An abbreviated history of WSU Vancouver.
Washington State University Vancouver is in the homelands of Chinook and Taidnapam peoples and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
2021
Faculty, staff and students returned to campus in person in August as COVID-19 vaccines were widely available. The campus celebrated the groundbreaking for the Life Sciences Building in November.
2020
WSU Vancouver abruptly changed all classes to distance delivery and nearly shutdown the physical campus after spring break in March in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
2019
A rare corpse flower housed at WSU Vancouver bloomed for its first time.
2018
Commencement was livestreamed for the first time to accommodate out-of-area and homebound family members and friends.
2017
WSU Vancouver Health Services opens offering students basic health care services on campus.
2016
WSU Vancouver developed and launched the 2016 – 2021 strategic plan. It identifies five goals: research, student success, growth, equity and diversity, and community.
2015
The Carson College of Business Center for Student Success was opened.
2014
WSU Vancouver celebrated its 25th anniversary.
2013
As a result of a student-led effort, WSU Vancouver became a tobacco-free campus.
2012
Emile "Mel" Netzhammer joined WSU Vancouver as its second Chancellor.
2011
Founding Chancellor H.A. Hal Dengerink retired. He was given the title Chancellor Emeritus and the Administration building was renamed the Dengerink Administration building in his honor.
2010
WSU Vancouver was the first urban site in Southwest Washington to earn Salmon-Safe certification, a designation that means the university is proactively and significantly improving the environmental health of its 351-acre property.
2009
The Undergraduate Building was completed. It was the first WSU facility to be awarded LEED Gold Certification.
2008
The Tod and Maxine McClaskey Foundation gave $1.5 million to expand the Child Development Program.
2007
The Firstenburg Student Commons was dedicated to the student body.
2006
WSU Vancouver welcomed its first freshman class.
2005
Ed and Mary Firstenburg became WSU Vancouver’s first Laureate donors. The Firstenburg Student Commons was named for them in recognition of their generosity.
2004
The School of Engineering and Computer Science became WSU Vancouver's first independently accredited school.
2003
“Pillars of Fulfillment,” a sculpture by Women Who Weld celebrating the life of Lori Irving, beloved assistant professor of psychology, was dedicated.
2000
The Firstenburg Family Fountain was completed. It’s the only fountain in the WSU system.
1997
The first commencement at the Salmon Creek site was held outdoors on campus.
1996
The new WSU Vancouver campus was dedicated on June 28, 1996.
1994
WSU Vancouver broke ground on the Salmon Creek site.
1993
WSU Vancouver was one of the first institutions in the country to use Interactive Electronic Classrooms (classes simulcast via video).
1991
The Salmon Creek site was purchased as the permanent home for WSU Vancouver.
1990
At the first WSU Vancouver commencement, 38 graduates received degrees.
1989
On May 10, 1989, the Washington State Legislature formally established WSU Vancouver as one of four campuses that make up the WSU system.