Friday, Jul. 10, 2009

WSU Tri-Cities celebrates 20 years

By Sara Schilling, Herald staff writer

RICHLAND -- Ron Kathren taught his first class at what's now Washington State University Tri-Cities nearly two decades before it became part of the Cougar system.

Back then it was the Joint Center for Graduate Study, a consortium of universities that offered courses mostly in science and engineering.

"I think the people who went through that program laid the foundation -- and also probably built the first two floors -- of the high-rise edifice that is WSU Tri-Cities," Kathren said.

They'll be acknowledged Saturday during a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the campus joining WSU.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include a sampling of all the Richland campus has to offer, said LoAnn Ayers, director of campus advancement.

There will be nods to the long history and plenty of fun activities to keep kids entertained, from a bounce house to carnival games.

There also will be seminars for adults on topics such as wine tasting and bioproducts, plus a pancake breakfast, food vendors and a beer garden, a Cougar spirit contest, campus tours and scholarship drawings.

Butch T. Cougar and Chocolate the dog also will be on hand for photos.

"We've got something for everybody," Ayers said.

In the 20 years the campus has been part of WSU, more than 5,000 people have earned degrees, and Ayers said enrollment is growing.

Kathren is helping organize a 1 p.m. ceremony during the celebration to recognize the alumni, faculty and staff from the Joint Center whose dedication laid the groundwork for that to happen.

The center got started in the 1950s, Kathren said. It was meant to help people -- primarily Hanford workers who were bound to the area by their jobs -- continue their education. It eventually became known as the Tri-Cities University Center.

Kathren taught his first class at the center in 1970. He stayed through its move to the WSU system and retired in 1999.

He said he's looking forward to the celebration. Campus employees and volunteers have been working on it for months.

Organizers said they hope people have a fun time and also come away with an appreciation of the campus' legacy, past and present.

"We want (people) to experience all that WSU Tri-Cities has to offer," Ayers said.

WSU Tri-Cities is at 2710 University Drive, Richland. The celebration is free and open to the public.

For more information, go to www.tricity.wsu.edu/20years.

-- Sara Schilling: 509-582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com