Foley Distinguished Public Service Award to be received by former Vice President Mike Pence
The Sept. 10 ceremony will feature a keynote address by the former vice president while raising support for WSU’s Thomas S. Foley Institute.
Good To Know
Campus & Community
WSU Health Board of Directors to meet July 14
The board will hold a regular meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, July 14, to conduct board business, including consideration of governing documents and required training.
WSU, Seattle Sports announce new flagship agreement and expanded partnership
WSU Athletics has announced a new multi‑year partnership with Seattle Sports (710‑AM), expanding Cougar broadcasts and digital coverage across the Puget Sound region.
WSU psychology course boosts student well‑being
The course is helping students improve their well‑being, and new research from the class shows participants reported statistical gains in happiness during the semester.
WSU to host Thursday sendoff concerts for Washington Ambassadors of Music
The musicians will perform two Thursday sendoff concerts at WSU Pullman before departing for a 15‑day European tour.
University Affairs
College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dori Borjesson announces retirement
Borjesson will retire in spring 2027 following seven years of leadership that include major investments in facilities, research, and public health education.
New student regent brings passion for empowering young people
The first WSU Global Campus student to serve as student regent hopes to strengthen connections between students and the Board of Regents while representing learners across the university system.
Peters picked to lead WSU’s neuroscience program
As chair of the Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience Department, James Peters plans to build on the program’s research momentum and expand opportunities for students.
WSU to expand leadership focus on undergraduate education and student success
As part of a renewed emphasis on student success and retention, the Office of the Provost is launching an internal search for a vice provost for undergraduate education.
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
TIAA consultant on Pullman campus — July dates
Do you know how much you can contribute to your retirement account for 2026? Are you wondering if you are on track for your retirement? Feeling a bit lost on how to invest your funds? Do you need help adjusting your VIP contribution amount for 2026? TIAA Consultant Eli Jenkins will be on the Pullman campus […]
WSURP participants pre-retirement seminar
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 Wednesday, June 10 2–4 p.m. The Zoom link and more information is available […]
Awards & Achievements
WSU human development professor recognized with industry award
WSU’s Debbie Handy has received the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences’ Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her decades of leadership and service.
College of Medicine celebrates faculty and staff excellence
Excellence in teaching, research, leadership, service, mentorship, and community impact was celebrated during the college’s annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony.
WSU professor awarded fellow status in international relationship research society
Kory Floyd, chair of WSU’s Department of Human Development, has been elected a fellow of the International Association for Relationship Research, one of the organization’s highest honors.
Washington State Magazine writer wins regional awards
Washington State Magazine Associate Editor Adriana Janovich won five awards for two magazine stories — including a first place — in the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2025 Region X SPJ Awards.
Science & Technology
Bucking the Trend:
‘It didn’t really matter who said no’
Lois James created a training program to combat bias in police officers’ decision-making, and she’s now developing a version for healthcare workers.
Dr. Universe explores how birds stay hydrated
WSU veterinarian Dr. Marcie Logsdon helps Dr. Universe explain how most birds swallow water, while some have evolved remarkable adaptations for staying hydrated.
Quiet, please: Hatchery salmon raised amid noise are less likely to return to spawn
A WSU study shows that fall Chinook raised in noisy environments are less likely to thrive in the wild than fish raised in quiet ones.
Forecast from state, WSU shows potential risks to water supplies
The new report helps policymakers prepare for vulnerabilities to Washington’s water supply, including pressures from increasing frequency of back-to-back droughts.
Food & Agriculture
WSU Extension expands local food distribution programs
Fresh food from Olympic Peninsula farms is reaching more families, schools and communities through a growing WSU Extension partnership.
WSU Creamery upgrades will produce more Cougar Gold, benefit students
A $13.5 million upgrade will help bring the equipment currently used to make WSU’s beloved Cougar Gold cheese up to modern standards and increase cheese production.
