Media Contact: Phil Weiler, vice president for marketing and communications, commencement coordinator, 509-595-1708, phil.weiler@wsu.edu
PULLMAN, Wash. – More than 4,800 students are graduating across the Washington State University system this spring and will be recognized during the Virtual Spring Celebration.
Additionally, hundreds of students who graduated in December and those who are expected to graduate this summer also will be honored as part of the virtual commencement ceremony that premieres at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8 and available to watch online. WSU’s virtual celebration website also includes video clips shared by graduating students.
In addition to the systemwide event, WSU’s five physical campuses across the state are hosting events for their graduating classes.
Pullman
More than 2,800 WSU Pullman students are expected to graduate this spring. That includes more than 2,400 undergraduates as well as approximately 340 graduate students earning masters and doctoral degrees and more than 120 students from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Hundreds of WSU Pullman graduates and their families participated in the May 1 drive-thru celebration on campus with faculty, staff and special guests gathered along the route.
Spokane
Across two days of events, more than 400 WSU Health Science Spokane students will graduate, including the inaugural class of physicians from the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
The College of Medicine hosted a virtual celebration May 6. The event was followed by a drive-thru ceremony from students and their family members at noon.
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will honor its graduates May 7 with a drive-thru ceremony on the Spokane campus beginning at 9 a.m.
The College of Nursing is scheduled to host its drive-thru ceremony for graduates and their families at 1 p.m. May 7.
Media Contact: Kevin Dudley, communications coordinator, 509‑358‑7528, kevin_dudley@wsu.edu.
Vancouver
More than 600 students from WSU Vancouver are on track to graduate this spring.
The campus is hosting its drive-thru graduation celebration from 1-4:30 p.m. May 8. Graduates will be able to pick up their diploma covers and celebrate their accomplishments as part of the distanced event.
More than 1,000 WSU Vancouver students, including fall and summer graduates, are eligible to participate in the campus’ spring commencement, including 914 bachelor’s degree awardees, 72 master’s degree recipients and 32 doctoral candidates.
Media contact: Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360‑546‑9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu
Tri-Cities
More than 250 WSU Tri-Cities students have applied to graduate this semester.
The WSU Tri-Cities Drive-Thru Commencement Celebration is taking place from 1- 4 p.m. May 8. Longer wait times are expected earlier in the day, as participants make their way through the campus.
The total number eligible to participate in the campus commencement event climbs to nearly 400 with fall and summer graduates. That includes 348 bachelor’s degree students, 32 master’s students and 16 doctoral students.
Media Contact: Maegan Murray, WSU Tri‑Cities public relations specialist, 509‑372‑7333
Everett
More than 70 students from WSU’s newest campus are earning their diplomas this spring.
With fall and summer graduates, nearly 120 undergraduate students at WSU Everett are eligible to participate in the campus’ grad bag pick-up event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. More information is available on WSU Everett’s website.
Media Contact: Randy Bolerjack, campus director, marketing and communications, 206‑313‑8668, randy.bolerjack@wsu.edu
Global Campus
WSU Global expects to graduate more than 450 students this spring. In celebration of its graduating students, Global is using social media to shine a spotlight on several outstanding Cougs. The campus has also partnered with ASWSU Global to send out graduation gift packages to the graduates.
Media Contact: Jeff Willadsen, communications coordinator, 509-335-9809, jeffry.willadsen@wsu.edu
Statement from WSU President Kirk Schulz:
Washington State University (WSU), as the state’s land-grant university, has an obligation to serve the public good and promote the health and safety of the communities it serves. The COVID‑19 vaccine, now widely available, has been shown to nearly eliminate the chances of death or serious illness related to a COVID‑19 infection, and is a critical element in protecting public health locally and worldwide.
Vaccine requirement for students
WSU system-wide will require proof of the COVID‑19 vaccination for the 2021–2022 academic year for all students engaging in activities at a WSU campus or location.
Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Information about how to submit proof of vaccination and the process to request an exemption will be provided in the coming months.
Students whose programs are fully online and/or for which an on‑campus/location presence does not occur are automatically exempted from this requirement.
In order to participate in any on‑site or in‑person courses and activities, students at all WSU locations will be expected to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester. Some programs may designate an earlier date for proof of vaccination or an exemption based on when fall semester in‑person activities begin. All WSU Pullman students living in university-owned housing will need to provide proof of vaccination, or have an approved exemption, by Friday, August 6, 2021. For students who have been granted exemptions, the university retains discretion to modify housing assignments as it deems necessary to protect public health and safety.
