First-of-its-kind, $1M gift strengthens student support in College of Arts and Sciences
The support comes as affordability, basic needs, and everyday financial pressures are increasingly shaping whether students persist or pause their education.
Campus & Community
Showcase highlights student, faculty, and staff achievements March 23–27
This year’s events kick off Monday, March 23, with the Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities from 3:30–4:45 p.m. on the WSU Pullman campus.
Visiting Writers Series to feature Josiah Morgan and Courtney Ann LaFaive
A New Zealand poet and performance artist and a nationally recognized essayist will share their work with the WSU community through free in‑person and virtual events this April.
Dr. Universe explains how icebergs form
WSU’s resident feline scientist travels to the frozen edges of the planet to answer a question from Kenton, an 8‑year‑old from Washington state: What creates icebergs?
WSU Tri‑Cities hosts community panel on the future of critical minerals
Experts will discuss what critical minerals are, why they matter for energy, technology, and national security, and how U.S. supply chains shape the future at a March 10 community forum.
University Affairs
WSU appoints Reena Khosla as special assistant to the provost for data strategy
In this role, Khosla will lead a comprehensive assessment of WSU’s data landscape and help advance the university’s data strategy.
Middle East travel ban now in place for WSU personnel
The restrictions affect all WSU faculty, staff, volunteers, and students traveling internationally for university-related purposes.
First-of-its-kind, $1M gift strengthens student support in College of Arts and Sciences
The support comes as affordability, basic needs, and everyday financial pressures are increasingly shaping whether students persist or pause their education.
Regents approve resolution in support of WSU Athletics
The Board of Regents directed a one‑time $20 million investment in WSU Athletics from university operating funds for FY2027.
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
WSU Voluntary Investment Program — Universal availability notice
Washington State University (WSU) provides the opportunity to save for retirement through the Voluntary Investment Program (VIP). All WSU employees who receive compensation reportable on an IRS Form W-2 are eligible to participate in the plan, as long as the employee contributes a minimum of $15.00 per pay period with a minimum of $200 per year. Please take […]
1095 Tax Forms
If you were eligible for WSU employee health benefits in 2025, you will be provided with 1095 form(s) starting this month. The 1095 form reports information about your health care coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act. This form is not needed to file your taxes, but you should keep it with your 2025 tax documentation. It […]
Awards & Achievements
Sharma receives prestigious dissertation award
Harsh Sharma, who received his PhD from WSU in December, has been awarded the European Design and Automation Association’s Outstanding Dissertation Award.
WSU students earn national honors at biomedical research conference
Five WSU undergraduates were recently recognized for standout research presentations at the ABRCMS biomedical conference, highlighting early research opportunities available to students.
Honors College alum Jeffrey Franks returns to Pullman to receive Alumni Achievement Award
Franks, who spent three decades with the International Monetary Fund advising governments around the world, returned to campus this week to share lessons from global economic crises with WSU students.
Promotions and tenure announced for 2026
More than 100 faculty from across the WSU system will be celebrated later this month as part of Showcase.
Science & Technology
Cannabis intoxication disrupts many types of memory
A new WSU study finds that cannabis intoxication can interfere with several types of memory and may even cause people to remember things that never happened.
WSU scientists capture a bear’s eye view of life in the Arctic
The researchers’ observations of several grizzly bears living in the Arctic could be crucial to understanding how a warming climate will impact polar bears.
WSU, Fluke partnership expands hands‑on training for engineering students
The collaboration places gifted professional-grade Fluke equipment into engineering classrooms and labs across the WSU system.
Innovation Liaisons aim to make commercialization less intimidating for WSU faculty
The new program pairs faculty with peer mentors to make commercialization less intimidating and help research discoveries move from the lab into real-world impact.
Food & Agriculture
Long-term study confirms pollen-replacing feed strengthens honey bee colonies
A man-made food source provided honey bees a nutritious diet at a commercial scale over the course of two winter seasons.
New healthy food definition may help consumers identify nutritious options
WSU researchers analyzed more than 3,000 foods common to American diets, confirming the accuracy of an FDA rule for marketing foods as healthy but finding few foods meet that standard.
With NSF award, WSU crop scientist harnesses AI to identify higher-yielding wheat
Using the power of artificial intelligence to process vast amounts of complex data, scientists at WSU aim to speed up the breeding of higher-yielding wheat crops.
Women more likely to choose wine from female winemakers
Study from WSU and Auburn shows women, the largest group of wine buyers in the U.S., respond to messages promoting women’s ownership in wineries.
