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Steve Inge, a retired employee of Western Washington University, will present a lively illustrated history of the early years of Western at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, in the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room at 121 Prospect St. in Bellingham.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

In his presentation, Inge will focus on the individuals who helped grow the little Normal School on the hill into a highly ranked, nationally-known liberal arts university.

According to Inge, Western transitioned through four distinct institutions, each of which were influenced by certain key players, including one particularly well-known Board of Trustees member.

As the school changed, so did its name:

• 1893-1901 State Normal School at New Whatcom
• 1901-1904 State Normal School at Whatcom
• 1904-1937 Washington State Normal School at Bellingham
• 1937-1961 Western Washington College of Education
• 1961-1977 Western Washington State College
• 1977-present Western Washington University

Inge served as director of Alumni Relations for 18 years, director of Publications and Periodicals for four years and director of Corporate and Foundation Giving for eight years. He has presented this program several times on campus.