Spring 2023
The biggest reunion
In 2023, the WSU Alumni Association will host a record-breaking number of class reunions. » More ...
Reunions
Spring 2019
TalkBack for Spring 2019
Letters from Washington State University alumni on Stephenson Hall reunions and campus changes for women in the 1960s » More ...
Winter 2018
Once upon a time in Stephenson South
In 1972, the tenth floor of the Stephenson South residence hall housed seven strangers. The stranger part didn’t last, as they soon became fast friends and poker buddies.
Today, those seven friends still meet and play cards, and have done so for the past 36 years.
“We just immediately bonded,” says Marc Anderson ’76.
Anderson was a sophomore when he lived in Stephenson while the rest of the group were freshmen. The friends hailed from all over Washington: Tonasket, Gig Harbor, Forks, Oak Harbor, and Seattle.
Most of the group still lives in the state while one is in Idaho and another in California. … » More …
Fall 2018
Cougar rendezvous in Lahore, Pakistan
Recently I briefly visited Pakistan, one reason being to deliver a keynote address at the Global Forum on Islamic Economics in February—sponsored by the University of Management and Technology in Lahore—on “Economic Thought of Early Islamic Scholars and Impact on Western Scholarship.”
During the visit, on February 25, 2018, some friends arranged a memorable luncheon rendezvous with several Pakistani Cougars (and a couple of Vandals). There was nostalgic sharing of wonderful memories from their Palouse days.
Washington State University has had long-standing academic links with Pakistan that began in the 1950s when, under the leadership of President C. Clement French, WSU established an Inter-College Exchange … » More …
Spring 2018
What a time it was
One by one, they share memories of curfews, 42-cent dinner dates at the CUB, the JFK assassination, and the birth of women’s lib. A few regale listeners with the infamous tale of the 1964 “Pot Push,” which had nothing to do with cannabis.
These are just a sample of the treats recorded at the recent Diamond and Golden Grads digital storytelling workshops, led by Washington State University English instructor and former assistant director of the Digital Technology and Culture program Rebecca Goodrich.
The workshops, held at the Lewis Alumni Centre during the Diamond and Golden reunions, are available to visiting 50- and … » More …
Spring 2018
Stories from 1965 Golden grads
Listen to stories from WSU alumni who came back to Pullman in 2015 for the 1965 Golden and 1955 Diamond reunions. You can also listen to more stories from 2015, or read stories from the 2017 reunions.
David Warren ’65
Peg (Hayden) Motley ’65
Jerry McFarlane ’65
Becky (Wilkie) Gates ’65
Spring 2016
Still Cougs after all these years
Golden and Diamond grads back in Pullman
WSU may have transformed a lot since 1955, or even 1965, but the camaraderie of graduates from those years hadn’t changed a bit.
One of the largest groups of golden and diamond alumni in years gathered late last October at the Lewis Alumni Centre, where they joined their old friends from 50 or more years ago. Gerry Danquist ’65 thought it was great to see so many fellow pharmacy students.
“We have about half the class of 26 pharmacy graduates here,” says Danquist. He traveled from Indianapolis, where he retired after getting his MBA from Harvard Business School and working 34 years at Eli Lilly. “I saw several pharmacy students I … » More …
Winter 2014
Celebrating a half century, and more
Some traditions are worth breaking.
After 65 years of springtime reunions, the Washington State University Alumni Association has moved the events for Golden (50 years) and Diamond (60 years) graduates to the fall.
In September, students from the classes of 1954 and 1964 (and one student from 1944) returned to campus for three days filled with memories, conversation, and exploration. Between luncheons, dinners, and “classes without quizzes,” the alumni toured the new Football Operations Building and the Student Rec Center, attended a memorial service for veterans, stopped by Ferdinand’s Creamery, and visited with students.
The Alumni Association has rescheduled the reunions to build on campus … » More …
Spring 2013
Steadfast Cougar Spirit
Golden and Diamond Graduates Reunion
A lot has changed in 60 years. Six decades ago, Washington State University was still called the State College of Washington. Todd Hall, Holland Library, and the Compton Union Building were newly built. Legendary coach Jack Friel helmed the men’s basketball team, and the college belonged to the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.
Today, campus landmarks include a new Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health and a freshly remodeled Martin Stadium. One thing remains unchanged: the Cougar homing instinct. No matter when they graduated, Cougars love returning “home” to Pullman. This April, hundreds of WSU graduates from 1953 and … » More …