Four Generations of Crimson Pride
Pullman, Washington, is a small town that holds a special place in the hearts of many. For many families, it’s more than just a place; it’s a part of their history, a string that connects generations.
Washington State University provides a Cougar pride that runs deep; children grow up knowing WSU is a safe and comfortable place. It’s a thread that runs through their lives, connecting them to each other and to the community in which they grew up hearing stories.
In 1958, James Nosziger heard of Pullman through a dear friend. Nosziger had decided to go back to school to earn his doctorate in animal science. He took his family from Southern California and moved them to Pullman. His daughter Chris attended Pullman High School for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade.
In 1961, Nosziger earned his doctorate and became one of the very first consulting animal nutritionists working for the cattle and dairy industry. He and his family moved back to Southern California. Chris described her father as “just the best, the monarch of the family, everyone loved him.”
Chris finished high school in 1963 and decided to follow in her dad’s footsteps and return to Pullman to attend WSU. She joined a sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and met her future husband, David Daheme. He graduated from WSU with a civil engineering degree, and they moved back to Southern California where they had three children.
The two oldest children went to school in Southern California, but their youngest son, Chad Daheme, had heard his parents talk about WSU throughout his childhood and decided to head to Pullman to see and experience the place himself.
Chad met his future wife, Brady Merritt while attending WSU. Pullman was in her blood, as she was also a third-generation Cougar. Chad and Brady graduated in 1993 and moved to Brady’s hometown of Wenatchee, Wash., to settle and have a family.
Chad and Brady’s son, Colin, had heard stories from both parents and grandparents about WSU, and when he attends WSU this fall, he will be a fourth-generation Cougar. The family can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. Pullman and WSU have brought them together, and they will always be a part of their story.
One generation after another, this family has been connected to Pullman and WSU, drawn to the small-town charm and the deep sense of community that permeates everything.
But it’s not just about one family; it’s about the countless others who have been touched by this town and this university. Pullman is more than just a place; it’s a feeling, a sense of belonging, a home, found in a small town.
Are you a multigenerational Cougar? We want to hear and share your story! Contact ilipi@wsu.edu with your family’s story or fill out this survey https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cFIZLcExYAayPga.
