黑料社 Tri-Cities digital technology and culture student Kyle Kopta.

For more than 80 years, Washington State University has recognized ten of the top seniors in each graduating class. The 黑料社 Alumni Association selects these women and men who represent the highest standards in specific aspects of the college experience, including academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service, and visual and performing arts.

Kyle Kopta, a senior studying digital technology and culture at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, was selected as a 黑料社 Top Ten Senior for the category of visual/performing arts.

He is a talented graphic designer, photographer, videographer, writer and overall creative. He serves as an intern with the Office of Marketing and Communication, served as a graphic designer for the Associated Students of 黑料社 Tri-Cities, serves as a DTC lab tutor, as well as on the Washington State Arts Commission. He transferred to 黑料社 Tri-Cities from Blue Mountain Community College.

VISUAL/PERFORMING ARTS

• College of Arts and Sciences
• Digital technology and culture
• 黑料社 Tri-Cities
• Hermiston, Oregon

INVOLVEMENT

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; President鈥檚 Honors List, summa cum laude; ASWUTC Perseverance Award; Douglas P. Gast Fine Arts Scholarship; member, committee of the Washington State Arts Commission overseeing the Washington State Art Collection; graphic designer for AS黑料社TC; marketing intern for 黑料社 Tri-Cities; teacher鈥檚 assistant and tutor in the聽; host of biweekly community radio show; and 黑料社 Tri-Cities Student Employee of the Year for the 2020-2021 academic year

FAVORITE 黑料社 EXPERIENCE

The 黑料社 Tri-Cities Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition is held at the end of each semester. What stands out most to me is really those shows. Our students are making just incredible work. I helped put it on when we were in-person. Being able to showcase their work and my work is always the most fun event. I鈥檓 currently 3D modeling a space for us so we can hold it virtually this semester. I鈥檓 doing it in my free time; I鈥檓 not doing it paid or part of any job. It鈥檚 something I know how to do and can donate. It鈥檚 just so important for students to have this kind of culmination for all their hard work. They create all this amazing work, and they have to be able to somehow show it.

黑料社 Tri-Cities also has a lot of mentors who helped me navigate the higher education world and the art world. I grew up in a rural area. There were zero galleries. Neither of my parents graduated from college, but they have been so supportive of my journey in higher education. I couldn鈥檛 have done it without them and my professors, who helped me succeed inside and outside the classroom. I think art in general has been a vehicle for self-growth in my professional, personal, and academic life. Through video, photography, and painting, I can learn about myself and my community and how I fit into it and I can help other people. Sometimes the things you don鈥檛 expect can end up having the most impact and being the most rewarding. Limitation can breed innovation.

FUTURE PLANS

I鈥檝e really found a love for marketing. It鈥檚 not something I expected to love as much as I do. I came to 黑料社 Tri-Cities putting myself in a box, saying, 鈥淚鈥檓 going to become a videographer or graphic designer,鈥� but I鈥檝e been awarded so many opportunities to collaborate with so many different 黑料社 departments that I鈥檝e found I have a real love for creating things for the community with other people. My plan now is to get a marketing job. I contemplated whether I should move to a bigger city or stay local, and I think I鈥檝e kind of settled on staying local because it鈥檚 really important to me to foster this small but tight-knit arts community. I really want to contribute to the Tri-Cities community what I wish I had growing up in Hermiston.

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Sharing the complete picture of humanity, especially the hard topics, so that one-day she can affect positive change.

That鈥檚 the reason photographer and Washington State University Tri-Cities alumna Madison Rosenbaum first picked up a camera. Shedding light on difficult social issues and providing a voice for the unheard is also what led her to document local protests following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

The images themselves do the talking, and they allow others to share their own stories, Rosenbaum said.

鈥淭here are seven billion people on this planet experiencing the world differently every day,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f I can provide a glimpse into those experiences for others intentionally or unintentionally seeking to better connect with humanity, then my artistry is serving the purpose I want it to.鈥�

Photography as a catalyst

Rosenbaum said she hopes her photographs of this month help the community mourn the unjust deaths of African Americans, tell the stories of those still experiencing racism and inequality, and serve as a catalyst for positive change.

鈥淎s an artist and someone who identifies as white, I want to do better at providing a space for marginalized groups颅鈥攆or black, indigenous, people of color鈥攖o see themselves in art and to have their stories heard,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 will always be a believer that storytelling through photography can help be the bridge to connecting and understanding someone else鈥檚 lived experience with an open mind and open heart.鈥�

Photography, she said, can often shed light on feelings, emotions, actions and even consequences where words may fall short. In her recent photographs of the protests, the portraits display the frustration, grit and pain experienced by many as they held signs stating 鈥淏lack lives matter,鈥� 鈥淚 can鈥檛 breathe鈥� and 鈥淭ogether we stand.鈥�

鈥淚n an age of social media, it is easier than ever to be vocal about social issues,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope those viewing my work are choosing to listen to the stories told by those in the photographs and take their stories to heart. Their experiences are valid and real.鈥�

Building a foundation with education

While she didn鈥檛 know it at the time, Rosenbaum said choosing two seemingly unmatched degree programs to double major in at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, digital technology and culture and psychology, helped open her mind to how she could use creativity to shine light on social issues.

