WSU News

Lifelong bonds built in the Cougar Marching Band For more than a century, WSU’s 230-member Cougar Marching Band—open to all majors—has forged lifelong bonds and game-day tradition, with alumni recalling epic trips from Apple Cup to Tokyo.

For more than a century, the Cougar Marching Band has been the pulse of #WSU’s game-day traditions, rallying the Crimson faithful with music, pageantry, and pride. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/10... #GoCougs

WSU conductor bridges cultures at Japan’s premier music conservatory A short summer residency at Japan’s premier music conservatory yielded a big result for Dahn Pham, conductor of the WSU Symphony Orchestra and director of Bands and Conducting.

A short summer residency at Japan’s premier music conservatory yielded a big result for Dahn Pham, conductor of the WSU Symphony Orchestra and director of Bands and Conducting. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/10... #WSU #GoCougs

Faculty took students to all seven continents to study abroad this year This was a considerable year for travel abroad, with 311 students traveling in 2025, up from last year's 256.

This was a considerable year for travel abroad at #WSU, with 311 students traveling in 2025, up from last year's 256. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/10...

The vision that built a lasting impact WSU Professor Guy Palmer took a bold idea and turned it into a world-renowned global health program whose impact will continue long after his looming retirement.

As he prepares to retire, Guy Palmer reflects on the bold vision that built WSU’s global health legacy — and the work that will carry it forward. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/10... #WSU #GoCougs

Open Enrollment for 2026 benefits changes begins Oct. 27 This year’s Open Enrollment period runs through Nov. 24, with employees needing to submit benefit changes in Workday by midnight of the final day.

This year’s Open Enrollment period runs through Nov. 24, with employees needing to submit benefit changes in Workday by midnight of the final day. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/10... #WSU

Sudan Ebola virus can persist in survivors for months, WSU study shows Researchers found risk of sexual and mother-to-child transmission, as well, showing the effects may persist beyond the end of an outbreak.

WSU researchers found that more than half of survivors from a recent Sudan Ebola outbreak in Uganda continue to suffer lasting health problems two years later, with traces of the virus lingering in semen and breast milk for months after recovery. news.wsu.edu/press-releas... #WSU

Veterinary clinics nationwide make WSU’s goal to a rabies-free Africa achievable A collaboration between a national network of veterinary hospitals and WSU is saving lives and reducing the threat of rabies in Africa one vaccination at a time.

This Sunday is World Rabies Day. Nearly 200 veterinary clinics across the U.S. and Canada are helping #WSU’s Rabies Free Africa program vaccinate millions of dogs in Kenya and Tanzania. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... 🐶#GoCougs

From script to final cut, teens create films at WSU 4‑H camp Washington teens turned their ideas into reality at WSU Extension’s 4-H Teen Film Camp, creating and screening original short films in just five days.

At WSU Extension 4-H’s Teen Film Camp, Washington teens turned ideas into two original short films—“Live in the Moment” and “Anxiety”—learning the craft of filmmaking from script to screen. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... #WSU #GoCougs

Key to the riddle of sleep may be linked to bacteria New research bolsters the hypothesis that sleep is regulated in part by the host of microbes produced in the gut.

New #WSU research suggests sleep may arise not just from our brains, but through a surprising partnership with the microbes living in our guts. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

Chipping away at Maya economies WSU anthropologist Rachel Horowitz is helping reshape how scholars understand everyday life in one of the Americas' oldest civilizations.

WSU anthropologist Rachel Horowitz is studying Maya stone tools to show how everyday people 1,200 years ago built local economies that look surprisingly familiar today. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... #WSU #GoCougs

Recording Latino history in the Tri‑Cities Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring WSU Tri-Cities’ oral history project, which preserves the stories of Latino families who shaped the Tri-Cities community.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring WSU Tri-Cities’ oral history project, which preserves the stories of Latino families who shaped the Tri-Cities community. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... #WSU #GoCougs

WSU alumnus returns for Apple Cup, first Cougar football game in 59 years Sandra Cain always roots for her Cougs, but this Saturday it will mean a little more, as the WSU alumnus ventures back to Pullman to attend the Apple Cup – her first Cougar football game in 59 years.

Sandra Cain always roots for her Cougs, but this Saturday it will mean a little more, as the #WSU alumnus ventures back to Pullman to attend the Apple Cup – her first Cougar football game in 59 years. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... 🏈#GoCougs

WSU marks three consecutive years of growth among incoming first‑year students Enrollment retention also shows improvement, climbing past 80%.

Several campuses across the #WSU system saw noticeable gains, a clear sign of the momentum driving the upward trajectory.
news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

When politics drive entrepreneurial innovation WSU study of financial crisis in India shows that politics drove the decisions of entrepreneurs as much as financial considerations.

During India’s 2016 cash ban, a #WSU-led study finds small entrepreneurs’ political identity—not just income or education—shaped who adopted digital payments first. news.wsu.edu/press-releas...

Plenty to do ahead of Apple Cup game Saturday To capitalize on the momentous occasion, WSU, the city of Pullman and stakeholders are coming together to offer fans a host of activities and experiences prior to the game.

WSU, the city of Pullman, and stakeholders are coming together to offer fans a host of activities and experiences prior to the Apple Cup contest this coming Saturday. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... 🏈 #WSU #GoCougs

Development of new medical residency program gets $750,000 boost The grant supports a planned family medicine residency program in Moses Lake operated by Samaritan Healthcare and WSU's College of Medicine.

WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and Samaritan Healthcare won a $750,000 HRSA grant to build a new family medicine residency in Moses Lake—WSU’s second rural program and the third east of the Cascades. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09... #WSU #GoCougs

Serving veterans and first responders focus of WSU’s 9/11 Day of Service Over 30 service projects will be available for Pullman students to choose from, with transportation provided for each.

In honor of the heroism and sacrifice of veterans and first responders, #WSU’s 9/11 Day of Service will provide students with opportunities to transform what is known as a day of tragedy into one of unity, service, and community strength. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/09...

WSU Athletics enhancing football weekend experience Fans heading to Pullman for the 2025 football season can enjoy new events, amenities, and themed weekends—from camping and street fairs to concerts and enhanced tailgating.

Fans heading to Pullman for the 2025 football season can enjoy new events, amenities, and themed weekends—from camping and street fairs to concerts and enhanced tailgating. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #WSU #GoCougs

Flag-waving founder of GameDay tradition motivated by pride, not publicity WSU alumnus Tom Pounds, who first waved Ol’ Crimson on ESPN’s College GameDay in 2003, sparked a beloved Cougar tradition fueled by pride and carried on by a nationwide network of fans.

WSU alumnus Tom Pounds, who first waved Ol’ Crimson on ESPN’s College GameDay in 2003, sparked a beloved Cougar tradition fueled by pride and carried on by a nationwide network of fans. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #WSU #GoCougs

Meehan and Bond named deans of the College of Arts and Sciences and WSU Libraries The appointments follow comprehensive evaluations and strong endorsements from university leadership, faculty, academic partners, and external stakeholders across the system.

Effective Sept. 1, Courtney Meehan will become dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Trevor Bond will become dean of WSU Libraries. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #WSU

WSU entomologist launches massive pollen-mapping project WSU scientists are launching the Pacific Northwest Pollen Atlas, a first-of-its-kind project mapping pollen nutrition to support bees, beekeepers, and the food we eat.

WSU is launching the Pacific Northwest Pollen Atlas to map pollen nutrition and help protect pollinators like honey bees—and they’re looking for volunteer beekeepers to join the effort. news.wsu.edu/press-releas... 🐝 #WSU #GoCougs

A life in translation After nearly 30 years, WSU professor Weiguo Cao is helping complete the first full English translation of the Grand Scribe’s Records, a 2,000-year-old epic chronicling China’s history from Confucius t...

Nearly three decades in the making, #WSU’s Weiguo Cao is helping finish the first complete English translation of the Grand Scribe’s Records — a 2,000-year-old epic chronicling dynasties, philosophers, and China’s first emperor. 📚 news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #History

WSU team unlocks biological process behind coho die-offs New study finds that toxic chemical that comes from tires during stormwater runoff deprives coho salmon of oxygen.

WSU researchers have discovered how a toxic tire chemical breaches coho salmon’s brain and gill barriers, causing deadly die-offs and paving the way for safer alternatives. news.wsu.edu/press-releas... #WSU

Parrot ‘on death’s door’ saved by emergency blood transfusion A severely starved parrot in search of her forever home could live another 35 years after a WSU veterinarian performed an emergency blood transfusion with her own parrot playing the role of blood dono...

A severely starved parrot in search of her forever home could live another 35 years after a #WSU veterinarian performed an emergency blood transfusion with her own parrot playing the role of blood donor. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... 🦜#GoCougs

New WSU Police Chief being sworn in Aug. 15 Dawn Daniels, the next leader of the Washington State University Police Department, will be formally sworn in Aug. 15.

Dawn Daniels, the next leader of the #WSU Police Department, will be formally sworn in Aug. 15. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08...

Week of Welcome events happening throughout August The start of the fall 2025 semester is fast approaching, and with it, a host of welcoming events across the WSU system.

Week of Welcome kicks off this month across the #WSU system with events, celebrations, and resources to help new and returning Cougs start the semester strong — find what’s happening on your campus: news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #GoCougs

WSU researcher: Fund male contraceptive science as women’s health issue In journal commentary, Wei Yan calls for more support to develop a male pill as way to reduce high rate of unintended pregnancies.

WSU scientist Wei Yan is urging more support for male birth control research, arguing it’s crucial for improving women’s health and reducing unintended pregnancies. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #WSU

Nuclear Science Center begins expansion to ‘supercharge’ nuclear science capabilities Addition of hot cells will allow WSU to use the full capacity of the state's only nuclear research reactor.

WSU is expanding its Nuclear Science Center with a new $7.6M facility that will unlock powerful research capabilities and train the next generation of nuclear scientists. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... #WSU

Native American students undercounted in Washington schools A new state report led by WSU’s Zoe Higheagle Strong finds that undercounting Native students in Washington schools limits funding, services, and scholarships.

A new state report led by #WSU’s Zoe Higheagle Strong finds that undercounting Native students in Washington schools limits funding, services, and scholarships. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08...

Owl Day at WSU: Nature’s ambassadors of the night Meet WSU’s one-eyed owl Eugene and his feathered friends this International Owl Day (Aug. 4) and learn how these raptors help control pests and inspire conservation.

In honor of International Owl Awareness Day, check out this short story and video about Eugene, Sawyer, Hurik & more of #WSU's incredible ambassador owls. news.wsu.edu/news/2025/08... 🦉#owls