By Flynn Espe

Mark Schuster has a lofty goal for Washington State University Tri-Cities and its status in the region.

“I literally want every business in the Tri-Cities to know about what we’re doing here,” he says.

It’s a fitting objective for the Richland native, Cougar alum, and former Lamb Weston executive, who joins ���سԹ� this month as the director of industry connected programs. As part of his newly created position, Schuster will help oversee two industry-focused programs — the Career Center and Cougar Tracks.

The Career Center, located in the Learning Commons area of the Consolidated Information Center, serves as a campus resource for students looking to advance their hiring potential through a range of tailored services and events. The center also connects students with job, internship, and cooperative education (co-op) opportunities, which is one key area Schuster seeks to expand upon.

“We want every student in the Tri-Cities campus who wants an internship or business-related job before they graduate to get one, because internships do lead to careers,” Schuster says. “How can we best let the business community know that we have this tremendous pool of talented students who want to work for them?”

Cougar Tracks is ���سԹ�’ continuing education and workforce development program, offering workshops and customized training programs — both for businesses and independent learners — aimed at equipping students with in-demand market skills that will differentiate them from other job seekers. Courses are offered in a variety of online and in-person delivery formats.

“The goal of Cougar Tracks is to really go hand-in-hand with the business community: What does the business community want and need from continuing education?” Schuster says.

Day-to-day coordination for the Career Center and Cougar Tracks programs will remain under the current leadership of John Navarro and Michelle Hrycauk Nassif, respectively.

“John and Michelle are doing amazing work in those spaces,” Schuster says. “We’ve spent time talking about what does the future look like in both those areas. There’s only upside to go, and I’m excited to be part of that.”

Prior to joining ���سԹ�, Schuster spent close to 30 years working in various management and executive leadership positions at Lamb Weston, a global frozen-foods manufacturer and distributor with a strong presence in the Tri-Cities. After getting his start in factory floor management, Schuster became involved in corporate finance and sales, eventually overseeing global manufacturing and supply chain logistics as the company expanded its overseas operations.

Schuster immersed himself in one part of that global expansion during a two-and-a-half-year period from 2014 to 2016, when he helped establish and direct a new Lamb Weston manufacturing facility based in rural Inner Mongolia.

“Up to that point, I’d lived in Richland and Pullman. And then I added Shangdu, Inner Mongolia, and Beijing, China, to that list,” Schuster says. “So you never know where you’re going to end up.”

In addition to his role at Lamb Weston, Schuster recently served as a board member for the Tri-City Development Council and the Association of Washington Business, advocating business-friendly policies at the local, state, and national levels.

“He knows this area and he understands the business and industry side of things, so we’re very excited to have him,” says Kate McAteer, ���سԹ� vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, noting her enthusiasm for bringing the Career Center and Cougar Tracks programs under a shared leadership structure. “We’ve got someone coming in who has led and developed successful teams in the industry.”

Schuster also comes to the Tri-Cities campus as a lifelong Cougar fan, having graduated with a business degree from the Pullman campus in 1995. During his time as a student, in which he attended WSU on an athletic scholarship, Schuster accomplished his childhood dream of playing Cougar football under former coach Mike Price before a series of injuries forced him to turn his attention to other community activities — including volunteer work with the local YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America programs.

In the three decades since his graduation, Schuster has given back to his alma mater in several capacities, leading numerous fundraising activities, athletic events, and serving as a board member and past president for the WSU Alumni Association, among other things.

“Anytime WSU knocks on my door, I’ve answered it. And that will not change,” Schuster says.

He’s also a collector of WSU history and memorabilia, in a self-described “Coug museum” set up in his home garage.

“I do have quite a collection of WSU history going all the way back to the start, but the reason why I love to do that is because it tells the story of WSU,” Schuster says. “WSU has always had students and people involved with it who exhibit a certain amount of grit, a certain amount of, ‘Hey, we can do it — let’s get after it!’”