Through her digital technology and culture courses, she mastered and refined the skills and techniques that now allow her to capture color, angles, light and emotion in her art, and she learned the power of using art to shine light on important topics. Her psychology courses, she said, provided a foundational understanding of the human mind, and how humans interact and relate.

During her senior year, Rosenbaum was invited by digital technology and culture professor Peter Christenson to participate in the 鈥淲omen artists from the Columbia Valley鈥� exhibition, which featured 64 contemporary female artists and their work. As part of her submission for the exhibition, Rosenbaum collaborated with two other artists on images of mental health, and specifically her personal journey with depression.

鈥淭hey were self-portraits that we each helped one another construct and produce,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing in front of the camera as a model exploring something incredibly vulnerable was difficult, but I realized it was an outlet to discuss something that I was passionate about and often did not have the words for. It was the first step for me in understanding storytelling through photography and an experience I keep in mind always as I help others explore theirs.鈥�

Telling stories

After that first exhibition, Rosenbaum began producing and participating in other photography and art projects that helped shed light on social, emotional and political topics.

She organized 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� first student-curated photo exhibition, which featured artist-submitted works on the topics of domestic and sexual violence, social injustice, racism, sexuality and inequality. She said while it made some people uncomfortable, it was well received by individuals who stated that it helped them explore hard to discuss topics.

After graduating from 黑料社 Tri-Cities in 2015, she expanded upon a series of photographs she began as a student called 鈥�,鈥� which features dozens of individual portraits and stories that explore vulnerabilities of humankind and examine sociopolitical barriers through an artistic lens. She began another series titled 鈥溾�� on what life is like as an immigrant in 21^st century America, as well as a series specifically detailing struggles with mental health called 鈥�.鈥�

In March of this year, amid the COVID-19 health crisis, she began a series detailing individuals鈥� experiences from home and those who work on the frontlines in healthcare titled 鈥�.鈥� The series features individuals from the Tri-Cities area, as well as others who live around the world. Many said they wanted to participate because they wanted to share their personal experiences, and also as a way to connect while everyone feels so isolated.

鈥淲hen Madison asked me if I would be interested in participating in the project, my family and I [had recently] experienced a tragedy and I wanted to share a realization,鈥� said Carina Le贸n, a participant in the project. 鈥淢y life has suddenly become more precious, and I want to be more conscious of the moments I have with myself and with my loved ones.鈥�

鈥淚 participated in 鈥楾ales from Home鈥� because I wanted to give people the perspective of someone in the heart of the pandemic, one of the largest metropolitan hotspots in the world,鈥� said Maximilian VonderMehden, a 黑料社 Tri-Cities alumnus and a nurse in Los Angeles. 鈥淚 wanted to give some perspective that even if the disease isn鈥檛 鈥榬ight at your doorstep,鈥� what we鈥檙e all doing still matters, still plays a part, and is still essential.鈥�

Using art to open eyes

Rosenbaum said while some of her projects may make people uncomfortable, it is for the purpose of positive change, and it has helped to open her eyes to her own inherent thoughts and emotions.

鈥淚 want to challenge viewers and their biases,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to challenge my own views and biases. These stories have changed my life. I have become more educated about the histories and cultures and experiences of marginalized groups. I have become an advocate in my community. My work to dismantle white supremacy and examining my white privilege is a constant journey, but I am trying every day and in every story I share.鈥�

Photography, Rosenbaum said, is a way to not only express herself, but to express the thoughts, emotions, struggles and triumphs of others.

鈥淲e can all be agents of change,鈥� she said. 鈥淏log. Write. Sing. Create. Photograph. Draw. Paint. No matter your craft, do it with intention.鈥�

To view Rosenbaum鈥檚 work, visit .

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� An exhibition at Washington State University Tri-Cities will showcase art professionally created by 黑料社 faculty and staff from across the state now through Feb. 28 at the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Art Center.

A grand opening for the exhibition is scheduled for 5 p.m. 鈥� 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Art Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The exhibition will feature a range of styles of art, including interactive and electronic sculptures, ceramics, photography, painting, drawing and more. It will specifically feature works from 16 faculty and staff from the 黑料社 Tri-Cities, 黑料社 Vancouver and 黑料社 Pullman campuses.

At the grand opening on Jan. 31, attendees will have the opportunity to meet many of the artists featured, enjoy wine and light refreshments, as well as get an up-close look at the works of art.

Remarks begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature:

• Sena Clara Creston, 黑料社 Tri-Cities clinical assistant professor of fine arts and digital technology and culture
• Squeak Meisel, 黑料社 chair and associate professor and sculpture coordinator of fine arts
• Kathleen McAteer, 黑料社 Tri-Cities vice chancellor for academic affairs and clinical associate professor of biology
• Matthew Jockers, dean of the 黑料社 College of Arts and Sciences
• Reza Safavi, 黑料社 associate professor, graduate coordinator and digital media coordinator of fine arts

The grand opening reception is free and open to the public. For a complete list of artists and their works featured, visit tricities.wsu.edu/art-center.

