Happy Halloween, Cougs, and Happy Día de los Muertos-eve!

It has been a busy fall, and I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the crisp fall weather. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of getting to meet with many of you over the last few months at events on and off campus.

I’d like to highlight some of the amazing work happening on our campus and in our community:

• Congratulations to Drs. Aaron Feaver and Jacob Leachman for their leadership in the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2). PNWH2 was recently selected by the Department of Energy as a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub.
• The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art hosted world-renowned artist Jeffrey Gibson on campus for a lecture and presentation. Jeffrey was recently selected to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale and is the first indigenous artist to be selected. Jeffrey’s incredible artwork is on exhibit through early March 2024.
• Two weeks ago, WSU Pullman celebrated the grand opening of its first Disabled Student Center. The new center, housed in the Washington Building, room 223, is designed to connect students with community resources, raise awareness, and advocate for disabled students’ human and civil rights. The center is open from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Our WSU Cougar Volleyball team set a program history record for the longest streak holding a top-five ranking in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll.
• Pullman recently completed the new Riverside Mural downtown. Made possible through a partnership between the Pullman Arts Foundation and the Downtown Pullman Association, this incredible mural was designed by Seattle-based artist Tori Shao and painted in collaboration with WSU students, faculty, staff, and community volunteers.
• The first-ever Pullman Strategic Plan was approved by the WSU Board of Regents in September. I look forward to sharing more details about the plan in the spring!
• Our enrollment management team has hosted over 3,700 prospective students, family members, friends, and visitors to campus in the last three months. Did you know that, on average, this team hosts upwards of 17,000 visitors each year? These visits are instrumental in sharing the Cougar family magic that we all know and love. Next time you see a Cougar Connector with their headset and speaker, make sure you say thanks, and Go Cougs!
• And finally, kudos to Dr. Ryan Booth for making the front page of the Spokesman-Review in recognition of his innovative new course on the United States-Indian Wars.

As we look to the rest of this week, Michael and I hope to see you at our Fall Open House either tomorrow or Thursday. I’m also excited to welcome Coug families and friends to campus for Family Weekend! Admittedly, I may have had to Google “who is Yung Gravy” but I’m looking forward to the wide array of activities taking place over the weekend and celebrating our newest Chosen Coug honorees.

Throughout the rest of the semester and beyond, I hope you know that our office is here to support you—please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or feedback.

Go Cougs!
Elizabeth