WSU Insider

MLK celebration encourages ‘uncomfortable conversations’

January 11, 2022

Fox Sports analyst and bestselling author Emmanuel Acho will urge Cougs to engage in uncomfortable conversations around race during his Martin Luther King Jr. celebration keynote address on Feb. 2.

University holds first systemwide community service project

January 14, 2022

Art in the Library exhibit features digital artwork of third‑year vet student

January 14, 2022

Good To Know

WSU’s cannabis research center names new leaders

January 14, 2022

WSU announces modified operations for spring semester

January 14, 2022

WSU Board of Regents hosts first meetings of the year Jan. 20–21

January 14, 2022

Block grant to support affordable testing to fight Little Cherry Disease

January 14, 2022

Campus & Community

WSU Global Campus is offering all Cougs a chance to give back to their communities in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. by organizing the first ever Caring Cougar Cards project.

University holds first systemwide community service project

January 14, 2022

WSU Global Campus is offering all Cougs a chance to give back to their communities in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. by organizing the first‑ever Caring Cougar Cards project.

WSU students make, distribute blankets for those in need

January 13, 2022

The students chose different patterns, mixing two layers of fabric for each blanket. The blankets were donated to two groups based in Spokane: the Crosswalk Youth Shelter and Women’s Hearth.

Abstracts for Academic Showcase and GPSA Research Exposition due next week

January 11, 2022

WSU’s annual poster sessions allow faculty, staff, and graduate students to share their knowledge and innovations. Aspiring participants must submit abstracts of their work by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

MLK celebration encourages ‘uncomfortable conversations’

January 11, 2022

Fox Sports analyst and bestselling author Emmanuel Acho will urge Cougs to engage in uncomfortable conversations around race during his Martin Luther King Jr. celebration keynote address on Feb. 2.

Science & Technology

Unhealthy air in downtown San Francisco due to the Napa Glass fire, one of the many large wildfires in 2020. Photo by Bjorn Bakstad

Air pollution from wildfires, rising heat affected 68% of U.S. West

January 6, 2022

Large wildfires and severe heat events are happening more often at the same time, worsening air pollution across the western U.S., a study led by WSU researchers has found.

Researchers uncover basics of common industrial catalytic processes

January 5, 2022

WSU engineers collaborated with researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China to unravel an underlying mechanism of a catalytic reaction at the atomic level.

WSU and NWPB video series shows kids the possibilities in STEM

January 4, 2022

A new Q&A series for young audiences, Ask Dr. Universe: Meet the Scientists, is now available on Northwest Public Broadcasting’s Kids YouTube channel.

NSF grant funds study on how materials move through river environments

January 3, 2022

A WSU‑led research team received a National Science Foundation grant to develop a database of river experiments from around the world to help improve modeling of waterway contaminants.

Benefits & Training

Employee Assistance Program: ‘Strategies for Stress Management’

January 13, 2022

This is a special offering from the Washington State Employee Assistance Program. We all experience stress from time to time. Some of it is “good” and some we call “bad”. Most of us could benefit from adopting effective strategies for managing the stress that comes our way. During this presentation, we will: Explore what stress […]

Pre-retirement seminar

January 11, 2022

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, and; Retirement Supplementation for WSURP participants. These seminars are open […]

University Affairs

WSU announces modified operations for spring semester

January 14, 2022

While WSU remains committed to a robust in-person experience this fall, some temporary changes to operations are being made in the interest of public health.

WSU Board of Regents hosts first meetings of the year Jan. 20–21

January 14, 2022

Committee meetings as well as Friday’s Board of Regents meeting will be broadcast online for those wishing to observe the proceedings.

Jeremy Lessmann appointed director of Office of Undergraduate Research

January 13, 2022

In addition to his half‑time UR leadership duties, Lessmann will continue to teach chemistry classes and advise chemistry students for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Guy Palmer testifies before Washington Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee

January 12, 2022

Dr. Guy Palmer, who co‑led and coordinated WSU’s response to COVID‑19, testified today before the Washington Senate committee on the lessons learned so far during the pandemic and those that are still being learned.

Arts & Culture

Mefford’s pet portraits will be on display through mid-May at the Animal Health Library, Wegner Hall 170, part of the WSU Libraries’ “Art in the Library” program.

Art in the Library exhibit features digital artwork of third‑year vet student

January 14, 2022

Winnie Mefford’s digital art portraits offer her friends and classmates another perspective of their pets and a chance to remember them.

WSU Schnitzer Museum announces ‘Indie Folk: New Art and Sounds from the Pacific Northwest’

January 11, 2022

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University reopens Tuesday, Jan. 18 for the spring semester with the new exhibition.

WSU art featured in new Spokane sports complex

January 10, 2022

The installation consists of 11 pod‑like pieces made of salvaged Western cedar. On the inside, the pods are painted different colors and illuminated with LED lights in the evening.

