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WSU Tri-Cities to offer course on Hanford history

August 22, 2014

A history course at WSU Tri-Cities is being overhauled with a local focus to better engage a growing freshman student body.

Five professors will teach “Hanford: An Interdisciplinary Team-Taught Freshman Seminar” this fall. The course will use local history, culture and development to teach students about global issues, while also covering time management and study skills to help freshmen adjust to college.

“The opportunity to look at Hanford from an interdisciplinary perspective is unique,” said Vice Chancellor Mike Mays. “Our students have a rich opportunity to benefit from this location and study of the Hanford area.”

Kate McAteer, a clinical assistant professor of biological sciences, received a $5,000 grant from the Samuel H. and Patricia W. Smith Teaching and Learning Endowment to turn the History 105 “Roots of Contemporary Issues” course into the new seminar course.

It will put freshmen into a lecture hall setting twice a week followed by smaller group discussions with a faculty member once a week. There will also be field trips to the new Hanford Reach center in Columbia Park and the Hanford site.

WSU Tri-Cities students hold charity costume walk

August 8, 2014

Students in the digital technology and culture (DTC) and fine arts programs at WSU Tri-Cities hosted a community walk to raise awareness and funds for My Friend’s Place, a local, nonprofit homeless shelter for at-risk youth.

Participants were encouraged to dress in costume and were treated to music and other festivities in Howard Amon Park.

Fine arts professors Doug Gast and Peter Christenson challenged their summer students to produce an event that artistically intervenes in the community at large while giving at-risk youth a voice.

“What is really exciting about this project is that we as students are able to use the skills we have learned in our summer courses and get involved in the community to have a positive impact,” said Joe Jensen, a DTC junior working on the event.

Flyin’ high: WSU flag launched to record altitude in stratosphere

May 15, 2014

Ol' Crimson flying high — Ol’ Crimson flying high

The Washington State University flag has flown in many places around the world – from ESPN Game Day to the Great Wall of China – and now more than 18 miles into the stratosphere.

A Cougar flag attached to a weather balloon recently launched from the center of the Pullman campus reached nearly 100,000 feet, presumed to be a record-breaker for the WSU banner. The flight was part of a WSU Physics and Astronomy Club student project; now the flag is up for auction.

For WSU graduate, a photo op five years in the making

May 12, 2014

Almost there! 2014 Arts and Sciences undergraduates lining up for Commencement. — Arts and Sciences seniors line up for 2014 Commencement.

What got Freddy Reyes through the past five years was a mental image of himself wearing a cap and gown.

Like many college freshmen, the digital technology major had never been out on his own before coming to WSU in 2009. He had hopes of a better life, but sometimes wondered if he’d ever get there. There were times when he was homesick and thought about quitting, times when he considered postponing his college dream so he could get a job and help his family financially. His own finances were so thin he wasn’t sure he could go on.

But he kept picturing himself wearing that cap and gown on graduation day.

“I learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of doing,” Reyes said, shortly after attending the last class of his undergraduate career and only days away from walking across the Beasley Coliseum stage. “There were tough times, but I never lost sight of what I came here to do.”

Read more about Reyes in The Lewiston Tribune (subscription required)

Senior wins Boren Award to study Mandarin in Taiwan

May 9, 2014

Thomas G. Taylor, a senior studying social sciences through the WSU Global Campus, has received a Boren Scholarship from the National Security Education Program (NSEP) to study the Mandarin language in Taiwan during the 2014-15 academic year.

He is one of 165 Boren recipients out of 868 applications from students in 38 disciplines nationwide. The new Boren Scholars represent 25 disciplines at 90 institutions in 36 states.

Taylor’s degree program includes concentrations in political science, sociology, and history.

He is WSU’s 13th Boren Scholar since 2001; the designation is for awardees who are undergraduates. WSU has also had two graduate student Boren Fellows since 2000.

NSEP reports that among this year’s winners, China is the most requested destination and Mandarin the second most popular language.

Learn more about this distinguished scholarship and others