It’s a spirit of tenacity that continues to thrive across the WSU system, he says, including here in the Tri-Cities.

“You come to ���سԹ� and see the students we have here — they’re exhibiting those same characteristics that we love as Cougs,” he says. “We’re not afraid of a challenge. We’re not afraid of working hard.”

While his aim to connect with every Tri-Cities business may be ambitious, Schuster acknowledges it’s not something he plans to accomplish all on his own, and he encourages other Cougs and community members to get involved with what’s happening on campus, noting the need for career mentors, coaches, internship providers, and more.

“I want you to have that feeling of, ‘Hey, how can I help drive the mission forward? How can I help those students right now?’” he says. “Remember what it’s like to be in those shoes and then think about how can I — as a Coug, or a Tri-Citian, or a business owner, or a business member — help that group succeed?”

By Lacey Desserault

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage month, Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities hosted a multi-dimensional series of events that highlighted the lives of Yakima Valley farmworkers from the 1960s and 70s and their fight for improved working and living conditions. Using photography, guest speakers, film, and writing the ���سԹ� campus community and the greater Tri-Cities region had the opportunity to experience, appreciate and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The events inspired connection, compassion, and understanding through shared memories and storytelling.

The centerpiece of the Hispanic Heritage month events was the exhibit, “Rooted: Irwin Nash Photographs of Yakima Valley Farmworkers”. Nash originally started taking the photos as part of a freelance magazine piece on Yakima Valley agriculture, but it turned into a deeper documentation of Chicano livelihood. Nash captured over 9,400 photographs between 1967 and 1976, which had been previously largely unknown, displayed scenes from the daily lives of the Yakima Valley farmworker community. The experiences, stories, and perspectives seen in the photos, inspired visitors to share their stories and help document previously undocumented histories.

“The scenes captured through these photos reminded us of the enduring determination that defines the farmworkers’ resilience. Capturing the essence of these resilient farmworkers from 1967 to 1976 created a bridge from the past to the present, where we now reflect on the sacrifices made and the dreams we pursue. Not only did they work in the soil of the fields, but they planted seeds of a better future,” said Haydee Guzman, program coordinator for the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership and the driving force behind the exhibit and events.

The Nash exhibit and series of events was powerful for the ���سԹ� campus, which is the most diverse campus within the WSU system. Approximately 50% of students identify as people of color, with of the majority of those identifying as Hispanic.

“Bringing the Irwin Nash photograph collection to the ���سԹ� campus created an opportunity for us to understand the community we are a part of, the history of our region and, for many of us who are Latino/a/x, to understand our roots. As an extension of the exhibit, we were able to host knowledgeable speakers to educate us, share personal stories, and inspire us to act in compassion and in justice for the predominantly Latino/a/x families who continue to do the toughest jobs that contribute greatly to our region and society,” said Laura Sanchez, director of student services.

In addition to the Nash exhibit, ���سԹ� hosted speakers, films, and writing events that encouraged learning, conversation, and reflection about migrant farmworkers and their contributions to the region.

Speaker Series

Several community leaders who had connections to the photos in the Nash exhibit were invited to speak about migrant farmworker movements, culture, and experiences. These campus events allowed students, staff, faculty, and the community to share their personal experiences in relation to the photos, ask thought-provoking questions, and learn more about migrant farmworkers in the Yakima Valley.

At a community reception, WSU Regent Enrique Cerna shared his personal experiences growing up in a farming family. The reception also brought together several families whose relatives were photographed and displayed in the gallery, establishing personal connections with the art.

Human rights commissioner and lifelong labor activist Lupe Gamboa presented his efforts in labor movements across the Yakima Valley, and how those movements impacted the future of farm labor. He shared a glimpse into the hard work and dedication that the movements required for implementing positive change.