Student-created identity stories air on community radio and online

January 5, 2022

From humorous to tender and scary to profound, the collected stories provide intimate glimpses into people’s actual lives and reflect that nonfiction doesn’t have to be dry or presented as documentary to be effective.

Politics & Society

WSU’s cannabis research center names new leaders

January 14, 2022

The new director of the Center for Cannabis Policy, Research, and Outreach, David Gang, and the new assistant director, Tracy Klein, have complementary expertise in plant biochemistry and human health.

Outreach program aims to recruit future physicians

January 7, 2022

A Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine mentorship program intended to inspire students to enter health sciences careers will enroll 155 new junior and high school students from Stevens County this year.

Analysis: No systematic agency bias in Washington State Patrol traffic stops

December 2, 2021

WSU researchers analyzed data on more than 7 million trooper contacts over a five‑year period, including more than 3.4 million traffic stops, 47,000 calls for service, and 175,000 collisions.

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.

Health & Medicine

Nurses experienced burnout before COVID, but the pandemic has added new burdens to the profession.

Workplace adjustments could be the answer to nurses’ burnout

January 12, 2022

New WSU research shows following mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios, increased nurse autonomy, and the end of mandatory overtime are all potential solutions to addressing burnout.

WSU partnership addresses vaccine hesitancy

January 4, 2022

Faculty from the Murrow College of Communication, WSU Extension, and the College of Education will lead engagement efforts to reduce vaccine hesitancy in rural and underserved communities with a nationwide initiative.

Mindfulness classes available to WSU community

January 3, 2022

Faculty and staff can learn how to ignore the nagging voice in their head and better appreciate the moment by participating in mindfulness trainings.

Gallic acid and stretching decrease osteoarthritis markers in cartilage cells

December 15, 2021

The combination not only decreased arthritis inflammation markers in cells but improved production of desired proteins normally found in healthy cartilage.

Veterinary Medicine

A researcher working at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Grants to improve animal disease detection

January 13, 2022

The grants will help WSU scientists at Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory implement a new notification system that will alert local, state, and federal agencies of testing results more efficiently and quickly.

WSU to offer reproductive medicine and surgery for dogs and cats

January 11, 2022

A new specialty service at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital will help ensure certain genetic disorders aren’t passed onto future generations of animals.

Aspen’s Fund to make giant impact for pets

January 6, 2022

The death of their beloved cat Aspen inspired Tim Ma and Melissa Greenough to establish a new fund at WSU to help pet owners pay for treatments for their animals they otherwise couldn’t afford.

Students continue emergency care for wildlife

January 4, 2022

As the demand for WSU’s care for client-owned animals continues to increase, veterinary students will now be on call at all hours to intake wildlife.

Food & Agriculture

Cherry trees infected with Little Cherry Disease bear small, bitter or bland fruits that often lack attractive coloring.

Block grant to support affordable testing to fight Little Cherry Disease

January 14, 2022

The new three‑year, $530,000 grant will help to expand testing capacity at WSU’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab in Pullman.

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.

Business & Economics

Not everybody hates looking at themselves on Zoom

January 3, 2022

People low in the trait of public self-consciousness tended to have more positive attitudes toward virtual meetings the more often their own faces were visible to them, according to a WSU study.

Masks level playing field for hospitality workers

December 16, 2021

While attractive hospitality workers typically earn higher customer service scores than their peers, wearing face masks—a practice widely adopted during the COVID‑19 pandemic—levels the playing field, a new study says.

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.

Reports & Updates

A message from Kirk and Noel Schulz

January 13, 2022

Spring is a time to move forward with important changes, including those arising as part of the continued growth and evolution of WSU as a statewide system.

Thank you, Cougs!

December 21, 2021

Congratulations on a successful fall 2021 semester.

Light posting ahead for WSU Insider

December 9, 2021

The last day for regular daily posting to the website for the remainder of the year—including WSU Announcements—will be Friday, Dec. 17, ahead of the holiday and reduced operations schedule the following week.

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.

Awards & Achievements

Two WSU students receive State Department scholarships for study abroad

December 16, 2021

Zenna Glaser and Claudia B. Jacobo have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which is designed to help American students gain proficiency in diverse languages.

WSU graduate student wins Science Coalition student video challenge

December 15, 2021

Soil sciences graduate student Molly McIlquham took first place in the graduate student category of The Science Coalition’s third‑annual Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge.

Nursing student selected for mountain rescue team at Olympics

December 13, 2021

Longtime ski patroller and soon-to-be Coug nurse Daniel Voltz will leave for China on Jan. 20 to be part of the Mountain Rescue Service for the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

Students win environmental challenge competition

December 9, 2021

Civil and environmental engineering students recently took the top prize in the 2021 Pacific Northwest Air & Wastewater Management Association Environmental Challenge for their creative solutions to climate change.

Good To Know

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