On Jan. 13, 1892, 30 young men and women entered a small brick building in Pullman to enroll in the new college that would become Washington State University. Many were from rural farms and were grateful for the opportunity to learn but college would offer much more than an education. They became citizens of a singular society with its own rules, traditions and sense of belonging. In “Instilling Spirit: Students and Citizenship at Washington State, 1892-1942,” author William L. Stimson traces the roots of Cougar spirit.
Stimson is a journalism professor at Eastern Washington University and a WSU graduate. The 176-page book is $22.95 and available through WSU Press.