The heart of WSU Vancouver recreation resides in the Annex; a recently renovated building that used to be a farmhouse hidden behind campus. For the past four years, Julia Conrad, the WSU Vancouver Recreation Coordinator, led students on various adventures ranging from the Clackamas River Cleanup to the Mount Bachelor Ski Trip. Although she said she has enjoyed her time on the WSU Vancouver campus, Conrad will soon embark on her own adventure.
This month, Conrad plans to relocate to the Oregon State University Bend campus, where she will work with the OSU Recreation program and network with other professionals.
When asked about her relocation to OSU, Conrad said “I’ve been working in recreation for almost 20 years and Bend is kind of a recreation hub. I’ll be surrounded by more folks that also work in the industry. I think that support for me as a professional and in that area just fits really well in my goals.”
In reference to the Annex, Conrad explained how, “Sometimes students will come down here just to get information. Like, if they’re planning a backpacking trip by themselves and need some maps.” She added, “We have awesome trees [ near the Annex]. I always tell folks they can borrow hammocks and hang them up.”
“I think the Annex is a magical spot on campus,” Conrad said.
Conrad, whose heart and specialty is in whitewater recreation, said she is excited to live in a recreation hub like Bend. “There’s a whitewater park right in the middle of town and Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters,” adding how “It sounds like there’s lots of work that can be done there [OSU Bend] to get students involved in recreation. I think taking on those challenges and being a part of that in that environment is super appealing.”
Conrad said the decision to leave the Vancouver campus has not been an easy choice and she has appreciated her time on campus. She said her interactions with students and staff was her favorite part of her job.
“There’s so many good ones,” Conrad said when asked about some of her favorite memories at WSU Vancouver.
With memories ranging from trips she has taken with students, to interns working in the recreation center office with her, Conrad said if she had to pick a favorite memory it would probably be “some of the spring break trips or the Mount Bachelor trips, just because they’re pretty intense.”
Conrad explained the spring break trips saying, “We go out with 12 students total and we spend a week together and 16 hours each way in a car. You really get to know people. You’re living together. Not taking showers, together. Cooking together. Camping together,” she said. “It’s a pretty cool bond. A bond you would get with those folks that many other people wouldn’t experience.”
Regarding the students and staff on the WSU Vancouver campus, Conrad had nothing but good things to say. “The students on this campus are pretty fantastic and are a lot of fun. I’m very appreciative of my time here” she said. “This is a great spot. The annex is a pretty special place.”