SPRING 2014 Navigation tools COVER / BACK PAGE ENLARGE QUADRANT RETURN TO SPREAD VIEW PREVIOUS / NEXT PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO STORY SCROLL PAGE ( IN ENLARGED VIEW ) WEB LINKS URLS IN TEXT & ADS ALSO CLICKABLE CLICK HERE TO EXIT OR USE ctrl/cmd-Q v13n2 Points of views : MouNtaINS aNd RIveRS aNd PRaIRIeS WIthout eNd :: a tRue StoRy FRauGht WIth PeRIl :: oN the Road :: a doSe oF ReaSoN SPRING 2014 v13n2 FEATURES 20 :: Mountains and Rivers and Prairies Without end — I am: Carly MacKinnon, and I just graduated from Recollecting Washington’s landscapes WSU in sports management. “The whole concept has burgeoned . to one where the landscape is part of why people select to live in certain locations, has political meaning, has religious meaning, has all of these other kinds of meaning.” by Tim Steury I will: Someday manage a U.S. Olympics rugby team. I live and breathe rugby. I’ll do everything to 28 :: A true Story Fraught with Peril Buried in hundreds of layers of rock are tales of fire, brimstone, destruction, make it the most popular sport in the world! and fragility. by Eric Sorensen Scholarships are the reason I am a college graduate. 39 :: A dose of Reason — Pediatric specialists advocate On scholarships: for vaccines WSU was a dream I never thought I could afford. In 2011, Washington’s vaccination rate was dangerously low. According to the CDC, 6.2 percent of children in kindergarten had not been fully Read Carly’s full interview: campaign.wsu.edu/impact/carly immunized. by Hannelore Sudermann ESSAY Your generosity gets dreams off the sidelines and into the game. Thank you for supporting scholarships at WSU. 36 :: on the Road Washington’s Poet Laureate brings poetry to, and discovers it in, each of the state’s 39 counties. by Kathleen Flenniken ’83 PANORAMAS 7 Backyard boarders : : 8 Google ranking molecules : : 9 Music to a closed country : : 10 the calculus of caring and cooperation 11 Sorting debitage from rubble : : 15 a wider canvas 16 Predictive software helps communication DEPARTMENTS 3 FIRST WORDS : : 6 Posts : : WhaT’S neW? : : 13 Sports: after the games : : 18 In SeaSOn: What about buckwheat? 46 ClaSS nOTeS : : 49 In MeMORIaM : : 54 neW MeDIa 56 LAST WORDS TRACKING 47 Robert Franklin ’75, ’76, ’79 — A new leash on life : : 49 Pavlo Rudenko ’09 — As fast as he can go : : 50 Nancy Gillett ’78 —the business of science : : 53 alumni news: two alumni recognized for their contributions to food and agriculture BECAUSE THE WORLD NEEDS BIG IDEAS THE BECAUSE On the cover: “Washington Road Trips” by John S. Dykes campaign.wsu.edu/give Tomorrow begins here. first words This being my last “First Words,” I have struggled to conjure something profound and insightful, or at least clever, to leave you with. But I am coming up short. So I’ll just skip the philosophical and offer a few observations. Forgive me if I repeat myself. I’ll try not to get sentimental. From Washington State Magazine’s inception, we have followed the simple principle that we would not produce anything we would not read ourselves. Add that to our tagline —“Connecting you to Washington State University, the State, the World”— and I believe we’ve created a pretty successful formula. There are many things we deliberately decided not to be. We are not a long-winded brochure. Neither are we a fundraising vehicle. Most important, we are not produced by committee. Rather, we are a magazine. Which means, as our mission states, that we cover “news and issues of interest to Washington State University faculty, staff, students, and alumni and the people of Washington from Seattle to St. John.” Fortunately, you agree with our approach. In reader surveys and less formally, you have been very clear about what you are most interested in: research, statewide issues, and WSU’s involvement in the affairs of the state and world. I cannot imagine a more stimulating and fascinating challenge. Aviation biofuels from sustainable Innovative and more efficient Green building innovations Beyond a shift in the masthead, not much about the magazine will change, at least feedstocks, including forest waste, smart electric power that minimize the use immediately. I imagine there’s a redesign on the horizon. There will probably be an increasing web presence, but as a complement rather than a substitute. I suspect the voice will change a bit. But not energy crops, and algae. grid technologies. of natural resources. dramatically. You have been hearing that voice through all of us, not just yours truly. Larry Clark ’94 will continue to be “managing editor.” But he will also become the one where the buck stops. Hannelore Sudermann will share leadership with Larry and become the “content editor.” John Paxson will continue, exquisitely, to art direct and more. Eric Sorensen will continue to report on university