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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

All content by Dez Rodriguez
College of Arts and Humanities finds new dean

College of Arts and Humanities finds new dean

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
May 30, 2019

Jill Graper Hernandez will become the next dean of the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) starting Aug. 1. Hernandez is currently at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) as the associate dean...

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CWU honors student veterans

CWU honors student veterans

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
May 23, 2019

The sixth annual Veteran Graduation/Salute Banquet was on May 21 in the SURC Ballroom. The event recognized student veterans that are graduating this year or have graduated within the past academic school...

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The SURC is likely to go through some big changes in the next couple of years, including a
remodeled dining area and new entry doors.

Student fees pay for SURC

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
May 22, 2019

Over $50 million is what it cost for CWU to build the SURC. CWU will be paying the bond they got loaned for the SURC until fiscal year 2034. Student Funds Financial Manager Lacy Lampkins said the Student...

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Student Appreciation is a day of free food, music and games for students, all provided by the university. The event will be on May 23 and is located at the
Student Recreation Sports Complex instead of the usual Barto Lawn.

Appreciation shown with concerts, food

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
May 16, 2019

CWU is introducing “Wild Fest” to Student Appreciation Day on May 23 from 1-10 p.m. Live music, games, activities and food will all be free for CWU students to show appreciation for their hard work...

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Faculty senate speaks on university advancement

Faculty senate speaks on university advancement

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
May 8, 2019

According to CWU Provost Katherine Frank, 92 faculty members are registered to attend commencement Concerns over the low number was discussed amongst faculty senate members on May 1 at the faculty senate...

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The risk of contracting an STI increases in those who do not practice safe sex. Condoms like those pictured above can lower the chances of an STI, although it
is still important to get tested.

Campus offers free STI tests

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
May 2, 2019

The Get Yourself Tested event offers free STI testing services to students in an attempt to increase awareness about sexually transmitted infections. The event is coming to campus May 8-9 from 11 a.m....

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Gonzaga basketball must create the Pac-13

Gonzaga basketball must create the Pac-13

Dez Rodriguez, Columnist
April 24, 2019

The Gonzaga Basketball Program won’t win a National Championship until they leave the West Coast Conference (WCC) behind. Gonzaga has already established themselves as one of the top college basketball...

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The legal age to buy tobacco or vape products will be raised from 18 years old to 21 years old. This will go into effect starting January 1, 2020

Smoking age increased to 21

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
April 24, 2019

The legal age to purchase tobacco, e-cigarettes and vape products, with or without nicotine, was raised from 18 to 21 in Washington state. The law penalizes anyone who sells to underage buyers, usually...

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Bike racks can be found full around campus. Pictured above are multiple bikes outside of the 1891 Bistro. Students can register their bikes with CWU
police to help track them down if they are ever stolen.

Pedaling past parking passes

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
April 17, 2019

Students are parking their cars and riding their bikes to campus now that the weather is improving. With how much money it can save and the easier it is to get to class, the trend seems likely to continue....

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The registrar office is located in room 140 in
Boullion Hall.

Degree checkout springing towards graduation

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
April 10, 2019

With CWU Commencement approaching, seniors are setting their sights on June to finally graduate and take on the real world. However, preparation for senior year can be more complicated than it might seem....

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Fitness courses at CWU gaining interest amongst students

Fitness courses at CWU gaining interest amongst students

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
February 28, 2019

For those students looking to get active while earning school credits, CWU provides an opportunity to pursue exercise as a part of their daily routines. They have a wide array of fitness courses that are...

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Men’s basketball will look to close out their season with one final homestand when they host Seattle Pacific
University on Feb. 28, followed by Saint Martin’s University on March 2.

Men’s basketball to miss 2019 postseason

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
February 28, 2019

The CWU men’s basketball team faced many obstacles at the start of the 2018-2019 season. Newly hired head coach Brandon Rinta embarked on his first year at CWU after previously coaching at Lewis-Clark...

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The art of acing life: Tyler Hoefer

The art of acing life: Tyler Hoefer

Dez Rodriguez, Senior Reporter
February 21, 2019

Tyler Hoefer, Delta B.C., Canada Sands Secondary School 18-year-old Tyler Hoefer was on the mound getting set to pitch the biggest game of his young life. It was the gold medal game at the 2015 Canada...

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(Left) Smith III while playing at CWU. (Right) Smith III alongside his sister. Smith III is now officially a part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

A homerun trot filled with changeups: Jimmy Smith III

Dez Rodriguez, Senior Reporter
February 21, 2019

James Smith III, also known as Jimmy Smith III, walks into the Philadelphia Phillies facility at 6:15 a.m. The glowing Philly logo on the building breaks the sky’s darkness. The bright light reminds...

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A perfect try to life: Cole Zarcone

A perfect try to life: Cole Zarcone

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
February 14, 2019

Senior Cole Zarcone has been hitting the pitch hard for the Wildcats this season. The former walk-on-turned-co-captain initially joined CWU to play football, but made the decision to switch to rugby at...

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Indoor track and field heats up for GNAC Championships

Indoor track and field heats up for GNAC Championships

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
February 6, 2019

With only a handful of meets left in the season, the CWU indoor track and field team is coming on strong as the GNAC championship draws closer. Head coach Kevin Adkisson and his team are excited about...

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CWU pitcher Tyler Hoefer is just one of the experienced Wildcat pitchers being featured on the roster this
season. Hoefer and the Wildcats will look to hit the field for 2019, with their opener set for Feb. 8.

