Bucking the Trend:
A simple question leads to a profound answer for the public
Kimberly McKeirnan’s program training pharmacy techs to give vaccinations became an important tool for fighting the pandemic in the region.
Good To Know
Campus & Community
Kalispel students experience international conference at WSU
High school students from the Kalispel Tribe explored STEM education and career opportunities at WSU through an international conference and campus visit.
WSU Extension 4‑H field day draws more than 300 youth for experiential outdoor learning
Hands‑on learning and fun proved to be a 4‑H formula for success during the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and WSU Extension Natural Resources Field Day earlier this month.
President Cantwell to serve on Gov. Ferguson’s economic development council
Cantwell noted that public research institutions have the capacity to generate and explore new ideas that result in the creation of entirely new sectors of the economy and make positive impacts on the public.
Students compete to solve clothing rental company Armoire’s real-world challenge
WSU merchandising students partnered with clothing rental company Armoire to develop real-world business proposals focused on the future of fashion retail.
University Affairs
WSU Libraries look for participants in Search It/AI usability study July 20–Aug. 7
The study will help evaluate AI research tools that could be added to the Search It discovery platform. Participants will receive $20.
Agreements provide collaboration opportunities with Poland’s AGH University of Krakow
WSU has signed new agreements with Poland’s AGH University of Krakow to expand international research collaborations and student and faculty exchange opportunities.
WSU and Colville Tribes announce historic partnership
Under the five-year agreement, the largest annual sponsorship in WSU Athletics history, all Cougar uniforms will feature a Colville Tribe jersey patch.
WSU Creamery upgrades will produce more Cougar Gold, benefit students
A $13.5 million upgrade will help bring the equipment currently used to make WSU’s beloved Cougar Gold cheese up to modern standards and increase cheese production.
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
TIAA consultant on Pullman campus — July dates
Do you know how much you can contribute to your retirement account for 2026? Are you wondering if you are on track for your retirement? Feeling a bit lost on how to invest your funds? Do you need help adjusting your VIP contribution amount for 2026? TIAA Consultant Eli Jenkins will be on the Pullman campus […]
WSURP participants pre-retirement seminar
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 Wednesday, June 10 2–4 p.m. The Zoom link and more information is available […]
Awards & Achievements
College of Medicine celebrates faculty and staff excellence
Excellence in teaching, research, leadership, service, mentorship, and community impact was celebrated during the college’s annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony.
WSU professor awarded fellow status in international relationship research society
Kory Floyd, chair of WSU’s Department of Human Development, has been elected a fellow of the International Association for Relationship Research, one of the organization’s highest honors.
Washington State Magazine writer wins regional awards
Washington State Magazine Associate Editor Adriana Janovich won five awards for two magazine stories — including a first place — in the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2025 Region X SPJ Awards.
WSU faculty receive Fulbright U.S. Scholars awards
Professors Sindhuja Sankaran and Benjamin Shors will conduct research and teaching projects in India and Albania during the upcoming academic year.
Science & Technology
Bucking the Trend:
A simple question leads to a profound answer for the public
Kimberly McKeirnan’s program training pharmacy techs to give vaccinations became an important tool for fighting the pandemic in the region.
Bucking the Trend:
‘I didn’t realize I was a rarity’
Katrina Mealey surmounted obstacles along the way to bring a life-saving genetic test for pets to the market, helping millions of pet owners.
WSU lab’s work makes nuclear industry safer
A unique WSU research program is helping scientists worldwide improve radiation safety standards for nuclear workers by advancing understanding of how plutonium and uranium behave in the human body.
Bucking the trend:
Women set pace for bringing the fruits of WSU research to market
The gender gap in research commercialization persists around the globe, but WSU’s highest-impact discoveries stemmed from the scientific work of women.
Food & Agriculture
WSU Extension expands local food distribution programs
Fresh food from Olympic Peninsula farms is reaching more families, schools and communities through a growing WSU Extension partnership.
WSU uses history to breed better cherries
Researchers delve into the written records kept by longtime WSU cherry breeder Thomas Toyama to pursue even better varieties of the fruit.
New master’s degree expands horizons for WSU wine science students
Beginning this fall, students can pursue an advanced degree in viticulture and enology at WSU.
