Cougar Quarterly - WSU Vancouver

Cougar Quarterly Winter 2025, Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight

Sara Baldwin, B.A. ’24, Business Administration

Jacob Czech, B.S. ’24, Mechanical Engineering

Sara Baldwin and Jacob Czech both grew up in Battle Ground, Wash., but they didn’t know each other well until mutual friends set them up on a double date—bowling while wearing prom attire. That was the start of what is now a four-year relationship, during which they attended WSU Vancouver and graduated together in May 2024. Now they are renting their home in Clark County, with plans to marry in August. And they have adopted a cat affectionately named Bill Nye the Science Cat.

Sara was in the Running Start program, earning her associate’s degree in business from Clark College before transferring to WSU Vancouver. She majored in marketing, with a focus on sales. She started the WSU Vancouver Sales Club, where students were encouraged to learn how to sell themselves.

Jacob grew up in a Coug household. His father graduated from WSU Pullman. When Jacob went with his dad to “Take Your Child to Work Day” and saw his dad’s WSU memorabilia, he knew he wanted to be a Coug too. He fondly remembers driving to Pullman for Cougar football. He followed his father in choosing a degree in mechanical engineering.

Jacob has worked for Rogue Combustion for a year and a half, servicing industrial boilers. Sara works for W.W. Grainger industrial supply as a field account representative. As both work to expand their careers, they have made a personal goal to visit every U.S. national park and travel to see more of the world. They love to take cruises and are looking forward to an upcoming cruise to Alaska.

While traveling in Cozumel, Mexico, they met another Coug. In fact, using their favorite conversation starter, “Go Cougs,” they have met Cougs from all over the world—people who have attended WSU, had family members who had attended or just love our mascot.

WSU Vancouver memories

They love being part of WSU Vancouver. Said Jacob: “The school is just small enough to walk, while not being so small as to be cramped. The quad displays the beauty of our local mountain views while being a great place to study in the early fall and late spring.” Sara said she has especially fond memories of the opportunities on campus for leadership, academics and school spirit. “From joining in on fun events on the quad to attending professional development events in the student commons, there are hundreds of ways to be an active Coug on campus,” she said.

They’ve watched the campus change as the Life Sciences Building went up. “Watching them develop, construct and commemorate this addition to campus during our time as students has been incredible,” Jacob said. “We are so excited to see what the next big thing for WSU Vancouver will be!”

Both serve as impromptu ambassadors for WSU Vancouver. Jacob, who was the Vancouver mascot, Butch, for more than two years, still fills in occasionally—he especially loved making kids smile. Both speak highly of WSU Vancouver to prospective students. Now, their lives are filled with WSU memorabilia and games, such as WSU jerseys, Wazzuopoly and WSU-life-sized Jenga.

To students and future Cougs, they have this advice: “Success isn’t easy, and neither is a good grade in History 105. Both will come if you work hard enough,” Jacob said. And Sara added, “Get involved in campus—and think about the future early.”

Cougar Quarterly Winter 2025, Cougar Business Spotlight

Anthony Harris, B.A. ’05, Finance

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Tell us about your current role and how long you've been with BBSI.

I joined BBSI in 2016 as controller and was promoted to executive director of accounting and finance in 2018, then to CFO in March 2020.

My CFO role includes oversight of our corporate and operational finance teams, accounting and SEC reporting teams, and our product support teams, like payroll and tax operations, and client contracting and billing. I also work with our Audit Committee chair to oversee internal audit. Daily, I work closely with our CEO, COO and other senior leaders on our short- and long-term strategies and initiatives. We are always focused on continuous improvement across the company.

Every day is different in the challenges it brings, but my overriding theme is helping our company achieve its mission for our clients and setting up our people and our company for long-term success. I am fortunate to work for a company with great people, a compelling service and in a growing industry.

What made you want to pursue a career in your current industry?

I have always had an interest in finance and analytics. I also love learning and doing new things. I initially found public accounting to be a great fit as I got to work with a wide variety of clients and learn about their industries. In my finance and accounting roles, I have always used a lot of critical thinking in understanding how things work and how to convey stories from data.

