Cooking for the big game
Here’s what happens when the #WSU social media team asks Cougs to show off their cooking skills in advance of Sunday’s big game.
Campus & Community
Chinese historians share Lunar New Year tales
WSU’s Xiuyu Wang and Weiguo Cao discuss traditional celebrations of the Lunar New Year in China as well as the cultural significance of the Year of the Dragon and the Chinese zodiac.
WSU alum, inventor of 3D‑printing technology shares his journey
The inventor of the technology used in 3D printing and WSU alumnus, Scott Crump told a group of WSU Tri‑Cities engineering and business students that in order to invent new things, you have to break the rules.
Tutoring returns to student centers
After a three-year hiatus, students are once again receiving tutoring in the WSU Pullman multicultural student centers.
College of Education hosting seminar series for math and science educators
The ongoing series aims to provide students with valuable insights and a diverse toolkit for their academic endeavors, contributing to a deeper understanding of math and science education.
University Affairs
New seed grant program announces tier two recipients
The Inspire! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant Program is designed to support the development of community-engaged scholarship among WSU Pullman faculty.
Financial Services staff weathers rocky FASFA rollout
Due to ongoing complications, WSU has moved its priority FAFSA deadline as well as the deadline for the Washington Application for State Financial Aid to May 1 for both new and current WSU students.
Smith Teaching and Learning grant applications now open
The applications detailing innovative plans to enhance teaching and learning can be submitted through March 13.
Teaching Academy award applications open
The deadline to apply for three annual awards in support of great teaching and learning system-wide is March 22. The award recipients will be celebrated at a ceremony April 11.
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 PodcastsBenefits & Training
New digital accessibility website offers guidance on approachable content
The website aims to educate the WSU community on how to make everything from emails to PowerPoint presentations more approachable.
Applications open for spring faculty peer-observation project
A new WSU professional-development opportunity for all faculty — the Peer Observation and Co-Mentoring Program — is accepting applications for spring now through Feb. 9.
Awards & Achievements
Noel Schulz appointed to endowed professorship at WSU Tri-Cities
As holder of the Bob Ferguson Endowed Professorship, Schulz will conduct research related to the clean energy goals of the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures.
WSU Global Campus ranked among nation’s best online degrees by U.S. News
Five WSU online programs are ranked among the best in the nation for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
WSU awarding two honorary doctoral degrees this spring
Carla Peperzak, who helped Jews during World War II, and Patricia Whitefoot, an advocate for Indigenous women, will be honored at events later this year.
Soumik Banerjee named ASME fellow
The WSU associate professor was recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for his reputation and service in his field.
Science & Technology
Top research coverage of 2023
Many WSU studies that caught the media’s attention seemed to involve human pleasures, and their consequences, a focus that may reflect the global, post-pandemic mood.
Economists’ book introduces newcomers to game theory
Ana Espinola-Arredondo and Felix Munoz-Garcia have published a student-focused textbook on game theory, which helps readers understand how people make decisions.
WSU research addresses climate change on multiple fronts
More than 60 departments are active in climate-related research, a priority rooted in the university’s land-grant mission of service informed by its science.
WSU research team receives award for wind turbine material recycling
The team is one of 20 from throughout the country to receive the $75,000 prize from the U.S. Department of Energy. The award makes them eligible for the second phase of the $5.1 million competition.
Food & Agriculture
New grant will allow WSU to help underserved farmers apply for loans
The goal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded grant is to launch a provider network that informs eligible farmers about loans and helps them complete their applications.
University to co‑host SoilCon24 in February
SoilCon is a series of free events hosted by WSU and other state agricultural partners where participants get to learn about advances in soil health practices.
Carson College of Business names new executive chef and culinary director
Matthew Morgan’s duties include teaching culinary classes, running the hospitality school’s culinary certificate program, and leading the student-run catering services that serve WSU and Pullman.
WSU Extension resources support ag workers’ mental health
Agricultural workers statewide are receiving support from WSU Extension through services, programming, and one-on-one financial counseling.
Health & Medicine
Potential link found between high maternal cortisol, unpredicted birth complications
A snippet of hair can reveal a pregnant person’s stress level and may one day help warn of unexpected birth problems, according to a new WSU study.
Facial recognition app for dogs developed to help in fight against rabies
A new mobile phone-based facial recognition application for dogs has the potential to significantly improve rabies vaccination efforts in endemic areas like Africa and Asia.
