Search Results

Fall 2022

Radio Days

Hear from alumni who worked at KWSC or, after its call letters changed, KWSU, the flagship station of Northwest Public Broadcasting’s National Public Radio News network.

The non-commercial radio station is licensed to Washington State University in Pullman. While the frequencies, reach, call letters, and approach to programming have all changed since its inception in 1922, WSU’s radio station has been broadcasting for 100 years this year.

‘What a fun time’

In 1995 to 1996, I—along with Brian T. Perkins (’98 Comm.), Jeff Kirsch (’98 Comm.), Randy Goode (’97 Comm.), Michelle Memmel (’95 Busi. Admin, Comm.), Darren Fessenden (’99 Comm.), Jason … » More …

Sueann Ramella smiles next to vintage microphone

Fall 2022

Voices of Northwest Public Broadcasting

In celebration of 100 years of broadcasting at Washington State University, Northwest Public Broadcasting staffers discuss their work, its impact, and more.

Becoming a fully forged broadcaster

By Sueann Ramella ’00 Comm.

Program director

Reflecting back, the most defining moments of my education came from my time at Northwest Public Radio, now Northwest Public Broadcasting.

In the late 1990s, radio was live 24/7. New recruits were asked to staff the overnight shifts. I’d leave my Bookie Café job at 7:45 pm to start my overnight at NWPB. The Morning Edition host would relieve me at 4 am. Then, as now, students … » More …

Marcus Lathan holds hands with Katie Thurston on the set of The Bachelorette

Fall 2022

Reality round-up

On reality TV, you can be a Survivor, Top Chef, or The Biggest Loser.

You can Say Yes to the Dress, go Below Deck, learn What Not to Wear, get Punk’d or Chopped, and hang out with an eligible Bachelor in Paradise while Keeping up with the Kardashians or Making the Cut in Laguna Beach, The Hills, or The Real World.

Reality TV lets us focus on other people’s drama, distracting us from the routine or disorder of our own daily lives and proving, yet again, that truth is often stranger than fiction. It’s a guilty pleasure—being Alone or Naked and Afraid, hanging out … » More …

Fall 2022

Q&A with Alex Kuo

Where did the idea for Cadenzas come from? What inspired you to write it? And how long did it take?

Four years ago at the age of 79 and aware of how much background work my previous novels have demanded, I was pretty sure that this one, Cadenzas, would be my last novel. Add to that my recollection of what the Palestinian writer Edward Said thought, that the last novel an author writes is usually the one that they’ve always wanted to write, I thought this was it, this was most likely going to be my last one.

I spent several months … » More …

Fall 2022

Q&A with Margaret France

Margaret France (’02 MA English) wrote the book on Bob’s Burgers.

Here, she talks about the show’s beloved characters, her favorite season, her top ten reasons to love Bob’s Burgers, and more.

What are your top 10 reasons to love Bob’s Burgers?

Its characters are weird and sad, but the show posits that they are still worthy of love, a message I appreciate hearing on a regular basis.
Routinely excellent original songs.
The shifting dynamic between family as employees and family as family.
A fancy toilet speaks like Jon Hamm.
The siblings act like siblings.
Young … » More …

Fall 2022

Reflection: On 50 years of Title IX and the state’s equal rights amendment

Four years after Title IX was enacted, I headed off to WSU, hoping to study journalism and run track. At that point, I hadn’t even heard of Title IX, the landmark legislation that codified gender equity in education, though it probably played a role in my high-school sports career. It may be why the cross-country coach had to let a few of us girls turn out with the boys’ team—because we didn’t have one of our own.

I barely remember how I found my way onto the track team. In my memory, I saw a notice on a bulletin board and showed up for the … » More …

Edmund and Beatriz Schweitzer stand in front of a Washington State University and SEL backdrop

Fall 2022

A partnership for future engineers

SEL, Ed and Beatriz Schweitzer make a transformational gift to Washington State University engineering. » More ...

Podcasts Archive

Viewscapes Archive

from Washington State Magazine

Visit the Viewscapes page

Stories from Washington State Magazine—connecting you to Washington State University, the state, and the world. We’ll take you into the lives, research, and experiences of the WSU community, where Cougs from all over talk with us about everything from new ideas and fascinating memories to books and food.

» More …

Summer 2022

Q&A with Blanca Blanco

Actress and model Blanca Blanco (’03 Psych.) recently released Breaking the Mold, a memoir she wrote during the pandemic lockdown.

And, at the end of April, Blanco was the keynote speaker at La Alianza de WSU Alumni Weekend and Gala in Pullman.

Here, she talks about growing up in Chelan, breaking into the TV and movie industry, escaping the 2018 Woolsey Fire, and more…

You were born in California, moved to Mexico at a young age, then returned to the US, arriving in Washington state at age 9. What are some of your earliest memories of growing up in Chelan? It was … » More …

Summer 2022

Q&A with Larkin Campbell aka “Coach Shane” on The Office

Larkin Campbell (’91 Comm.) details his struggles and successes as an undiscovered actor in Los Angeles in his new memoir A View from the Middle. Here he talks about his time at WSU, writing his book, trying to land parts, and more.

What led you to write your book? Most of my friends down here are actors and directors and people that have worked in the business. And we were sitting around telling stories one night, and I told, I guess, one really good one. Or maybe I was funny that night. I don’t know what happened. But my friend who is a published … » More …