But despite being a “numbers person,” my passion has always been for people. I’ve loved working with a wide variety of teams and clients, and as my career progressed, a larger share of my responsibility and my impact has been focused on leadership. Having the right skills and the right answers is great, but what sets people apart is their ability to work effectively with others to achieve goals. Without collaboration, we can’t achieve anything big.

Tell us more about your career goals, BBSI's mission and your community involvement.

Because of my interest in leadership and working with people, I personally have always wanted to focus my career on industries where people were the primary product. When a company delivers its services through people, it will always pay to invest in those people. I’ve also wanted to continue advancing in my career in part to expand the impact I can have through leadership. Making a difference for people and with people is a huge part of what motivates me in life.

That was a key factor in my joining BBSI in 2016. BBSI’s mission is to help small businesses thrive by coming alongside entrepreneurs and providing people-related solutions and expertise. Our services include HR consulting, payroll, employee benefits, insurance products, risk and safety, and strategic advising—but the key is that our services are delivered through a dedicated team of local team members. We have about 8,000 small business clients around the country served by local branch teams in 68 markets.

Being a leader at BBSI allows me to use my skills and background in finance, but it also allows me to have a significant impact on the people across our company and in turn for our small-business clients in communities across the country. That’s a big part of why I love my job so much.

BBSI helps foster a culture of supporting our local communities by providing paid team volunteer hours for our teams to work together on community impact projects. I always love hearing the stories from our teams’ projects and the difference they make.

Is there a Cougar culture at BBSI?

There are a lot of Cougs working at BBSI! As we continue to expand and invest in our headquarters operations in Vancouver, I expect there will be even more Cougs over time. We recently expanded internship roles and have already had interns from WSU Vancouver. I look forward to having more.

Tell us about your journey to being a Cougar.

Both of my parents attended WSU, so I have a long history of connection to the university. Growing up in Clark County, I was immediately drawn to the idea of a research university in our backyard. I attended WSU Vancouver from 2003 – 2005, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on finance and accounting.

I honestly went into the program with an open mind and a fair amount of uncertainty about where the degree program would take me after graduation. While at WSU Vancouver, I got to work closely with several exceptional professors, including Claire Latham and Jane Cote in the accounting program. They and others were influential in helping advise me as I considered career options coming out of school.

In my senior year, I pursued a career in public accounting and ultimately joined PwC. I got married just after graduating, and my wife and I decided to start our lives together in California. I worked with PwC in northern California there for three years and then transferred with PwC again to Melbourne, Australia, where we lived for two more years. Those early years were invaluable as we met new people and experienced so many new things, but we ultimately wanted to start a family, and we were a long way from free babysitters! So, we moved back to Vancouver in 2010 and have lived here since. We now have three children, ages 8, 11 and 14.

What did you especially enjoy about the WSU Vancouver campus and/or your program?
I received a phenomenal education at WSU Vancouver. My professors were world-class, and because of the size of the campus and programs, I was able to develop genuine relationships with the professors and get meaningful and impactful guidance. My career journey was significantly shaped by the advice and support of my WSU Vancouver professors. And I still use the tools and concepts I learned 20 years ago in my job today.

How has WSU Vancouver changed since you were a student?
It was only a two-year school when I attended. I’m glad that it has expanded and hope to see it continue to expand in the years ahead. We shouldn’t underestimate the impact of having a quality four-year university in our local community. I have long been a supporter of WSU Vancouver and will continue to be long into the future.

What is your advice for current students or future Cougs?
My advice for Cougs is simple: You have all the opportunity of a world-class education available to you, and like any education, what you get out of it is entirely dependent on what you put into it. Take the opportunity to learn, soak up everything you can, and develop as many relationships as possible.

Cougar Quarterly Winter 2025, Cougs in the Community

Save the date: May 1

May Day Flower Delivery

Join fellow Cougar alumni to help celebrate WSU golden graduates with the gift of flowers. Be on the lookout for more information on this volunteer opportunity.

