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Summer 2026

History of University

Small cropped thumbnail of a close-up photograph showing an older adult against a dark background.
Summer 2026

Robert Redford’s travels on the Palouse

Robert Redford’s trip to Washington State University and eastern Washington in October 1982 was memorable—and not only for his insights into environmental issues to students.

Redford was visiting as part of the launch of the Institute for Resource Management, a joint effort with the University of Idaho. But on a tour, the group’s bus caught on fire and brought some unwanted drama.

Browse a photo gallery and read a WSU student’s story of the trip below.

All photos from WSU Chinook 1983 yearbook

 

 

Leslie (English) Hynes (’84 Comm.) wrote an account of Redford’s visit for the 1983 Chinook yearbook:

 

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Memories of Kruegel-McAllister Halls

Kruegel and McAllister Halls, with a connecting lounge space (informally called KMac, or K-Mac) were built in 1956 and used initially as residence halls. They were on the south side of the Washington State University Pullman campus, off of Stadium Way.

The buildings were named for Dean Charles E. McAllister (former President of the Board of Regents) and William C. Kruegel (Bursar of the College, instrumental in financing the Pullman Community Building Company, a nonprofit corporation set up to build WSC residence halls). The halls were jointly dedicated with Neill Hall on April 28, 1957.

The dormitories housed 207 students each. Designed by architects … » More …

Fall 2025

Fortnightly memories

Hear from members of the Pullman Fortnightly Club in their own words. These memories are excerpted from “Reminisces of Members,” compiled for the 110th anniversary dinner in 2003, unless otherwise noted.

Hattie Bryan

Joined in 1893

From her speech titled “On the History of the Founding of the Fortnightly Club,” delivered November 23, 1908, for the club’s 15th anniversary

“I remember the day we landed in the village at the old Northern Pacific station … Raining! I think I never saw it rain harder, and mud! How the struggling horses ever managed to get us through it, up to our rental home, on ‘Sunnyside’ … … » More …

Marble bust of a woman in a library
Fall 2025

A long history of Pullman women’s literary clubs

Women’s clubs gained momentum in America from the 1870s to the 1920s. Back then, smart, curious, and ambitious women found few other places to shape and display their talents outside of their own homes. Education and career opportunities were few and far between. For many, charitable work, particularly through church, was the only other outlet.

The format and formality of women’s club boosted their association with like-minded ladies. Some groups focused on studies: literature, history, geography. Others worked on service and reform, supporting the Red Cross and troops during World War I and II, launching scholarships for girls, organizing free milk clinics … » More …