First continuing education program for veterinarians begins in Pullman
robert.franklinThe program is sponsored by the college and assisted by the fledgling state association and northwest veterinarians.
President Floyd announces statewide tour of Washington counties
robert.franklinPresident Elson S. Floyd announces WSU will hold “town hall” meetings in each of Washington state’s 39 counties starting in March to hear from stakeholders and discuss initiatives.
WSU Foundation moves to downtown Pullman
robert.franklinAs part of WSU’s commitment to supporting Pullman, the WSU Foundation moved its offices from campus to downtown’s new Pullman Town Centre. The Foundation raised more than $48.5 million, the second highest fund-raising total in its history.
WSU pilots six Extended Learning Centers
robert.franklinWSU Cooperative Extension officials and community partners announced plans to develop six pilot Extended Learning Centers in Port Townsend, Wenatchee, Colville, Longview/Kelso, Tacoma, and Yakima to expand educational opportunities.
Governor signs land purchase bill for the Spokane campus
robert.franklinGovernor Booth Gardner signs an $800,000 appropriation allowing the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute (SIRTI) to purchase a swath of Spokane land across the river from Gonzaga, for developing a branch campus. The first building would be dedicated there on Oct. 21, 1994.
Construction begins on the WSU Research and Technology Park
robert.franklinGround is broken on the WSU Research and Technology Park.
A $1,000,000 Kellogg Foundation grant creates the Partnership for Rural Improvement
robert.franklinA $1,000,000 Kellogg Foundation grant creates the Partnership for Rural Improvement (PRI). The PRI project includes community planning/organizing, economic development, organizational development for NGOs, leadership education, distance education access, and rural policy development.
The Board of Regents selects V. Lane Rawlins to serve as the ninth president of WSU
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The Board of Regents selects V. Lane Rawlins to serve as the ninth president of WSU. He took office after serving as the president at University of Memphis. Rawlins was the first WSU faculty member to become president. He joined the economics faculty in 1968, later served as chair of the department of economics, and was WSU vice provost from 1982-86.
President Rawlins’ administration is best known for strengthening the WSU-UW relationship, giving the WSU branch campuses more autonomy, establishing December commencement, and Academic Showcase. He served as president until June 2007.
WSU creates major exhibit for Spokane World’s Fair/Expo ’74
robert.franklinWSU created a major exhibit featuring Albrook Hydraulic Laboratory work, titled “Waterworld,” for the Spokane World’s Fair/Expo ’74.
WSU president and regent visit WSU program in Pakistan
robert.franklinPresident French and Regent Tom Gose visited WSU’s program in Pakistan, one of the first international programs helping developing countries with land grant assistance. French also visited Pakistan in 1956 and 1964.
WSC launches its first career placement services
Brian ClarkN.J. Aiken, head of the WSC vocational school and professor of business administration, launches the placement service. During the Great Depression, N.J. is commonly known as “No Job” Aiken.
KFAE goes on the air
Brian Clark
The radio station begins broadcasting from the Mechanic Arts Building, thanks to financial support from the Agricultural Extension Service, the Associated Students, and the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.
Known today as KWSU, the station’s founding goals remain in place:
- To provide information and cultural service to a wide area of population
- To draw on the expertise of the faculty and present their findings
- To provide a vehicle for further research in broadcasting
- To train young people in the use, operation, and “human service” of radio
The station is one of the oldest and largest university-owned radio stations in the country.
The first experiment station begins in Puyallup
Brian ClarkAfter an infestation of hops lice destroys crops in the Puyallup River region in 1891, the legislature decides to locate the state’s first experiment station in Puyallup instead of Pullman. The station is constructed on 40 acres of land donated by the Ross family, giving the facility its first name, Ross’s Station. Now called the Puyallup Research & Extension Center, the center continues to provide valuable services and information to the local community.