Notable Alumni Nomination

The 2025 Notable Alumni Award nominations are open. The WSU Vancouver Notable Alumni Award honors alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations, careers and/or community service reflect WSU Vancouver's legacy of excellence. You can make the nomination online. The deadline is May 31.

The award began in 2014 with 25 Notable Alumni chosen in honor of the university’s 25^th anniversary. Read about past recipients.

Be featured in future editions of the Cougar Quarterly!

Interesting in being featured in the Cougar Quarterly? Contact Jacob Hirning at Jacob.hirning@wsu.edu or call at 360-541-9600.

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2024, Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight

Peter Collier
B.A. ’16, Marketing; MBA ’20

Tell us about your journey to become a Coug.
I was born and raised a Coug. My father, mother and grandmother all graduated from WSU Pullman. I learned to spell Washington by singing the WSU fight song.

From an early age my family instilled in me a fondness for education. My grandfather, Hal Dengerink, who was the first chancellor of WSU Vancouver, told me about his days conducting research and how important it was to take in all that the world had to offer.

I evaluated nearly every school throughout the Pacific Northwest, but I kept being drawn toward WSU. The deciding factor was the community the university represents. Cougs support one another in the mission of creating a better future for everyone. I felt this firsthand through folks like Ron Pimentel and Tom Tripp, whom I met through a business club in high school and who were my professors at WSU Vancouver. They showed me how WSU provides a world-class education that helps people like me get hands-on experience to make an impact on my community.

I chose to attend WSU Vancouver to experience the campus my grandfather helped establish and because I could get a personalized education that would give me the skills to succeed in my career. But most important, I chose WSU to be a part of the community focused on making a positive impact on a global scale.

What are you doing now?
I began my career as a research analyst, then pivoted into marketing management. But I kept being drawn toward data. Today I am the senior data analytics manager at Highspot, a sales enablement company in Seattle. Every day I help tell stories with data. I love finding “aha!” moments within the data that can propel organizations forward.

Shortly after acquiring my MBA in 2020, Jane Cote, then academic director for WSU Vancouver’s Carson College of Business, tasked me to teach a marketing course. That began a parallel journey to my career as an instructor for the Carson College of Business. I have served on the college's board for the past five years, mentoring students and Business Growth MAP teams. In addition, I’ve done a lot of consulting and worked closely with startups.

Beyond work, I have an endless list of interests, such as cycling, brewing beer, gardening, candle making, painting and taking courses. My wife, Savannah Collier, and I have spent the past few years exploring the northwest in our camper van with our two dogs, and in 2023 we logged over 6,000 miles on our bikes. Most of my days include riding my bike and listening to an audiobook.

Where is the strangest place you’ve been and met another Coug?
I am usually the one to yell “Go Cougs!” first. I have met Cougs just about anywhere I have traveled. Last September I walked past a Coug in the Zurich Airport, and we greeted each other with a “Go Cougs.”

What was something you enjoyed about WSU Vancouver?
The campus is beautiful. It is hard to compete with early morning views of Mount St. Helens or the wonderful trails around campus. And what I loved most about my experience in the Carson College of Business was the engaging faculty, who challenged us and provided real-world context to what we were learning.

How has WSU Vancouver changed since you were a student?
As an alumnus of the business college, it is incredible to see the “Next Carson Coug” program take off. The program helps provide students with a well-rounded set of skills that will help them excel in their careers.

How do you support WSU Vancouver as an alum?
Besides my involvement with the Carson College of Business, I am an advocate for WSU Vancouver with the people I interact with every day.

How do you share your Cougar spirit?
I love to use the phrase “Go Cougs!” as a celebratory phrase for just about anything—regardless of sport, event or game I am playing.

What is your advice for current students or future Cougs?
Take your time and take it all in! Your education is a wonderful time to explore your interests. It is a time unlike any other where you have the freedom to test the waters and discover what excites you the most. It is easy to get caught up on pushing through the semester, but soon enough it will all be a thing you wish you could go back to. Also, reach out to your professors, give others the benefit of the doubt and always help a fellow Coug.

