EVERETT, Wash. – Sept. 27, 2019 – Pat McClain was honored Friday by Washington State University (WSU) Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre for his service as chair of the WSU Everett Advisory Council and years of dedicated effort to establish and grow WSU’s Puget Sound campus.
“Pat was integral in the establishment of Washington State University Everett,” Pitre said on Friday at a meeting of the advisory council. “Since then, he has steadfastly worked to grow Washington State University in our community, build partnerships for student success and create opportunities for future generations.”
McClain has served as the chair of the WSU Everett Advisory Council the past two years and will continue to serve as a member. In 2016, he retired from the City of Everett, where he served with four mayors, impacting nearly every major city, county and regional milestone moment for the past 40 years.
Pitre recounted the story of the community’s work starting 40 years ago to bring a research institution to Everett and Snohomish County. In 2016, then-Mayor Ray Stephanson told The Herald, “What Pat did — and this is what is typical on big projects we’ve worked on — he did the heavy lifting.”
McClain said, “You listened to the stories of young people and what it took to get their degree — and it wasn’t that long ago they couldn’t get that degree in Snohomish County.” He considers the campus a crowning achievement of his career, and said he was moved to tears at the first commencement ceremony the campus held in May 2016.
EVERETT, Wash. – Sept. 27, 2019 – Washington State University Everett was recently honored by the American Institution of Architect’s Washington Council for excellence in a publicly funded project.
University officials received the award alongside the design-build team at the 2019 Civic Design Awards ceremony in Tacoma on Sept. 26. The recognition is for the campus’ 95,000 square foot home located near the heart of downtown Everett. Jurors select projects for recognition based on design excellence, innovation, performance and integration within the community.
Completed in 2017, the WSU Everett building boasts engineering and computer laboratories as well as a math and writing center and an array of office and study space. The facility, located at 915 North Broadway in Everett, was certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2018.
WSU Everett’s photovoltaic array of 300 solar panels generates around 10% of the building’s total expected annual energy needs. The building can also capture and harvest rainwater and uses heat generated from its data center throughout the building through a radiant floor system. A team of engineering students verified the expected sustainability credentials for their senior capstone project in 2018, presenting their findings to the design-build team that received this most recent award.
“The WSU Everett building is the gem of the Washington State University system,” Chancellor Paul Pitre said. “It was critical to WSU, our design-build team, legislators and this community that WSU Everett be a sustainable building that meets the highest standards, and be an attractive, welcoming addition to a quickly growing Everett skyline. WSU is thrilled with the work of SRG Architects, Hoffman Construction, OAC Services, McKinstry and our building management team.”
Since opening enrollment in the fall of 2012 with a mechanical engineering class of 20 students on the Everett Community College campus, WSU Everett has grown to nearly 300 students. WSU Everett offers several engineering degree programs as well as data analytics, hospitality business management, communication and organic and sustainable agriculture.
EVERETT, Wash. – Sept. 20, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced that Washington State University Everett is one of 12 collegiate teams selected to participate in the 2020 Collegiate Wind Competition.
Awarded a $20,000 grant by the Department of Energy, an interdisciplinary group of professors at WSU Everett will establish a student team to compete in the fourth biennial Collegiate Wind Competition. The competition will take place at American Wind Energy Association WINDPOWER in Denver, Colorado, June 1–4, 2020. Teams will compete in a series of challenges designed to prepare students for a career in wind energy.
The interdisciplinary team includes students from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, The Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture and the Carson College of Business. Students will work to find solutions to real wind industry challenges by collaborating with their multidisciplinary team.
Murrow College faculty is enthusiastic to see the WSU Everett campus become a center for STEM Communication. “This is an opportunity for communication students to work in conjunction with engineering and business students in a tangible, hands-on learning environment,” said Lucrezia Paxson, the Murrow College faculty mentor on the project. “Similar to our Boeing Scholars program, this competition will earn students valuable real-world experience as they prepare to enter the workforce.”
