WSU Insider

Exterior of the president's home on the Washington State University Pullman campus.

Schulz’s host holiday open houses Dec. 15, 16

December 1, 2021

The holiday open house is back for the first time since the COVID‑19 pandemic. President Kirk Schulz and First Lady Noel Schulz are hosting the seasonal gathering at the President’s House on the Pullman campus.

Closeup of Elizabeth Chilton standing outdoors on the WSU Pullman campus.

Elizabeth Chilton’s transition to Pullman chancellor effective Jan. 1

November 30, 2021

Honorary doctoral degree awarded to Professor Emeritus William D. Lipe

December 1, 2021

Good To Know

NSF grant tackles Arctic data problem

December 1, 2021

Presentation explores data disasters

November 30, 2021

Jake Dickert named new head football coach

November 27, 2021

Presentation explores data disasters

November 30, 2021

Campus & Community

President Kirk Schulz and First Lady Noel Schulz's residence on the WSU Pullman campus.

Schulz’s host holiday open houses Dec. 15, 16

December 1, 2021

Elizabeth Chilton’s transition to Pullman chancellor effective Jan. 1

November 30, 2021

Chilton will take on more of the operational leadership responsibilities for the campus which will allow President Kirk Schulz more time to meet with donors and legislators to advocate for WSU.

WSU and PNNL host joint seminar series to foster research collaboration

November 30, 2021

The Discuss, Discourse, Disseminate with Data joint seminar series will kick off at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 1 via Microsoft Teams.

Presentation explores data disasters

November 30, 2021

WSU Libraries’ new science librarian Emily Cukier will give a presentation titled “Data Disasters: Lessons from Notorious Mistakes in Spreadsheet History,” at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, in Spark 212.

Science & Technology

NSF grant tackles Arctic data problem

December 1, 2021

A $1.25 million National Science Foundation grant will spur development of a platform to help researchers better manage data about the vast and poorly understood Arctic.

WSU joins Northwest Quantum Nexus

November 17, 2021

The regional coalition of organizations are developing hardware and software for quantum computing devices, evaluating new quantum-enabled materials, and creating curriculum for students.

National Science Foundation grant will develop better data compression for scientists

November 16, 2021

WSU scientists are working on a computing framework to help better manage the large-scale data challenges that are used in everything from climate change and cosmology research to disease treatments.

Students demonstrate moon dust-cleaning project at NASA event

November 15, 2021

The team built and demonstrated a prototype to clean lunar dust from spacesuits—and will have a chance to show it to NASA at the Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-changing Idea Challenge.

Benefits & Training

Cyber security tips: Browse safely

November 23, 2021

Almost all employees do some business for WSU through the internet via browsers. Internet browsers tend to be a target for cyber attackers. Keep vigilant against cyber attacks by always using the latest browser version. Updated browsers have the latest security patches and are much harder to hack into. Not sure if yours is the […]

Calling on WSU employees to defend against fraud attempts

November 18, 2021

In today’s virtual environment, we are faced with the challenge of protecting ourselves and WSU from the daily onslaught of cyber attackers. While ensuring your software is updated and using anti-virus are just some of the many proactive steps you should take on a regular basis, cyber attackers have learned that the easiest way to […]

University Affairs

Research Exchange adds new features to support faculty, students

November 23, 2021

WSU’s digital repository of research and educational resources has moved to a new platform, Esploro, that offers improved research information management to users.

WSU Pullman welcomes new director of admissions Andrew Brewick

November 23, 2021

The university’s robust academic programs as well as its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion and student success prompted Brewick to seek out his new role.

Mike Connell named vice president of advancement, CEO, WSU Foundation

November 22, 2021

Following an internal search, Connell accepted the permanent role of vice president for advancement and CEO of the WSU Foundation, effective Dec. 1.

WSU Tri‑Cities launches new Entrepreneurs in Residence program

November 19, 2021

Through the program, students will have the option to meet with entrepreneurs to receive free advice and coaching as well as networking connections to industry for potential partnerships.

Arts & Culture

Fine arts faculty member Joe Hedges and MFA student Sarah Barnett atop a lift take a break from painting a still life on the side of Hotel McCoy in downtown Pullman (photo by Joe Hedges).

WSU artists paint the town in array of colors

November 30, 2021

Vivid displays of color, shape, and beauty are popping up across Pullman, thanks largely to the talents of a group of WSU muralists.

Scouting for a forgotten few

November 23, 2021

WSU historian Ryan Booth sheds light on the largely forgotten history of the Northern Cheyenne and White Mountain Apache who served as scouts for the U.S. Army from 1866–1947.

WSU School of Music brings cheer to the Palouse on Dec. 4

November 22, 2021

Music lovers can usher in the holiday season with the School of Music’s inaugural “Holiday Celebration: Let It Glow” at 2 p.m. in Bryan Hall Theatre on the WSU Pullman campus.

WSU’s first Fulbright-Hays recipient is Ph.D. candidate Daphne Weber

November 9, 2021

The anthropology doctoral student will use the award to spend a year interviewing Thai female monks on the healing effects of ordination.

Politics & Society

Stephanie Blair, doctoral candidate and a member of the Inupiaq and Ojibwe tribal communities, stands near the Puyallup River. Blair's Native American heritage inspires her involvement and research on salmon survival.

Tribal connection inspires efforts to save salmon

November 29, 2021

Studying toxic runoff to help save iconic salmon species, Stephanie Blair draws on science as well as the knowledge and connections of her Native American community.

WSU staff remain committed to assisting Afghans

November 10, 2021

Efforts are continuing to secure refugee status for hundreds who helped and supported U.S.- and WSU‑backed projects.

