New program looks to expand early pathogen detection in potato crops
The nearly $1 million WSU-led project explores expanded testing for diseases that damage potato crops, with a broader goal of guarding the U.S. food supply from biological threats.
Campus & Community
Registration open for TEACHxWSU 2024
WSU faculty, staff, and graduate students can register now for the Oct. 25 event focused on developing student-ready leaders.
U-pick pumpkins, Harvest Festival return to WSU’s Eggert Organic Farm
The WSU Eggert Family Organic Farm is hosting their annual u-pick pumpkin sales from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. The Sept. 28 sale also features a one-day Harvest Festival.
Fall Research Conversation series begins
The WSU College of Education’s annual Research Conversation series returns for the fall semester, beginning Sept. 19 at 12:10 p.m. via Zoom.
WSU School of Music hosts first Brazilian jazz festival on the Palouse
The festival will be held in Pullman Sept. 28 – Oct. 2. It will feature internationally acclaimed Brazilian and American jazz artists Três Mais and Nelson Faria.
University Affairs
First-year WSU student enrollment continues to rise
After surpassing 4,200 new first-year students last fall — the highest level since 2019 — WSU further improved this semester, enrolling 4,350 new first-year students.
WSU Board of Regents meeting on Pullman campus Sept. 19–20
Regents will kick off two days of meetings inside the Compton Union Building room 204 at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
WSU Board of Regents hosting special meeting Sept. 13
The meeting will take place at the WSU System President’s Office, 255 E. Main St. Suite 102 in Pullman. A copy of the meeting’s agenda is available on the WSU Board of Regents website.
Message from the President & Athletic Director:
Pac‑12 welcomes new members
Four universities are joining the Pac-12 conference, marking a start to stabilizing the future of the conference and WSU.
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
XR Development Lab begins AI workshops this month
The lab is hosting eight workshops on the Pullman campus and via Zoom to help instructors appropriately use AI in their teaching.
New WSU Adobe Creative Campus agreement
Adobe now available to all students and employees systemwide. Those with existing Creative Cloud access through WSU can renew by Aug. 30.
Awards & Achievements
Lamb Weston gift to WSU Tri‑Cities Cougar Cupboard helps address student hunger
The gift will be used to support salaries of students working in the food pantry. The Cupboard is run primarily by students, many of whom have previously found help there.
Entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima to be honored with WSU Regents award
Lima, a highly successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author, will be recognized during the Boeing Apple Cup football game at Lumen Field on Sept. 14.
Dining centers earn national certification for sustainability efforts
The three dining centers on the WSU Pullman campus have achieved three‑star certification from the Green Restaurant Association for their sustainability efforts.
Feds grant $4.8M for hydrogen fuel research, fueling station at WSU
The majority of the funding will support research by WSU Professors Jacob Leachman and Konstantin Matveev to create the world’s first continuous liquid hydrogen flow loop.
Science & Technology
Researchers improve search for cancer drivers
A computer algorithm can efficiently find genetic mutations that work together to drive cancer as well as other genetic clues that might someday lead to a variety of new treatments.
At-risk butterflies more likely to survive with human help
Some of the butterflies most in danger of fluttering out of existence fare better when their habitats are actively managed by humans, a WSU-led study found.
Metal baseball bats still help Little Leaguers hit a little better
While meant to simulate wood bats, regulation USA Baseball metal bats are more forgiving than wood for young players who might not connect with the ball on a bat’s optimal “sweet spot.”
Self-improving AI method increases 3D‑printing efficiency
A new artificial intelligence algorithm can allow researchers to more efficiently use 3D printing to manufacture intricate structures.
Food & Agriculture
New program looks to expand early pathogen detection in potato crops
The nearly $1 million WSU-led project explores expanded testing for diseases that damage potato crops, with a broader goal of guarding the U.S. food supply from biological threats.
WSU Wagyu breeders announce their first dual-inheritance hornless heifer
The cow, named WSU Miss L120, has inherited genes from both parents that prevent her from growing horns. She will pass on the useful trait to all of her offspring.
Film screening highlights multiple regenerative agriculture events on Sept. 26
The documentary “Common Ground” and its subsequent panel discussion will cap off a day of events highlighting the importance of regenerative agriculture and WSU’s related research.
Project aims to better understand water demands from extreme heat
Gentle mist floating over orchards may not seem like much water, but those fine droplets can add up to big trouble when extreme heat means a lot of misting — and potentially greater conflict over water use.
