Three graduate student researchers were hired over summer 2020 to record the lives, feats, and deaths of fallen Cougars from the Pacific Theater in World War II.
And, a recent graduate has volunteered to help with research through the end of the year.
Here are their own stories.
Samantha “Sam” Edgerton Her interest in World War II started in childhood. Three of Samantha “Sam” Edgerton’s grandparents had connections to conflict, and she wanted to know more.
Her maternal grandfather served in the North Africa and Sicily campaigns with the United States Army. Her paternal grandfather, a first-generation Mexican-American, worked as a barber for the United States Navy, joining in 1944. And her maternal grandmother worked at Camp Atterbury … » More …
It’s just a small part of the transcript. But it’s stuck with Washington State University archivist Mark O’English.
He’s listened to dozens of hours of the tapes. And Helen McGreevy’s short discussion of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic and her beloved George at Washington State College always gives him pause.
“There’s just something in her voice when she talks about him,” he says.
McGreevy was 77 in 1978 when she was interviewed for the Whitman County Historical Society’s oral history project.
She talks about her beau George like this: “One young man that I had gone with quite a bit, the young (Wieber) boy, had the flu and died … » More …
The Fallen Cougars Project memorializes soldiers and others with ties to Washington State University who gave their lives for the nation during World War II. It is a collaborative effort of WSU Department of History students and faculty.
After World War II at Washington State College and other institutions, wives were honored for work outside the classroom, from earning money to support their households to caring for their young children. The practice dwindled and disappeared with changing times and gender roles. » More ...
Butch T. Cougar is a WSU celebrity, in the spotlight at games, rallies, parades, and other events both on campus and off, including appearances at elementary schools and the wedding receptions of die-hard alumni.
Here is that legendary icon throughout all his (or her) costumed years at WSU…
Meet some of the people behind the mask of WSU’s iconic mascot.
Dean N. Grevé
Dean N. Grevé (’81 Comm.) is credited with creating the character’s signature swagger. As the first student dedicated to playing the role, he’s referred to as the Butch godfather—or “furfather”—and beginning of the lineage. “I was the first full-time Butch,” he says. “I always will be. I’m very proud of that.” Dean N. Grevé
Grevé portrayed Butch from 1979 to 1981, his junior and … » More …
When I started my career at WSU in the fall of 1969, I knew I wanted to be a biologist. My all-girl high school had an excellent science program. I spent the summer of ’69 working at the WSU Extension Center in Puyallup raising house flies and counting bark beetles in entomology.
My assigned advisor was in the zoology department. Apparently, he was pretty famous. His first question to me was, “Are you going into this professionally, or do you plan to get married?” Although I was a pretty timid 18-year-old, I stared at him and … » More …
Dean N. Grevé