Voting hubs bring democratic engagement to WSU

November 1, 2021

The hubs are designed to make voting simple by providing a space where people can register to vote, learn about what’s on the ballot, and submit completed ballots.

Critically queer: L Heidenreich explores transgender Mestiz@ history

October 29, 2021

As someone who identifies as gender queer, Mestiz@, materialist, and Catholic, L Heidenreich brings a unique perspective to the study of history that is hard to find in most classrooms.

Health & Medicine

Cannabis use among pregnant women is up sharply, with past-month use nearly doubling to 7% and daily or near-daily use tripling to 3.4% from 2002 to 2017, a previous study found.

Budtenders, healthcare providers seek more training as cannabis use rises

November 15, 2021

New WSU research shows women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are getting information on using cannabis from the retail marijuana workers known as budtenders.

Advancing Native American health sciences

November 15, 2021

The Spokane Native American Health Sciences program is steadily increasing the number of Native students and programs.

Making lives easier for people with disabilities

November 4, 2021

New technology being developed at WSU could improve the lives of people with disabilities who rely on smart technology for everyday tasks.

Test determines antibiotic resistance in less than 90 minutes

November 3, 2021

The WSU discovery could enable doctors to quickly determine which antibiotics will or won’t work for a patient’s life-threatening infection.

Veterinary Medicine

Drs. Jessica Bell and Raelynn Farnsworth, community practice veterinarians at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, have advice and tips for pet owners to help keep their animals safe and happy when traveling.

How to holiday road trip with four‑legged family

November 23, 2021

Two WSU veterinarians share advice for pet owners to help keep their animals safe and happy when traveling.

A $1.5 million gift inspired by a passion for animals

November 19, 2021

Ed and Lorraine Bargagliotti’s long relationship with a WSU alumnus and veterinarian inspired them to donate $1.5 million of their estate to the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Deadly disease ‘not insurmountable’ for dogs

November 17, 2021

An eating disorder that has for many years been fatal for dogs, doesn’t have to be a death sentence—not for pets visiting WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Identification of Brucella protein could lead to infection treatment

October 14, 2021

WSU researchers have identified a protein that helps feed the bacteria that causes brucellosis, one of the world’s most widespread zoonotic diseases.

Food & Agriculture

The WSU honey bee program's honey extractor is a large piece of machinery that separates honey from the honey combs.

Bee center filling up, honey extractor moves in

November 29, 2021

Honey will soon be made at WSU’s Honey Bee & Pollinator Research, Extension, and Education Facility in Othello after a large equipment move.

Better hops, better beer

November 22, 2021

WSU researchers are developing disease and pest-resistant hops as well as biocontrols that feed on damaging insects as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.

Sweetpotatoes can be grown in Pacific Northwest

November 18, 2021

The sweet tubers are typically grown in warmer southern states, but WSU scientists have found a way to grow them bigger and faster in Washington.

Enemy of invasive, berry-eating fly found in U.S.

November 18, 2021

A parasitoid wasp that is the natural enemy of a fly known as the spotted-wing drosophila could be a good friend to fruit growers.

Business & Economics

WSU Tri‑Cities launches new Entrepreneurs in Residence program

November 19, 2021

Through the program, students will have the option to meet with entrepreneurs to receive free advice and coaching as well as networking connections to industry for potential partnerships.

WSU Tri‑Cities launches online certificate program to train winery, tasting room servers

November 18, 2021

Course participants will learn about Washington wines, sensory attributes, and wine business customer service as well as sales suggestions.

Washington sports betting poised for rapid growth

November 16, 2021

Besides a projected $94 million in annual revenue, sports wagering at tribal casinos will lead to an estimated 273 direct jobs, according to the Carson College of Business study.

Vaccine and supply chain issues drive in‑store holiday shopping

November 16, 2021

The WSU Carson College of Business fifth annual holiday retail report surveyed more than 1,700 regional consumers to understand how the COVID‑19 pandemic continues to change shopping behaviors.

Reports & Updates

Update from the WSU Pullman Chancellor-Designate

December 1, 2021

As I step into the dual role of provost and WSU Pullman chancellor over the next several months, I look forward to meeting more of you and hearing your ideas on how to build on the strength of our flagship campus.

Ensuring the success of the next generation of Cougs

November 30, 2021

WSU President Kirk Schulz provided the university community an update on the administration of the Pullman campus as well as fundraising efforts in his Nov. 30 message.

OneWSU progress update and next steps

October 26, 2021

WSU President Kirk Schulz provided an update on the progress of the OneWSU initiative in a message to the university community Oct. 26.

Perseverance of the Cougar spirit

September 29, 2021

The energy—and the Cougar spirit—is stronger than ever.

Awards & Achievements

Honorary doctoral degree awarded to Professor Emeritus William D. Lipe

December 1, 2021

In a career spanning six decades, Lipe has significantly shaped the way archaeological resources are managed and how archaeology is conducted in the world today.

WSU alumna Nife Shola‑Dare finalist for Rhodes‑West Africa scholarship

November 29, 2021

The Rhodes is the oldest prestigious scholarship program available to exceptional graduate scholars, providing funding for studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Students win top NASA honor for moon dust project

November 19, 2021

A WSU student team won the prestigious Artemis Award at NASA’s Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-changing Idea Challenge for their prototype to clean lunar dust from spacesuits.

WSU’s Glynda Becker‑Fenter joins APLU board

November 19, 2021

The university’s assistant vice president for federal engagement and advocacy will serve on the the Association of Public and Land‑grant Universities’ board as the representative from the Council on Government Affairs.