By Lacey Desserault

Washington State University Tri-Cities Cougar Tracks is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Field Office (DOE) and its Hanford contractors to host the One Hanford Leadership Academy. In six learning sessions throughout 2025, the program will develop the next generation of executive leaders to advance the One Hanford mission and drive impactful progress.

Cougar Tracks, 黑料社 Tri-Cities’ continuing education department, was invited to serve as a bridge to connect its innovative academic resources with the real-world demands of the department and its contractors. By aligning leadership development programs with the needs of industry, Cougar Tracks ensures that professionals in the region gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to address complex challenges and drive economic growth.

鈥淭he One Hanford Leadership Academy is an opportunity to invest in the future of Hanford and the Tri-Cities region,鈥� said Brian Stickney, deputy manager of the Hanford Field Office. 鈥淏y partnering with 黑料社 Tri-Cities and leveraging their academic excellence, we are equipping our next generation of leaders with skills and vision to advance progress in the One Hanford mission.鈥�

The academy kicked off on Jan. 9 with an orientation for 15 participants from the Hanford field office and Hanford contractors Bechtel, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), Central Plateau Cleanup Company (CPCCo), Navarro-ATL, Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C), and Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS). The sessions will conclude on Dec. 18.

Director of Cougar Tracks at 黑料社 Tri-Cities Michelle Hrycauk Nassif explained that the university is cultivating a workforce that will not only excel within the Hanford ecosystem but also drive economic and technological growth in the Tri-Cities region. 鈥淥ur Cougar Tracks programs are designed with industry collaboration at their core, ensuring that we not only meet but anticipate the workforce development needs of STEM-driven enterprises. The One Hanford Leadership Academy exemplifies this partnership, leveraging the strength of our research expertise and our innovative learning programs to prepare mid-level managers for transformative leadership roles.鈥�

The academy concept arose organically, beginning with a simple mention of management training for leadership positions in an unrelated meeting. The concept was passed on to the program managers of Cougar Tracks, who began working interactively and iteratively for approximately six months to develop the curriculum topics, curriculum and project faculty, schedules, venues, budgets, and relationships with the DOE and the Hanford contractors.

The academy will prepare individuals in mid-level management roles for challenges in C-suite executive roles. Six faculty members from 黑料社 will individually lead each session, covering the following topics:

• building trust
• communication and persuasion
• teamwork and collaboration
• negotiation and managing conflict
• culture and change management
• One Hanford collaboration

The learning sessions will be separated by project workshops, where participants work alongside Learning Integration Project Facilitators. Each participant will complete a project that applies the knowledge and skills the participants develop in the seminars.

Chancellor of 黑料社 Tri-Cities Sandra Haynes said that the Academy is instrumental in developing the next wave of innovative leadership. 鈥淏y drawing on the unique strengths of both Washington State University and the world-class work being done at the Hanford Site, this program offers a rich blend of theory and practice that will help professionals thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the region鈥檚 clean energy future.”

The annual Washington State University Tri-Cities Carson College of Business Point to Success Fundraising Brunch was held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point. There were 55 attendees and over $20,000 raised for the college.

黑料社 mechanical engineering alumnus and world-renowned entrepreneur Scott Crump was featured as a guest speaker at the event. Crump invented Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology, as well as the first 3D printer using the technology. Crump鈥檚 invention revolutionized the manufacturing process by allowing for the creation of complex parts and prototypes using a layer-by-layer approach. In his presentation, Crump discussed his entrepreneurial journey of co-founding Stratasys, specializing in manufacturing 3D printing systems, and the lessons he learned from inventing in his garage to establishing a $600 million company.

The brunch was led by Northwest Public Broadcasting鈥檚 Multimedia News Director Tracci Dial, and award-winning auctioneer Chantel Booker-Kimball led the live auction. Guests enjoyed a gourmet brunch buffet including champagne, several games, and the live auction, bringing in a grand total of over $20,000. The funds will be used to support the Carson College of Business on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities campus, with portions of the proceeds supporting student support, faculty development, and the Byron Marlowe scholarship fund. The college currently has over 40 students enrolled in a variety of business-related majors.

Learn more about the Carson College of Business

By Leslie Streeter

The inventor of the technology used in 3D printing and 黑料社 alumnus, Scott Crump told a group of 黑料社 Tri-Cities engineer and business students that in order to invent new things, you have to break the rules.

鈥淪tarting out using your garage as your laboratory allows you to focus on inventing without having to follow rules.鈥� Crump said.