Any parting thoughts?
I am grateful to both my grandparents, Hal and Joan Dengerink, who played a huge role in my life as a Coug. They inspired me to do great things. I hope to someday leave a legacy like they have.

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2024, Fall Cougar Business Spotlight

Cougar Business Spotlight

Heather Deringer
B.A. ’99, Humanities
Owner of Home Helpers Home Care in the Vancouver area

Heather Deringer started Home Helpers Home Care in March 2022. “I wanted the chance to combine all of my skill sets acquired over the years,” she said. “I’m one of those people who has done a little bit of everything, including having the opportunity to stay at home raising my kids when they were little.”

During those years, Deringer was a volunteer leader, coach, board member and more. Her degree in English, with a certificate in professional and technical writing plus a business administration minor, prepared her for work in marketing and communications. “I think I was ready to take the risks involved with owning my own business, leading employees, and doing something that felt full of purpose and that I had a passion for,” she said. “Mostly I wanted the opportunity to truly build my own team and fulfill my own vision of what my business would look and feel like.”

Deringer opened the business “to provide meaningful care for people who need it and meaningful jobs for people who want them.” She is part of a national franchise but can put her own locally focused touch on it. The company’s mission is to be the most trusted and respected provider of comprehensive home care services and support for individuals who choose to remain independent in their homes and communities.

“My individual motto is to be the FACE of caregiving,” she said. “We embody Fairness, Authenticity, Compassion and Excellence.” She lists two primary goals: “to be a local resource to provide in-home care for people needing it”—especially important as the senior population grows, along with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia—“and to find more ways to serve and support the growing number of veterans who deserve the best quality care possible.”

She feels strong ties to WSU Vancouver. “My son brought some Cougar Gold on his last trip home so we could celebrate the newest Coug in the house, his sister Campbell, after her transfer there for the coming fall semester. We’ll make that a tradition for the long haul! Now that I’ve started my own business, I’m hoping another new Coug tradition might build on that example—taking their skills and leadership out into the world.”

She enjoys the Coug culture and the ties it creates among friends and even strangers. “The culture of Cougs helping Cougs is real, and I see it all the time,” she said.

Deringer was the first WSU graduate in her family, and her son, Blake, recently graduated from the Pullman campus. He returned last year to start his master’s program. Her youngest, Campbell, is transferring there this year and will swim for WSU. “So two of us have graduated, with another degree in the making and another Coug in the pipeline.” Daughter Avery attends the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Deringer, who has lived in the Vancouver area for 28 years, decided to attend WSU Vancouver after getting married. At the time, she already had three years of college elsewhere under her belt. ”WSU Vancouver provided me an opportunity to finish my degree locally with a great university,” she said. “I was in the first graduating class from WSU Vancouver at the campus in Salmon Creek in May 1997. We had one classroom building and our professors were often remote in Pullman and came over once or twice a semester to teach in Vancouver.”

She said she encounters Cougs everywhere she goes: “Traveling with my husband (Jeffrey Deringer) and kids to sporting events, vacations and more. If you see a WSU logo you know you can give a ‘Go Cougs!’ and get one back! My son thinks the fact that ‘Drago’ from Rocky IV is a WSU engineering graduate is great!”

She is proud to own her own business at last. “For people who may not think of ‘In Home Care’ as being as ‘important’ as a number of other skilled medical arenas, we are often the front line to help keep people from re-entering the hospital, spotting trends that indicate other health issues, preventing them from becoming a real crisis,” she said. “I have literally had clients tell me that our team ‘saved their lives’ and ‘helped them walk again when they thought they never would’ and that without us, ‘I would have died.’ We may not be wielding scalpels and lasers, but we make an important and meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Home Helpers Home Care Central Clark County, 360-291-8100, hderinger@homehelpershomecare.com, 201 NE Park Plaza Dr #200, Vancouver, WA 98684

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2024, Save the date for Cougar cheer and gift gear

Save the date for Cougar cheer and gift gear

Holiday Photos with Butch is returning from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Vancouver Hilton Downtown. Gather your friends and family members to take a free photo with Butch T. Cougar and shop for Coug gear at the Crimson and Gray pop-up shop. This is a pet-friendly event.

