Andrea Blair Cirignano '05

Fall 2005

Bringing couture to campus

The annual Mom’s Weekend fashion show last spring featured the work of 13 Washington State University student designers. It was an impressive display, considering that it was the first time many of the young designers had created a multi-piece collection.

Not so for Beth Hearnesberger (’05 AMDT), who was participating in the show for the second time. This year, she received one of the “Best of Show” Mollie Pepper Outstanding Student Designer Awards. Like many of her classmates, Hearnesberger traded sleep for sewing to prepare her collection. She even hand dyed the fabrics for her dresses.

The brief fashion show is the culmination of a … » More …

Summer 2005

University buys Adams Mall

In 1909 it opened as a schoolhouse and became the center of the College Hill community. In the ’80s it was made into a shopping center for retail and restaurants and a hot night spot at the heart of the Greek system. And this summer, Adams Mall will go through another transformation.

Washington State University recently bought the two-story brick building for $1.5 million and has retained Corporate Pointe Developers to redesign the site and manage it for the next 30 years.

“It’s part of the College Hill revitalization project,” says Mel Taylor, WSU’s director of special projects. For several years, the University has been … » More …

Spring 2005

Meeting the Challenge

I stand atop the steel pole and take a few deep breaths. There is nothing to hold onto, and balance is key.

Then I jump.

The ropes catch me before I can even recover my breath.

I’ve done it. I’ve completed the Cougar Perch, the hardest part of the Challenge Course at Washington State University.

I agreed to navigate the Challenge Course and convinced my roommate, Bryn, to come along. But when we showed up and saw the huge structure behind the Student Recreation Center, I almost changed my mind. After staring at the ropes and tall metal poles for a few minutes, we forced … » More …

Spring 2005

Student engineers learn by doing

In Mechanical Systems Design, a course required for graduation, mechanical engineering students at Washington State University complete real projects for real companies. Last fall, project sponsors included Sterling Technology and Siltronic Corporation. Previous sponsors have included British Petroleum, the Grand Coulee Dam, Bechtel Corporation, and the U.S. Army. In the past 10 years, about 90 projects have been completed in the design clinic.

When Associate Professor Charles Pezeshki created the clinic, he decided the students would complete tasks for companies free of charge. But he soon found that no one took the class seriously in the absence of fees for services. Neither students, professors, nor … » More …