Health & Medicine
WSU psychologist’s book breaks down science of infant temperament for parents
In Parenting with Temperament in Mind, Maria Gartstein sets out to make scientific insights into infant temperament accessible and practical for parents.
Report: National wastewater surveillance should be continued to prevent future pandemics
The system launched to detect COVID-19 should now transition to a broader goal of detecting prevalent and emerging pathogens, according to a report from a committee chaired by WSU’s Guy Palmer.
WSU Health Sciences and Seattle Children’s Research Institute host joint symposium
The inaugural symposium aims to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges facing children and families in the state.
WSU researchers awarded new NIH grant to study medical ableism
College of Medicine researchers received a $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study medical ableism through a national survey of people with disabilities.
Veterinary Medicine
WSU pathologists identify plague in blind Idaho deer
There have been five previous documented cases of plague in deer, none of which was in Idaho. The disease most commonly manifests with lesions in the deer’s eyes and results in blindness.
Partnership helps train Japanese veterinary students
A 27‑year collaboration between Nihon University in Japan and WSU is equipping more than two dozen international students with the skills to be practicing veterinarians.
WSU to develop advanced vaccine for costly tick-borne pathogen
Veterinary medicine researchers received an $800,000 grant to develop a safer, more effective vaccine to combat a tick-borne pathogen plaguing the cattle industry.
WADDL prepares for increased chronic wasting disease surveillance
The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory recently detected the state’s first case of the disease and is now gearing up for increased surveillance and testing of deer populations.
Arts & Culture
Terrell Library celebrates 30‑year anniversary with lecture, reception
Professor Phil Gruen will present a lecture, “Spaces of Knowledge: Designing the Future and Past of the Library,” at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the Terrell atrium.
Celebrate 50 years of art: Join the Jordan Schnitzer Museum for its 50th Anniversary
The public is invited to join in celebrations of the museum’s half-century milestone with a series of special exhibitions, programs, and a commemorative publication.
Combining fashion and video games merges passions of new WSU graduate
Clothing is a mandatory part of life for both real people and video game characters. Colby Van Dyk’s recent graduate work focused on making it more fashionable for the latter.
Timeline explores the 50‑year journey of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU
The timeline includes a curated list highlighting some of the 390 exhibitions that have been on display at WSU’s art museum from its inception in 1974 to the present day.
Business & Economics
Sept. 12: Power Breakfast to feature Starbucks Executive Rachel Ruggeri
Ruggeri will share business insights in a fireside chat format with Carson College Interim Dean Debbie Compeau from 8-10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 in Seattle.
Fear of appearing prejudiced can inhibit accurate performance feedback to women
Evaluators who want to avoid appearing prejudiced may overcorrect and give women inflated performance feedback, new research indicates — a practice that could ultimately hinder their ability to improve and advance.
Delivery robots’ green credentials make them more attractive to consumers
The smaller carbon footprint, or wheel print, of automatic delivery robots can encourage consumers to use them when ordering food, according to a WSU study.
Anxiety reframed can make business pitches more effective
It may be possible to turn anxiety into a superpower in some scenarios, a WSU-led study of entrepreneurs indicates.
Politics & Society
Real-time debate reactions show Democrats more ‘fired up’ than Republicans
The “enthusiasm gap” showed up in a test of involuntary physiological responses among viewers of last Tuesday’s presidential debate.
David Garcia fulfills a promise by working for health justice
WSU’s David Garcia has dedicated his career to addressing health inequities faced by migrant farmworkers, inspired by his grandmother’s struggles.
WSU faculty receive funding to further study of firearm safety practices in rural communities
Two WSU researchers are investigating firearm safety practices in rural Washington state communities with the support of a new grant from the Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Foundation.
WSU receives $3.9M grant to develop tool for countering large-scale disinformation
Political science researchers received a Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative grant to help counter destabilizing disinformation campaigns and violent extremism in Africa.
Reports & Updates
Message from the president:
‘Welcome home, Cougs’
In a letter to the WSU community, President Kirk Schulz extends a warm welcome to new Cougs and colleagues across the university system.
Cyberattack against third-party vendor may affect some WSU students
WSU has been notified by claims processor Change Healthcare that personally identifiable information from Cougar Health Pharmacy users may have been exposed in a massive data breach.
Celebrating Pride Month
WSU System President Kirk Schulz shares a message of encouragement and support for national Pride Month.
Reflecting on the spring semester
In a letter to the WSU community, President Kirk Schulz emphasizes the university’s commitment to free speech and the importance of recognizing our shared humanity.