Superior court judge and farmworker labor lawyer Michael Fox spoke with students and staff about his experiences in protests and trials that fought for farmworker labor rights. His dedication to the cause was evident as he spoke about the struggles and successes he faced from a legal perspective.

Film

Two films were shown as an opportunity to provide context to the gallery of photos and help individuals feel comfortable asking questions and participating in conversations about migrant farmworkers and the labor movements.

The first film was a recording of a keynote address celebrating National Farmworkers Awareness Week hosted by the College Assistance Migrant Program at WSU Pullman, titled “Amplifying the Voices of Farmworkers”, which shared the story of Dolores Huerta, a leader in the United for Farmworkers Rights movement. The lunch and learn event encouraged students to view the address and discuss the significance of the individuals that lead the movement and how they related to the people in the photos.

The second film titled “Cesar Chavez” centered around Chavez’s leadership and activism in advocating for farmworkers, and inspiring others to fight for positive change.

Writing

To promote personal reflections on the topics discussed and learned, students and staff were invited to participate in several writing sessions. The participants were encouraged to develop their own understanding of the lives of migrant farmworkers from the displayed photographs and reflect on how they relate to the people around them.

���سԹ� Counseling and Wellness hosted a poem writing session, which allowed participants to utilize a creative outlet for their emotions and thoughts surrounding the topic of migrant farmworkers.

Two reflective writing sessions were also hosted, one for students and one for staff and faculty, which encouraged attendees to express their questions and thoughts in a longer format and think creatively and freely about their personal connections to those in the photographs.

The gallery of Nash’s photography was a meaningful and impactful addition to campus, providing understanding, connection, and conversation surrounding Yakima Valley farmworkers. Though the photos showed a glimpse of the harsh reality for many families, it also displayed the joy and pride of each family and the legacy they passed on to future generations. Many visitors were able to connect emotionally with individuals and scenes in the photos, and some even recognized family members and relatives within them.

“Credit and commendations are in order for WSU and Mr. Irwin Nash,” said Miguel Puente, who spoke at the Irwin Nash community gallery reception about his family’s connection to the photos. “The ‘Rooted: Irwin Nash Photographs of Yakima Valley Farmworkers’ provided a valuable glimpse into the lives of farmworkers. The natural and unscripted scenes captured in black and white are timeless and powerful illustrations of the important contributions and inspiration that farmworkers have always contributed but rarely are recognized for. The collection triggered fond memories and untold stories amongst relatives, friends, and total strangers on the rich history of farmworkers in our region and beyond.”

Joel Aleman, a student at ���سԹ�, described the impactful connection he felt with the photos. “It’s inspiring to be reminded that, despite the hardships that we and our parents and even their parents have gone though, they toiled to get us to where we are now. I’m excited and determined to make sure that I leave a better path for those that come after me.”

Though the gallery was temporary for the ���سԹ� campus, the WSU Libraries Digital Collections will continue to make viewing the photos accessible through their website.

Richland, Wash. – The Washington State University Tri-Cities MOSAIC Center for Student Inclusion, in collaboration with Wavelengths Salon, will hold an LGBTQ+ Panel at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in the East Auditorium on campus and via Zoom. The event will feature a panel of community members across the LGBTQ+ spectrum and allies who will share their experiences and answer questions from the audience.

Learn about the experiences, aspirations and work done by LGBTQ+ members and allies that help make the Tri-Cities a more inclusive environment. Conversations will center around panelists’ sexual and gender identities, the impact of allyship and representation for their own coming out stories, dreams for inclusive and safe spaces in the Tri-Cities and more. Each panelist brings their perspective and relationship to the forefront to create awareness and representation in the community.

