CAHNRS Connections April/May 2026
Newsletter brought to you by CAHNRS Student Success and Academic Programs.
CAHNRS AMDT Fashion Show – Solstice
On Friday, April 17th, the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles hosted their 43rd Annual Fashion Show, “Solstice”. This event showcased the creativity, innovation, and dedication of WSU student designers.
Award Winners
- Best of Show – Markus Sloan
- Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean’s Choice – Kala Anderson
- Associate Dean’s Choice – Kiana Santiago
- Department Chair’s Choice – Maddie McNeil
- Most Marketable Award – Audree Frombach
- Rising Star Award – Carly Martin
- Most Innovative Award – Britney Nguyen
- Sustainability Award – Aley Matarangas
The Annual Fashion Show also featured a silent auction, offering attendees the opportunity to bid on a variety of Unique items.
CAHNRS Spirit
Highlighted Event Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
April 8, 2026
Ensminger Pavilion
5:00 – 7:00pm
April 16, 2026
Ensminger Pavilion
5:00 – 7:00pm
April 30, 2026
Ensminger Pavilion
4:00 – 5:00pm
April 30, 2026
Ensminger Pavilion
5:00 – 6:00pm
April 30, 2026
Ensminger Pavilion
6:00 – 7:30pm
May 6, 2026
6:00 – 7:30pm
May 9, 2026
4:30 – 6:00pm
Deadlines
April 3rd, 2026
Faculty and Staff Awards
CAHNRS Celebrates Spring 2026 Commencement
On Saturday, May 9th, the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences celebrated Graduates. The ceremony marked culmination of years of hard work, determination, and growth as graduates walked the stage and embark on new adventures.
Among them was Rocio Sevilla who had the privilege to carry the CAHNRS gonfalon during the ceremony. We are incredibly proud of Rocio and of all the graduates as they start the next chapter in their journey.
CAHNRS Dean’s Honor Roll Recognition Celebration
The CAHNRS Dean’s Honor Roll celebration brought together some of the college’s highest achieving students to recognize their outstanding academic achievements. The celebration served as an opportunity to recognize their dedication and excellence these students have shown throughout their academic journey.
CAHNRS Student Recognition
Macy Fidler graduated in Spring 2026 with a degree in Human Development and served as a Retention Intern in the CAHNRS Student Success and Academic Programs (SSAP) Office. During her final semester, she primarily focused on the Student Outreach And Retention (SOAR) Program, where she managed all communications between mentors and mentees. She sent weekly emails designed to encourage and support students, while also providing mentors with resources to help them connect with and motivate their mentees.
During her time in the CAHNRS SSAP Office, Macy also contributed to a variety of Retention events, including helping at National Ag Day in the CUB. In addition, she conducted research on funding opportunities and mentoring program best practices. With her knowledge and experience she gained this past semester, she developed training for the SOAR Mentors who will serve in Fall 2026. (Look for opportunities to become a SOAR Mentor in August!)
Macy’s made a meaningful impact during her time here at WSU. We are excited to see where her journey takes her next and wish her all the best as she starts this new chapter.
Know another CAHNRS student recipient of an award or prestigious scholarship? Share it to us for the next newsletter by emailing us at cahnrs.majors@wsu.edu
The Cashup Davis Family Lecture Series to Invite Temple Grandin
The first ever installment of the bi-annual lecture series brought to you by CAHNRS and the Cashup Davis family, the Cashup Davis Family Lecture Series invites Temple Grandin to give a talk, “The World Needs All Kinds of Minds” on May 6th at 6:00pm at the CUB Senior Ballroom.
Temple Grandin is an iconic name in Animal Science, advocacy for autism, and an incredible inventor.
Students and faculty were able to participate in a sit-down Q&A session with Temple Grandin prior to the lecture, offering a rare and meaningful opportunity for direct conversation.
2026 Graduate School Scholarships
Congratulations to all the CAHNRS Graduate students who received scholarships:
- Richard R. and Constance M. Albrecht Scholarship
- Sheersa Manna – Plant Pathology
- Anne and Russ Fuller Scholarship
- Fnu Sahil – Food Science and Technology
- Kellen Pautzke – Entomology
- Aniket Lnu – Food Science and Technology
- Vincent James – Molecular Plant Sciences
- Dissertation Year Fellowship
- Jenna Thompson – Human Development
- Ann Chittenden Holland Master’s Thesis Award
- Kristi Morrison – Human Development
Curriculum Changes in CAHNRS
Congrats to the following programs who have had their curriculum changes approved by the Faculty Senate:
- BS Ag and Food Systems – Ag and Food Business Economics – Revise
- BS Ag and Food Systems – Agricultural Education – Revise
- BS Ag and Food Systems – Ag Technology and Production Management – Revise
- BS Ag and Food Systems – Human Nutrition and Food Systems – Revise
- BS Ag and Food Systems – Organic and Sustainable Agriculture – Revise
- BS Animal Sciences – Accelerated Pre Veterinary – Revise
- BS Animal Sciences – Animal Science, Technology, and Production – Revise
- BS Animal Sciences – Pre Veterinary Medicine/Science – Revise
- Geospatial Analysis minor – Revise
Upcoming K-12 Event – Plant Science Day
Discover the wonders of plants through the interactive activities, cool science demonstrations, and hands-on learning about plant cells, DNA, insects, and more! Perfect for curious kids and plant lovers of all ages!