WSU uses history to breed better cherries
Researchers delve into the written records kept by longtime WSU cherry breeder Thomas Toyama to pursue even better varieties of the fruit.
New master’s degree expands horizons for WSU wine science students
Beginning this fall, students can pursue an advanced degree in viticulture and enology at WSU.
Health & Medicine
Developing AI assistance for diabetes management
The project under way at WSU will help medical practitioners understand how artificial intelligence can assist diabetes patients with glucose tracking and follow‑up care.
Researcher earns $420K grant to study tick-borne disease
The NIH grant to WSU researcher Dana Shaw could pave the way for strategies to stop tick-borne diseases before they reach people or animals.
Study: Food security varies widely across U.S. ethnic groups
Disparities across different communities demonstrate that addressing the lack of consistent access to a healthy diet requires attention to nuance.
WSU program launches young innovators onto national stage
The students, part of WSU Spokane’s MESA program, took top state honors and will now compete nationally with their device aimed at reducing infant health risks.
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian’s virtual 5K raises nearly $14,000 for WSU’s rabies control program in Tanzania
Inspired by a trip to Tanzania, a Colorado veterinarian organized the inaugural virtual event to support canine rabies vaccinations and hopes to make it an annual tradition.
Winnie on wheels keeps rolling after lifesaving cancer treatment at WSU
An 8‑month‑old puppy named Winnie is back home with her family in Spokane after undergoing surgery at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Bald eagle chicks get a second chance
As the country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, two bald eagle chicks have found themselves at the center of an extraordinary WSU-led rescue mission.
Dr. Kyle Taylor selected as new Caroline Engle Distinguished Professor in Research on Infectious Diseases
Taylor, an associate professor and veterinary pathologist, will assume the new professorship July 1, succeeding Dr. Dana Shaw, who has held the role for the past four years.
Arts & Culture
WSU grad student speaks at Billy Joel event
Blake Love’s admiration for the rock and roll luminary prompted him to answer a call for papers for this year’s Billy Joel Symposium.
Juneteenth holiday part of the full picture of freedom
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 – June 19th – when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally told they were free.
Art speaks to recent WSU graduate Hai Xing Lewis
A high school art history class helped set Lewis on a path to studying Renaissance works in Florence and pursuing a future career in museum work.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU acquires 80 photographs by Kristin Capp
The acquisition expands the museum’s photography holdings while strengthening connections to local agricultural and cultural landscapes.
Business & Economics
Carson College of Business expands certificate offerings to build Washington’s workforce
The new Carson Pro portfolio includes a supply chain management certificate and a partnership with Ziplines Education to offer certificates in fields such as artificial intelligence.
Hospitality scholar Dipra Jha advances global tourism innovation in Tbilisi, Georgia
Jha mentored future tourism leaders in the country and shared insights on how AI, design thinking, and digital innovation are shaping the future of global travel.
Carson College students learn from Chelan agrotourism experience
WSU students recently traveled to the Chelan region to learn firsthand how agriculture, hospitality, and tourism come together to create unique guest experiences.
Cougar Investment Fund celebrates 25 years of growth, impact, and expanded learning
Students act as portfolio managers and as sector analysts for the now $6.5 million fund supporting scholarships.
Politics & Society
Foley Distinguished Public Service Award to be received by former Vice President Mike Pence
The Sept. 10 ceremony will feature a keynote address by the former vice president while raising support for WSU’s Thomas S. Foley Institute.
Cannabis branding may appeal to youth despite regulations, study finds
More than 80% of surveyed teens and young adults said some legally sold cannabis gummy and candy products would appeal to people under 21, according to new WSU research.
Higher tax burden, less corruption: WSU researchers examine civic engagement
Study finds associations between higher taxes and reductions in public corruption cases, as well as increased voter turnout.
Microsoft supports WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington partnership to expand local news across Washington State
Funding will support additional reporting capacity in North Central Washington and future statewide journalism convenings
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.