The COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world five years ago and soon almost everything locked down. The immediate changes in health care, work, education, and even leisure time were drastic.
Why consider it now? Washington State University researchers focus on what’s happening in the world, including the echoing effects of the pandemic, so the Spring 2025 issue of Washington State Magazine tells stories of the valuable lessons since 2020.
The feature stories cover WSU research to identify animal diseases that might lead to another pandemic; more access to immunizations thanks to a WSU team; greater support for health care workers’ mental health; lasting impacts on work life; post-pandemic shifts in education; and pandemic-era hobbies.
The Spring 2025 issue is now available in print and online.
Other stories include:
- Bridging the gap in local news
- Celebrating 50 years of WSU faculty and staff women
- A Coug wrestling legend
- The plight of the marmot, a Northwest iconic mammal
- Former Washington secretary of state and WSU alum Sam Reed’s service with civility
- History of rock ‘n’ roll
- Fungi collection
- Radishes
- Why we’ve been seeing the northern lights
The spring issue also profiles several WSU alumni, including diabetes researcher and WSU professor Josh Neumiller, journalist turned governor’s communications specialist Vonnai Phair, tardigrade expert Gary Pielak, Starbucks executive Rachel Ruggeri, and entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima.
The magazine’s regular sections round out the spring issue: reviews of books by alumni and faculty; in memoriam for alumni, faculty, and staff; class notes; letter from President Kirk Schulz; and an alum’s letter about playing catch with a 100-year-old former WSU football player.
