Klipsun Magazine, 2011, Volume 41, Issue 04 - Winter

The picture to the right cannot say much about me. Beyond what is visible at first glance are the many layers of my identity: Ukrainian, aspiring public relations professional and journalist, pianist, student and daughter, among many more. I’ve taken to embracing them all. Without any one of these layers, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, and someone else may have been writing this letter. The stories in this issue peel back many layers and expose what often goes unnoticed beneath the surface. One writer takes us on a journey back to the days when Bellingham was a booming center for coal. One story may leave you questioning your own safety; another, reconsidering how much you’re willing to pay for beauty. A story of one student’s radical transformation after weight loss may leave you wondering about the layers that make you, well, you. Try to see the complexity in even the most ordinary things, because nothing in life is too simple. With this issue, we are also celebrating the life of Shearlean Duke, who lost her battle against a brain tumor in February. On one layer, she was an incredible woman; on another, a beloved professor, editor, public relations professional and mentor for many; and yet on another, a world traveler and loving wife. Her work and contributions to the Department of Journalism and Western are invaluable. She will always remain in our hearts.https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/1255/thumbnail.jp