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Summer 2024

Alumni

Reanne L. Nakapa’ahu with a ukulele
Spring 2024

Keeping the beat: Q&A with former Cougar Marching Band drum major Reanne Nakapa’ahu

Reanne L. Nakapa’ahu (’14 Music Ed.) was a member of the Cougar Marching Band drumline from fall 2009 to spring 2011, when she became drum major. She held that leadership position until she graduated in spring 2014. Here, she answers some questions about her time with CMB.

What instrument did you play?

I played tenors on the drumline and was also a drum major for three years.

How many years were you in CMB?

Five years.

Were you in band in high school or middle school, too?

Yes! I started my music and journey in 2003 at King Intermediate School in Kaneohe, Hawai’i I … » More …

WSU motorcycle license plate
Summer 2024

License to Coug

It’s one of the ways to say “Go Cougs!” without saying “Go Cougs!”

It’s also a means of supporting students through scholarships, recognizing fellow Washington State University alumni and fans on the road, and showing Cougar pride.

More than 23,000 crimson Cougar license plates travel Washington roadways—more than double any other university in the state. (Take that, Huskies.)

One of the best things about that high number—besides outdoing the Dawgs—is $28 from each WSU license plate supports student scholarships. Last year, that meant more than $640,000.

To celebrate, Washington State Magazine asked holders of Coug license plates to share the stories behind and photos … » More …

WSU Sociology 100 years of excellence logo
Summer 2024

A century of WSU sociology

Gang dynamics, effective surveys, rural communities, families, environmental issues—Washington State University’s sociology department explored these societal topics and many others over the last 100 years. The department always kept an eye on the university’s mission to connect research with people and communities across the state.

Fred Yoder was appointed as the first sociologist at Washington State College in 1920 and became the chair of the Sociology Department in 1928. Since then, the department has been a national and international leader in sociological research and undergraduate and graduate education. Many students have gone on to successful careers as academic sociologists, … » More …

Henry Rono running for Washington State University
Summer 2024

Video: Henry Rono on the move

Henry Rono was one of the greatest athletes to run at Washington State University.

A record-breaking runner in multiple distances and events, Rono (’81 Gen. Stu., ’83 Psych.) died February 15, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 72.

Watch some of his amazing runs below and read more about the Kenyan star.

 

Henry Rono’s Greatest Year In Athletics

Video Running BroScientist

 

Henry Rono 3000 m Steeplechase, 1978 Commonwealth Games

Video AthletixStuffChannel

 

Henry Rono 3000 Metres World Record 27th June 1978

Video Prentis Hancock

 

Henry Rono 10000m 1981,Brussels

Video AthletixStuffChannel

 

Kenya Mourns the Passing of World Champion Henry Rono

… » More …

Molly Philopant
Summer 2024

Traveling with a Coug

After graduating from Washington State University, Molly (Malone) Philopant (’76 Busi.) became a certified public accountant and spent 36 years in Spokane, 10 years as an auditor for an accounting firm and the rest in financial management with various nonprofit organizations.

Molly Philopant

She’s been traveling with WSU Alumni Association—to the Italian Riviera, Cuba, Iceland, Croatia, and more—since 2010. Here, she talks about her experiences and future travel plans.

 

How did you learn about WSUAA travel experiences?

If I remember correctly, I … » More …