A new holiday song with a rat pack vibe
Multiple streaming services already are carrying WSU Emeritus Professor Greg Yasinitsky’s newest song, “It’s Santa.” Listen to it here, too.
Good To Know
Campus & Community
Fall Commencement set for Dec. 10
More than 850 soon-to-be Washington State University graduates are expected to fill Beasley Coliseum alongside their family and friends for Fall Commencement Dec. 10 in Pullman.
Students to present Gateway Project designs at public reception
Nearly 60 WSU School of Design and Construction students will present their concepts for redesigning the area between the WSU Pullman campus and downtown Pullman, during a reception Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Cougars to face Fresno State in Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl on Dec. 17
This will mark the fifth meeting between the two teams, the last coming in 1994, a 24-3 Cougar victory in Pullman.
Holiday Book Fair features unique Northwest stories
The Dec. 7 fair highlights books published throughout the year by WSU Press and its new trade imprint, Basalt Books. Sale prices also will be valid for phone and online orders.
University Affairs
New WSU system website unveiled
The reinvigorated WSU system site features updated university branding as well as a greater emphasis on visuals and social media.
SURCA 2023 applications open to WSU undergraduates through Feb. 21
Students can submit abstracts starting Monday, Dec. 5, to present their research, scholarships, and creative activities at the 2023 Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities.
WSU Everett and Everett Community College launch Degree Partnership Program
The program enables students to attend classes concurrently at WSU Everett and EvCC, seamlessly transfer credits, combine credits for financial aid, and use facilities and services at both institutions.
Inclement weather updates
Supervisors and instructors across the WSU system are encouraged to practice flexibility for students and employees who are unable to report to campus safely due to inclement weather.
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
Adaptive training boosts inclusivity in University Recreation fitness programs
Creating an inclusive environment in a gym is about more than having adaptive equipment available. It requires staff to be ready to teach people of all abilities how to reach their fitness goals.
Open Enrollment set for November
All healthcare and coverage changes are made through Workday. Step‑by‑step instructions and informational videos are available on the HRS Open Enrollment website.
Awards & Achievements
WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre recognized for contributions to STEM education
The Leroy Roberts Award for Propelling Education will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 3.
National organization recognizes Student Affairs staff for excellence
The nation’s largest professional association for student affairs professionals has recognized five individuals at WSU for their dedication to and excellence in serving students.
Architecture award honors wind-based student design project
The WSU team received the annual honor from the American Institute of Architects Northwest and Pacific Region.
WSU programs hailed for top assessment efforts
Faculty and staff from nine bachelor’s-degree programs were recognized for their student assessment efforts that helped guide changes to undergraduate curriculum or instruction.
Science & Technology
Students have eyes on spaceflight
WSU Everett engineering students are building a rocket to compete in NASA's student rocket competition which will culminate with a final launch April 13–15 at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
Federal funding will help WSU professor develop technology to recover rare earth elements
Xiaofeng Guo is part of a national team of scientists that received $39 million in Department of Energy funding to develop technologies to increase supplies of elements critical for clean energy.
WSU leading in the quest for cleaner air travel
Researchers at WSU are helping the aviation industry and governments around the world reduce the environmental impact of air travel.
Kangaroo rat research earns new NSF grant
A new three-year, National Science Foundation grant will allow researchers to explore the complexities of kangaroo rats, small rodents that have impressive hopping abilities.
Food & Agriculture
Horticulture students assemble Cosmic Crisp™ apple genome
The genetic markers could ultimately be used to predict the risk of defects in apple crops, which would in turn increase profits for farmers.
History book chronicles 130‑year evolution of agricultural engineering at WSU
Written by Department of Biological Systems Engineering faculty and staff, the book reaches from the university’s 1892 origins to the present.
German visiting scholar studies red wine quality
As a student in Germany, Ingrid Weilack was inspired by WSU enology professor Jim Harbertson. Now, the visiting scholar is experiencing what it’s like to work with him at the WSU Wine Science Center.
Fresh harvest of Cosmic Crisp® apples hit stores Dec. 1
Scientists learn more about the best ways to grow, store, and share the WSU‑bred and research-boosting apple with each harvest.
Health & Medicine
Twin study links exercise to beneficial epigenetic changes
Consistent exercise can change not just waistlines but the very molecules in the human body that influence how genes behave, according to a new study by WSU scientists.
Chemotherapy could increase disease susceptibility in future generations
While chemotherapy can kill cancer cells, like the one depicted above, WSU-led research indicates that the treatment could carry a toxic inheritance for descendents of adolescent cancer survivors.