Make a cash donation or bring non-perishable food items to support the Cougar Food Pantry. Visit the Cougar Food Pantry webpage to learn more about what food items are needed.

Can’t attend the event but still want to support the Cougar Food Pantry? Make a gift today!

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2024, Celebrating our volunteers

Celebrating our volunteers

Cougs in the Community
WSU alumni and friends of WSU volunteered in support of this year’s incoming students as part of the Cougs in the Community program. Cougs in the Community invites Cougs to participate in service projects to support local programs and nonprofit organizations.

Volunteers assembled 800 starter food kits for the Cougar Food Pantry. These starter kits provided students with a can opener, basic spices, and seasonings in a reusable tote bag. This year, the Cougar Food Pantry has handed out 61% more food bags to students in the first week than in 2023.

Food insecurity affects more than 4 million college students in the United States. Food insecurity negatively affects students’ academic performance, physical and mental health. WSU Vancouver and the Cougs in the Community volunteers are doing their part to help solve this important problem.

Wave the Flag
With the start of the 2024/25 academic year came another opportunity to wave the Cougar flag, as more than 50 volunteers welcomed students to campus on the first day of classes. Alumni, donors, staff and community members waved the Cougar flag at three locations as people arrived to campus. This 10-year tradition allows volunteers to show their Cougar pride and get new and returning students excited for the school year.

Next volunteer event: December
Stay tuned for more details about the next Cougs in the Community event at the Clark County Food Bank from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Cougs in the Community events not only help the community, they are tons of fun. Get your new Cougs in the Community T-shirt by signing up.

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2024, Pilots volleyball vs. Washington State Cougars Nov. 16

Pilots volleyball vs. Washington State Cougars Nov. 16

Join Cougar faithful before the game at Satellite Tavern to cheer on the WSU Cougar volleyball team. The pregame event takes place at 11:30 a.m. RSVP today!

The first serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Chiles Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on the Portland Pilots website.

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2024, Happy 35th anniversary to WSU Vancouver!

Happy 35th anniversary to WSU Vancouver!

Then and now
This year marks the 35^th anniversary of WSU Vancouver. On May 10, 1989, the State Legislature founded Washington State University Vancouver, which originally operated out of Bauer Hall on the Clark College campus. WSU Vancouver moved to the newly built Salmon Creek campus in 1996, which opened with just an administrative building, a library, a classroom building, a physical plant building and the bookstore building which is now the Firstenburg Student Commons. Since then, the campus has added 10 more buildings, including the brand-new Life Sciences Building.

New features on campus
WSU Vancouver has changed dramatically over 35 years. Among the most notable additions to campus are:

Life Sciences Building—60,000 square feet housing labs for biology and chemistry, cutting-edge technology for students in STEM, a brand-new greenhouse, plus significant additions to the campus art collection—2024
Cougar Pride statue—2024
Carson College of Business Center for Student Success—2015
Undergraduate Building—2009
The Firstenburg Family Fountain—the only fountain in the WSU system—2000

Leadership
H.A. “Hal” Dengerink came to WSU Vancouver from WSU Pullman as acting dean in 1989, became WSU Vancouver’s first chancellor in 2003 and Chancellor Emeritus in 2011.Starting from the ground up, he helped turn a 351-acre undeveloped hillside in Salmon Creek into a beautiful campus designed to serve the Southwest Washington community.

Dengerink had a vision for the future of the campus that guided development of the university. His collaboration with the community and ability to garner support are prime reasons the campus was able to grow under his leadership.

In 2012, WSU Vancouver welcomed Mel Netzhammer as chancellor. Netzhammer is passionate about growing the number of students who successfully complete their academic degrees and expanding access to higher education—especially for the underrepresented. He values campus and community engagement, and has developed a number of strategic partnerships to support economic development and grow the workforce in Southwest Washington and the greater metropolitan area. Netzhammer announced in August that he will retire in summer 2025.

