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Notable Alumni

Butch Cougar in front of screens
Spring 2021

What to watch: Movies and TV shows with WSU alumni and staff

Stories connect and comfort us. They let us into the hearts and minds of others, and entertain, enchant, and teach us. They give us new and different ways to see the world—and maybe even cope with it.

Stories­ have the potential to pull us out of ourselves and into other—even imaginary—realms. They transport us. They offer us hope and understanding, distraction and escape. They make us laugh. They make us cry. They make us wonder.

That’s the power of storytelling, not only during a pandemic or crisis but anytime. These days, though, while we are spending more time at home to help fight the spread … » More …

Spring 2021

Kelsey’s podcast picks

What’s comedian and podcaster Kelsey Cook (’11 Comm.) listening to, and watching, during the COVID-19 pandemic? Here’s her list:

Middle of Somewhere—My favorite comedy podcast is hosted by two incredible comedians: Chad Daniels and Cy Amundson. Start from the beginning, and you’ll be hooked immediately.

Timesuck Podcast—This podcast is so hilarious and informative. Dan Cummins is one of my favorite comics and does a deep dive into everything from historical figures to serial killers to cults.

Approachable—We tell listeners of our podcast Self-Helpless that they’d likely be fans of … » More …

Scene for Rogue Warfare: The Hunt with soldier helping his wounded comrade
Spring 2021

Q&A with Andrew DeCesare

Get to know more about Andrew DeCesare, his work on the Rogue Warfare trilogy, and breaking into the movie business.

How did the trilogy come about?

We started talking about the concept in 2016. Originally, it was five films. We chose a terror threat and tried to play with the story and make people think about current events. The concept of a global special forces team upped its sales value. Really, this movie had seven leads instead of one or two like typical films. Our goal was to prove to ourselves that we know what we’re doing, we know what we’re talking … » More …

Taryn Daly giving the rock hand signs
Winter 2020

More time with Taryn

Taryn Daly (’07 Comm.) is the weeknight deejay at 99.9 KISW “The Rock of Seattle.”

She’s known for her on-air energy and enthusiasm as well as love of Rush, local India Pale Ales, and girl-next-door vibe.

Get to know her better.

Here, she shares some of her favorite IPAs, bands, interviews, and Sunday tradition, including her recipe for Swedish pancakes.

 

Five most favorite IPAs right now

Crikey IPA from Reuben’s Brews
Lucille from Georgetown Brewing
Bastard Kat from Kulshan Brewing
Topcutter from Bale Breaker
Jackass from Skookum Brewery

Four favorite recent interviews

David Draiman of Distributed
» More …

Butchmen spelled out by crowd for WSU football game
Winter 2020

Butchmen memories

They got Butch where the cougar needed to be: on the field for football games.

Some forty years after Washington State University ended the tradition of a live cougar mascot and the Butchmen disbanded, alumni share memories of the spirit group.

 

Al Kirkpatrick 
“Our job was to get the cougar to the football games and then, after we would score a touchdown or field goal, we would take him around the track,” recalls retired Colfax dentist Al Kirkpatrick (’75 Zool.), a member of the Butchmen for three years.

One time, he and his fellow Butchmen simply couldn’t get the cougar out of his cage and into its trailer. “We were the ones … » More …

Pedro Castro point of view on a motorcycle riding on a highway
Winter 2020

Exploring Baja California

A longtime motorcycle enthusiast, Pedro Castro (’92, MS Arch.), owner of Magellan Architects in Redmond—who calls himself Magellan’s “Chief Explorer Officer”— enjoys planning long rides.

He recently rode from Tijuana through Baja California with his sons, Lucas and Peter, a videographer who documented the adventure in a YouTube series.

Watch the first six episodes here, and read about Castro’s support of women and underrepresented architects.

Baja Bound Day 1: Adios Amigos

Baja Bound Day 2: Ensenadaway

Baja Bound Day 3: Mike’s Sky Rancho

Baja Bound Day 4: Nada

Baja Bound Day 5: Coco’s Corner

Baja Bound Day 6: Otro Lado