Student teams are required to design and build a model wind turbine based on market research and siting considerations, and test that turbine against a set of rigorous performance criteria, all judged by a panel of wind industry leaders. A student from Murrow college will join the team to design the site plan, assist with the technical communication report, develop a cost of energy analysis of a wind farm, as well as participate in a poster presentation during the team’s June trip to Denver.
Faculty mentors will announce students selected to participate in the WSU Everett Collegiate Wind Competition team in September.
The U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students from a variety of programs to offer a unique solution to a complex wind energy project, providing each student with real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce.
Greetings to the #EverCougs community!
WSU President Kirk Schulz and Provost Mitzi Montoya recently shared exciting news from the entire University system as well as our Puget Sound campus in Everett. Important updates for the University system included a positive operating balance for the first time since 2013, and progress on the systemwide strategic plan. Right now, you can provide input to help shape the strategic plan at strategicplan.wsu.edu. It took me about 15 minutes to complete the community survey, which will remain open through Sept. 17.
At the same time as the WSU President and Provost were in Everett, Governor Jay Inslee visited to host an Everett Education Roundtable discussion with me, new leaders from Everett Public Schools and Everett Community College, and Associated Students of Washington State University Everett President Lynn Aylesworth and Vice President Anna Boll. The Governor led a great discussion in which we shared real strengths that our partnership at different levels has for our students, putting them in position to enter a career they find fulfilling and where there is strong industry demand. We also spoke earnestly about improving the connections between K-12, community college and four-year education and making that connection consistent for all our students. The interdisciplinary, industry- and project-based learning WSU Everett students like Lynn and Anna are engaged in really, really impressed the Governor.
Another impressive initiative that has garnered front page news coverage in Island County is our new classroom located at the WSU Extension Island County office in Coupeville, Wash. Beginning this semester, two WSU Everett engineering students will use distance learning technology to take a total of four classes at the WSU Extension Island County in Coupeville. One software engineering student is transferring from Skagit Valley College in Oak Harbor. The other is a senior electrical engineering student finishing up his undergraduate degree. The system includes a voice-activated camera which zeros in on whoever is speaking, so the professor can interact directly with that student. This is the first semester where students enrolled in classes will be taking advantage of this educational opportunity in pursuit of a degree.
In my last letter, I highlighted the graduation speech of Murrow College graduate Adam Householder. Well, I’m proud to update you that he is now working at Fluke Manufacturing as a new product introduction marketing specialist. I was able to recognize him before our campus advisory council recently, alongside fellow Murrow College graduate Nashika Stansbro, now a public information specialist for Community Transit, and Jessica Woods, a Voiland College electrical engineering graduate who is now leading a fulfilling career as a software design engineer, also at Fluke Manufacturing. I was also delighted to highlight Carson College graduates Olivia Ericksen, who is now in her dream job as an events manager for Google, Olivia Fredricksen, who is an event and marketing specialist for Novelty Hill Januik Wineries in Washington wine country down the street in Woodinville, and Chelsea Long, who will be taking over as the restaurant manager at the new Hotel Indigo at the Port of Everett.
Their success is a small sample of the success the more than 350 graduates of our campus, and what more than 300 active students will do with their degrees and the transformative experience at this campus, as part of the Cougar family. I encourage you to donate to the WSU Everett Scholarship Fund to make these opportunities available to even more local students.
Go Cougs!
Paul Pitre, Chancellor
WSU Everett & Everett University Center
Veteran, Murrow College Alumnus, and father of three, Adam Householder found his place at WSU Everett. “Cherish the hard times because that’s where character and strength are forged. Brave people are not fearless; you cannot be brave without also having fear.” Read more…
Higher education is now a little more within reach for some on Whidbey Island. After more than two years of having the capability to do so, the Washington State University Island County Extension at last has students who are enrolled and attending classes there. The Coupeville office has become the first and only WSU county extension to offer these types of classes, which are attended remotely through video conferencing technology. Read more…
The governor wanted to hear from educational leaders and students about ideas they have to help support students as they pass through different phases of the educational experience — K -12, community college, university or workforce development,” said Tara Lee, an Inslee spokeswoman. Read more…
WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre joined local financial podcast Growing Your Wealth Radio with Brian Evans of Madrona Financial with multiple WSU Everett students.