Panelists include:

• Faith Gambetty (she/her) – a transgender woman and co-owner of Wavelengths Salon
• Seth Johnson (he/him) – a transgender man
• Cassandra Loomis (she/her) – a parent of a transgender boy
• Luis Madigral (he/him) – a gay Latino therapist
• Pastor Marj (she/her) – a lesbian pastor
• Scott Rogers (he/him) – a straight ally and local attorney
• Gemini Stark (they/them) – a nonbinary hair stylist at Wavelengths Salon

RSVP for in-person attendance at . COVID-19 guidelines and requirements will apply. The Zoom registration link is .

 

���سԹ� ���سԹ�

���سԹ� is located at 2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354. Find campus maps at tricities.wsu.edu/campusmaps.

���سԹ� is located on shared traditional homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. As a leading public research university with a focus on energy, environment and agriculture, ���سԹ� delivers career-connected learning and innovative research that addresses economic and social challenges.

MEDIA CONTACT(S)

Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communication, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu

In line with updated state guidance, the WSU system has announced the implementation of relaxed protocols for accessing and returning to campus.

Face-to-face interaction with our students and each other is the foundation of our effectiveness as an educational institution. Working in community on the ���سԹ� campus provides the best means of supporting our students and each other in the important work we do.

We are, thus, very excited about what this new guidance means for our campus and we look forward to seeing many of you in-person very soon! It’s been a long-time coming, but we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, as evidenced by the new guidelines, below.

Fully in-person classes planned for fall
���سԹ� will offer fully in-person learning this fall. Scheduling will be adjusted for regular classroom capacities and laboratories will move back to their normal capacities.

Admissions applications accepted through summer months
���سԹ� will accept applications for admission for fall 2021 through the summer. Classes begin on Aug. 23. To apply to attend ���سԹ�, visit .

Vaccine requirements
All WSU locations require that individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine to access a university location, however, exemptions will be granted for medical and non-medical reasons. More information will be shared on the exemption process for all employees and for non-WSU Pullman students prior to the start of the fall semester.

Mask requirements
WSU employees who declare themselves fully vaccinated via  are not required to wear masks and socially-distance at WSU locations. Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks and socially-distance while on a campus or worksite. Providing falsified information regarding vaccination status is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment.

Students, contractors, vendors and visitors must be prepared to show proof of vaccination to a relevant unit or department lead when entering a WSU building. Employees who are not unit or department leads should let the unit or department lead know of their concern about someone’s vaccination status, rather than approaching the individual, themselves. Those unable or unwilling to provide proof of vaccination to the unit or department lead are required to wear a mask and socially-distance or leave university property.

Campus tours resume
The ���سԹ� Office of Admission is now scheduling on-campus tours for prospective students and their families. The tours will initially be held mostly outside before slowly transitioning to building interiors as campus facilities are prepared. To schedule a campus tour, visit tricities.wsu.edu/visit.

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) to offer in-person experiences
���سԹ� is planning for in-person experiences as part of SOAR that will take place in July. For more information, contact Ian Jamieson at ian.jamieson@wsu.edu.

Attestation no longer required
Students, employees and visitors who access a WSU location no longer have to attest to their current health status via the official WSU attestation process.

Campus check-in to be used for contact tracing
While attestation is no longer required, ���سԹ� will continue to utilize a campus check-in process for all employees and visitors at the Floyd and CIC entrance kiosks. However, this process will be moving to an online check-in process that departments and individuals can use when visitors come to campus. To meet the state requirements for contact tracing come fall, faculty will be asked and expected to take attendance in their classes. More details will be shared as they are finalized.

Return to in-person work dates
���سԹ� director-level supervisors and above are expected to start working from campus or their respective WSU location no later than July 12.

All other ���سԹ� employees (except faculty) are expected to work from campus or their respective WSU location no later than Aug. 2.

���سԹ� faculty should plan to start working from campus or their respective WSU location beginning on their contracted start date for fall.

Those who have a medical condition impacting their ability to report to in-person work should contact their supervisor and ��������HRS.disabilityservices@wsu.edu or 509-335-4521.

