“The Bullitt Prize offers me the chance to expand my work to a global scale,” says Adewale.
Read more about Adewale’s work and the Bullitt award here.
McCluskey joins Academy’s Board on Ag, Natural Resources
Agricultural economist Jill McCluskey will advance research frontiers as a newly appointed member of the prestigious National Academy of Science’s Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The Distinguished Professor of Sustainability in the School of Economic Sciences, McCluskey researches the economics of food quality and reputation, sustainable labeling, consumer preferences for new technology, and women in STEM.
Norberg leads search for
genetic key to better alfalfa
Extension Forage scientist Steve Norberg will lead a two-year, $250,000 effort to discover the genes behind better alfalfa, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
“Our state is known for its alfalfa,” said Norberg. “We’re aiming to make Washington’s excellent alfalfa even better. We are looking for genes that can be bred into traditional alfalfa varieties, making them more digestible.”
Charles was honored at the Washington Family & Consumer Sciences Annual Conference, Oct. 15-17 in Spokane, as well as at a ceremony this summer during the Association’s 108th Annual Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas.
Charles, who has taken many regional and national leadership roles with the association, developed an online initiative to encourage families to cook and eat together, called “Dine on 3.”
Wells-Moses wins national awards for parenting, financial literacy and food preservation
Kayla Wells-Moses, Family & Consumer Sciences Educator with Colville Reservation WSU Extension, received three national awards at the 2017 National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) conference, held Oct. 16-19 in Omaha, Neb.
“I have a passion for education, and it is an honor to have my hard work recognized at the national level,” said Wells-Moses, who provides educational workshops across the Colville Reservation.
Perfect pairing: Chef’s gift
delivers big benefits for students
When it’s time to season world-class beef from Cougar Quality Meats, Chef Jamie Callison turns to Cougar Seasonings and Rubs, the retail collection of spice blends he and his wife Tonya designed personally with WSU Premium beef in mind.
“It’s like a happy marriage,” explains Jamie—one that grew even closer this fall, when the Callisons donated their Cougar Seasonings retail business to the Department of Animal Sciences. Every shaker sold now helps students gain valuable career experience.
Smith, a Skagit/Whatcom County Extension Regional Food Access Specialist, won a first place Western Regional Award for Communications Newsletter, while Viebrock, director of Chelan/Douglas County Extension and a regional Family and Consumer Science faculty member, won a first place Western Regional Award for Written Press Release.
Colville Reservation students learn about STEM, electricity on National Youth Science Day
In “Incredible Wearables,” students at Keller Elementary School in Keller, Wash., learned about static and current electricity while making wearable items that light up with battery power.
“By allowing youth to think outside the box, we encourage scientific exploration that may not occur in the classroom,” said Linda McLean, Colville Reservation Extension director.
Global Citizenship students plant garlic for pantry
The Center for Transformational Learning and Leadership’s Global Citizenship Program, led by Clinical Assistant Professor Caitlin Bletscher, launched this fall and has successfully completed a local service project helping address food security.
Working with the INTO Program for international students, the Intensive American Language Center, and the Center for Civic Engagement, the group of 20 students joined forces with non-profit partner Backyard Harvest to plant garlic, helping solve a shortage of fresh food for those in need around the region.
Semplice team takes 2nd at Idaho Pitch
The student entrepreneurs behind Semplice, an environmentally sustainable sports drink, took second at the Idaho Pitch competition, held Oct. 27.
The interdisciplinary team faced off against 18 other groups at Idaho Pitch, which gives innovators and entrepreneurs the opportunity to practice their presentation skills before business and professional judges.
Created by CAHNRS students, Semplice is made from a dairy bi-product of the Greek yogurt industry. The Semplice project began in the WSU-UI School of Food Science in 2014. Team members include Derick Jiwan (Crop Sciences); Jose Orenday Ortiz (Food Sciences); Henry Baker and Andrew Jaboro (Marketing); and Ashlie Adams and Rachelle Muzones (Bioengineering).
Judges told team members they have a “great innovation at the right time,” and “definitely something they would expect to see in the ever-growing food and beverage market.”
Students, faculty win at Entomological Society meeting
Students and faculty from the Department of Entomology earned national awards at the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Nov. 5-8 in Denver, Colo.
The Student Debate Team won their debate and the overall competition. The team is made up of Adekunle Adesanya, Abigail Cohen, Adrian Marshall, Jim Hepler, Ben Lee and Abbey Hayes. They will receive an engraved trophy and a $500 prize.
Adrian Marshall won the 10-minute talk session, and both Robert Orpet and Abigail Cohen won second place in their sessions. First place winners are awarded one free year of ESA membership, a certificate, and a $75 cash prize. Second place winners are awarded one free year of ESA membership and a certificate.
Alix Whitener was awarded the Student Activity Award and a $5,000 Monsanto scholarship. She also served this year as the Student Affairs Committee Chair, organizing the student debates, student reception and the student symposium.
Adekunle Adesanya won second place in the poster competition for “Insect Vector and Resistance Management.” Adesanya also served as Pacific Branch Student Representative to the Student Affairs Committee and helped moderate the student symposium.
Professor Elizabeth Beers was awarded the Excellence in IPM (Integrated Pest Management) award—the first time this award has been won by a woman—and Pesticide Education Specialist Carol Black was awarded the Excellence Extension Award.
Economics student gets Global Case win for tech idea
Danica Swiggart, junior in the School of Economic Sciences, was part of the winning student team at the seventh annual Global Case Competition. Presented by WSU’s Office of International Programs, this year’s competition focused on digital inequality: information and technologies in Tanzania.
Swiggart’s team, TanzEquity, addressed digital inequality by collaborating with Tanzanians to improve use of information communication technology in education. Read more about the competition winners here.