Beginning Monday, November 1, 2021, students not living in university housing or with program-specific requirements will be required to have documented proof of vaccine or an approved exemption. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be prevented from registering for spring semester courses and/or face other restrictions. Students with approved exemptions may be required to participate in regular COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures.
Vaccine requirement for employees
WSU system-wide intends to extend the requirement to all employees and volunteers engaging in activities on a WSU worksite. Exemptions will be allowed for medical, religious, or personal reasons. Any employees and volunteers who receive exemptions may be subject to COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures. More information, including how to submit proof of vaccination or an exemption, will be provided in the coming months.
Acceptable vaccines
WSU will accept proof of any vaccine that was authorized for use in the United States at the time of administration. For vaccinations requiring two doses, students and employees must have received both doses of the vaccine to meet the requirement. Proof of vaccination will also be required for anyone with a prior diagnosis of COVID‑19. WSU will work with any international students and employees who may have received a vaccine that is not approved for use in the United States.
The University reserves the right to modify this policy at any time in accordance with changing public health guidance or directives, best practices, and/or university needs. Additional information about the requirement process will be made available this summer. For employee-related questions, please contact Human Resources Services at hrs@wsu.edu or 509‑335‑4521. For student-related questions and all other inquiries, please email covid‑19.info@wsu.edu.
Friends:
This past year has been one of both reward and extreme challenge. It has been a year marked by a global pandemic and a national reckoning over racial injustices and calls for police accountability. For people of color, especially African Americans, this has been a year of feeling unsafe and having pleas for justice go unheard. Thus, we greeted the murder conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd with relief and a sense of vindication. At least one call for justice, in the form of holding an officer accountable for excessive policing, was answered. We have moved a step closer to realizing true social justice.
These positive feelings, however, are tempered by grief over the loss of George Floyd. His life, and the lives of many others lost during encounters with law enforcement, mattered. They were sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and friends to the many who loved them and miss them still. Their lives should be remembered as more than hashtags or symbols.
Let’s keep our eyes on the bigger picture even as we savor the dose of accountability that resulted in this one case. Let’s use this victory as encouragement to keep working toward a just and more equitable society for all of us. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” We have a ways to go before we reach justice, a point where people of color are treated equitably in the criminal justice system and in society. But as this police officer’s conviction shows, we are moving closer to it all the time. Let’s be encouraged by the single victories. Let’s renew our efforts to turn individual feats into societal change.
We have an opportunity for a new beginning, and it will take all of us to improve the conditions that are at the core of the kind of reckless, ongoing, disregard for Black lives that we are witnessing on a regular basis.
In solidarity,
Dr. Paul Pitre, Chancellor
Washington State University Everett
& Everett University Center
Accountability. We still need to seek justice.
Those thoughts ran through our minds this afternoon as we watched the jury deliver guilty verdicts on all three counts in the trial of a Minneapolis police officer for the murder of George Floyd last May.
Today’s verdict is a critical moment in a long overdue addressing of the systemic racism and historical injustices that continue to persist in our country.
This verdict does not bring back George Floyd nor does it erase the deep pain of his family and loved ones. Nor does it absolve us of the work that lies ahead. Individually and collectively, we must continue to address issues of systemic racism, economic injustice, and other social inequities. We must not rely solely on our colleagues who are members of historically marginalized communities to lead us through these efforts.
It is all of our work to do, Cougs.
Kirk Schulz
President
Elizabeth Chilton
Provost and Executive Vice President
Mary Jo Gonzales
Vice President, Division of Student Affairs
EVERETT, Wash. – April 21, 2021 – Thanks to the generosity of the Tulalip Tribes, Everett Community College will host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 24 at EvCC’s Walt Price Student Fitness Center (2206 Tower Street) for students and employees.
Eligible students and employees received an invitation to register by the morning of April 14.
After selecting an appointment time for the first dose on April 24, eligible participants received an emailed intake form. Participants should fill out the intake form as soon as possible and no later than two days before the clinic. Registration will be closed at noon on April 23 in order to give pharmacy staff time to process all the intake forms.
The Moderna vaccine will be administered. The vaccine requires two doses. The first dose will be administered on April 24. Only first shots are available that day. The second dose of the vaccine will be administered on Saturday, May 22. Only second shots will be available then. You will need to get both doses to be vaccinated.
The Moderna vaccine is only approved for use for adults 18 and older. Please do not make an appointment for anyone younger than 18. The vaccine is being provided by the Tulalip Clinical Pharmacy (TCP).