Employees should provide notice when planning to return to help alleviate stress on facilities and IT staff
Those who have not yet returned to work on campus should provide advanced notice to facilities and/or IT if they require help in setting up equipment in their work area. Those who are able to move their items back to their office, themselves, are encouraged to do so. This will help reduce demands on the facilities and IT teams as they try to manage the return to campus needs for all campus members as we get closer to fall.

Return to work plans for units/departments no longer required to be submitted
WSU units and departments are no longer required to submit official return to work plans to ���سԹ� Environmental Health and Safety. A ���سԹ� campus-wide return to campus plan will remain in effect. It is currently being updated by �����dzٳ����մdz������ with latest guidance and will be posted to the ���سԹ� COVID-19 website upon completion: .

Return to work training no longer required
Employees are no longer required to complete the HRS return to workplace training. Rather, they can visit the  for a complete account of current guidance.

Events
All on-campus events should be entered into 25Live for scheduling resources.

Where to find latest up-to-date information
���سԹ� will continue to maintain its COVID-19 web page at . WSU individuals can also access updated information on the WSU system COVID-19 website at .

WSU employees, students and visitors who provide proof of full vaccination will be allowed to forgo face masks and social distancing on all University locations.

The new policy, effective Thursday, follows the latest guidance from Gov. Jay Inslee, the Department of Labor and Industries and the .

The complete guidance is available on the university’s .

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. To find a nearby location where vaccines are available, visit the state’s .

Employees will still have to declare their health status through the  prior to visiting a WSU worksite or campus, though the policy will be re-evaluated in the weeks ahead.

Information about the process for employees to declare their vaccination status, including , is available. Those who work in certain WSU departments or business units, such as childcare and health care services, must continue to wear facial coverings and distance, regardless of vaccination status.

Providing falsified information regarding vaccination status is grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination from employment.

Employees who decline to provide proof of vaccination will still be required to wear a face covering and maintain appropriate social distance from others at a WSU location. Those not wearing masks may still have to provide proof of vaccination prior to entering WSU facilities such as the Student Recreation Center, dining facilities and libraries.

There are several forms of valid proof:

• A CDC vaccination card (which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered)
• A photo of a CDC vaccination card as a separate document or a photo of the attendee’s vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or state immunization information system record
• A hard copy or electronically signed self-attestation from the employee

Students

In-classroom instructors as well as area leads are allowed to verify the vaccination status of unmasked students entering their area or facility. Only supervisors, area leads, in-classroom instructors, or their designees are responsible for oversight of WSU facilities and may verify vaccination status. Students not wearing a mask may also have to provide proof of vaccination prior to entering the Student Recreation Center, dining halls and other university facilities.

Several forms of verification are acceptable:

• A CDC vaccination card (which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered)
• A photo of a CDC vaccination card as a separate document or a photo of the attendee’s vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or state immunization information system record

Students whose vaccination status is unverified will be required to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing.

Students who provide false or misleading information regarding their vaccination status will be referred for action under the standards of conduct for students. Anyone who is not an in-classroom faculty member or area lead who is concerned about someone not wearing a mask or social distancing is asked to contact a supervisor.

Contractors, vendors and visitors

Area leads or their designees are also permitted to verify the vaccination status of contractors, vendors or visitors entering a WSU facility.

Vendors, visitors and contractors must provide valid verification as listed above or don a face mask and maintain appropriate social distancing. Providing false information is grounds for removal from WSU. Only supervisors and area leads or their designees responsible for oversight of WSU facilities may verify vaccination status.

No WSU employee, including supervisors, are permitted to ask for reasons why a student, employee or visitor is or is not vaccinated.

More information on the  is available on its website.

Washington State University, as the state’s land-grant university, has an obligation to serve the public good and promote the health and safety of the communities it serves. The COVID‑19 vaccine, now widely available, has been shown to nearly eliminate the chances of death or serious illness related to a COVID‑19 infection, and is a critical element in protecting public health locally and worldwide.

