Summer 2004
Gallery: Short Shakespeareans
Photographs by Don Seabrook
WSM Summer 2004
Summer 2004
Short Story: Where the Lilacs Grow
From On Her Way: Stories and Poems About Growing Up Girl, edited by Sandy Asher (New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2004). Reprinted by permission of the publisher.
Sister Paris’s roses smelled like poison. My nose was just inches away from an orange Tropicana as big as Kenny Royal’s fist, and all I could smell were chemicals. Not even a whiff of tea rose. Nana’s roses had always smelled like roses-all luscious and sweet, almost ticklish. They’d grown in curved rows along the south side of the house, where the sunshine warmed away the dew and dried up the black spot that ate away at … » More …
Summer 2004
New digs fo plant scientists
The corner of Stadium Way and Wilson Road (across the street from French Ad) is looking more downtown with the ongoing construction of the Plant Biosciences Building. Campus leaders have high hopes for the research potential the $239-million, 93,000-square-foot building represents. And this is just Phase 1 of a planned biotechnology research and education complex clustered around Johnson Hall. The new building will house 30 research laboratories on the top three floors and four teaching labs on the ground floor. About one-third of those labs will go to USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists.
Summer 2004
Patterson enjoyed best of both worlds as alumni director, state legislator
Eugene G. “Pat” Patterson always thought there was something special about the loyalty of Washington State University alumni. Analyzing that phenomenon, he concluded the University’s location, traditions, and residential campus, which provided the opportunity for a 24-hour student experience, were key factors in developing those fierce loyalties.
A Pullman native and WSU graduate himself (’46 Political Science), Patterson served as alumni director at his alma mater for 26 years. When he stepped down in 1978, he said, “Working in a college environment has to be one of the most gratifying experiences one could ever have. Young people with new and differing ideas presented different challenges.”
… » More …
Summer 2004
Harrison National Public Radio pioneer
Whether plinking on the piano or pounding out scripts for public radio on his manual typewriter, Burton D. “Burt” Harrison enjoyed life to the fullest. During 27 years on the Washington State University communications faculty, including 17 as manager of KWSU Radio, he figured significantly in the formation and development of public broadcasting. Moreover, he exerted a positive influence on scores of students pursuing careers in broadcast journalism.
Harrison, 87, died January 22, 2004, in Centralia. Dee, his wife of 63 years, preceded him September 4, 2003.
To help finance his education at Kansas State Teachers College, the Atchison native played honky-tonk piano in nightclubs … » More …
Summer 2004
Arlington National Cemetery hallowed ground for Carson
Rarely do people have their work viewed by U.S. presidents, congressmen, and millions of tourists. But that’s the kind of scrutiny Kent Carson encounters. He is construction engineer at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C.
The cemetery accommodates four million visitors annually. “It’s exciting to know that decisions you make will impact hundreds of people every day,” he says.
His work at ANC has included historic preservation of the white marble structures and monuments, as well as renovation of the granite plazas at the John F. Kennedy gravesite. Current projects include developing 45 acres for burial sites that will last into 2050, and a $6 … » More …
Summer 2004
Toys, Games, and Unique Gifts: Entrepreneurial spirit drives Edmistons
Two niche markets-toys/games and a Web site for gifts-have taken husband-and-wife entrepreneurs into new territories.
Steve Edmiston is president of Seattle’s Front Porch Classics. The company creates retro-feel toys and games. Melody Wickline Edmiston has created a Web-based consumer retail site specializing in high-quality and hard-to-find gift ideas. The couple lives in Des Moines. Both are Washington State University alumni.
Before joining the game company, Steve had created a Dread Pirate game as a Christmas gift for their daughters, 12 and 8. The game eventually developed into one of Front Porch Classics’ leading products.
Melody (’84 Bus. Adm.) watched the marketing of that game, later … » More …
Summer 2004
Antique dealer can't ignore a bargain
I enjoy meeting people, doing things to feel the pulse of what’s going on in the world.”—Anita Busek ’49
The rumble of a passing train tells you that All Aboard Antique Co. in Puyallup is no ordinary antique shop. The store is located 12 feet from train tracks, looks like a red caboose on the outside, and has railroad items displayed throughout.
The trains shake the whole building. “No picture hangs straight for long, “says Anita Busek, 76, with a laugh. She’s one of three owners.
Perhaps it’s fitting that Busek went to college in a town named after George Pullman, inventor of the … » More …
Summer 2004
Among old friends in Lahore
WSU has long-standing ties to Pakistan
M. “Ghazi” Ghazanfar (front row center, red tie) is among friends, many of them Washington State University or University of Idaho alumni. (See caption below.) In December 2003 he was invited to Pakistan to lecture at a seminar hosted by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore. He formerly lived in Karachi for nearly 11 years. In 1958 he enrolled at WSU as a freshman, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as a doctorate in economics. He taught for 35 years at Idaho, where he chaired the economics department from 1993 … » More …
Summer 2004