WSU Insider

Black and white image of Julie Lutz with a hand on a large telescope.

Former astronomy professor leaves $1 million for WSU

June 2, 2023

The generous gift establishes a distinguished professorship, a teaching excellence award, and a science and mathematics scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences to honor Tom and Julie Lutz.

WSU Athletics addresses $11.5 million budget deficit

June 2, 2023

A warning sign for ticks on a tree next to a walking path in a forest.

Ticks prove resilient to extreme temperatures

June 1, 2023

Good To Know

Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with pride stickers

June 2, 2023

Dr. Jessica Bunch recognized for excellence in veterinary rehabilitation

June 2, 2023

Ji Yun Lee receives NSF CAREER award for community resilience research

June 1, 2023

WSU Vice President Chaudhry honored by university in Romania

June 1, 2023

Campus & Community

Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with pride stickers

June 2, 2023

Fifteen different pride flag designs, each including the WSU spirit mark, are available for purchase for $1 each, and you can buy a bundle containing all 15 flags for $12.

High‑impact programs for undocumented students gaining widespread interest

May 31, 2023

Among the WSU programs and services receiving the most attention is La Bienvenida, a New Coug Orientation program tailored specifically for Spanish-speaking families.

Gov. Jay Inslee visits Family Medicine Residency Program, WSU Bear Center

May 26, 2023

Inslee got a behind-the-scenes tour of the WSU Bear Center as well as the new Family Medicine Residency program at Pullman Regional Hospital as part of his visit to the Palouse Thursday.

History graduate to speak at World War II conference in Washington, D.C.

May 23, 2023

Recent WSU graduate Alicia Callahan’s Honors College thesis about the heroic efforts of WWII soldiers has drawn national attention, earning her a summer speaking engagement in D.C., and a trip to Normandy.

University Affairs

WSU Athletics addresses $11.5 million budget deficit

June 2, 2023

The shortfall is from a combination of unexpected decreases in Pac‑12 Conference revenue distributions, other revenue sources falling short of projection, and operating costs that exceeded the approved budget.

WSU Board of Regents host retreat in Pullman June 8-9

June 2, 2023

The WSU Board of Regents retreat on June 9 will begin at 8:00 a.m. following an hour-long executive session. The meeting will take place inside the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center. The business portion of the retreat will be broadcast live on YouTube.

Former astronomy professor leaves $1 million for WSU

June 2, 2023

The generous gift establishes a distinguished professorship, a teaching excellence award, and a science and mathematics scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences to honor Tom and Julie Lutz.

WSU Spokane Medicine Building opens in August

May 31, 2023

The transformed building will be a central hub for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and expand the educational capacity for WSU’s College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

WSU-related Podcasts

From WSU:

Food safety, WSU stories, science answers for kids, and more—listen to podcasts from Washington State University.

About WSU:

A selection of programs about Washington State, produced by alumni and friends.

WSU Podcasts

Benefits & Training

DRS Pre-Retirement Seminar — June 2023

June 2, 2023

Are you considering retiring? Join a pre-retirement seminar to assist you in your planning. Topics include: Retiree Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance Enrollment Processes; Medicare and Social Security; Voluntary Employee’s Benefit Association Medical Expense Plan (VEBA MEP); Annual Leave Payment; Voluntary Investment Programs; Retirement Income, and; Retirement Supplementation for WSURP participants. These seminars are split […]

WA State Employee Assistance Program: ‘Disruptive and Bullying Behaviors: Considerations for the Workplace’

May 24, 2023

This live webinar, presented by the Washington State Employee Assistance Program, will review opportunities to identify disruptive and bullying behaviors, how to place disruptive behaviors on a continuum of concerning behaviors, and learn about the impacts of disruptive and bullying behaviors on physical and emotional safety. May 31, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Register now to save your spot and learn […]

Awards & Achievements

Ji Yun Lee receives NSF CAREER award for community resilience research

June 1, 2023

The assistant professor in WSU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering received the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career award for her work helping communities better prepare for wildfires.

Dr. Jessica Bunch recognized for excellence in veterinary rehabilitation

June 2, 2023

The WSU veterinarian and assistant professor was recently awarded one of the highest national honors for veterinary rehabilitation — the 2023 John J. Sherman III Award for Excellence in Veterinary Rehabilitation.

WSU Vice President Chaudhry honored by university in Romania

June 1, 2023

Asif J. Chaudhry, vice president of WSU’s Office of International Programs and WSU Pullman vice chancellor, was recently awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa of Ovidius University in Constanta, Romania.

WSU graduate student Megan McLean earns educator grant

May 31, 2023

The mathematics and science education Ph.D. student will receive the Ferrucci Distinguished Educator Award, which will help her improve programming for students at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane.

Science & Technology

Ticks prove resilient to extreme temperatures

June 1, 2023

Tick season is here, along with increased danger of Lyme disease, and it turns out the tiny arachnids are even tougher than previously thought.

Plants can distinguish when touch starts and stops

May 31, 2023

Even without nerves, plants can sense when something touches them and when it lets go, a WSU-led study has found.

WADDL plays important summer role screening fish for emerging diseases

May 30, 2023

A federally funded project at WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine could be pivotal in detecting emerging viruses that may threaten important and at‑risk aquatic species like salmon.

Researchers build bee robot that can twist

May 23, 2023

With four wings made out of carbon fiber and mylar as well as four light-weight actuators to control each wing, the Bee++ prototype is the first to fly stably in all directions.

Food & Agriculture

WSU, BYU release three new quinoa varieties bred for global food security, nutrition

June 1, 2023

Passed from grower to grower, three new quinoa varieties co‑developed at WSU are helping farmers in Rwanda and other African countries improve nutrition and food security.