Today and beyond
Today there are more than 18,000 WSU Vancouver alumni, 95% of whom reside in the area. WSU Vancouver alumni work at your bank, file your taxes, teach your children and so much more.

Going back to its roots and the reason for its founding, the university considers the opinions of current and potential students, and business and community leaders when deciding which programs will best meet the needs of students and businesses, with an eye toward growing the local economy.

Founded in 1636, Harvard University considers itself to be the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. In light of Harvard’s 388-year history, WSU Vancouver’s 35-year history is miniscule. But in the words of Chancellor Emeritus Dengerink on the occasion of WSU Vancouver’s 20th anniversary, “The impact of WSU Vancouver on the community is greater than the duration of its existence.”

Cougar Quarterly Fall 2023

Chris Pacanins

Alumni Spotlight

Chris Pacanins
B.A. 2016 (WSU Vancouver), Digital Technology and Culture

Chris Pacanins attended community college off and on as he could afford it. After marrying his wife, Cori, in 2010, it was time to get serious. The couple was contemplating a move from Texas to Southwest Washington, and on a visit, he connected with Dene Grigar, professor and Vancouver campus lead of the Digital Technology and Culture program. “I was sold,” he said. “Within a year we packed everything in our car and made the move.” He finished his A.A. degree at Clark College and started at WSU Vancouver in fall 2013.

“A big selling point at the time was being able to take most classes at night and online,” Pacanins said. “This made it so much easier to work full time and work on my degree.” He also valued the CMDC program’s job placement rate of more than 90%—and found a job two weeks before graduating at Gravitate, a digital marketing agency in downtown Vancouver.

He left the agency briefly to work for HP in Vancouver and then a marketing consultancy in Portland, but seized an opportunity to return to Gravitate for the promise of work-life balance and a 1.5-mile commute to work. Plus, he added, “I have a huge heart for the downtown community, and I’m grateful to contribute to it every day.”

He has high praise for the CMDC program, which, he said, “has some of the best educators I know, and so much passion for their students’ success.” As an alum, he said, “I speak highly of WSU Vancouver and CMDC any chance I get. I love to recommend it to young people in the community and encourage them into higher education.”

Pacanins has a highly personal perspective on what it means to be a Coug—to him, it isn’t about the usual trappings of campus life. “Not being a college football fan, and as a graduate in my late 20s and someone who never experienced the massive college life, I still consider myself a Coug,” he said. “I’ve never been to Pullman but there are plenty of Cougs in Vancouver. I’ll give a, ‘Go Cougs’ when I see someone, and I know it’ll catch them off guard just enough and make their day.”

He has some practical advice for current students or future Cougs: “Enjoy the ride. No one way is the right way to getting your degree. Oh, and network.”

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Cougar Business Alliance

Amor Sapphire
Shaila Gomez-Vargas
B.A. (WSU Pullman), 2022, Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles

How long have you owned your company?

It was established June 2022, but after lots of renovations, I officially opened the doors in May 2023.

What made you want to own your own business?

I have had a passion for fashion since high school. I knew I wanted to be my own boss one day, and business was the first step to guide me in the right direction. Then I switched my focus from fashion to apparel. What interests me the most is the style of clothing.

On the side, I help my dad with his construction company, Pacific NW Plastering LLC. I take care of all things business-related: creating invoices, proposals/estimates/agreements, bidding, website, and handling all things banking, insurance and paperwork. As I learned and adapted to those needs, my dad’s business helped me grow professionally.

Previously, I worked in fast food but did not enjoy working for others or wearing uniforms. I also worked for a consignment store and learned about the clothing industry, what sells and what won’t. I really loved working there. I genuinely wanted to learn more about the business model so was always figuring out ways to grow my position there. When I left for college, they closed due to COVID. At the time, they were the only store in the area that sold women’s, men’s and children’s wear.

I wanted to bring back that one-stop family shop experience. Also, there are still not many consignment stores on the West Coast—it’s better known on the East Coast. We needed another consignment store in the area, which is why I decided to open my own. Not only do we offer all three options—men’s, women’s and children’s wear—but many stores don’t take lingerie or maternity wear. I do. I also take formal and athletic wear.