Crump, co-founder of the 3D-printing company, Stratasys, spoke at a fundraising event for the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business Saturday morning and then met with students in the afternoon for a tour of the engineering labs and a presentation. He shared how he came up with the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology used in 3D printing and what he learned while bringing his idea to market and eventually running a global company with 2,000 employees, 40 global offices, 25,000 customers and $650 million in sales.

He shared the lessons he learned about funding, the benefits of going public and the importance of branding and employees. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be cheap with employee salaries and hire the right employees the first time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really about your team.鈥�

Crump, a 1976 mechanical engineering alumnus said he chose 黑料社 because it had the best hands-on mechanical engineering school. His time at 黑料社, especially the senior project, prepared him and gave him the confidence to try new things.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 unique to 黑料社 is that they combine materials and mechanical engineering together, which helped me understand the characteristics of plastics and other materials,鈥� Crump said.

When Crump and his wife Lisa first started Stratasys, they wanted to automate prototyping by filling the gap between computer aided design and the actual part. They called it 3D printing. They had the idea to solve the problem but didn鈥檛 know how to commercialize an R&D invention.

Crump said bringing an invention to market requires staying focused on your vision and the value you want to bring to customers. Pricing your service or product for the market, working with a seasoned mentor, having more variable costs than fixed costs and starting with contractors rather than employees are what make a 鈥済arage start-up鈥� successful.

Stratasys started with a beta program and sold the first five systems to five different industries ranging from bone implants to aerospace. Next, they expanded regionally, then to Europe and Japan. Crump was the CEO of Stratasys for the first 25 years. The company merged with Objet Ltd, another leading manufacturer of 3D printers, which increased revenues to $600 million.

According to Crump, in the world of 3D printing, the best is yet to come. He stated there are huge opportunities in aerospace, composite tooling, composite parts, fixtures and assembly tools, injection molding and product parts.

Crump encouraged students to follow their dreams, have faith in their vision and take as big of risks as they can stomach. 鈥淎 clear vision is more valuable than a detailed plan,鈥� he said.

Richland, WA 鈥� After a two-year hiatus, Washington State University Tri-Cities Carson College of Business announces the return of the Point to Success fundraising brunch on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 a.m. 鈥� 1 p.m. at Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point in Richland.

The event, sponsored by Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point and Alaska Airlines, features a brunch, keynote presentation from a former Tri-Citian and prominent 黑料社 alumnus, a live auction and games. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be dedicated to student support and faculty development to improve the Carson College of Business education program.

鈥淲e are looking forward to finally being back in person to support future Carson Cougs. This event benefits not only our students but the growth of the college through updating programming, creating workshops for our students and providing scholarships for Carson Cougs,鈥� said Tim Baker, academic director of the Carson College of Business at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

The emcee for this year鈥檚 event is KNDU鈥檚 news anchor, Tracci Dial. The keynote speaker, Cole Morgan, is co-founder and chief executive officer of , a comprehensive platform designed to help coaches, group leaders and administrators build programs that support students. Morgan was named the 2018 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Pacific Northwest and was a former quarterback for Washington State University Pullman.

Paul Carlisle, 黑料社 Tri-Cities alumnus and chair of the Carson College of Business Board is excited about the event and what it means for students. 鈥淭ri-Cities Carson Cougs are the future of our workforce. It鈥檚 an exciting time to be supporting 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business,鈥� he said.

Early bird ticket price is $100 per person until midnight on January 25, then pricing goes up to $125. Tickets include brunch and champagne.聽 Learn more about the event and purchase tickets at tricities.wsu.edu/ccbbrunch.

MEDIA CONTACT(S)

Leslie Streeter, Office of Marketing and Communication, (509) 372-7333,聽leslie.streeter@wsu.edu

Tim Baker, Carson College of Business, (509) 3727277, bakert@wsu.edu

Students to benefit from mentorship and expertise of seasoned entrepreneurs

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities has launched a new Entrepreneurs in Residence program to provide students with direct connections to successful entrepreneurs for mentorship so that students may scale ideas from concepts into reality.

Through the program, students will have the option to meet with entrepreneurs to receive free advice, coaching, as well as networking connections to industry for potential partnerships.

The idea for the program came about as a result of conversations between 黑料社 Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes and regional entrepreneurs Paul Carlisle and Christina Lomasney.

