The need for better access to health care in our state is well documented and is an issue we must address in every way possible. On Monday, Kadlec Regional Medical Center made a truly transformational investment that will help advance the health and well being of our state’s residents by increasing the research and teaching capacity of Washington State University’s nursing program.

Kadlec CEO Rand Wortman joined WSU Regent Lura Powell and WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Keith Moo-Young to announce an $18 million endowment to create five new faculty positions in the Doctor of Nurse Practice program at WSU Tri-Cities. It is a remarkable and generous … » More …

It was late March 1890 when the fledgling Washington State Legislature established the state’s land-grant college – the institution that has grown into the Washington State University of today.

Seattle’s population was right around 43,000 at the time, and cable cars had just started running up and down Madison Street. Spokane was booming as a result of gold and silver strikes in the late 1800s and had become one of the largest and most important railroad hubs in the western United States. Pullman had only been incorporated as a city for four years, but its 200 residents fought hard to make their new community the … » More …

The library and CUB are full and the streets are beginning to empty on the Pullman campus, sure signs that finals week is underway. As the semester and the year draw to a close, I would like to thank each and every member of our Washington State University family for their hard work and support over the past year.

Overall, 2014 was a year of initiative and growth for our great institution. We made significant progress on several important fronts and launched one of the largest initiatives in our university’s history.

The Campaign for Washington State University continues to be an incredible success. We are … » More …

The face of Washington State University is much different today than it was seven years ago, and that is, in large part, due to the work and leadership of Dr. John Fraire, vice president for student affairs.

During his tenure, he focused on increasing access to higher education to first-generation and ethnically diverse students throughout our state and region. The success of those efforts has been reflected dramatically in our enrollment numbers; more than a third of our incoming freshmen have self-identified as students of color for the past several years. Our enrollment also has grown to an all-time high of nearly 28,700 this past … » More …

The pre-Thanksgiving quiet is beginning to settle over campus as faculty and students wrap up projects and papers and prepare for a much-needed break. The weather has finally turned here on the Palouse; the bite in the air is a vivid reminder that winter will soon be upon us.

As families and friends gather this next week to give thanks, it is important that we at Washington State University also pause to reflect. We have much for which to be thankful, especially the transformational role that the education we provide plays in the lives of our students. I deeply appreciate the support we receive from … » More …

Sexual assault prevention on college and university campuses has been the focus of a national conversation over the past year, raising questions and debate about how best to address this critical issue.

Many agree that student-led solutions may be as effective, if not more so, than institutional programs. Washington State University is fortunate to have quality offerings on both fronts. We have a comprehensive cadre of innovative sexual assault prevention programs offered through the Office of Student Affairs and through Health and Wellness Services. In fact, WSU is one of just a handful of universities in the country to receive a Department of Justice grant … » More …

In July 2013, I announced the restructuring of WSU’s commercialization activities. Since that time, efforts to streamline the development and commercialization of WSU innovations and inventions have evolved considerably. Specifically, we have enhanced our capacity to bring research discoveries to the public where they can make the most impact through strengthened business, industry, and investor partnerships.

Most notably, we have established a strategic partnership with Accelerator Corporation, a health technologies investment and management firm based in Seattle. Accelerator’s exceptional mentoring, support, and evaluation of early-stage biotechnology and medical research opportunities will further advance the translation of WSU research discoveries into start-up companies. In turn, the … » More …

Recent reports may have created some confusion about exactly what Washington State University is pursuing in the medical education realm and whether that path is viable. As the conversation regarding medical education and our statewide physician shortage continues, it is important that we ground the discussion in facts.

The single most important differentiator in Washington State University’s pursuit of a separately accredited medical school in Spokane is the community-based model. Wildly successful elsewhere in the United States, it is a model that hinges on partnering with, rather than competing against, the existing health care providers in the community. This model leverages the infrastructure in place … » More …

For the past year, the welfare of intercollegiate student-athletes has been a point of contention, concern and a conversation that has grown more urgent with each passing day.

I am proud to say that the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors recognized the urgency of addressing these concerns early on. Beginning in May of this year, they reached out to their four peer conferences urging bold rather than incremental action be taken immediately.

Earlier this week, the Pac-12 led the way again by announcing a plan for moving forward with five concrete changes to benefit student-athletes. The presidents and chancellors agreed to:
• Guarantee four-year scholarship … » More …

It was with great sadness that I learned over the weekend of the death of Washington State University payroll manager Brenda Bartlett. She and her husband, Lamont Bartlett, were killed in an automobile accident on Friday evening near Potlatch, Idaho.

Brenda had served in Payroll Services for nearly 30 years. She was a friendly and compassionate co-worker, who was completely dedicated to ensuring all WSU employees were paid correctly. She had an incredible eye for detail and was a tenacious problem-solver. She understood the fundamental importance of an accurate paycheck to each and every one of us.

Her death will leave an enormous hole in … » More …