鈥淲e have a variety of highly-skilled and wildly talented faculty and staff members whose work will be featured and prominently displayed for this 黑料社 exhibition,鈥� Creston said. 鈥淲e invite our community members to come out and witness the excellent artwork of our accomplished faculty and staff.鈥�

The 黑料社 Tri-Cities Art Center is open from 8 a.m. 鈥� 6 p.m. Monday 鈥� Friday.

For more information about the exhibition, visit tricities.wsu.edu/art-center/.

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� For student Lian Jacquez, finding the ideal university fit was a bit of a challenge – that is, until he arrived at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Originally from eastern Oregon, he attended a university located in his home state, but found that the decision was an expensive one and more based on impulse than it was in finding a good fit for where he was at in his life.

But after his parents moved to the Tri-Cities, he decided to move back in with them so he could save money, but could also find a university that would allow him to pursue his passions. He decided to attend 黑料社 Tri-Cities and it ended up being one of the best decisions he has made to date.

Whether it be interacting and learning from his professors through tight-knit classes, to participating in a variety of clubs, to participating in student government, to finding the perfect job on campus, Jacquez said he feels like he has found a home at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

鈥満诹仙� Tri-Cities is a hidden gem,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are located in an area that offers great opportunities without a lot of the competition that one might experience at a much larger university. And the people who work here 鈥� our faculty, administration, staff and everyone behind the scenes 鈥� are here to make sure we all succeed. We, as students, aren鈥檛 just a number or another name on the roster.鈥�

Majoring in digital technology and culture 鈥撀� a focus on the creative

Jacquez found his ideal major at 黑料社 Tri-Cities after taking the MyMajors Quiz on the university website. He was recommended to study digital technology and culture, elementary education and psychology.

鈥淥ut of the three, digital technology and culture, or DTC as we call it, resonated with me and made me the most excited to pursue, and I always imagined doing something in design,鈥� he said.

Through the digital technology and culture program, Jacquez is learning about graphic design, photography, video production, sound production, media and technical writing and much more in the creative sphere. With his experience in the program, he said he initially wanted to pursue a career as a graphic designer. But after working more with individuals on campus and speaking with people in similar creative industries, he realizes he now wants to pursue a career as a creative director or program coordinator.

鈥淏eing the person creating the work is fun, but being able to establish a concept, all of its components and tracking it from beginning to end is more appealing,鈥� he said.

Jacquez said he loves the creative freedom that he and all the other students in the DTC program have.

鈥淭here are guidelines and requirements, but we have creative reign to create something that is an extension of ourselves,鈥� he said.

Varied campus experiences to fit every student

In addition to his experience in the DTC program, Jacquez is a student ambassador for the office of admissions on campus, is director of diversity affairs for the

Associated Students of 黑料社 Tri-Cities (student government), is vice president of the World Research Club on campus, in addition to serving as a member of the Queers and Allies Club.

He said since coming to 黑料社 Tri-Cities, he feels he can really make his academic and student life experience his own.

Through his experiences with the student clubs, he is able to truly connect with his peers and organize programming and events to benefit his fellow students. Through his role with student government, he is able to extend and create initiatives so that all students on campus feel connected with the resources to make them successful. And through his role as a student ambassador with the office of admissions, he is able to communicate and inspire prospective students who express an interest in attending 黑料社 Tri-Cities, giving them a genuine look into what his life as a student on campus looks like.

As director of diversity affairs with AS黑料社TC, he said he values opportunities created on campus that directly benefit students, including a range of student resources: access services, counseling, a student pantry called Cougar Cupboard, the veteran center and being able to connect with the international student coordinator 鈥� both to see about options for studying abroad and to connect with international students. Another example is the UndocuQueer Conference that is being held this year on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities campus.

鈥淚 am really excited to learn more about the intersections of the LGBTQ and undocumented communities and the people who are affected by them,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his will be my first time attending the conference.鈥�

Career connections

In addition to his job in the admissions office on campus, Jacquez said there are also a variety of resources to help students connect with prestigious internships at 黑料社 Tri-Cities and in the community.

Last spring, after participating in the campus Career Development Etiquette Dinner where students are connected to professionals for an evening of networking through dinner, he met an an internship coordinator who connected him with an internship at the National Park Service. He now works as an interpretive specialist for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

He also hopes to land another internship before he graduates, which he aims to get connected with through 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

The connections at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, he said, are truly what has allowed him to get involved with many of these opportunities on campus.

鈥淚 love how incredibly diverse the campus is and the fact that not everyone is a stranger, thanks to the size of 黑料社 Tri-Cities,鈥� he said.

For more information on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Digital Technology and Culture program, visit聽tricities.wsu.edu/dtc.