel like a freshman; I know where everything is, where to go if I need help, and even my former professors have stayed in touch.

My core group of friends, those of us who started out together as "the first freshman class" at Convocation, still see each other often. Although many of us have picked different majors, I think the bond that we formed the first year has given us the upper hand on group projects, especially in classes where there are both IAS, CSS, and Business students together.

I have served as the 07-08 ASUWB Director of Public Relations, volunteered 900+ hours with our Americorps Students in Service Program, and helped host many campus events. There really are opportunities here for anyone who would like to get involved. I feel like I have grown with UW Bothell, and I am both happy to graduate and sad that I'll be leaving such a great community."

Xheni Diko

2006

"My family left Albania and settled here when I was 10. They chose to seek a better life so that I could have real choices. For me that was UW Bothell. It’s a perfect match because I will be able to live with my family while experiencing college life."

2009

"Thinking back to when I first started as a freshmen at UW Bothell, I never imagined I would end up being where I am today. The UW Bothell community has played a key role in turning a young, shy freshman into someone who is prepared to take on any challenge coming my way."

Chuck Larpenteur

2006

"UW Bothell is pretty much perfect for where I want to be – a business major-because this school has so many connections, internships and possibilities in the community. Plus the classes I am taking are really interdisciplinary and actually have me doing research! It’s a college atmosphere with classes the size they were at Edmonds-Woodway High School. I’ve even gotten involved on the campus events board. The doors here are really open to you – we get to make the campus the way we want it to be and the faculty is here to help."

Alan Li

2006

"I liked the idea of being a UW Bothell pioneer. It’s one of the reasons I came here. The ability to make a difference and to help grow the campus- and myself-was a tremendous opportunity."

2009

"It’s been a tremendous four years at Bothell, I guess what I can say now as a senior reflecting on my college experience is that; I got everything I’d hoped for and more in my college experience here at UW Bothell. The open doors- faculty and staff here have provided me opportunities in pursuing my entrepreneurship career goals, fulfillment in social, sports and student life, as well provided the place for me to make some lifelong friendships. Year by year, it seems that the University is growing and changing at such a rapid pace, it’s this symbiosis relationship that we as students have on this campus that makes it possible for really radical and exponential personal growth in all of our dimensions.

I really love this place, and I feel like my friends and I will leave here with more than an adequate arsenal of tools for us to make our mark on the world. "