Smart pacifier developed to monitor infant health in hospitals
A wireless, bioelectronic pacifier could eliminate the need for invasive, twice‑daily blood draws to monitor babies’ electrolytes in Newborn Intensive Care Units.
Campus & Community
Grant helps WSU system meet students’ fundamental needs
The Washington Student Achievement Council grant is funding a variety of initiatives, including a new position that will work with WSU’s diverse student population to address food and housing insecurity.
WSU Pullman implements inclement weather plan for Saturday commencement ceremonies
The National Weather Service is calling for showers and possible thunderstorms throughout the day on Saturday with a 70% chance of precipitation.
More than 4,700 set to graduate from WSU campuses statewide
The university will confer diplomas for more than 4,700 spring graduates, with thousands participating in commencement ceremonies beginning this week.
Philanthropist who funds college dreams earns his own degree
After helping thousands of students afford college, Seattle investor and philanthropist Gary Rubens will fulfill a lifelong personal goal and graduate from WSU this spring.
University Affairs
Higheagle Strong named first systemwide tribal liaison to the president
After more than three years of serving as executive director for tribal relations primarily focused on the Pullman campus, Zoe Higheagle Strong is taking on broader, systemwide responsibilities.
DEI programs see upswing in donor support
Nearly $800,000 in corporate and private support has been pledged in recent months to support diversity, equity, and inclusion training and study abroad opportunities as well as student recruitment, mentoring, and retention efforts.
Regents approve tuition and fee rates, designate Yakima Consortium site
WSU System President Kirk Schulz also highlighted the hiring of a new dean for the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences and a record-setting $20 million donation during the Friday meeting.
WSU expanding mental health resources
Students systemwide will soon have access to a suite of mental health resources including after‑hours crisis counseling, self‑help tools, an online referral network, and peer support.
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
Demand growing for WSU’s model community and equity training
The program is helping faculty and staff expand their understanding of equity-mindedness and build a toolkit for engaging more effectively with students, colleagues, and community partners.
May 23 and 25: Employee Assistance Program WSU Visit & Second Annual Leading in Cougar Country Event
WSU HRS is pleased to host Darrow Brown, Program Director with Washington State Employee Assistance Program on the Pullman campus on Monday, May 23. During this visit he will provide the following WSU system-wide group sessions in a hybrid format. We encourage all WSU faculty and staff to take advantage of these great opportunities. For those on the […]
Awards & Achievements
Akmal named 2022 outstanding department chair
The Office of the Provost award recognized Tariq Akmal, chair of the Teaching and Learning Department, for his leadership and administrative acumen.
Krishnamoorthy named first recipient of Yang ‘Wendy’ Liu Award
Bala Krishnamoorthy, professor of mathematics and statistics at WSU Vancouver, has been named the first recipient of the Yang “Wendy” Liu Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students.
History lecturer selected for Excellence in Online Teaching Award
The award was given to Karl Krotke-Crandall for his efforts employing best practices to engage, inspire, support, and show care for online students.
College of Education names outstanding faculty and staff
WSU’s College of Education recognized outstanding faculty and staff at its semi-annual all-college meeting on May 11, held virtually.
Science & Technology
Smart pacifier developed to monitor infant health in hospitals
A wireless, bioelectronic pacifier could eliminate the need for invasive, twice‑daily blood draws to monitor babies’ electrolytes in Newborn Intensive Care Units.
AI predicts infant age, gender based on temperament
It’s hard to tell the difference between a newborn boy and girl based solely on temperament. But once babies reach around a year old that begins to change.
Disposable masks could be used to make more durable concrete
With the pandemic’s masks now presenting an environmental problem, researchers have demonstrated the idea of using old masks in a cement mixture to create a stronger concrete product.
Lignin-based jet fuel packs more power for less pollution
A WSU-developed blend made from an organic polymer that makes plants tough and woody could help jets switch to fully sustainable fuel.
Food & Agriculture
Discovery reveals how fungi bypasses plant defenses, kills plants
An insight into how the fungi that causes white mold rot avoids plant defenses could lead to a new tool to combat a pathogen that causes billions of dollars of crop loss worldwide.
Marcia Ostrom named WSU Food Systems program director
Ostrom took on directorship March 16. She is the founder of the Small Farms Program, which she led for 15 years, and a 21‑year WSU faculty member.
Scientists find forests’ breaking point for heat, drought
In a new study in Nature Communications, a WSU researcher helped investigate how hot is too hot, and how dry is too dry for Earth’s forests.