Everett, Wash. – September 12, 2019 – The NW Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC), Providence Health & Services Northwest (Providence), Everett Community College (EvCC) and Washington State University Everett (WSU), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on innovations that will benefit and improve community health and general medical care in the region.
The parties anticipate that their collaboration will help foster a mindset of innovation in North Everett’s higher education district by providing greater opportunity to the students of EvCC and WSU, along with other entrepreneurs, to participate in projects affiliated with or supported by Providence and NWIRC. TheLab@everett, established by NWIRC early this year, adds the facility and innovation leadership which together with the health care and education leadership in the district provide a powerful combination of resources.
The organizations aim to address community health issues in innovative ways that will create an environment conducive to fostering emerging businesses and provide substantial economic benefit to the region. The first project to be undertaken in Fall, 2019 will focus on how members of the community make decisions regarding their healthcare choices. Led by NWIRC, students of EvCC and WSU will be members of the design thinking teams addressing this innovation challenge.
“This innovative partnership brings together leading health and education organizations to work together for the good of our community,” said Kim Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Providence Northwest Washington. “Providence has a long history of serving the community, and we’re excited for the opportunity to combine resources and skills to have an even greater impact through this collaboration.”
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Media Contact: Lara Merriam-Smith 360-255-7870 lsmith@nwirc.com
Casey Calamusa 425-304-0590 Casey.Calamusa@providence.org
About the NW Innovation Resource Center
The NW Innovation Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that assists entrepreneurs and inventors in northwest Washington in developing their individual business strategy and execution as they move from idea to success. They established TheLab@everett in 2019 as an added resource for innovation in the region. For additional information about the NWIRC visit www.nwirc.com. For further details about TheLab visit www.nwinnovationlab.com.
About Providence
Providence in Northwest Washington delivers compassionate care from the beginning to the end of life, including primary and specialty care, hospital care, home care and hospice. Providence Regional Medical Center provides medical expertise in the areas of heart and vascular disease, cancer, neurosurgery, orthopedics, surgical services, emergency and trauma and a host of other medical areas. With teams of experts available close to home, local residents can receive the best medical treatments available, right in our own community.
About Everett Community College
Everett Community College educates more than 19,000 students every year at seven locations throughout Snohomish County, with most students and faculty at the main campus in north Everett. Students come to EvCC to affordably start their four-year degrees, earn certificates, train for a new job, experience hands-on training in professional and technical programs, learn English, develop basic skills, finish high school, train for a promotion, or to learn just for fun. For more information, visit EverettCC.edu.
About WSU Everett
Washington State University Everett provides industry-aligned undergraduate programs with an interdisciplinary focus to the Puget Sound region. The campus brings WSU’s world-class academics to Everett in small class sizes with hands-on, project-based opportunities. WSU currently offers seven high-demand bachelor’s degrees, including software, mechanical and electrical engineering, data analytics, strategic communication, hospitality business management and organic and sustainable agriculture.
When families choose WSU Everett, they can save about $10K annually by living at home and foregoing the cost of room and board and save more by completing the first two years of general education requirements at any community college.
EVERETT, Wash. – WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre joined local financial podcast Growing Your Wealth Radio with Brian Evans of Madrona Financial with electrical engineering students Andrew Ruiz, Kaitlin Ferguson and Jessica Woods, all seniors in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture program, and Sumit Karn, a senior in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication integrated strategic communication program. Evans is CEO of Madrona Financial and Bauer Evans CPAs, a Washington State University alumnus and a member of the WSU Everett Advisory Council. Listen to the podcast below.
Coupeville, WASH. – Beginning this semester WSU Everett students will be attending classes in Coupeville for courses they are enrolled in at Washington State University.
Two WSU Everett engineering students will take a total of four classes at the WSU Extension Island County in Coupeville. One software engineering student is transferring from Skagit Valley College in Oak Harbor. The other is a senior electrical engineering student finishing up his undergraduate degree and is taking a class based at WSU Pullman.
