At the onset, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the support that colleagues from CAHNRS, WSU, and the broader community have extended over the past few weeks following the passing of my mother, Usha Rani Khosla. As the youngest in my family, I shared a special bond with my mother. She was a woman of quiet strength, whose selflessness and kindhearted nature touched everyone around her. Her life was defined not by words, but by actions—acts of care, compassion, and grace. She taught me the value of humility, resilience, and service to others, lessons that continue to guide me both personally and professionally. Her legacy of love and integrity will endure, inspiring all who had the privilege to know her. I am grateful for your kindness, support, and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you.
This season is one of giving, gratitude, generosity, grace, and grounding—a time to celebrate kindness and reflect on our shared journeys. We are among the fortunate with nourishing and abundant food on our tables. Please take a moment and reflect on where our food comes from. Our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals work tirelessly to raise the food that nourishes us. They are important and yet often unsung heroes of our society. At CAHNRS, our land-grant mission calls us to stand with and empower those individuals across our state who feed our communities. This holiday season let us honor their contributions and express our gratitude for all they do.
My thoughts are also with all communities, partners, and CAHNRS colleagues affected by the extensive flooding across western Washington, including our King County Extension team, whose office was temporarily evacuated earlier this week. Flood watches remain in effect throughout much of the Puget Sound region, with additional rainfall on its way. CAHNRS is committed to doing everything we can to aid recovery and strengthen the communities we serve.
A big shout out to all who helped protect the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center at Mount Vernon and ensured safety and coordination of our team members during the evacuation. These include Acting Director Tatum Weed, Facilities and Farm Manager Dan Gorton, faculty members Lisa DeVetter and Chakradhar Mattupalli, USDA scientist Jeff DeLong, Field Meteorologist Jon Contezac, and general administration staff members Jennifer Buckles, Doug Jensen, Roger Parkey, and John Scott, among many others. This reflects the very best of who we are. During the emergency, faculty members Gabe LaHue, Deirdre Griffin LaHue, Lisa DeVetter, Carol Miles, and Lindsey du Toit opened their homes to six evacuated graduate students, demonstrating extraordinary care and commitment. It is an example of our values in action and what defines us as a land-grant institution.
Kudos Corner
A shout-out to Kate Evans, WSU professor and pome fruit breeder in the Department of Horticulture. She is being recognized as one of eight 2026 Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Council this coming March.
Congratulations to our recent award-winning faculty in the Extension Youth and Families Program Unit. These include 4-H Associate Professor Ashley Hall, who received the Washington State Healthcare Authority’s Prevention Award of Excellence for her work in suicide prevention and mental health promotion. Educator Margaret Viebrock was honored by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for her 55 years of dedicated service to the profession. Extension Professor Susie Craig and the CAHNRS Communications team earned first place in the association’s Communication Award Category for Radio and Podcasts for the Food Safety in a Minute podcast. Skagit County Extension Specialist and Associate Professor Diane Smith and the Skagit Food Waste Prevention Team received the group’s Third Place National Award for Excellence in Teamwork for their consumer-focused food waste reduction campaign. Kudos to Unit Director Melissa McElprang for her initiative to share these awards and celebrate with all of us!
To all units: Please send your kudos to me. All the good work happening across CAHNRS and the impacts that faculty and staff are having in our communities need to be recognized and celebrated. Every award matters, and your accomplishments are now being shared in the Faculty and Staff Awards section of the CAHNRS homepage. You can share your awards and recognitions through the new submission webpage.
A reminder to faculty and staff about an opportunity to strengthen our academic community as a conduct advisor through the Center for Community Standards. Conduct advisors support students who are navigating difficult situations, answer questions from those going through the conduct process, and help them understand and avoid violations. Faculty and staff members from any WSU campus may serve—please consider giving back to the students at the heart of our mission.
I’m proud of all that our college is doing and look forward to more great things in the new year. May this season bring peace, joy, and inspiration to you and those you hold dear. Please stay safe and healthy!
Until next time, Go Cougs!
Sincerely,
Raj