Research

Since she was 7, Aiko Yamada has always been known as the “plant person.” When a family friend and biologist visited her from Honduras, her mother’s home country, Yamada knew for sure that plants were her path. Trying to make conversation with Yamada, the friend asked about her favorite color, to which she replied, “blue.”  […]

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., a crimson flag — seemingly out of place with its white cougar symbol — floated above the heads of excited fans on ESPN game day Nov. 9, 2019.  Puzzled, Erica England asked her nephew about the flag. She realized it was the same logo as the university job she recently applied for, […]

Vernon Gallup wanted something different. Something unique. Something no one else had. In 2008, he made history at the WSU Libraries by donating the largest single gift of rare books in the Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections’ 120-year past—about 20,000 volumes valued at $1.8 million.  “He had a love affair with his books. I’ve never […]

Alongside her love of travel, history, and microfilm, humanities librarian Erin Hvizdak holds a special place in her heart – and her research – for preserving stories of everyday women that are often lost in archives.  “There’s so much we don’t know about the history of women because the sources haven’t been preserved, they haven’t […]