鈥淲e see an opportunity to build a pipeline of future entrepreneurs starting on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities campus,鈥� Lomasney said. 鈥淭he pieces are already here: a thriving Tri-Cities economy, a local national laboratory presence, growing venture capital resources and access to a strong academic foundation. We believe 黑料社 Tri-Cities can play an instrumental role in bringing these pieces together to create opportunity for our Cougs, to breed entrepreneurs and to help them take advantage of our unique local resources.鈥�

Carlisle will lead the program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. He is a graduate of the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business where he developed the business plan for his highly-successful and locally-based technology business, elevate, which provides technology solutions for businesses and organizations across the Pacific Northwest. Carlisle recently announced the sale of his business this month and said he is excited to be a part of the Entrepreneurs in Residence program to give back to students after a career in the tech sector. In addition to his business roles, he serves as an adjunct faculty member with the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business, as well as the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business advisory council. He also received the Sam Volpentest Entrepreneurial Leadership Award in 2016, which recognizes community leaders who provide support to entrepreneurs in the region.

鈥淥ver the past 11 years, I have taught entrepreneurial courses around management, marketing and strategy,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e look to build on the decade of successful coursework in those areas to create wider-reaching pathways that engage students where they are. For example, a young undergraduate, a graduate engineering student and a seasoned business professional would all have a place at the table to access what they need to succeed on their unique journeys.鈥�

Lomasney is volunteering her time as an entrepreneur in residence for the program. She co-founded and served as the company鈥檚 president and CEO until 2020. The company partnered with leading Fortune 500 companies to commercialize revolutionary classes of nanostructured metals. Prior to Modumetal, she co-founded Isotron while in graduate school. Through Isotron, she realized a portfolio of advanced materials for environmental remediation and nuclear, biological and chemical defense. Lomasney now serves as an advisor to technology companies in energy, transportation, defense, manufacturing and advanced materials sectors, is a registered patent agent and volunteers as a board director on Washington state鈥檚 main initiative to secure critical material supply chains 鈥� . She was named by Fortune as one of the 鈥�.鈥�

Lomasney said the 黑料社 Tri-Cities program will open an unlimited horizon for business, science and technology students to go beyond learning and to build for a better future.

鈥淚 look forward to sharing time enabling students to become better versions of themselves – in tune with the problems of our time and engaged in finding solutions for the future,鈥� she said.

Both Carlisle and Lomasney will spend regular time at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, where in addition to working with business and other classes on campus, they will also meet individually with students and help student groups realize their dreams for projects and concepts.

For more information about the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Entrepreneurs in Residence program, including how to get involved, visit .

 

Media contacts:

• Paul Carlisle, founder of elevate and adjunct faculty with the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business, paul@elevate.net
• Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities director of marketing and communication, 509-372-7333 (office), 619-403-3617 (cell), maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� launched a new online Wine Tasting Room Certificate that trains winery and tasting room servers on wine business customer service, knowledge of Washington wines, sensory attributes of wine, as well as suggestions for selling wine.

The course, which costs $249, is comprised of four modules that take approximately eight hours to complete:

• Exploring wine
• Wines of Washington
• Keys to proper wine service and sales
• Wine tasting, evaluation and food pairing

鈥淲e worked closely with winery owners and tasting room managers to determine their needs and develop content that is specifically geared toward what wineries require for customer experience,鈥� said Joan Giese, 黑料社 Tri-Cities Carson College of Business director of lifelong learning. 鈥淭he outcomes of this program are well-trained servers that are confident in their abilities to know, serve and sell wine, as well as well-served guests that are delighted with enjoyable tasting room experiences.鈥�

For more information on the Wine Tasting Room Certificate program and to sign up, visit tricities.wsu.edu/wine-tasting-room-training.

Those who complete the course will learn about:

• How wine is made
• Styles of wine
• Types of grapes
• Unique aspects of Washington wines
• American Viticultural Areas specific to Washington state
• How to deliver great wine service to guests, including suggestions for selling wine and wine club memberships
• How to taste and describe wines
• How to serve wine flights
• How to determine wine faults
• How to make suggestions for wine and food pairings

鈥淯pon testing this course in partnership with regional wineries, it has shown to provide winery and tasting room servers with the quality knowledge they need to enter into the profession, as well as a great baseline knowledge of what to know when working with customers in wine businesses,鈥� Giese said.

For questions about the Wine Tasting Room Certificate program, email tricities.professionaleducation@wsu.edu.

黑料社 Tri-Cities is one of few universities nationwide that feature both programs in wine and beverage business management and wine science on the same campus. It is home to the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 黑料社 Wine Science Center 鈥� one of only a handful of comprehensive wine research facilities in the world.

For more information on 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� wine and beverage business management program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/business/undergraduate/wbm. For more information on 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� viticulture and enology (wine science) program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/wine-science-degree.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities is partnering with the Port of Benton to offer wine and culinary education at the newly reopened Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, Washington.