Vaccine requirements for students

WSU system-wide will require proof of the COVID‑19 vaccination for the 2021–2022 academic year for all students engaging in activities at a WSU campus or location.

Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Information about how to submit proof of vaccination and the process to request an exemption will be provided in the coming months.

Students whose programs are fully online and/or for which an on‑campus/location presence does not occur are automatically exempted from this requirement.

In order to participate in any on‑site or in‑person courses and activities, students at all WSU locations will be expected to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester. Some programs may designate an earlier date for proof of vaccination or an exemption based on when fall semester in‑person activities begin.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, ���سԹ� students will be required to have documented proof of vaccine or an approved exemption. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be prevented from registering for spring semester courses and/or face other restrictions. Students with approved exemptions may be required to participate in regular COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures.

Vaccine requirements for employees

WSU system-wide intends to extend the requirement to all employees and volunteers engaging in activities on a WSU worksite. Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Any employees and volunteers who receive exemptions may be subject to COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures. More information, including how to submit proof of vaccination or an exemption, will be provided in the coming months.

Acceptable vaccines

WSU will accept proof of any vaccine that was authorized for use in the United States at the time of administration. For vaccinations requiring two doses, students and employees must have received both doses of the vaccine to meet the requirement. Proof of vaccination will also be required for anyone with a prior diagnosis of COVID‑19. WSU will work with any international students and employees who may have received a vaccine that is not approved for use in the United States.

The University reserves the right to modify this policy at any time in accordance with changing public health guidance or directives, best practices, and/or university needs.

Additional information about the requirement process will be made available this summer. For employee-related questions, please contact Human Resources Services at hrs@wsu.edu or 509‑335‑4521. For student-related questions and all other inquiries, please email ���DZ�����‑19.���Դڴǰ��ɲ���.����.

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – More than 400 blood drives have been canceled across Washington and Oregon amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are due to schools going online and closing their physical doors, of which make up 20 percent of all blood drives in the United States. Others are due to businesses having to close their doors. That is why student leaders at Washington State University Tri-Cities and university administration pushed to still hold the drive that would help stabilize blood supply for individuals suffering from cancer, health conditions, serious accidents and more.

“While individuals may not be receiving blood for the coronavirus, because of the pandemic, many are canceling their blood drives, which has led to a massive shortage,” said Shana Loomis, account manager with the American Red Cross. “Blood has a short shelf life and requires a constant supply. Every two seconds, someone in the United States is receiving a blood product.”

Categorized as an essential operation, ���سԹ� and the Associated Students of ���سԹ� held the blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross while still following strict social distancing and best practice health and safety measures.

“We felt that it was something important for us to do,” said Robin Kovis, student body president-elect for the Associated Students of ���سԹ�. “Right now, we are experiencing a global pandemic and blood is in large need – even more than usual. Blood has a very short shelf life and a lot of people need it. It is important for people, who are willing and able, to give blood.”

Loomis said WSU really paved the way for showing that blood drives were not only important amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but that it is possible to hold them safely while still maintaining best health and safety practices and social distancing.

“I am grateful to WSU For continuing with the blood drive, as well as their efforts to get the word out to the community,” she said. “Phones were ringing off the hook once the promotion for the drive went out. It shows that organizations can still help to maintain the nation’s blood supply and the health and safety of community members.”

Every time slot for donations were filled Friday by ���سԹ� campus members, community members and those wanting to make an immediate difference amid the pandemic.

Tiffany Jones, a Tri-Cities resident and parent of a former ���سԹ� running start student, said she wanted to contribute something tangible amid COVID-19.

“I think that a lot of people are feeling pretty helpless,” she said. “It is something I could do. My son is able to do it, too, so he wanted to come along. It doesn’t seem like much, but it feels good to give back, even in a small way.”

Her son, Corbyn Jones, gave blood for the first time on Friday.