The WSU Extension Island County office has an approved classroom-quality video link, which allows students access to a large number of WSU courses. The classroom has dual monitors so students can see the professor and other students plus any visual presentation.
The system includes a voice-activated camera which zeros in on whoever is speaking, so the professor can interact directly with that student. The system has been in place for just over a year, but has so far only been used to bring in seminars and meetings from Pullman. This is the first semester where students enrolled in classes will be taking advantage of this educational opportunity in pursuit of a degree.
The range of courses available from the WSU Everett campus includes Data Analytics, Electrical Engineering, Hospitality Business Management, Integrated Strategic Communication, Mechanical Engineering, and Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. There are no additional costs to attend courses at the Coupeville office and students enrolled in courses are given priority in reserving the room.
Students interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should contact their academic coordinator to determine if this is a viable option for them. Students can visit the WSU Extension Island County office at 406 N. Main Street in Coupeville.
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine today welcomed 80 new medical students to the WSU Health Sciences Spokane campus. The class of 2023 is 33 percent larger than the previous two classes and the most diverse class since opening its doors to students in 2017.
Drawn from a pool for more than 1,500 applicants, the class of 80 is comprised of 54 percent women, 22.5 percent from rural counties in Washington, 37.5 percent first generation college graduates, 55 percent low socioeconomic backgrounds, 14 percent from underrepresented races and ethnicity in medicine, 59 percent non‑traditional (age 25 and older), and 6.3 percent U.S. military service. The class hails from 20 counties across the state, 12 of which are rural, and 100 percent are from or have significant ties to Washington.
“We are so proud to welcome not only our largest class, but our most geographically, socioeconomically and racially diverse class in just three years of admitting medical students,” said Dr. John Tomkowiak, founding dean of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. “From the beginning, our goal was to draw students from across the state who represent the widely diverse individuals and communities in Washington, and each year we continue to see the fruits of that effort.”
He added, “This further underscores our focus on expanding medical education access to students in all parts of the state from all backgrounds to increase the likelihood they will return to their communities or find innovative ways to serve these communities from a distance using advances in technology.”
Complete enrollment figures for the WSU system will be compiled in the coming weeks as the University works to verify the total number of expected students to show up for the new academic year at all six campuses.
The addition of 20 medical students this fall was part of the original growth plan of the College of Medicine and made possible by the Washington Legislature funding the college’s $14.4 million request for the 2019‑21 biennium.
Since it first began accepting applications in late 2016, the college has experienced a steady rise in interest and student diversity. Applicants have more than doubled; the college has exceeded national averages for admission of females and average age; and factors including low socioeconomic status, first‑generation college graduate, underrepresented in medicine, and non‑traditional students have risen year over year.
The profile of the class of 2023 is noted below.
For more information, visit medicine.wsu.edu.
EVERETT, Wash. – May 31, 2019 – Washington State University Everett has named Anna McLeod, M.Ed., associate director for Student Services at the growing, urban campus, effective June 3.
“My main goals are to raise WSU Everett’s 92% retention rate and develop programming that will enhance the WSU Everett student experience,” McLeod said. “I will also have a strong focus on career services and job placement for our graduates.”
McLeod’s experience includes nearly six years in higher education. She started as an academic adviser at Eastern Washington University at their campus in Bellevue and moved to WSU Everett as an academic coordinator in 2015. During her time at WSU Everett she has focused on career services and student success in Data Analytics, Hospitality Business Management and Integrated Strategic Communication. For her work, she was recently awarded the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Advising in a Primary Role from the National Academic Advising Association.
She earned her Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education degree from Western Washington University, where her studies focused on developing student success programs for transfer student populations. She is currently finishing a professional development certificate from Oregon State University that focuses on e-learning and instructional design.
“Anna’s contributions have been vital to our students’ success in several of WSU Everett’s growing fleet of programs,” WSU Everett chancellor Paul Pitre said. “Her experience and education are a perfect blend to further the work of developing highly engaging, accessible student programs for our growing student body.”
WSU Everett offers seven transfer-degree programs and is a clinical campus of the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.