The Clore Center was established in 2014 as the result of a $2 million grant from the Federal Economic Development Administration. It was named in honor of Walter Clore, who is largely known as the 鈥淔ather of Washington wine.鈥� The 15,000-square-foot facility features a tasting room, event space and educational center to teach individuals about Washington鈥檚 storied wine and agriculture industries.

As part of the new partnership, 黑料社 Tri-Cities will offer seminars, events and coursework at the facility for both 黑料社 Tri-Cities students and the public under its continuing education and workforce development programs. 黑料社 Tri-Cities will also lead the curatorial direction and display of Clore鈥檚 historical wine archive at the center as part of its Washington Wine History Initiative.

Diahann Howard, PPM and executive director of the , said the partnership with 黑料社 Tri-Cities presents an ideal opportunity for the center.

鈥満诹仙玮�檚 alignment with regional wine and culinary education is indisputable and we鈥檙e delighted to take this next step with them in ensuring Dr. Clore鈥檚 memory is honored,鈥� she said.

Reopening of the Clore Center

In Dec. 2020, the previous operator of the Clore Center was forced to close the center鈥檚 doors as a result of difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Given 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� established programs in wine science, wine and beverage business management and hospitality business management, representatives from the Port of Benton reached out to 黑料社 Tri-Cities to see if the university would be interested in providing educational programming at the center focusing on wine and agriculture.

黑料社 Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes said 黑料社 Tri-Cities was excited to partner.

鈥淭he Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center is a true gem for not only the regional wine industry, but for the extensive Washington wine industry state-wide and beyond,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are elated to offer programming that will not only educate individuals about the history of Washington state wine, but also provide sensory and other hands-on experiences that will allow individuals to do a deep dive into all that Washington wine has to offer.鈥�

Educational programming led by 黑料社 Tri-Cities

Byron Marlowe, 黑料社 Tri-Cities associate professor of hospitality and wine and beverage business management and Don Smith Distinguished Professor, will oversee educational programming at the center. He brings a wealth of knowledge in wine, culinary and hospitality business management. He recently returned home after teaching and completing research at the IMC University of Applied Sciences in Austria as part of the Fulbright Program, where he studied best practices for winery tasting room experiences that can be applied throughout the world.

Educational programming began at the center with students completing sensory components for the . Additional educational opportunities, including those open to the public, will be available, soon.

As programming becomes available, more information will be posted about offerings and opportunities to engage with the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center on its new website at聽.

Washington State University鈥檚 School of Hospitality Business Management was ranked No.聽2 in the nation by a global ranking organization.

The school was also ranked seventh in the world by the聽聽in hospitality and tourism management.

The 2021聽ranking, reported by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, focuses on the strength of academic research in the fields of tourism and hospitality management, including international influence and recognition.

Last year, the school was ranked as No.聽4 in the United聽States and 11^th聽in the world.

鈥淭he School of Hospitality Business Management鈥檚 advancement to higher rankings during COVID鈥�19 speaks to the quality of our faculty, doctoral students, international reach and the ability to continue research and teaching productivity despite limitations posed by the global pandemic,鈥� said聽, the school鈥檚 director and Ivar聽B. Haglund Chair in Hospitality Business Management.

The hospitality program, which started in 1932, is part of 黑料社 Carson College of Business.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� 聽No one went to Oktoberfest in 2020, but chances are those who attended in the past are still thinking about it.

In a case study of the famous German beer festival, researchers tested the theory that events which create memorable experiences can increase life-satisfaction. This deep connection with customers has big benefits for associated businesses, according to Robert Harrington, lead author of the study recently published online in the聽.

鈥淚f you can do something that transforms people even a little bit, it can have a huge impact on the success of your company and your brand,鈥� said Harrington, professor and director of the School of Hospitality Management at Washington State University Carson College of Business. 鈥淭he more customers are delighted, the more likely they are to be return customers. They are also more likely to give positive recommendations to friends and relatives, and particularly on social media. In today鈥檚 environment, people trust those reviews more than paid advertising.鈥�

For the study, the researchers surveyed more than 820 people attending a festival beer tent over several days of the 2018 Oktoberfest. The majority of the respondents were male (56.8%) and largely German, though roughly 12% were from outside the country, including from Italy and the United States. The respondents answered questions related to food and beverage quality, connectedness, experience uniqueness, memorability and life satisfaction.