“It just felt right giving back to my local community,” he said.

Ellie Barber, a ���سԹ� senior psychology major, said she came out to give blood as a healthy able-bodied person, especially given the shortage. She said she heard about the blood drive via an email from ���سԹ�.

“I think it is really important for providing students with access to these situations because not every student knows where the blood donation centers are in Richland or wherever they are from,” she said. “For students, it is better access. I’ve always had a positive experience donating with the Red Cross and I would encourage everybody to donate if they can and if they are healthy.”

���سԹ� administration worked closely with the American Red Cross to identify safety measures that would work best for protecting individuals amid the pandemic. All participants’ temperatures were taken at the door, they were each given a personal vial of hand sanitizer and were instructed to maintain at least six feet apart from other participants at all times. After donating, all stations were sanitized. Those wanting to sign up for drop-ins appointments could also do so at the door, one at a time – their phone numbers were taken on a sign-up sheet and they were called if there was a no-show appointment.

“We are very grateful to WSU for still holding this blood drive,” Loomis said. “When we were having massive amounts of cancelations throughout the Tri-Cities, WSU really stepped up and asked the question of ‘How can we still hold this blood drive and maintain safety?’ They paved the way for other folks in the Tri-Cities to know that they can still hold these blood drives and do so safely.”

Loomis said there will be a need for blood donations for not only weeks, but months.

“It will continue well through the summer,” she said. “We encourage people to donate, if they are healthy and able to do so.”

To find a local donation location and for more information, visit .

By Stephen Nakata, Division of Student Affairs

Washington State University has been selected as a First Forward Institution for its dedication to serving first‑generation college students.

WSU joins the inaugural cohort of 80 universities and colleges across the nation selected by the Center for First‑Generation Student Success, an initiative of the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) and The Suder Foundation.

WSU and the University of Washington are the only institutions in Washington to receive the designation.

“Being named a First Forward institution recognizes the foundational work we have done at WSU to support first‑generation students,” said Lucila Loera, executive director of the Office for Access and Opportunity under the Student Engagement pillar in the Division of Student Affairs. “It also gives us a push to explore where we can go in the future as we continually strive to improve and be innovative in meeting the needs of first‑generation students.”

A community of professionals

Sarah E. Whitley, senior director for the Center for First‑generation Student Success, is pleased to welcome WSU to the inaugural cohort of institutions.

“Through the application process, it was evident that WSU is not only taking steps to serve first‑generation students, but is prepared to make a long‑term commitment and employ strategies for significant scaling and important advances in the future,” Whitley said.

A key benefit of being selected is being able to engage with a broad cohort of peer universities that are willing to consult on challenges and celebrate program successes. Institutions also will be offered professional development that strengthens the campus knowledge base and are encouraged to develop a blog for the Center’s website.

“First Forward is an exciting opportunity for WSU to join an elite community of professionals prepared to share evidence‑based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first‑generation students across the country,” NASPA president Kevin Kruger said. “We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the First Forward cohort and know WSU will be a significant contributor.”

A strong contender

TRIO Student Support Services Program Director Angie Klimko led the preparation of WSU’s application, feeling confident it would be a strong contender.

WSU has been focused on serving first‑generation students for over 20 years through TRIO programs such as Upward Bound, Student Support Services and McNair, along with others like Multicultural Student Service’s Smart Start, College Assistance Migrant Program and First Scholars.

The university has been a leader in experimenting with new and creative ways to help first‑generation students. Examples include having established a living and learning community for first‑generation students called Lead the Legacy, hosting a first‑generation conference to share best practices in serving them, implementing the “I was first, too!” button campaign, and creating the First‑Generation Study Abroad Program, which is sending 25 students to Seville, Spain this summer.

WSU also has a long‑standing partnership with the Suder Foundation, which helped establish the First Scholars Program on the Pullman campus as part of the early cohort of universities. WSU President Kirk Schulz is a member of the board of directors for NASPA’s Center for First‑Generation Student Success.