WSU, WSDA helping businesses succeed through new regional food center

May 16, 2023

Funded through a $400 million USDA initiative, the center is one of 12 being established nationwide to build capacity for a diverse and inclusive set of farm and food-based enterprises to support food supply chains.

Engineers, plant scientists decode electrochemical soil signals

May 4, 2023

Seeking new tools to improve soil health, WSU scientists are studying electric signals that bounce between plants and the underworld community of microbes that sustain them.

Too much water can make whiskies taste the same

May 2, 2023

While adding a little water is popularly thought to “open up” a whisky’s flavor, a study led by WSU researchers indicates there’s a point at which it becomes too much: about 20%.

Health & Medicine

Reduced Doctor of Pharmacy tuition for non‑resident students

May 22, 2023

The 30% reduction is intended to help address the acute pharmacist shortage by drawing more students to study and serve in Washington.

Science-focused messaging could help reduce cannabis use during pregnancy

May 16, 2023

WSU researchers found that conveying simple, scientific facts about how THC can harm a fetus was associated with reduced intentions to use cannabis while pregnant.

Research addresses mental health, substance use in supportive housing

May 9, 2023

As cities across the state and country are struggling to deal with a worsening homelessness crisis, a group of WSU scientists is helping to improve outcomes for people in permanent supportive housing.

WSU launches undergraduate biomedical degree program to address health care worker shortage

May 8, 2023

The new Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences program is designed to help community college students enter health care fields. Classes will start in fall 2024.

Veterinary Medicine

WSU lab joins network identifying new pathogens

May 25, 2023

As part of the $1.7 billion Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence, the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory will play a key role preventing the spread of disease-causing pathogens, including new COVID-19 variants.

Expired medical supplies get second life

May 24, 2023

A donation of medical supplies from Cougar Health Services is helping veterinary students prepare for their first live-animal surgeries.

WSU cardiologist ensures chimps have healthy hearts

May 16, 2023

As the lead cardiologist at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Dr. Lynne Nelson recently visited the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in Cle Elum to perform cardiac exams on three newer residents.

Special needs dog rescue seeks specialized care

May 10, 2023

WSU provides veterinary care to many of the Double J Dog Ranch sanctuary’s permanent residents — all with disabilities ranging from neurological and orthopedic disorders to blindness and deafness.

Arts & Culture

Recycling fashion helps educate WSU students

May 18, 2023

Designers will be showing off their upcycled apparel and accessories, including dresses made from kitty litter bags and discarded liquor pouches, as part of this year’s Washington State Recycling Association’s Trashion Show.

WSU Schnitzer Museum begins ‘What Was Always Yours and Never Lost’ exhibit May 16

May 9, 2023

The exhibit provides an essential introduction to recent works of video art and experimental documentary by Indigenous film and video makers across North America.

Faculty artists gain valuable support for their work

May 5, 2023

WSU faculty members are among 16 artists statewide to each receive $10,000 Artist Trust Fellowship awards in recognition of their artistic excellence.

Center for Arts and Humanities named for David G. Pollart

April 19, 2023

The WSU alumnus’ gift of more than $1.5 million provides perpetual annual funding for arts, music, and humanities programming, including student engagement opportunities like internships and study abroad.

Business & Economics

Video game advertising venture wins big at 20th annual Business Plan Competition

April 28, 2023

Business software solutions and mobile app technology for social good were collective themes presented at the 20th annual Business Plan Competition on Thursday, April 27.

WSU online graduate business programs receive global recognition in CEO Magazine

April 24, 2023

CEO Magazine ranked online MBA and executive MBA programs from WSU’s Carson College of Business as No. 27 and No. 26, moving up in rankings from No. 34 and No. 55 the previous year.

Cash prizes available for students who create sustainable solutions to linen waste

April 19, 2023

Pullman Marriott Hotels is funding prizes for the three best products created from hotel linen waste by WSU students.

Fake news on Facebook increased 2020 election doubts

March 30, 2023

New WSU research shows that the main driver of doubt among voters about the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election was the consumption of fake news, which was primarily gleaned off Facebook.

Politics & Society

Sharing American political and judicial expertise overseas

May 25, 2023

Recipient of a Fulbright Senior Specialist award for a three-week visit to Slovakia, WSU’s Cornell Clayton held a series of lectures for graduate and undergraduate students focusing on contemporary American politics.

Committee works to eliminate hazing at WSU

May 22, 2023

The committee creates regular opportunities for representatives across the WSU system who work with student groups, departments, and organizations to share hazing prevention strategies and learn from one another.

Aggregating data on AAPI groups can be ‘a form of erasure’

May 22, 2023

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Micronesian, and Pacific Islander groups — alongside a growing number of data scientists — are concerned about the practice of collecting their many identities under one demographic category.

Gov. Inslee signs capital, operating budgets

May 19, 2023

In addition to funding a significant portion of WSU’s compensation request for 2023–25, the operating budget includes millions for new degree programs, scholarships and university-affiliated centers across the state.

Reports & Updates

Cougar Athletics budget update

May 22, 2023

WSU has made steady progress toward balancing the athletics budget the past several years. Unfortunately, though, we are facing tremendous headwinds that will make closing out fiscal year 2023 more challenging than expected.

An update on the WSU system strategic plan

April 19, 2023

A brief update on some of the progress made in the past year and highlights of some of the notable achievements.

Addressing WSU’s rankings and reputation

April 13, 2023

Rankings shouldn’t drive how WSU educates or serves its communities but the university should take steps to ensure everything practically possible is being done to improve the university’s national reputation and rankings.

Our long-term fiscal health

March 14, 2023

President Kirk Schulz provides some details on how WSU has navigated its long‑term fiscal health since 2016, including comparisons with peer public research universities.