First endowed potato chair seeks to grow $7 billion state industry
Backed by a more than $3 million fund, Steve Culman will address priorities in irrigated agriculture, including the need to better understand and protect soil.
Health & Medicine
Food insecurity risk related to diabetes later in life
Young adults who were at risk of food insecurity had increased incidence of diabetes 10 years later, according to a WSU study.
Intense exercise while dieting may reduce cravings for fatty food
In a study that offers hope for human dieters, laboratory rats on a 30‑day diet who exercised intensely resisted cues for favored, high‑fat food pellets.
WSU pharmacy students training to fill rural health care gap
A $2.2 million gift to the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will help support the inaugural class of pharmacists in a rural health care track.
Life-saving Narcan Nasal Spray available at Cougar Health Services pharmacy
The spray is designed to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose. The kits are free and available to everyone at the CHS pharmacy in Pullman.
Veterinary Medicine
Researcher helps protect swans in lower Coeur d’Alene river basin
Veterinarian Marcie Logsdon is part of an EPA‑led research team monitoring lead exposure of tundra swans by collecting their feces as well as sediment in the Lower Coeur d’Alene River Basin.
Experts recommend steps to avoid spread of avian influenza
Several cases of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in birds have been confirmed in Washington state, and animal disease experts at WSU are asking the public to take measures to avoid its spread.
WSU veterinarians give basset hound a new life
Bailey’s heart stopped beating for 18 minutes but, defying the odds, the emergency and critical care teams at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital didn’t give up.
Young microbiology major stars in the lab
The Students Targeted toward Advanced Research Studies program, or STARS, gives students like Natasha Puzon the opportunity to earn a doctorate along with their bachelor’s degree in as few as seven years.
Arts & Culture
WSU Press’s new imprint focuses on general audiences
Basalt Books aims to publish general interest titles for readers ranging from young children to adults—all with a connection to the Northwest.
WSU selects ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ as next common read for students
The book features essays that convey scientific knowledge and indigenous lore as well as reflections on the relationship between humans and the land.
Schnitzer Museum announces naming gift from Patricia W. and Samuel H. Smith
The donation from the former university first couple funds the construction and equipment needed to create a special learning space within the home of WSU’s permanent art collection.
Splatt table makes a splash
WSU students designed an award-winning table with a radial arrangement of petals and pockets that creates a collaborative environment and facilitates group work on many scales.
Business & Economics
Student venture teams’ ideas ring in success at annual business plan competition
Solutions to improving life after COVID was a collective theme at WSU’s 2022 Business Plan Competition on Thursday, April 28.
Ukrainian students tune in to WSU class on international tourism
With their country at war, students from King Danylo University in western Ukraine face challenges unfathomable to most U.S. college students while working on a group project for an international tourism class at WSU.
Alumni commitment launches Student-Athlete Entrepreneurship Initiative
The initiative will provide programming for student-athletes in entrepreneurship and business education starting this summer. It is the result of a generous financial commitment from alumni Dan and Joanne Castles.
Cash transfer proposal has downsides for child poverty
A proposal to provide monthly payments to most U.S. parents, similar to those under the pandemic relief program, would likely worsen poverty for children of single mothers, a WSU study has found.
Politics & Society
Service workers’ volatile shifts linked to high‑cost debt
Time, more than money, appears to influence whether service employees end up turning to so‑called predatory lenders, a WSU‑led study found.
Few Americans see race as key factor in environmental inequality
Only 33% of U.S. households believe that Black people are more likely to experience environmental pollution and that this well-documented inequality is unfair, according to a WSU study.
Chris Matthews to speak at Tom Foley documentary premiere
The best-selling author and former host of MSNBC’s “Hardball” narrated the documentary, “The Gentleman Speaker: Conversations with Tom Foley,” which explores the Spokane-born legislator’s political legacy.
Former Secretary of Defense talks democracy, civility
James Mattis spoke to a lively crowd inside Bryan Hall Thursday afternoon as part of The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service’s distinguished lecture series.
Reports & Updates
Celebrating our progress over the last year
From resuming in‑person instruction and events to advancing OneWSU planning and installing our inaugural chancellor of the Pullman campus—a lot has changed for the university community.
Executive Budget Council – Listening and Feedback Sessions
While the last few years have been strained in the wake of COVID‑19 budget trimming, WSU is on a positive trajectory thanks to the support of our donors and state legislators.
WSU responds to bomb threats against historically Black universities
Washington State University is committed to continue working toward building a society where equity, respect, and justice are a reality for all.
WSU experiencing anticipated surge in COVID‑19 cases
We are asking each of you to do your part to help keep our communities healthy.