PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State University class of 2022 is getting ready to throw their caps in the air and say goodbye to their favorite place on the Palouse.
It is that time of year here in Pullman, where WSU seniors are making the time to say their goodbyes, and ultimately thank those who have gotten them to the point of crossing the stage, moving their tassels to the left.
Even though commencement is right around the corner and these students are soon to be alumni, they will always be a Cougar.
“Oh, that is a good question. What does it mean to be a Coug?” WSU Senior Gillis Williams said.
“Being a Coug is a lifelong thing, it’s not just going to college for four years,” WSU Senior Michel Harmon said.
“To be a Coug means to support others,” WSU Senior Abby Davis said.
“I don’t really know a lot of other schools where people will really go to bat for what their school stands for,” WSU Senior Chris Mitchell said.
“Being a Coug is really special,” Harmon said.
To those who have not lived in Pullman, who have not walked up the long hills of WSU’s campus, walked through the halls of the CUB, or gone to The Coug on a Friday night, being a Coug is not fully understood. Only those who have lived in this small college town in Eastern Washington can truly appreciate what the Coug community brings to the lives of those who attend, or have attended, WSU.
And when it is time to say goodbye, there are so many things to miss, and to remember.
“There’s a lot of things I’ll miss, it’s hard to pick just one thing,” WSU Senior Derek Strom said.
“I’m gonna miss hanging out with all you guys, all the friends I’ve made here,” Williams said. “Blending into a really good environment that not only fosters a great work ethic, but also fosters happiness and content.”
“It’s really cool to have friends you’ve known for years,” Harmon said. “Like your friends you meet freshman year that stay your friends for years and years.”
College has a way of teaching the lessons people did not even know they needed to learn. Graduates have had this precious time to learn and can now take these lessons with them into their next chapters and can share them with other students.
“If I could say to the whole WSU community, it would be to follow your heart,” Williams said. “Don’t be stuck doing something that you don’t want to do, don’t try to be somebody that you feel like you’re not.”
At the end of the day, all seniors truly want to say is “Thank you.”
“Thank you, WSU, for teaching me so many things. For teaching me about myself, teaching me about what I want to do, teaching me about consistency and working hard,” Harmon said. “I’m going to miss this place.”
“Thank you to the Coug community for being so welcoming and for offering so many different opportunities,” Davis said. “I feel like anywhere you go there’s always a Coug and that’s something that’s really special.”
“Thanks for having me, go Cougs,” Strom said.
The class of 2022 will be graduating Saturday May 7 in Beasley Coliseum.
