W Day was launched in 2011 in celebration of the UW’s 150th anniversary and since then it has been a day to look forward to. Students donned their purple and gold gear while mingling with both old and new friends and listening to the booming music coming from the stage and watching the Husky cheer and dance team perform their wonderfully choreographed routines.
W Day celebrated the 154th anniversary of the University of Washington. The day of excitement was Friday Oct. 16, when free cupcakes, purple shirts, and Starbucks coffee were handed out on Red Square at the UW campus. Long lines spread across Red Square for face-painting and a makeshift Instagram photo booth. A wide stage housed a DJ from Rainy Dawg Radio, UW’s very own music radio station, and skits by UW students to entertain the audience. W Day was not only one day, but the whole homecoming weekend of events for UW Huskies. The homecoming football game against the University of Oregon Ducks took place on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Dawg Dash, a 10K and 5K run benefiting student scholarship programs, took place on Oct. 18.
All three UW campuses (Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell) celebrated W Day and united Huskies wherever they were. Local businesses offered special deals for those wearing purple or Husky gear, also showing their Husky pride.
Newly selected President Ana Mari Cauce was also there to present the president’s annual address. Cauce is the 33rd president of UW and was recently UW’s interim president, after serving as the dean of the UW’s College of Arts and Sciences.