Humans of WSU Libraries: Senior Edition
Similar to the “Humans of New York” photoblog series, where New Yorkers are interviewed and photographed, WSU students are interviewed about themselves and their experience at WSU. In this edition, Browse intern Elyse Donley spoke with WSU seniors, who reflected on their past four years and their final semester at WSU.
From Sammamish, Washington, Julia Matthews is majoring in accounting.
Matthews’ older brother attended WSU, and because they were very similar, she knew WSU would be a great fit. So far, her favorite memories come from any day it’s sunny and everyone gets together to do something fun.
“One of my favorite parts of this school is since it is a small town, everyone kind of lives together. It’s such a tight-knit community, and you don’t have to go far to see your friends,” Matthews said.
WSU’s tight-knit community played a major role in Matthews’ success during her career at WSU.
“The biggest thing is my career advisor. She helped me make so many connections. She helped me get into my master’s program and receive an internship for this summer,” she said.
Matthews, an active Greek Life member, spent considerable time in the library while living in her sorority house and has continued to do so during her senior year.
“When I lived in my sorority house, it was so hard to get peace and quiet, and the library is always great for that,” she said. “Now I’m always in the library. I like the study rooms, and it has Windows computers I can use. A lot of my accounting classes use Excel and Microsoft applications, which the Windows computers are better for.”
Matthews plans to attend University of Washington after graduating from WSU to receive her master’s in professional accounting. This summer, she will intern at Deloitte accounting firm in Seattle.
“I’m going to miss living with my friends, and just how small [Pullman] is. You can walk anywhere here, and you can’t do that in Seattle,” she said.
When asked to describe WSU in one word, Matthews said “opportunity.”
Samantha McCoy of Richland, Washington, is majoring in business economics.
McCoy grew up as a Coug. Her dad and brother attended WSU, and she always visited Pullman because of the close drive over from Richland.
“I grew up coming to the football games. I learned to love the community and the environment that surrounded the school,” she said.
Now that McCoy is completing her senior year, she’s made her own memories at WSU and found her place in the community. She is an active Greek Life member and is part of the WSU Sales Club.
“I like that Pullman is such a small town. There’s not always many things to do here, but the people in the town make the experience special,” she said. “They always say that Cougs help Cougs. So it’s been nice to make those connections with my professors and classmates over the past four years.”
McCoy’s major focuses heavily on group work, and the libraries are an essential tool to meet with her groups to collaborate, she said. She also loves the central location of Terrell Library. In between classes, she will stop by to catch up on schoolwork and take a break.
McCoy plans to move to Seattle and begin her career in sales. She will work at Packaging Corporation of America as a corrugated business associate.
“I think this is a very exciting time; there’s a lot of changes. But it’s also sad that there are a lot of lasts this year. I know the friendships I made at WSU will last past graduation and into the rest of my life,” she said.
Jennifer Gibson of Loomis, California, is majoring in communications.
Being out of state, Gibson hadn’t heard much of WSU, except from an older friend in her high school who stumbled across the university and fell in love with the campus.
“I wanted to go out of state. I didn’t really know anyone who came to WSU, but [my] friend convinced me to visit. I fell in love with the community feel that WSU gave me,” she said.
WSU created many opportunities for Gibson. Not only did she meet an array of new friends from Washington, but she also found her passion for public relations at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.
“I think that WSU gave me a lot of opportunities that I may not have found at another school. My college offered me multiple programs and clubs that you can’t find anywhere else. The professors really care about you here and push opportunities for you to get involved on and off campus,” she said.
The library is one of Gibson’s favorite locations on campus. The resources it offers, such as independent study rooms, printing, and a quiet atmosphere, contributed to her studies over the past few years.
Leaving WSU behind won’t be easy for Gibson.
“I am really excited for new opportunities after graduation and to do something different. I’m also nervous because I love WSU and I love my friends, so it will be really sad leaving this place,” she said.
Gibson plans to travel around Europe after graduation and start her career in either San Diego or Seattle.