Because a limited supply of vaccines are being donated by the Tulalip Clinical Pharmacy, it is very important that if you sign up for an appointment that you keep it or cancel to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get vaccinated. Also, if you receive your second dose of the Moderna vaccine elsewhere, make sure you cancel your May 22 appointment.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please use the original registration links. Staff cannot schedule or change an appointment time for participants.
If we run out of vaccines, we will try to schedule another clinic in the future.
For additional information about vaccination, see the Washington State Department of Health guide or the Snohomish County Health District COVID vaccination information.
With eligibility for the COVID‑19 vaccines expanding, a new four‑part video series from Washington State University examines common questions and concerns with practical, easy-to-understand explanations from infectious disease expert Dr. Guy Palmer.
The video series debuted today on WSU’s main YouTube channel. Each short episode also can be found embedded below, and they are intended to serve as helpful resources through the University’s commitment to its land grant mission.
Palmer, a board-certified pathologist and WSU’s senior director of Global Health, tackles a variety of related topics in a relaxed, question-and-answer format designed to help viewers better understand not just the science but the reasons behind the state and federal strategies for battling the global pandemic.
“Widespread vaccination is the key to ending the pandemic,” Palmer said. “Vaccination is the exit ramp.”
Among the topics discussed by Palmer are the basic function of vaccines, the need for a booster immunization among those who have previously contracted COVID‑19, and the safety and efficacy of the COVID‑19 vaccines.
Each video is about two minutes in length and focuses on a specific subset of questions submitted by the WSU community:
The Washington Department of Health recently launched Vaccine Locator, a new tool that helps residents locate nearby vaccination sites. Simply entering a Zip code yields a list of locations within 50 miles. The site also has current eligibility requirements for vaccination.
As of March 31, Washington residents no longer have to use the state’s Phase Finder tool to verify their eligibility for vaccination. WSU employees also have up to two hours of paid leave available for them to use on vaccine appointments. The university recently updated its vaccine guidelines, which are available on the COVID-19 website.
Watch
Dear WSU Everett Community,
WSU Everett joins the nation in mourning the stolen lives of eight people, including six Asian women, gunned down on Tuesday in Atlanta. We are saddened and angered by this senseless act of violence and by the fact that it was just the latest in a wave of attacks against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
We stand with you in solidarity in condemning all acts of anti-Asian violence and anti-Asian racism in the communities and country we share. In the days ahead, as our emotions move past shock and disbelief, our thoughts ought to turn to action. This time, we must offer more than thoughts and prayers to yet another community caught in the cloud of hate.
Hate crimes against Asian Americans have spiked across the United States. Many of those documented incidents have escalated to brutal assaults and murder. Asian Americans reported nearly 3,800 hate-related incidents in all 50 states, according to a report released by Stop AAPI Hate, which tracks such cases against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
I have called on our communities to fight injustices and racism in the past and I repeat that call here. Do not stand passively by as an entire group is forced to live in fear. Use your voice, your social media platforms, and your presence to demand better. When you hear something, say something. When you see something, do something. Let us work together to stop the hate against our Asian and Asian-American community.
As we look out for each other, we must take care of ourselves. Find resources in your community, in your workplace. Resources for faculty and staff can be found here and our students can reach out to WSU about incidents here and get support from the Student Care Network here.
Lastly, let us collectively hold fast to our resolve that we will not let hate win. As we work to combat racism and keep our communities safe, we must continue to build lives that garner hope, happiness, and pride. Whether you are running a business, earning a degree, or raising a family, continue to build. We cannot live in fear. To do so would be to let those individuals who are filled with hate be the winners.
In solidarity,
Dr. Paul Pitre, Chancellor
WSU Everett and Everett University Center
EVERETT, Wash. – Feb. 18, 2021 – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the eleven teams selected to participate in the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition. Considered the country’s most prominent undergraduate-level wind energy competition, the Collegiate Wind Competition challenges teams of college students to develop a wind energy project and design, build, and test a model wind turbine.
“The Collegiate Wind Competition is intended to inspire students and help develop the trained, qualified workers needed for continued growth in the U.S. wind industry,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. “We’re excited to see what innovations these future wind workers bring to the 2022 competition.”
The colleges and universities selected to participate in the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition, which is scheduled to take place May 16–19, 2022, at the CLEANPOWER Conference & Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas, are:
Since 2014, DOE has held the Collegiate Wind Competition to provide college students an opportunity to interact with wind industry experts and build the skills and connections that will help them find jobs in the industry.