Baseball hits the diamond in full swing

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
February 6, 2019

Correction 2/7/19: This article has been edited to reflect that Kaleo Johnson was the GNAC Triple Crown winner last season, where he led the league batting averages, home runs and RBIs. The original version...

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Dealing with the media is part of an athlete’s job

Dealing with the media is part of an athlete’s job

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
February 6, 2019

We’ve all seen it. The famous Marshawn Lynch post-game interview, more commonly remembered as the “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” interview. The more I work in sports journalism, the...

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Guard Gamaun Boykin (JR) has averaged 14.1 points per game so far this season. Boykin's best point game this season was at California State University Monterey Bay with a total of 23.

Boykin makes his mark as a Wildcat

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
January 30, 2019

When Gamaun Boykin, junior guard for the CWU men’s basketball team, was narrowing in on his fourth high school 5A state title, he had no idea what kind of detriment a loss would put on him. A senior...

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Wildcats' 16 point lead not enough to hold off NNU, fall 93-96

Wildcats’ 16 point lead not enough to hold off NNU, fall 93-96

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
January 30, 2019

The CWU Men's basketball team fell just short of upsetting Northwest Nazarene University, losing a tense contest 93-96 at Nicholson Pavilion Tuesday night. Jeryn Lucas was named player of the game,...

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Alex Mackenzie passes off the ball downfield to his teammate.

CWU Athletics: Winter athlete spotlight

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
January 24, 2019

Jonnae Richardson, Denver, Colorado. Women's basketball Down by one, season on the line, running up the court while coach yells the decisive play. The ball is passed through the air as you make a cut...

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The CWU Men's basketball game vs WWU was a hard fought battle throughout the entire game.

Men’s basketball buckles down for homestand

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
January 23, 2019

The CWU men’s basketball team currently sits with a 9-7 record, good enough for eighth place in the GNAC standings. But with 12 games still left to play within the conference, a rise is within reach....

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Athletes ring in the New Year

Athletes ring in the New Year

Dez Rodriguez, Assistant Sports Editor
January 16, 2019

Aliyah Pana Senior Guard. Hilo, Hawaii. At the start of the 2016 season, the CWU women’s basketball team was in search of a new manager, someone able to keep track of stats and willing to travel...

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Men's rugby tackles new era with young roster

Men’s rugby tackles new era with young roster

Dez Rodriguez, Senior Reporter
January 10, 2019

41 players on the roster, 30 underclassmen, 19 of those being first-year students. The CWU Men’s Rugby roster is very young, but CWU head coach Todd Thornley believes in the potential the team has. “They...

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Men's rugby enters 2019 on a mission

Men’s rugby enters 2019 on a mission

Dez Rodriguez, Senior Reporter
January 10, 2019

The CWU Men’s Rugby team finished with a 17-8 record last season, good enough for the number 15 seed in the D1A Rugby playoffs. There, they fell to the number two seed, and eventual champions, Life University...

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Opinion: MLB payroll is unfair to baseball

Opinion: MLB payroll is unfair to baseball

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
November 30, 2018

Stats never lie. The New York Yankees have won 18 division titles, 40 American League pennants and 27 World Series Championships. The Seattle Mariners, on the other hand, have won three division titles,...

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The CWU cross country team will be headed to the NCAA West Regional Championship meet on Nov. 17. At the GNAC Championships, the men and women both earned themselves fifth place team finished.

Cross country gears up for regional meet

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
November 15, 2018

The CWU cross country teams placed fifth overall at the GNAC Championships on Nov. 3. The men and women are now getting set to race at the NCAA West Regional Championship meet in Billings, Montana on Nov....

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Shelby Mauritson (senior) is #5 outside hitter on the women's volleyball team. Her pre-game tradition is that she eats pizza Lunchables and Top Ramen before each game because she thinks it makes the team play better.

Pregame mentality: an athletic perspective

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
November 9, 2018

Before the game starts, before warm-ups begin, before the fans fill the seats and before tickets are even sold, athletes prepare for competition in the most fascinating ways, ranging from the food on their...

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(From left to right) Sisters Tiara, Suiluana, and Tiana A'au play together on CWU's Women's Rugby team.

The A’au Trio: a rugby powerhouse

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2018

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, the A’au sisters thought back to the time when they were woken up at 3 a.m. to progress their athletic abilities. Still only in elementary school, Sui A’au and...

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Men’s basketball opens against the Zags

Men’s basketball opens against the Zags

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
November 1, 2018

CWU is looking to pull off the biggest upset in school history when they tip off against Gonzaga Thursday, Nov. 1. Its may be only scheduled as an exhibition game, but it offers a chance for the young...

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Chaz McKenzie.

The walk-on experience for athletes at CWU

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
October 25, 2018

The college recruitment process involves evaluating impressive athletes that stand out from the crowd. In that same crowd, however, there are athletes that are overlooked and undervalued. These are the...

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Christian Cummings practicing his catch at the pre-Homecoming game practice.

Cummings powers back for final season

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
October 17, 2018

CWU senior running back Christian Cummings was on his way to having a breakout year for the Wildcats last season. On pace to rush for over 1,000 yards, Cummings looked to be unstoppable. But in the blink...

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Guard Zellie Hudson post-practice.

Hudson brings strength to men’s basketball

Dez Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
October 10, 2018

Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California is nationally recognized as one of the best high school basketball programs on the west coast. It has produced many professional basketball players over...

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