Alumni of Note
Here are just a few of the liberal arts students and graduates who have made news:
- Screenwriter, poet, and novelist Sherman Alexie graduated from WSU with a degree in American studies. In 2007 he received the National Book Award for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
- Music graduate Julie Silvera received Down Beat magazine's "most outstanding college vocal performance" recognition as part of the publication's 25th Annual Student Music Awards.
More information - Former Washington State Representative Val Ogden, 49th Legislative District, received her sociology degree from WSU.
- A liberal arts education at WSU prepared Burdena Pasenelli for a career in law enforcement. She was one of the first female agents at the FBI and later held the titles of assistant special agent, special agent in charge, and assistant director.
- William Julius Wilson was a 1966 Ph.D. graduate in sociology at WSU and 1998 winner of the University's Distinguished Alumnus honor. Wilson received the National Medal of Science from President Bill Clinton, and he was cited by the NSF for "influencing a generation of social scientists through his studies and published works in urban poverty and its causes."
- Alabama Senator Larry Dixon, a WSU police science (now criminal justice) and history graduate, was honored by the Auburn University Montgomery Alumni Association with a Community Service Award citing his dedication to the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Montgomery County and residents of Alabama.
- Former U.S. Representative George R. Nethercutt Jr., a graduate of WSU in English, took a place in state history when he was elected to represent Washington's 5th Congressional District in November 1994. His election victory over then–Speaker of the House Tom Foley represented the first defeat of a sitting speaker since 1860.
- Music graduate Kenneth Boulton teaches at Southeastern Louisiana University. In 2008, he was nominated for a Grammy for his 2-CD album Louisiana: A Pianist's Journey.
2007 National Book Award winner Sherman Alexie receiving the Regents' Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003.
Life is good at WSU.
Secondary content can be almost anything. If you are not using this region delete all the content that is in between the div tags with the id ="additional".
A unique richness of students, faculty, location, activities, and organizations creates a full, lively student life at the University. This section gives you the insider's view on student life and a sampling of the opportunities here.
"Glimpses." Students talk about life at WSU
These brief posts are written by WSU students to give you a personal look through their window on campus life.