“I’m thrilled about WSU becoming a First Forward institution,” Klimko said. “While we have served first‑generation students for a while, I think it’s going to bring a lot of innovative ideas to our community and will help create more awareness of this important population.”

Klimko and a member of her team will meet leaders from the other First Forward Institutions at a mandatory workshop on June 15 in Orlando, Florida.

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – Join Washington State University Tri-Cities for an exceptional brunch on Feb. 9 at Anthony’s at Columbia Point in Richland and proceeds will support business education through ���سԹ�’ Carson College of Business.

The Point to Success Fundraising Brunch begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, and costs $100 per person. Individuals may register by visiting .

All proceeds will be dedicated entirely to student support and faculty development to improve business education in the Tri-Cities.

The event features Tim Hanni, Master of Wine and author, who will speak on “Separating Wine Facts from Fancy.” Hanni is the author of “Why You Like the Wines You Like” and has analyzed relationships with wine preferences correlating to a dislike of loud restaurants, an affinity for sushi, a dislike of cilantro, sensitivity to tags in shirts and a mother’s susceptibility to morning sickness.

“You won’t want to miss this informative and amusing presentation to find out why,” said Robert Harrington, ���سԹ� Carson College of Business academic director.

The event also features a wine grab and live auction with a variety of unique packages, of which some include:

• Several night stays at various vacation destinations in the Pacific Northwest
• Gourmet meals and tastings
• A family photo session
• A tour of the U.S.S. Triton with a meal for eight
• A full-day personal tour of vineyards and wineries with two of the state’s leading experts on grape cultivation and winemaking

“Enjoy a gratifying event featuring a distinguished brunch, interact with our talented business students and learn about the future of the Carson College of Business at ���سԹ�,” Harrington said. “What better way to support our local business education than with a fun morning that will delight the senses?”

For more information, visit /ccbbrunch.

By Maegan Murray, ���سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – The authors of a new book focusing on the beginnings of the Hanford Site will hold a public presentation from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the East Auditorium at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Authors Robert Bauman, Robert Franklin, David W. Harvey and Laura Arata recently released the book, “Nowhere to Remember: Hanford, White Bluffs and Richland to 1943,” which chronicles the early days of pre- and post-Hanford towns and the people that were removed to make way for the Hanford Site.

“The Hanford Site has a very interesting and sometimes even unsettling history, but it is important to tell all aspects of that story,” Franklin said. “This book focuses on the origin of that story and the people who were involved in those early towns. It’s a fascinating look into an early story that many people may not know.”

The Hanford Site is home to the world’s first full-scale plutonium production reactor, which was built over the span of a one-year period during World War II in secret. Plutonium produced at the site was used in the first nuclear bomb, which was tested at the Trinity Site in New Mexico, as well as in the Fat Man bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan. During the Cold War, the site expanded to include nine nuclear reactors and five large plutonium processing facilities, which produced plutonium for the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The facility is now being decommissioned and resides as one of the largest nuclear clean-up projects in the world. It is also the home of a commercial nuclear power plant known as the Columbia Generating Station.

In the early stages of the Hanford Site, families were relocated or were required to leave their place of residence in the Hanford area.

“All residents of the towns of White Bluffs and Hanford, and many of the residents of Richland, were required to move,” Bauman said.

The book is the first in a series known as the Hanford Histories that will be published by WSU Press, in association with ���سԹ�’ Hanford History Project. Other volumes are currently in the works, of which some of the topics will focus on science and the environment, race and diversity, constructing Hanford, the Manhattan Project and its legacies and an illustrated history of Hanford.

Copies of “Nowhere to Remember: Hanford, White Bluffs and Richland to 1943” may be purchased at the event with cash or check for $25. Or, they may be purchased online at the website. Authors will also be available both before and after the presentation to sign copies.