News & Events
April 25, 2008
CONTACT: Susan Bentjen, WSU College of Sciences, 509-335-6881, bentjen@wsu.edu
College of Sciences Golden Graduates Luncheon 2008
PULLMAN, Wash. –Discussion of global warming and the theory of evolution were just a few of the highlights of the 2008 Dean’s Luncheon for members of the classes of 1948 and1958. Weighing in on these major topics of today – and also remembering vivid highlights of WSU’s past – were the following Diamond and Golden Anniversary graduates and several spouses:
The Donaldsons and R. Gordon
ED DONALDSON – Class of 1948: Ed majored in physics, later earned a Ph.D. in the same field, and served on the WSU faculty in the Department of Physics for many years, retiring in 1988. Both Ed and his wife Virginia attended the luncheon, being the first to arrive because they understood the parking limitations of the university better than those visiting from afar.
MARIE (STRAUCH) LARSEN – Class of
1948: Marie came to WSC for one semester, then went into the Marine Corps
during the War. She returned to her studies after hostilities ended and
earned her degree in bacteriology. Eventually she served as an overseas
missionary. Marie and her husband Ray Larsen both attended the luncheon,
braving the drive through the snow from their home in Oregon.
RICHARD GORDON – Class of 1958. Richard
majored in Physics and shared fond memories of several faculty from that
area. While a student at WSC, he lived at the campus fire station, which
he said helped with his room and board. The fire station also served
as the after-hours general fix-the-plumbing crew, which lent a practical
side to his education. Richard and his wife Annette attended the luncheon.
FRED HUDSON – Class of 1958. Fred Hudson
grew up in Pullman and shared several memories of what it was like to
be a child of the town (a “Pullman rat” as they were called
by the WSC students of the day) and then a student on College Hill. He
is the son of our zoology professor, Dr. George F. Hudson, who established
the Conner Museum. Fred went into the Air Force after graduation and
from there into the commercial airline industry. He and his wife, Shirley,
attended the luncheon.
ALISON (VIEROCK) MCKEIRNAN – Class of 1958:
Alison majored in bacteriology and worked for Dr. Herb Eastlick in his
lab for many years and raised her family in Pullman. She also returned
to student life at WSU and earned a master’s degree in veterinary
medicine, after which she worked at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic
lab until her retirement. She now lives in western Washington to be nearer
her children and grandchildren.
STERLING PICKERING – Class of 1958: Sterling majored in physics and later earned a Ph.D. For a time he worked in the vineyards of academia, but he then followed that life with one as a commercial fisherman off the Alaska coast. His years as a skipper of his own boat allowed him to explore Alaska while much of it was still full wilderness. When he left that line of work, he went into the political arena. His many interests were evident in conversation.
Dean Michael Griswold welcomed all the diamond and golden grads, explaining that the College of Sciences now has hundreds of seniors each year in the life sciences and scores in the physical sciences and mathematics – clear changes from the days of the past. He explained some of the exciting faculty research being done today in clean energy technology and animal biochemistry and genetics.
Two members of WSU’s Class of 2008 joined the luncheon group. Stephanie Gering is a School of Molecular Biosciences major who is headed to medical school this fall via WSU’s WWAMI program. While an undergraduate, Stephanie worked on research into new ways to synthesize anti-viral drugs. Potentially such methods could make the drugs – including anti-HIV medicines – cheaper and therefore more available to people worldwide. Leslie Shuhler also joined the group and spoke to the Golden and Diamond Graduates. Leslie is a chemistry major. She is from Argentina and expressed her thanks for the scholarships she has received while an undergraduate due to the generosity of many WSU alumni over the years. Leslie also has done research while an undergraduate. Her work has been in chemistry and materials science under Professor Kerry Hipps. Leslie has been accepted into a Ph.D. program in her field and will pursue it after a year spent working as a chemist. Both Leslie and Stephanie received honors this year as College of Sciences outstanding undergraduates.
The College of Sciences development staff hosted the luncheon, which was held in the lounge of Eastlick Hall, named for Dr. Herb Eastlick. Biology professor Mike Webster and microbiology emeritus professor Herb Nakata also joined the group, along with communications office staff.
January 18, 2008
WSU Chemistry Senior Brian Shuhler Lands
Texas Research Award
11/2/2007
WSU Physics Professor Wang Named Fellow of American Association
for the Advancement of Science
http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/detail.asp?StoryID=6841
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