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Summer 2024

History of University

Map of Washington state with WSU campuses marked with flags
Summer 2020

Fun facts and stories from the campuses

Looking at three decades of Washington State University at Vancouver, Tri-Cities, and Spokane yielded some pretty interesting facts about the campuses.

Read three stories from the three campuses.

WSU Vancouver

It’s… Alive!
In 1993, WSU Vancouver was.one of the first institutions in the country to use interactive electronic classrooms (classes simulcast via video).

Home, Sweet Recreation Home
The sole remnant of the campus’s previous life as a family-run dairy farm is a small brick farmhouse, known today as the Annex, home to the Recreation Program.

Doctors in the House
Fall 2019 is the first time WSU medical students … » More …

Where were you logo with Mount St. Helens in background
Summer 2020

“It was raining ash”

The angry-looking ash cloud billowing above Mount St. Helens is one of the most iconic images in state history.

And it is etched in our collective memory.

Those living in the state of Washington at the time of the May 18, 1980, eruption all have a where-were-you-when-it-blew moment. Here are some of them.

 

Don Swanson

Volcanologist Don Swanson (’60 Geology) agreed to man the mountain’s forward observation post for a few days to replace a geologist who needed to travel out of town. But Swanson himself needed a replacement for a night—that night.

David A. Johnston, a younger U.S. Geological Survey colleague, agreed … » More …

Where were you logo with Mount St. Helens in background
Summer 2020

Reader memories of Mount St. Helens

Washington State Magazine asked readers to share their memories of the eruption of Mount St. Helens 40 years ago. Here are their recollections of that fateful day.

 

Long drive home

For whatever reason, we decided that May 18, 1980, was an excellent day to leave campus and go to the motocross races in Clarkia, Idaho. We were watching the races when a large, ominous thunderstorm appeared over the ridge. As we got ready to head for the cars to avoid the rain, it started to snow. Except it wasn’t snow. We hopped into the car and started the long drive back to Pullman. The … » More …