PULLMAN, Wash. — The much-anticipated “Washington State Magazine,” a new quarterly from Washington State University exploring topics of interest to WSU and the people of Washington, came off the presses last week. It will have a circulation of 130,000. Sixty-five percent of the total readers live in Washington and 33 percent of all readers reside in the Puget Sound area.
“Washington State Magazine” makes connections beyond Washington to the nation and the world. The magazine highlights the research of some of the university’s top scientists and scholars, as well as the activities of WSU graduates around the world.
The cover story of the November issue, for example, is devoted to the success of Washington’s young wine industry, which was pioneered by Walter Clore, retired WSU horticulturist in Prosser. The story also tells of major roles WSU alumni have played in producing some of the best wine in the world.
The magazine reports on the work of WSU anthropologist Peter Mehringer, who spent time in Copan, Honduras, last summer collecting core samples from lake bottoms. He is examining the sediments as part of his study of past climatic events that contributed to the decline of the local Mayan civilization.
On the lighter side, “Washington State Magazine” takes readers on a scenic drive along State Route 26 from Vantage on the Columbia River to Colfax, Pullman’s link to central and western Washington. This will be a nostalgic journey for many readers.
Alumnus Peter Van Sant has traveled the world gathering stories as host of the popular television news magazine “48 Hours.” He shares some of his own stories behind those assignments.
Two other alumni, John Olerud and Aaron Sele, played a big part in the success of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. They are featured in a photographic celebration of the Mariners.
“I hope that our readers will learn more about the things that are vital and interesting to them and that they will also come to better understand the depth and breadth of the university,” said WSU President V. Lane Rawlins.
This fall two WSU publications folded to make way for the new magazine. Pat Caraher had served as editor of “Hilltopics,” a quarterly alumni publication for the past 32 years. Tim Steury, for the past 11 years, was editor of “Universe” magazine, which was published twice per year and dealt with research, scholarship and the arts. Both editors make up the new publication’s team that also includes George Bedirian, associate editor, and Jo Savage, art director.
For more about the magazine, go to the Web site at http://www.washington-state-magazine.wsu.edu/ to find links to subscription and advertising information, or call 509/335-7628, or write “Washington State Magazine,” Washington State University, P.O. Box 641064, Pullman, WA 99164-1040.
