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Honey Bees + People + Agriculture: A Circle of Life

December 1, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

“The WSU Honey Bee Research, Extension and Education Facility in Othello is an amazing research and development opportunity for pollinators that is relevant and responsive in the heart of Washington agriculture–and unprecedented in WSU’s history.”

— Laura Lavine, Professor and Chair
Washington State University Department of Entomology

“The first time I looked into a honey bee colony, I was blown away,” said Kelly Kulhanek, postdoctoral researcher with Washington State University’s Honey Bee and Pollinator Research and Education program. “I watched thousands of bees … » More …

Beyond Bread and Whiskey

November 10, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Not so long ago, a trailblazing Seattle distiller was in search of the perfect barley to flavor his new American single malt whiskey.

Little did he know this special grain was already growing in a beautiful valley not so far away.

In a serendipitous moment in 2012, this distiller, Matt Hofmann, met Dr. Stephen Jones, pioneering grain scientist and Breadlab founder.

“The serendipity in that meeting was amazing and opened possibilities with the Breadlab that were staggering to comprehend,” said Hofmann, who met Jones at the lab’s annual Grain Gathering. There he also discovered that Jones and his team … » More …

ROAR Student Lives a Life of Joyful Creativity

November 8, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

In August, Vanessa ‘Nessa’ Ankney began her first year as a Washington State University ROAR (Responsibility Opportunity Advocacy and Respect) student.

WSU ROAR is a two-year inclusive, post-secondary education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). An integrated, on-campus educational experience, ROAR empowers students to achieve their personal and professional goals and become self-determined, independent adults.

Nessa, a passionate, gifted artist, will graduate from the ROAR program in 2023 with an emphasis on fine arts. As part of her fall schedule, she is enrolled in Amy Petersilie Heile’s ENGL 100 (Introductory College Composition) course.

Recently, Nessa shared … » More …

Through the Camas Plant, Archaeologist Bridges the Past, Present, and Future

November 1, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Molly Carney is both a pioneering scientist and a bridge builder.

An environmental archaeologist, Carney’s work arcs Native American history, wisdom, and experiences to our 21st century world.

Through insight and empathy, she connects with the challenges and needs of others, in particular those whose voices are often marginalized.

In her research, she links the evolution of human life to earth’s botanical life.

THE CAMAS PLANT

With her current research, Molly Carney (’21 WSU PhD) reconstructs the cultural history and plant food uses by Northwest Native communities. Specifically, her projects focus on use and cultivation strategies of camas … » More …

Gift of Life Insurance Supports Athletic Facilities

October 4, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

As an expression of gratitude for his education at WSU, Kevin Penrod (’81) recently notified the university that he will be leaving a generous donation through his estate with a gift of life insurance. This $150,000 insurance policy will benefit the Cougar Athletic Fund, in particular the athletic facilities.

“It’s my way of saying thank you to WSU for sending me out in the world prepared with the fundamental skills for success,” says Kevin, who graduated from the Murrow College of Communication. “WSU also gave me the four happiest years of my life. I want to give back as much as possible.”

… » More …

Julia Day Pioneers Cutting-Edge Research for Healthy Buildings

September 21, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Dr. Julia Day’s vision for her work is guided by a straightforward equation:

Healthy People + Healthy Buildings = A Healthy Planet

An associate professor in Washington State University’s School of Design and Construction, Day also directs the Integrated Design + Construction Laboratory (ID+CL) where she leads a team of students in pioneering building research.

A multi-disciplinary lab, the ID+CL is integrated into WSU’s School of Design & Construction, Composite Materials and Engineering Center, and the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. The ID+CL’s mission … » More …

Berry Family Professor Opens Doors for Youth

September 7, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Berry Family Distinguished Professor Dr. Brian French is committed to helping young people overcome challenges, achieve their potential, and live happier lives. Psychometrics, statistics, and measurements are the instruments through which French accomplishes these goals.

As director of Washington State University’s Learning and Performance Research Center (LPRC) and Psychometric Laboratory, French collaborates with his team to develop educational and psychological assessments through psychometrics. In this field, response-based methodologies, such as questionnaires and tests, are utilized to assess psychological constructs, as well as cognitive and physical capabilities.

The resulting educational and psychological measurements can then be used to create … » More …

Meet Christana Craig

August 11, 2021 Scott Swanger

By Tiffani Stubblefield

“Being a Cougar means being courageous, adventurous, and intellectual,” says Christana Craig, a sophomore in the College of Nursing.

Christana chose Washington State University after attending the Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) Conference at WSU. CASHE is a leadership conference that encourages high school students of all backgrounds, especially Chicanx/Latinx to pursue higher education. The experience of being welcomed by a group of peers representing the heart of WSU took Christana by surprise and showed her what being a true Coug was about.

Growing up in a low-income family in Pasco, Washington, a college education was not a … » More …

Versatile Student Achieves Her Dreams through Enduring Optimism and Commitment

July 19, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

May was a marvelous month for Bahama native Charisma Taylor.

She graduated from Washington State University (WSU) with a bachelor of arts in hospitality business management from the Carson College of Business. She was named a WSU 2021 Top Ten Senior. And, she qualified for nationals in the triple jump during the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminaries hosted at Texas A&M.

These achievements represent the culmination of years of determination, discipline, and aspiration for this 21-year-old student, athlete, and pastry chef.

STELLAR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT

When she was seven years old, Charisma discovered she loved to … » More …

Musician Reignites Passion and Focus After Difficult Year

July 7, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

During recess, most third graders go outside to play.

Some, however, play the marimba with their fellow students. Brandt Fisher was one of those recess marimba players.

“When I joined the marimba band in third grade, we learned music by ear,” Brandt said. “This taught me how to truly listen to music and the musicians I played with. And, playing during recess was so much fun.”

By sixth grade, Brandt had discovered the saxophone and a passion to play music for the rest of his life. Since those first marimba band concerts, Brandt has pursued his passion and shared it with … » More …