Health & Medicine
WSU inspires Native youth to see themselves in health careers
The Little Birds program introduces elementary schoolers in Eastern Washington to healthcare fields to encourage early interest in becoming doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
Good information leads to better health
WSU experts say improving health literacy — from using plain language in clinics to helping patients find trustworthy online information — can empower people to make better decisions.
Researchers develop beating, 3D‑printed heart model for surgical practice
The model offers the prospect of improved training procedures for heart surgeries that doesn’t involve animals or cadavers.
Researchers find important clue to healthy heartbeats
WSU team collaborates on study identifying a key region in a muscle protein that is crucial to the coordination of the heartbeat.
Veterinary Medicine
After 27 days missing, veterinary student’s cat finds healing at WSU
Simba, a beloved orange tabby, survived severe hypothermia and frostbite before receiving life-saving care from WSU veterinarians.
WSU is helping California tribe to bring salmon home
Veterinarians at WSU are helping the Winnemem Wintu Tribe restore Chinook salmon to the McCloud River by testing New Zealand fish for disease before the species returns home.
New CT scanner to benefit pets throughout the region
With the addition of a new CT scanner, WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital can deliver faster, more precise diagnoses — improving outcomes for animals.
Canine cancer survivor may help children next
After surviving a novel cancer treatment at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Clarice the Labrador is cancer-free — and her case could help advance new immunotherapies for hard-to-treat tumors in both dogs and children.
Arts & Culture
Jacqueline Wilson named 2026 Native Performing Arts Fellow
WSU music professor Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama) has been named a 2026 Native Performing Arts Fellow, earning national recognition and support to deepen her work centering Indigenous identity in performance and teaching.
‘They need this’ — WSU students redesign prison yard as class project
Landscape architecture students are part of a project that could change the prison experience in Washington.
Hidden signatures of ancient Rome’s master craftsmen revealed
WSU’s Hallie Meredith identified hidden makers’ marks on late Roman glass cups, revealing workshop “brands” that reframe how these masterpieces were made.
Native youth curate Clyfford Still exhibition with WSU art professor
Michael Holloman helped Colville Tribal youth bring fresh perspectives to the exhibition, dedicated to the famed artist and former Washington State College faculty member.
Business & Economics
Tariffs on TikTok: WSU economist takes education to social media
When economic news like the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs breaks, Chris Clarke uses social media to help the general public understand what’s really happening.
Augmented reality menus may help restaurants draw customers
AR menus could enhance how restaurants present information about where ingredients are sourced and how the food is produced, a WSU study shows.
Study of NBA finds that pay inequity among top performers erodes cooperation
A new WSU-led study examined a decade’s worth of data from the NBA to draw lessons about the effects of pay disparities on performance.
Crossler named Carson College of Business senior associate dean for academic affairs
A longtime WSU professor and information security scholar, Robert Crossler will guide Carson College’s undergraduate programs and help lead the integration of AI into student learning.
Politics & Society
New Murrow Artifacts exhibit brings historic artifacts to Terrell Library
The exhibit in the Terrell Library atrium lets visitors explore Edward R. Murrow’s legacy and the history of the Murrow College through rare items like his mentor’s pocket watch.
As the revolution turns 250, a WSU historian takes a harder look
Through a statewide lecture series, a WSU historian invites communities to reconsider how the American Revolution reshaped power, land, and empire.
‘A reporter in every county:’ WSU, Report for America launch groundbreaking program to confront Washington’s local news crisis
Washington’s land-grant university and the nation’s leading nonprofit program for placing journalists in local newsrooms will work to ensure that every county in the state has reliable, local reporting.
Coug alum Ryan Blethen takes the helm at The Seattle Times
The fifth-generation newspaperman will bring a Coug’s perspective to one of the nation’s most successful family-owned newspapers.
Reports & Updates
Foundations respond to changes in federal funding
Over the past week, several foundations have stepped forward to offer rapid response and bridge funding to help mitigate the impact of grant cancellations.
Message from the President:
Leading with purpose
This is a time to carry forward both resolve and innovative thinking with a healthy dose of Cougar pride.
‘Let’s get to work — together’
President Elizabeth Cantwell thanks the university community in a personal message, sharing her belief that WSU is uniquely positioned not only to adapt — but to lead.
Message from Kirk and Noel Schulz:
Thank you, WSU
On their last day as President and First Lady of Washington State University, Kirk and Noel Schulz extend one final thank you for a memorable nine years.