Tell us more about your business, goals, mission and community involvement?

The name Amor Sapphire comes from “Amor” meaning “Love” in Spanish, and Sapphire is my birthstone. The logo consists of a blue Sapphire rock in the shape of a heart, connecting with Amor/“Love.” If I ever have a daughter, I hope to name her Sapphire.

As a consignment shop, our goal is to build positive, long-lasting relationships with our consignors (sellers) and our customers, accompanied by honest and valuable services. Consignment shops, alongside thrift shops, envision becoming the most trusted retail sources in the fashion industry. You can trust we are staying true to the five Rs; Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Rewear and Resell.

Amor Sapphire will donate unsold items to partner donation organizations, such as Rose Haven, William Temple House, Q Center, The Giving Closet, Salvation Army, Goodwill and Dress for Success.

What is your favorite thing about WSU or being a Coug?

The culture for sure. When I started at WSU Vancouver a few years back, I loved all of the community engagement opportunities every week all around campus. After transferring from WSU Vancouver to WSU Pullman, I enjoyed how much the entire university would hype the football games and all things sports around campus. Aside from that, I had some amazing professors, and that is what made my learning experience enjoyable.

How many Coug family members do you have?

I am first-generation college student, and the only one to graduate from a university in Washington.

How long have you lived in the Vancouver area?

I lived in Vancouver during part of my elementary and middle-school years, then moved to Beaverton starting in high school. I moved back to Vancouver my senior year in high school.

What do you think about WSU Vancouver being a part of this community?

It’s so convenient to have a campus nearby. When I attended WSU Vancouver, I would just go back home to my family after being done with classes. What I was not so fond of was that there wasn’t any on-campus living or apartment homes. I had always wanted to have that college experience, and without actually living like a college student, I felt like I was missing out on that at the time.

What is the strangest or furthest place you’ve traveled where you randomly met a Coug?

What definitely caught me off guard was that my landlord for the space I am renting is a Coug alumnus! I guess that isn’t so unusual, but I wasn’t expecting it.

Please share a favorite memory working on the job.

Every memory is a good memory working on something that you truly have a passion for. I have always had a passion for fashion, and every day is different—a different conversation, a different customer, a new experience. I learn from it every day.

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Kick off your holidays with Butch T. Cougar!

Get into the holiday spirit early this year by snagging a holiday photo with Butch T. Cougar! Join us Nov. 30 at the Hilton Vancouver for a free holiday photo shoot with Butch. While you’re there, be sure to stop by Crimson & Gray’s holiday popup shop. It’s the perfect time to grab the latest WSU gear and gifts for all the Cougs in your life. This event is pet-friendly too, so be sure to bring your four-legged friends to join in the holiday fun!

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. photos with Santa Butch
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. photos with Holiday Butch
7:30 – 8 p.m. +pet photos with Santa Butch
8 – 8:30 p.m. +pet photos with Holiday Butch

For more information, email Kymberly Heney at kymberly.heney@wsu.edu. We’ll see you there!

Presenting sponsers:

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Give the gift of a Legacy Square this holiday season

Looking for a memorable gift for a special Coug in your life this holiday season? Consider giving the gift of a WSU Vancouver Legacy Square. Each square contains a custom engraving of your choice and will leave a lasting impact on the WSU Vancouver campus. Whether you are shopping for yourself or a loved one, be sure to consider giving the gift of Cougar pride with a Legacy Square.

For more information, email Kymberly Heney at kymberly.heney@wsu.edu.

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Come join the WSU Vancouver team!

Interested in starting a career with WSU Vancouver? We’re hiring! Check out our current job openings here.

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Giving tuesday logo

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday – Nov. 28

Join a global movement of compassion and generosity this Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28! Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Participating in Giving Tuesday is a meaningful way to make a positive impact and promote a culture of generosity and giving. Learn more about Giving Tuesday priorities at WSU Vancouver here.

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