Multi-generational toxicant exposures show cumulative, inherited health effects
While exposure to a single substance like DDT has been shown to create inherited disease susceptibility, a recent study in animals found exposure to multiple different toxicants across generations can amplify those health problems.
Protein discovery could help solve prostate cancer drug resistance
Researchers have identified a receptor protein known as CHRM1 as a key player in prostate cancer cells’ resistance to docetaxel, a commonly used chemotherapy drug to treat advanced cancer that has spread beyond the prostate.
Veterinary Medicine
Mastiff saved thanks to WSU Good Samaritan Fund, generosity of strangers
Sean Manwill’s 18-month-old mastiff, Gracie, had only months to live without an expensive heart procedure. Support from the WSU community poured in to save her life.
Rehabilitated golden eagle newest ambassador for the Yakama Nation
The male eagle — unable to hunt in the wild due to eye trauma — is the second eagle at the Yakama Nation Aviary, a tribal facility for unreleasable birds of prey.
Special calf gets second chance with help from WSU
The round-the-clock attention of WSU’s Agricultural Animal Service gave a one-day-old rare breed of cow a second chance at life after suffering a catastrophic injury.
WSU celebrity Dash Dog treated at Veterinary Teaching Hospital
A canine social media star with a long track record of promoting WSU is receiving cancer treatment at the university’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Arts & Culture
WSU selects ‘How the Other Half Eats’ as 2024–25 Common Reading book
The book explores the untold story of food and inequality in America. Incoming first-year students and faculty planning to use the book in their courses will receive a free copy.
New WSU graduate designs reusable wedding dresses
Mya Phan is creating modular wedding dresses that can be worn again with minor, easy-to-make adjustments.
WSU Press book receives critical praise for focus on post‑WWII art
“Montana Modernists” focuses on the artists who redefined the art of the Western United States, shedding the romanticism of the generation that came before them.
The past is not that long ago
Washington State Magazine explores the complicated ties that continue to reverberate between the Pacific Northwest’s indigenous tribes and the first Jesuit priest to the region.
Business & Economics
Jeff Joireman appointed director of the Carson College of Business International Business Institute
Joireman, a marketing and international business professor, will officially assume director duties for the institute on May 16.
Workers sound the alarm on AI workplace readiness
Half of the U.S. professional workforce is concerned they will be “left behind” in their careers without opportunities to learn about AI, according to a new Carson College of Business report.
Shipping delays, cost increases may be on the horizon
Piracy in the Red Sea and low water levels within the Panama Canal are hindering global trade, and the ramifications could be felt within the WSU system.
Business researchers honored at national accounting conference
Accounting researchers from WSU received honors at the American Accounting Association’s Management Accounting Section Midyear Meeting, held Jan. 4-6, 2024, at the University of Central Florida.
Politics & Society
Documentary film explores Richland, Washington’s complex heritage
Filmmaker Irene Lusztig drew heavily upon the expertise of WSU historian Robert Franklin for her award-winning film, “Richland,” which will be shown Feb. 8 in Pullman.
Anderson turned WSU’s fledgling Black Studies program into a force
Talmadge Anderson played a key role in the 1970s transforming WSU Black Studies into one of the broadest interdisciplinary programs of its kind in the West.
WSU leader urges people to stand up for equity on MLK holiday
As DEI programs become enmeshed in larger culture wars, it’s more important now than ever before to stand up for ideals of racial justice and equal representation, according to Allen Sutton, executive director for equity education at WSU.
Funding for carbon allowances, broadband program included in budget proposal
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee’s 2024 supplemental operating budget proposal would provide $6 million to help WSU compete in carbon allowance auctions.
Reports & Updates
WSU reaches tentative agreement with academic student employees
The tentative agreement still must be approved by the union’s members, with the UAW setting a ratification vote for Jan. 19–25.
Preparing for potential ASE strike
WSU President Kirk Schulz reaffirms the university’s commitment to ensuring classes proceed without impediment in the event of a work stoppage by academic student employees.
Honoring Dr. King’s legacy and fostering community
As we look to further this work, WSU is also proud to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by reaffirming WSU’s commitment to overcoming division, removing systemic barriers, advancing equity, and combatting hate in all its forms.
Light posting ahead for WSU Insider
The last day for regular daily posting to the website for the remainder of the year will be Tuesday, Dec. 19, ahead of the holiday and reduced operations. Regular posting and updates, as well as the daily push email, will resume Tuesday, Jan. 2.