research in his unique and lively style. He will also share that overwhelming beat with a new staff member. Big ideas, for sure. Nick Deshais joined us this fall. He will split his time between science writing for the magazine But, after all, that’s what you expect from Washington State University. and bringing the popular Dr. W.S. Universe back from her extended sabbatical. Telling the story of WSU has been a large part of my identity for the past 24 years. Much as I’m looking forward to my new ventures, it will be very strange to shut down my computer and After 124 years, we’re still fanning the flames of innovation close my office oord for the last time. But it’s time to direct my attention elsewhere. to deliver a brighter tomorrow. In whatever direction my friends and colleagues take this magazine, I am confident it will continue to be lively, beautiful, and adept at interpreting the myriad endeavors of this great university and state. Indeed, I look forward to opening the May issue, having joined you as an engaged and expectant reader. wsu.edu Tim Steury, Editor 3 WSM Spring 2014 v13n2 SPRInG 20 14 Meet WSU’s EDITOR Tim Steury CONTENT EDITOR Hannelore Sudermann MANAGING EDITOR Larry Clark ’94 ART DIRECTOR John Paxson SCIENCE EDITOR Eric Sorensen SCIENCE WRITER Nicholas Deshais CHANGING FACE. ADVERTISING MANAGER Jeff Koch Contributors Vanessa Reyes Romero WRITERS: Eric Apalategui, Julie Eckardt ’13, Kathleen Flenniken ’83, Tina Hilding, Keri McCarthy, Alyssa Patrick ’13 Seattle PHOTOGRAPHERS: Bruce Bjornstad, Debra Feinman, Shelly Hanks ’88, Class of 2013 Robert Hubner, David R. Irons Jr., Ted Jackson, David Kingham, Zach Mazur ’06, CRIMSON AND GRAY, OF COURSE. Peter Prehn, Joseph Rocchio, Koko Sasongko, Drew Sellers, Greg Vaughn, Bill Wagner ILLUSTRATORS: John S. Dykes, Sheri Pham ’13, David Wheeler And black, brown, yellow, white, and a full PRESIDENT Washington State University, Elson S. Floyd spectrum of other multi-colored hues. LETTERS: Washington State Magazine invites letters on its content or on topics related to the University. Letters for publication must be signed and That’s the face of Washington State University may be edited for style, length, and clarity. Shorter letters are more likely to be published due to space limitations. Writers should include an in 2014. All the Best to You address and daytime phone number. Letters may be submitted online at wsm.wsu.edu/contact or sent to: Students of all backgrounds are choosing WSU Mark Anthony Figueroa Washington State Magazine in record numbers because they’ve discovered PO Box 641227 Pasco Washington State University alumni Pullman, WA 99164-1227 our commitment to their success. email: [email protected] fax: 509-335-8734 Class of 2016 produce some of the finest wines Washington State Magazine is published quarterly by Washington State Here, students join a welcoming and supportive available in the world, and they have University, PO Box 641227, Pullman, Washington 99164-1227. Editorial offices are located at Washington State University, Information Technology learning community driven to change the Building, Room 2013, Pullman, Washington 99164-1227. received well-deserved national and world. They find highly ranked academic Views expressed in Washington State Magazine are those of the authors global acclaim to prove it. and do not necessarily reflect official policy of Washington State University. programs, a can-do Cougar spirit, and Alternate formats will be made available upon request for persons with disabilities. unbelievable opportunities to actively engage Washington State Magazine is pleased to acknowledge the generous support in their education. Join the Wine-By-Cougars of alumni and friends of WSU, including a major gift from Phillip M. ’40 and June Lighty. wine club and enjoy the best of For nearly 124 years, tens of thousands of Bree Harris-Burton SUBSCRIPTIONS: Washington State Magazine is distributed free of charge to Gig Harbor individuals have prepared for their future success Cougar-connected wines delivered graduates, donors, faculty, and staff of Washington State University. With a gift Class of 2015 of $25 or more, you can have WSM sent to someone who is not on our mailing by earning a WSU degree. Help others discover right to your doorstep. list. For details, go to wsm.wsu.edu/subscribe or contact Larry Clark at 509-335-2388, [email protected]. the rainbow of opportunities that await them. ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in Washington State Magazine, go to wsm.wsu.edu/advertising or contact Jeff Koch at 509-335-1882 or [email protected]. Changed your address? www.winebycougars.com Please visit wsm.wsu.edu/subscribe or send current address information to Biographical and Records Team, PO Box 641927, Pullman, WA 99164-1927, email [email protected], or call 800-448-2978.