WSU Graduating Seniors Take Memories of Libraries With Them

Three WSU Libraries’ student workers graduated May 3 and are ready to take what they learned—in class and in their jobs—into the next chapter of their lives.

Research Services’ student reference assistant Janai Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, pre-veterinary. From Federal Way, Washington, she plans to spend the summer working, spending time with loved ones, and preparing to return to WSU in the fall as a first-year veterinary student. To learn more about Johnson, please see an earlier Browse video.

“I’ve enjoyed working with people the most. Because the library is such a central place on campus for students, faculty, and community members, it’s always fun seeing familiar and new faces,” she said. “I’ll definitely miss the amazing staff here at the libraries. They’ve had a huge impact not only on my time working here, but also on my college experience as a whole.”

History graduate Ryan Minton of Sammamish, Washington, worked in Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections and has been one of MASC’s most outstanding students, said Will Gregg, WSU manuscripts librarian.

“He is able to work on anything you throw at him and is skilled with answering careful research questions,” Gregg said. “It has been a tremendous help to be able to rely on Ryan to help with anything that might come up from day to day. I’m looking forward to seeing him back at MASC sometime as a researcher.”

Minton will attend University of Oregon this fall to begin work on his doctorate in history, with a focus on the 19th-century U.S. West.

“Working in the archives has been a really great experience, especially as an undergraduate,” he said. “I got a lot of hands-on experience doing research and working directly with archival material and gained great insight into how archives work and operate, both of which are extremely important for doing historical research.”

Alana Williams received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and worked with WSU Libraries’ Systems IT staff member Jason Anderson. From King County, she was one of 10 student presenters from the WSU Digital Audio Collective who successfully lobbied for funding from the WSU Student Technology Fee Committee last December for a new Synth Lab in Holland Library’s Dimensions Lab.

The lab contains a suite of electronic instruments and recording equipment for creating electronic music and sound design. This includes synthesizers, keyboards, samplers, drum machines, and recording equipment. All WSU undergraduates can book the lab for four hours, and access is not limited or prioritized by affiliation with a department or group.

“I am thankful the libraries gave me the opportunity to find community with like-minded people and to learn how to make a difference,” Williams said.