The participating teams will combine the expertise of students from a variety of programs, such as engineering, business, communications, and social science to develop state-of-the-art wind energy solutions. Participants will integrate academic coursework with hands-on learning, gain valuable wind energy experience, and connect with today’s industry leaders while preparing to enter the wind energy workforce.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Everett, Wash., on Jan. 21, 2020, our lives have changed substantially. This pandemic has cost our community dearly, in terms of lives, health and well-being and economic stability.
Knowing the sacrifices we have all made makes today’s announcement special. While details remain to be finalized, Washington State University is planning to resume mostly in-person classes and student experiences system-wide for the 2021 fall semester.
The rollout of several vaccines gives us hope for increasing in-person education. Thanks to the efficacy of those vaccines, I am thrilled to join WSU leadership in preparing for a mostly in-person experience across the WSU system.
This is exciting news that comes with an important caveat: things are subject to change depending on the trajectory of the pandemic. WSU has and will continue to prioritize your safety within the everchanging context of the pandemic, our ability to test for the virus and limit its spread, and our country’s capacity to vaccinate our population. Our response has been tailored to each campus. Across the WSU system. For example, in Everett we partnered with the Snohomish Health District on a testing station in the parking lot to address the high transmission rates of COVID-19 in our region.
As we look optimistically toward the coming months, please review additional information below that has been shared across WSU:
Our planning will continue to reflect state and local guidelines and the expertise of health experts. Protecting the health of our students, faculty and staff will continue to guide all our decision-making. If the pandemic worsens, we will quickly adapt our plans and revert to remote delivery of most coursework. That is why it continues to be important that everyone wear a mask, wash their hands, and maintain physical separation from those outside their household.
Please continue to refer to our COVID-19 website for updates about the University’s plans going forward. We also urge you to get the coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is available to you.
We are excited to see you in person. We are excited for you to get into your classrooms and laboratories. We are excited for you to study and even just socialize together in the café between classes. Stay safe now so we ready ourselves for an in-person #EverCougs experience this fall.
Go Cougs!
Paul Pitre, Chancellor
Washington State University Everett
EVERETT, Wash. – Jan. 10, 2020 – Washington State University Everett will launch a new Business Administration bachelor’s degree program this fall. Students may apply now at everett.wsu.edu and are encouraged to apply by the Jan. 31 priority deadline for WSU scholarships.
“The bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the WSU Carson College of Business is an incredibly strong tool to propel a student’s career in a diverse set of industries that are growing locally,” WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre said. “Current students have been adapting impressively today so they are prepared for a career now and when we are beyond this pandemic. Today is the day to earn credentials that have proven to increase annual earnings and better protect careers during a recession.”
Employment and wage outcomes during the Great Recession consistently improved with each level of educational attainment. In 2019, weekly salaries for those with an associate’s degree were 19% higher than they were for those with only a high school diploma. Salaries were 67% higher for those with a bachelor’s degree. History is repeating itself. According to the Federal Reserve, 39% of those employed in February from households earning under $40,000 suffered a job loss in March while 63% of workers with at least a bachelor’s degree worked entirely from home.
“Offering the business administration bachelor’s degree on the WSU Everett campus moves the Carson College closer to our goal of becoming the first choice for undergraduate business education in the Pacific Northwest,” said Chip Hunter, college dean. “The Next Carson Coug undergraduate curriculum ensures students graduate with key skills in communication, teamwork, professionalism, ethics and career management that employers value.”
Business Administration becomes the eighth bachelor’s degree program in WSU Everett’s fleet. Others are Data Analytics, Electrical Engineering, Hospitality Business Management, Integrated Strategic Communication, Mechanical Engineering, Organic and Sustainable Agriculture, and Software Engineering. The Carson College of Business is among the two percent of business administration schools worldwide to achieve accreditation at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is the most respected business program accrediting entity.
“A key asset of our Everett campus is that students from all programs collaborate so frequently in group projects, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. It often inspires students to earn a minor in another program or double major,” Pitre said. “Adding a popular, contemporary and innovative bachelor’s degree program in Business Administration makes all our graduates more career ready and attractive to local employers.”
All WSU Everett bachelor’s degree programs are designed for transfer students, but even students currently at a community college or participating in Running Start or College in the High School are eligible to dual-enroll at WSU Everett, and programs are accessible to those who have some college experience but have not completed their degree. Contact WSU Everett admissions staff at everett.admission@wsu.edu or 425-405-1600 for individual advising.
The Business Administration bachelor’s degree is the most enrolled business program across the Washington State University system. Now it is available to students who want or need to stay closer to home in Everett.