Caps and gowns abound in Pullman for Graduation Saturday

This Saturday is 'Graduation Saturday' at WSU and thousands of individuals that have spent the last several years of their life in Pullman will be receiving degrees and moving on with the rest of their lives. Graduation day has this crazy duality to it. For months and sometimes years, students will profess that they "can't wait to graduate" and then spend the rest of their lives talking about how college was the best time they ever had.

As for Graduation Day, I love walking around and feeling the vibe that comes from parents, grandparents, siblings, aunt and uncles, cousins, significant others, and friends celebrating the accomplishment of their loved ones.  I really enjoy watching people line up for pictures in front of the various landmarks in Pullman such as the WSU sign at the corner of Maine and Stadium Way, the little plaza right as you come into town on Grand Avenue, or the relatively new Cougar statue in front of Martin Stadium.  A captured moment in time to remember the four or more years of work and dedication you put in that is headed right for the fireplace mantle to remind you of how good you once looked.

For most, graduating from WSU means that they will no longer being residing in Pullman.  However, I hope that as graduates, you will still stay connected to the University in many ways. Joining the Alumni Association, donating to Washington State Foundation, and coming back to take in athletic events are great ways to relive the memories that you had and allow others to enjoy their memories at WSU.

Last year, I started a collection of antique postcards from places that have been meaningful to me at some point of my life.  Of course, this means I have a particular interest in postcards of WSU and the Palouse.  I was lucky to stumble across one batch of WSU postcards from the late 1950s, early 1960s on EBAY. The seller of those cards sent me a brief note after I had made my purchase stating that he was happy to see the cards were going home to the place that they came from.  In a follow up email, this gentleman wrote to me:

Feeling  a bit "historical" myself, I'll have to tell you I bought these when a student at WSU (changed from WSC while I was there), graduating in '58 .. excellent time of my life.... haven't been back to Pullman since about 1961, so I imagine there's been one or two changes.. enjoy the cards!

WSU is going to continue to change a lot. There are blueprints in place for the coming years. I don't think too many people list being too connected to their university and college friends as one of their major regrets in life. Watching change happen really gives you a perspective of what your place in history was.

Congratulations to all that have finished their education and are moving on to the next stage of their life.  You have your degree, and they can't take that away from you. As you will find out, there are not too many things in life you can say that about.

DEONE BUCANNON

One of the happier members of the class of 2014 is Deone Bucannon. He just landed his dream job of playing in the NFL. Bucannon became for the first first round pick from WSU in over a decade when he was selected Thursday night by the Arizona Cardinals. I am awfully proud of Deone and the progress he made here at WSU.  When I look at other high draft picks from WSU, they usually played on better teams.  While the program has made huge strides over the past four years, the Cougs were a combined 15-34 during Deone's time at WSU. However, he endured the adversity and was loyal to his teammates and the program.  He was a standout leader on the 2013 New Mexico Bowl team. Even though a leader, one thing that always stuck out about Deone was his humility, and that humility was evident by his reaction when he was drafted.  He knew how hard he had worked to get there and knows what lies ahead of him. No doubt Cougar Nation will be following his every step along the way.

Arizona selects WSU safety Deone Bucannon - Spokesman.com - May 9, 2014
In the emotional moment when Deone Bucannon’s life changed he had to take the most public phone call of his life. Surrounded by an estimated 25 to 30 friends and family members, the three-time All-Pac-12 safety became the first person to know that the Arizona Cardinals were making him their first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

BASEBALL

The Baseball team lost  Friday night to the last place Utah Utes 4-1 in thirteen innings.  Joe Pistorese was brilliant again for the Cougars going for a full nine innings, but falling victim to some timely hitting by the Utes and a lack of run support.  The Cougs missed a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the 10th when they had the bases loaded with one out and failed to score a run. The Cougs and Utes will square at 7pm on Saturday night. The evening matchup is a switch from the original 2pm scheduled first pitch.  The change was made to avoid all the congestion around graduation ceremonies.

Utah Baseball Outlasts Washington State, 4-1 in 13 Innings - The Official Athletic Site of the University of Utah
The University of Utah Official Athletic Site, partner of CBS College Sports Networks, Inc. The most comprehensive coverage of Utah Utes Athletics on the web.

SENIOR ATHLETES

WSU Honors Senior Student-Athletes - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Senior Recognition Luncheon was held, Friday.

ROWING

Cougar Spotlight: Spencer and Mallory Wordell - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The Washington State University Official Athletic Site, partner of NeuLion, Inc. The most comprehensive coverage of Washington State University Athletics on the web.