Skip to main content Skip to navigation

History of University

A crowd in a coliseum with blue and red lighting
Winter 2023

Memories of Beasley Coliseum

Beasley Coliseum was completed in 1973 for $8 million. To celebrate its fiftieth year, Washington State Magazine asked readers to share their favorite memories of the iconic event space via email and Facebook.

 

Wes Morrill
Grew up on College Hill in Pullman
(I remember) the hill that was there with married student housing, and we would ski down the backside across to the golf course to ski on the old No. 9 hole circa 1953 or so.

Beverly Brantner
Retired staff, former parent
Summer 1970. Scale model of the upcoming coliseum in the Johnson Hall main entrance atrium … » More …

Fall 2023

Celebrating Master Gardeners’ 50 years

Master Gardeners started at Washington State University 50 years ago.

Watch videos from Master Gardeners and WSU commemorating this anniversary of the volunteer gardening program with such an impact. (Videos produced by the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences)

 

Seeds of a Movement

 

Making a Difference in Today’s World

 

Looking Ahead to Vibrant Future

Dick Fry with radio equipment in black and white photo
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.

 

Happy … » More …

Old crew shell from WSU hangs from ceiling
Summer 2023

Resurrecting the remnants

It might sound odd but the Winlock W. Miller and the 101 were sisters. They died together, on the same day, at Almota.

In early 1971, University of Washington head rowing coach Dick Erickson provided the newly formed Cougar Crew with two used Husky shells on a long-term loan. The Miller and the 101 didn’t row on the Snake River until December 4 that year. Just 37 days later, they were gone.

The second week of January 1972, winds on campus reached 75 mph. Gusts of 150 mph were recorded at Pasco. The recently built Almota shellhouse was designed to sustain winds … » More …