Study identifies mental health disparities in rural schools
Proportionally fewer rural public schools have the ability to get kids diagnosed with mental health issues than their urban counterparts, according to a study led by WSU researchers.
A Native voice in their care
WSU Spokane’s Center for Native American Health addresses longstanding health disparities in Native American and Alaska Native communities, where higher rates of chronic illness and shorter lifespans are the norm.
Veterinary Medicine
Rodeo horse, Stormy, on path to recovery after serious accident
After a life‑threatening injury, the 10‑year‑old quarter horse, may be able to compete again on the ProRodeo tour with his rider thanks to the care of WSU veterinarians.
WSU veterinarian brings virtual reality to laparoscopic surgery
Veterinary surgeons training for laparoscopic surgeries could soon be able to perfect their skills in a virtual reality simulation before ever performing the procedures on live patients.
WSU works to repair puppy’s leg
It was a highly complicated procedure but the surgical team was able to practice and prepare using a 3D-printed model of the puppy’s legs.
Genetic discovery could lead to better treatments for common tumor in dogs
Newly discovered genetic commonalities and differences among prevalent types of canine soft tissue sarcomas, a potentially deadly tumor, could pave the way for better diagnosis and treatments.
Arts & Culture
A new holiday song with a rat pack vibe
Multiple streaming services already are carrying WSU Emeritus Professor Greg Yasinitsky’s newest song, “It’s Santa.” Listen to it here, too.
Schnitzer museum brings world-renowned artist Keiko Hara to WSU
An exhibit of her work, “Keiko Hara: Four Decades of Paintings and Prints” is currently on display at the museum through March 4.
Artists’ books on display through October in Terrell Library on Pullman campus
WSU printmaking professor Kevin Haas has collected artist’s books for roughly 25 years. With each new acquisition, a unique creative exploration is revealed.
Sam Roxas-Chua to read at WSU Pullman Oct. 25
Roxas-Chua, a poet and multimedia artist, will read from his work at 5 p.m. at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art as a guest of the Visiting Writers Series. The reading will also be streamed on YouTube.
Business & Economics
WSU online graduate business programs advance in Poets & Quants ranking recognition
Poets & Quants ranked online MBA and executive MBA programs from WSU as No. 19 in its 2023 rankings of The Best Online MBA Programs, moving up from No. 25 in 2022.
Changing feelings can boost creativity for conventional thinkers
Even people who tend to think conventionally, such as accountants or insurance adjusters, can be creative if they can look at emotional situations in a different light, a recent study suggests.
Inflation is biggest concern for Pacific Northwest holiday shoppers
Pacific Northwest shoppers aim to be more fiscally conservative with their spending this holiday season, according to a new report from the WSU Carson College of Business.
Good sleep can increase women’s work ambitions
A WSU-led study indicated that sleep quality impacted women’s mood and changed how they felt about advancing in their careers.
Politics & Society
WSU and U of I providing free immigration consultations
WSU’s Undocumented Initiatives and the University of Idaho College of Law are working together to help students in both states navigate the complex immigration process.
Trust in experts, media literacy connected to COVID‑19 vaccine intention
An early pandemic survey found that respondents’ intentions to receive COVID‑19 vaccines were linked more to their media literacy and opinion of health experts than knowledge of the virus or previous vaccination behavior.
COVID‑19 relief funds available for WSU immigrant communities statewide
Immigrants living in Washington state who lost their job or experienced other hardships during the COVID‑19 pandemic and were ineligible for federal stimulus may qualify for at least $1,000 in state relief.
TikTok teaching increases professor’s educational impact
Christopher Clarke, an assistant professor in WSU’s School of Economic Sciences, makes TikTok videos that explain real-world issues through an economic lens. His channel is approaching 40,000 followers.
Reports & Updates
Enrollment efforts across the system
WSU is seeing early indications of a return to pre‑COVID application levels thanks to the coordinated efforts of faculty and staff across the university system.
Light posting ahead for WSU Insider
Fresh daily lineups, along with the daily push email, will return next week. The WSU Announcements section will continue to be updated daily.
Dean Borjesson’s Notes from the Palouse
Sometimes academia can be rough. We have real challenges with staffing shortages, equipment needs, and turnover without the ability to be fully nimble in our responses. But there is something. Something in our many missions that compel faculty and staff to stay and discover, educate, and reach out.
Work-life balance survey results
The response was tremendous. Thank you to the more than 2,000 faculty and staff members who provided honest feedback, including the submission of more than 1,100 thoughtful comments.