Summer 2026
Margaret Viebrock
Viebrock has led classes as a Washington State University Extension instructor for 55 years. » More ...
Staff
Summer 2026
Secret Spokane: Q&A with Adriana Janovich
Washington State Magazine associate editor Adriana Janovich has written a book about curious and quirky Spokane spots. Secret Spokane: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure was released in spring 2026 by Reedy Press. Part bucket list and part travel guide, it provides snapshots of 84 interesting places to see in the Lilac City. Here, Washington State Magazine uncovers some of the secrets of Secret Spokane.
What inspired you to write Secret Spokane?
Secret Spokane is my second book with Reedy Press. … » More …
Fall 2025
My best and toughest journalism professors at WSU
Written by Pat Caraher (’62 Soc. Sci., ’66 Comm.) in 2009. Read a remembrance of Caraher in the Fall 2025 magazine.
Without a doubt the best years of my life so far were spent at Washington State University—11 semesters as a student and 35 bonus years as an employee.
My best professors were the most demanding. The journalism program in the ’60s seemed to have a corner on them—Charles O. Cole, Maynard Hicks and Tom Heuterman. Each taught for three decades or more at WSU. Two others in communications also left their mark on me—Bob Mott and Bill Hall.
It’s been a … » More …
Summer 2023
Richard B. “Dick” Fry
The WSU communicator and storyteller of sports turned 100. » More ...
Summer 2023
WSU stories by and about Dick Fry on his 100th birthday
Richard B. “Dick” Fry devoted 70 years of his life, good humor, and storytelling skills to Washington State University. The Coug legend turned 100 on February 12, 2023.
Fry was WSU’s sports information director from 1957 to 1970, the university’s director of news and information services until 1985, and author of the definitive book on Cougar sports, The Crimson and the Gray: 100 Years with the WSU Cougars. He continued to write stories for Cougar football game-day programs well into the 2000s.
Here are some stories about Fry and a few of the stories he wrote about WSU sports.
Spring 2022
The cheesemaker
“When I get introduced to people for the first time and I tell them I make Cougar Gold cheese, they don’t believe me,” says Sarah Beale, head cheesemaker at WSU Creamery. “It’s kind of fun. Especially locally, everyone knows Cougar Gold.”
Beale has managed WSU’s day-to-day cheese-making operations for three years. One of the most difficult parts of the job: training and scheduling the approximately 40 student employees.
“Scheduling is crazy,” Beale says. “If we’re doing a double-batch day, a cheesemaker and pasteurizer need to be here by 3:45 a.m. on Mondays and 4:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The rest come in … » More …
Summer 2021
Paul Johnson remembered
Paul Johnson was an instructional supervisor in the Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology at Washington State University, where he spent 36 years overseeing the Worthman Anatomy Teaching Museum while also creating display specimens. He passed away peacefully at his home on November 14, 2020.
Browse a gallery of PJ and his time at WSU, and read the memories from a few of the many veterinary medicine students he helped over the years.
Photos courtesy WSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Memories of PJ
Veterinary students share their memories of Johnson over the years…
Kyle Frandle … » More …
Summer 2017
Robert Smawley 1928–2017
Bob Smawley, “Mr. WSU,” embodied what it meant to be a Cougar for generations of Washington State University students, staff, and alumni, through his selfless service to the University, his caring nature, and his deep knowledge of WSU history, all delivered with a dry sense of humor and true compassion.
For over six decades, Smawley worked under six WSU presidents in several departments, volunteered and led in the Alumni Association, taught many the history of WSU through engaging slideshows, and mentored thousands of students.
“He was the heart of WSU,” says Malia Martine Karlinsky ’92. “Bob had a magical way of making you feel … » More …
Summer 2017
Gallery: The Life and times of Bob Smawley
For over 60 years, Bob Smawley was “Mr. WSU” as he served as a volunteer and staff member at Washington State University, mentored thousands of students, and shared his life with his community of Pullman as well as his family.
Spring 2017
Dan Maher ’78
Everywhere you go on the Palouse, there’s Dan Maher ’78. He’s playing at the Co-op in Moscow, the farmers’ markets in Pullman and Moscow, on Terrell Mall on the WSU campus—if there’s acoustic live music, Dan Maher, his guitar, and his guide dog can’t be far.
But, says Maher, the music scene is nothing like what it once was. “When I was a student here in the early ’70s there was a guitar every 30 feet. Everybody played guitar! We used to go to the basement of the K-House and jam every night.”
Even if you’ve never seen Maher play live, you may have … » More …