WSUV welcomes students for fall

The Washington State University Vancouver campus was abuzz for the first day of the fall semester Monday.

Employees and student ambassadors on the Salmon Creek campus donned blue T-shirts during WSUV’s Welcome Week, signaling students to ask them any questions they might have about campus.

While exact enrollment numbers won’t be available until late next week, campus officials say they are expecting the same number of students as they had in the fall of 2011 — about 3,000 — said Brenda Alling, a campus spokeswoman.

WSUV is offering two new degree programs this year: a doctorate in nursing practice and a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience.

And the campus will be under new leadership. Mel Netzhammer this spring was appointed to lead the Vancouver campus as its chancellor. He’s taking over from Lynn Valenter, the vice chancellor of finance and operations, who had served as interim chancellor since last year. Hal Dengerink, who had led the branch campus since its inception, died September 2011, shortly after retiring.