When the researchers analyzed the relationship among those answers, they found that connectedness to Oktoberfest, such as feeling a close association with a particular beer tent or to Oktoberfest traditions, influenced impressions of food and beverage quality and the uniqueness of the experience. These in turn influenced how highly the participants felt that attending the event increased their overall satisfaction with life.

The researchers purposely chose to study the annual beer festival in Munich because it is so well-known and brings together a mix of tourism and hospitality services.

鈥淥ktoberfest has a very strong brand. It鈥檚 almost like a bucket-list event,鈥� said Harrington. 鈥淎s a significant event in visitors鈥� lives, there鈥檚 a greater likelihood that there鈥檚 a quantifiable measure of life satisfaction or sense of well-being from those experiences, as opposed to people going out to a neighborhood bar or restaurant.鈥�

Emulating Oktoberfest, which attracts more than 7 million visitors a year, may be a tall order, but the researchers suggest that other businesses can learn from its success. Breweries or wineries can create regional or local events on a smaller scale. Like Oktoberfest, these events could bundle goods and services, such as a tasting that pairs beer or wine with food or adding an experience like a music performance or art show.

The idea is to invite customers to participate in creating a memorable experience that lasts, Harrington said.

鈥淥nce people go back home, they will want to bring up that memory again,鈥� said Harrington. 鈥淭hey will go buy that beer because they went to a festival where they had a great time.鈥�

This study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences and the Munich University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

 

Media contacts:

• Robert Harrington, School of Hospitality Management, 黑料社 Tri-Cities, 509-372-7487,聽rharrington@wsu.edu
• Sara Zaske, 黑料社 News and Media Relations, 509-335-4846,聽sara.zaske@wsu.edu

New agreement helps students save on costs

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities signed a new agreement on Monday, Nov. 16, that creates a seamless pathway for students to complete their first two years at CBC and transfer to 黑料社 Tri-Cities, which saves students costs.

Students significantly save on costs, as students in the program do not pay for the transfer application to attend 黑料社 Tri-Cities, do not pay for the cost of their transcripts to transfer, and tuition is also frozen from their first semester enrolled at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. In other words, if tuition rates increase anytime while enrolled at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, students continue to pay the tuition rate from their first semester at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

Students also benefit from one-on-one support throughout their educational journey from both CBC and 黑料社 Tri-Cities from their first term in the program. They work directly with academic advisors from both institutions to solidify complete programs of study. This helps to ensure that students complete their degree programs on-time and reduce the likelihood of taking courses unnecessarily that won鈥檛 directly transfer.

Close partnership a win for all students

黑料社 Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes said she is excited to sign a new agreement with CBC, as it helps reduce the complications and cost to students who wish to first attend a community college and then transfer to a four-year university.

鈥淥ur two institutions work together to create seamless pathways so that students can get the most out of their educational experience and graduate on-track,聽on-time and career-ready,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith 黑料社 Tri-Cities serving freshman, transfer, first-generation, low-income and non-traditional students, we are opening more doors to meet students where they are,聽today.鈥�

Woods said CBC is also excited to strengthen its partnership with 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

鈥淢any of CBC’s graduates choose to become Cougs, while staying right here in the Tri-Cities,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his agreement smooths that transition. Whether a student chooses to pursue a four-year degree at CBC, 黑料社 Tri-Cities, or any other institution, we are committed to helping each student find their best path forward.鈥�

Students see direct benefits

Dawn Hughes, a current 黑料社 Tri-Cities education student and alumna of Columbia Basin College, said transferring from CBC to 黑料社 Tri-Cities provided a great local and affordable option that was a best fit for both her and her family.

鈥淚 moved to Tri-Cities in 2006 and was raising a family,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I decided to go back to school, it fit our budget and our busy schedule. It was also convenient because I could take classes in-person, locally.鈥�

Hughes said she received tremendous support from both her instructors at CBC and 黑料社 Tri-Cities. When she started school, her sister was diagnosed with cancer. She served as her sister鈥檚 bone marrow transplant and was going to have to miss some school.

鈥淢y professors were so supportive through that,鈥� she said. 鈥淧rofessors from both programs are that way. They want you to succeed.鈥�

Apply to Bridges

Applications are open now for the Bridges Program. For more information and to apply, visit tricities.wsu.edu/bridges. To qualify for the Bridges Program, students must apply in their first year at CBC and complete the 鈥淒eclaration of Intent鈥� form. Have questions or want to meet with someone about your options? Email tricities.bridges@wsu.edu.

For more information about CBC, visit . For more information about 黑料社 Tri-Cities, visit tricities.wsu.edu.