Ensminger Pavilion at WSU Pullman
455 Lincoln Dr, Pullman WA 99163
FREE Parking, FREE Attendace!
India Consul General Visits WSU CAHNRS
The first Seattle-based Consul General of India, Prakash Gupta, and 5th District Representative. Michael Baumgartner, visited CAHNRS for a tour of our Plant Growth Facility and an excellent afternoon of discussion about the future of agriculture and all the amazing things we do in CAHNRS.
Nominate Someone Today for the Faculty & Staff Awards
Do you have an amazing colleague that makes your work day a little brighter, more productive, or who is really making a difference to the quality of education here in CAHNRS? Do you know a student who goes above and beyond to be an incredible leader or representative of your department? Consider nominating those who make CAHNRS great and give them the recognition they deserve!
Faculty and Staff Awards Nominations are due April 3rd
CAHNRS State of the College Address
Are you interested in learning more about what’s going on in CAHNRS?
Join CAHNRS leadership for a formal State of the College Address, with a reception to follow. All CAHNRS staff, faculty, students, and the public are welcome to join this address in person or via Zoom.
- Highlights on Dean Khosla’s vision, priorities, and progress for CAHNRS
- A look at CAHNRS achievements and the roadmap for the year ahead
- Advancing Washington agriculture, innovation, and student success
State of the College Address:
April 30th, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Johnson Annex C107
or via the State of the College Address Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 980 2128 8988
Passcode: 650192
Reception
April 30th 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Johnson Annex Atrium
Coffee Beans with Deans
Want a chance to visit with Dean Raj Khosla, or one of the associate deans? A great opportunity is the Coffee Beans with Deans event, happening every month available to employees in CAHNRS.
You are welcome to attend to either socialize with the Dean and Associate Deans, and the April 15th session will take place in Lighty 405.
Watch your email for the RSVP links (the April RSVP is included below)!
CAHNRS For All – Call for New Membership
The CAHNRS For All Committee has several openings for new members.
This committee is a vital resource that provides guidance on Access, Opportunity, and Belonging to the dean and supports CAHNRS in fostering an authentic culture of belonging for all. Through resources and support, open dialogue, commitment to creating an intentional community, focus on retention, and living our values, the CAHNRS commitment remains steadfast. All are welcome here.
Membership Opportunities
As a member of the committee, you would meet monthly as well as:
- Participate in inviting speakers
- Work towards retention efforts in the college
- Work with college-wide or localized surveys
- Support the continuation of student multicultural event
- Vote for CAHNRS For All Ribbon awards for departments
- Vote for CAHNRS For All Excellence Awards for Faculty, Staff, and Students
- Have a voice towards change that fosters growth in our CAHNRS values, support for all, and building of community
- Participate in advising the CAHNRS Leadership on values and directions related to Access, Opportunity, and Belonging
How to Join
The CAHNRS For All Committee works to foster innovation, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Our work is that of making CAHNRS a safe and inviting place for our faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and all partners of our college.
If you are interested in serving on the CAHNRS For All Committee, please send an email stating your interest and the reasons why you would like to serve to cahnrs.forall@wsu.edu.
Thank you for helping to make CAHNRS a safe and welcoming place for all.
__________
CAHNRS Recruitment Travel – “Where is Junior?”
Junior Gomez, CAHNRS Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, is busy traveling across the state and beyond each week. Stay tuned for the upcoming locations and dates!
3/11
3/18
3/20
3/21
3/21
*Miguel Inzunza will also attend
3/22
*Miguel Inzunza will also attend
3/25
3/31
4/1
4/6
4/16
For any questions, please reach out to ggomez@wsu.edu.
Have a story you’d like to feature in the next CAHNRS Connections Newsletter? Please reach out to cahnrs.majors@wsu.edu with your ideas and information.
Student and Academic News
New student regent brings passion for empowering young people
Nicole Anthony, a senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human development, is serving as the s…
Students compete to solve clothing rental company Armoire’s real-world challenge
Growing numbers of stylish but thrifty dressers are choosing to rent their wardrobes. Students pu…
WSU Creamery upgrades will produce more Cougar Gold, benefit students
The WSU Creamery will undergo a $13.5 million update which will increase production of their sign…