Lind Field Day to help growers navigate challenging season
The annual event, Thursday, June 11, at Lind Dryland Station, gives producers in Washington’s low-rainfall grain country a look at new varieties and current research.
Health & Medicine
Researcher earns $420K grant to study tick-borne disease
The NIH grant to WSU researcher Dana Shaw could pave the way for strategies to stop tick-borne diseases before they reach people or animals.
Study: Food security varies widely across U.S. ethnic groups
Disparities across different communities demonstrate that addressing the lack of consistent access to a healthy diet requires attention to nuance.
WSU program launches young innovators onto national stage
The students, part of WSU Spokane’s MESA program, took top state honors and will now compete nationally with their device aimed at reducing infant health risks.
WSU model could help track deadly viruses to their source
A new predictive model could help scientists more efficiently identify the reservoirs of emerging zoonotic viruses and dangerous pathogens like Ebola.
Veterinary Medicine
Bald eagle chicks get a second chance
As the country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, two bald eagle chicks have found themselves at the center of an extraordinary WSU-led rescue mission.
Dr. Kyle Taylor selected as new Caroline Engle Distinguished Professor in Research on Infectious Diseases
Taylor, an associate professor and veterinary pathologist, will assume the new professorship July 1, succeeding Dr. Dana Shaw, who has held the role for the past four years.
WSU veterinarian leads growing field focused on mobility, pain and quality of life
Dr. Jessica Bunch is advancing the growing field of integrative animal rehabilitation across the Pacific Northwest one pet at a time.
Externship gives WSU veterinary students a look at the day-to-day of bovine medicine
A unique program is helping address a shortage of food-animal veterinarians by immersing students in the realities of large-animal practice.
Arts & Culture
Juneteenth holiday part of the full picture of freedom
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 – June 19th – when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally told they were free.
Art speaks to recent WSU graduate Hai Xing Lewis
A high school art history class helped set Lewis on a path to studying Renaissance works in Florence and pursuing a future career in museum work.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU acquires 80 photographs by Kristin Capp
The acquisition expands the museum’s photography holdings while strengthening connections to local agricultural and cultural landscapes.
Seeing through paper: Light sheet reveals printing in MASC’s early books
A new light sheet at WSU’s special collections is helping researchers peer inside centuries-old books, revealing clues to their origins and history.
Business & Economics
Carson College students learn from Chelan agrotourism experience
WSU students recently traveled to the Chelan region to learn firsthand how agriculture, hospitality, and tourism come together to create unique guest experiences.
Cougar Investment Fund celebrates 25 years of growth, impact, and expanded learning
Students act as portfolio managers and as sector analysts for the now $6.5 million fund supporting scholarships.
Carson students learn to ‘survive’ credit card use
An interactive financial literacy simulation taught Carson College students about the long-term costs of credit card debt by turning spending decisions into real-world lessons.
Carson College of Business student consultants boost Washington hotels’ performance
WSU business students put their consulting skills to work this spring, developing recommendations that could shape operations at two Washington hotels.
Politics & Society
Cannabis branding may appeal to youth despite regulations, study finds
More than 80% of surveyed teens and young adults said some legally sold cannabis gummy and candy products would appeal to people under 21, according to new WSU research.
Higher tax burden, less corruption: WSU researchers examine civic engagement
Study finds associations between higher taxes and reductions in public corruption cases, as well as increased voter turnout.
Microsoft supports WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington partnership to expand local news across Washington State
Funding will support additional reporting capacity in North Central Washington and future statewide journalism convenings
WSU’s Sutton named Carnegie Fellow for project on Satan in American politics
History professor Matthew Sutton is one of 24 fellows selected for prestigious honor intended to explore social division and foster unity.
Reports & Updates
Foundations respond to changes in federal funding
Over the past week, several foundations have stepped forward to offer rapid response and bridge funding to help mitigate the impact of grant cancellations.
Message from the President:
Leading with purpose
This is a time to carry forward both resolve and innovative thinking with a healthy dose of Cougar pride.
‘Let’s get to work — together’
President Elizabeth Cantwell thanks the university community in a personal message, sharing her belief that WSU is uniquely positioned not only to adapt — but to lead.
Message from Kirk and Noel Schulz:
Thank you, WSU
On their last day as President and First Lady of Washington State University, Kirk and Noel Schulz extend one final thank you for a memorable nine years.