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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 Katherine Camarata
The Good Life: community discusses art and meaning

The Good Life: community discusses art and meaning

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
March 9, 2022

The CWU EthicsLab has been hosting a monthly discussion open to the public in the Hal Holmes Center where community members can weigh in on relevant philosophical inquiries. The most recent event took...

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Breaking the Stigma: Borderline Personality Disorder

Breaking the Stigma: Borderline Personality Disorder

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
March 9, 2022

Charlotte Casler, a senior in vocal performance, has been deeply impacted by her diagnosis with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and she shared her experience in the hopes of destigmatizing this...

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Courtesy of Pexels

U.S. foreign involvement is a crime against humanity

Katherine Camarata, Columnist
March 9, 2022

This "great" nation was founded on crime, as British soldiers invaded once prosperous Native American tribal land throughout the 1400s to the 1800s, signed treaties that were later ignored and murdered...

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Courtesy of CWU Flickr

Vision and Mission Open Forums seek community input

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
March 3, 2022

CWU is hosting the Vision and Mission Open Forums throughout the next week in the SURC Ballroom in order to gather feedback from university constituents, according to an email sent by President Wohlpart.  The...

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Courtesy of CWU Flickr

Fall enrollment projections spark concerns over NTT faculty job security

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
March 2, 2022

Early projections for fall 2022 budget and enrollment have caused concern among faculty, staff and department chairs over the future of many Non-Tenure Track (NTT) faculty positions across the university.  Multiple...

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Cultural Crisis exhibit marries low-brow subject matter with high-end artistry

Cultural Crisis exhibit marries low-brow subject matter with high-end artistry

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
March 2, 2022

The hypnotic, technicolor creations of award-winning Seattle artist Anthony White are now on display at the Sarah Spurgeon Art Gallery in Randall Hall, and the work has been captivating community members...

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CASA Members

Parade of Nations: Watch Us Rise

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
February 23, 2022

Students from every corner of the globe wore brightly-colored clothing, stood at tables representing cultural clubs, made new friends and enjoyed live entertainment during the Parade of Nations: Watch...

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Dr. Blaise Dondji outside St. Andrew_s Church

It takes a village: Dr. Blaise Dondji provides healthcare to his home in Bawa, Cameroon

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
February 16, 2022

Dr. Blaise Dondji has studied all over the globe and impacted many lives with his wife Francine Dondji and their children, Michel-Adrien, Camille and Dema, by his side. He returns what he learns and earns...

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Painting by Joyful Enriquez

First Friday Art Walk displays unique perspectives across downtown Ellensburg

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
February 9, 2022

The streets of Ellensburg were alive with the spirit of creativity as community members enjoyed a variety of art exhibits and live musicians during the February’s First Friday Art Walk. Attendees were...

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Calls to Action exhibit in the Museum of Culture and Environment

CWU activists sound a call to action

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
February 9, 2022

Signs sporting phrases like “Stop funding violence” and “Why is ending racism a debate?” decorate the glaring, white walls of the Museum of Culture and Environment this quarter as part of the Calls...

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Ruben Cardenas, Tiffany Smith, Maria Lytle, Nenay Norawong, Veratta Pegram-Floyd (From left to right)

Break the Stigma: BIPOC mental health panel

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
February 2, 2022

The stigma tied to mental health is a limitation many CWU faculty members make passionate efforts to reduce, and panelists moved one step closer to this goal last week.  Five CWU faculty members sat...

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WiseCrax: Honorable Mentions

WiseCrax: Honorable Mentions

Katherine Camarata and Libby Williams
January 26, 2022

I see you, lone waffle fry in the french fry bag, living your crispiest life before your once-in-a-lifetime journey to the center of a human. You may not know that anybody recognizes your diligence, but...

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Music faculty member targeted by prejudice Ongoing investigation seeks answers

Music faculty member targeted by prejudice Ongoing investigation seeks answers

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
January 26, 2022

Racist, homophobic and sexually explicit materials were distributed to music faculty and student areas of McIntyre Hall over winter break, according to an email sent out to the music department on Jan....

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Christian preacher sparks discussion at CWU

Christian preacher sparks discussion at CWU

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
January 26, 2022

Christian street preacher Anders Clark from the Memorial Bible Church in Yakima debated students outside the SURC on Jan. 18, spreading the words of Jesus to anybody who would listen. At any given time,...

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New SLICE series Crafting Compassion bridges gap between students and community

New SLICE series Crafting Compassion bridges gap between students and community

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
January 19, 2022

The SURC pit was filled with the sound of pens scratching paper as students participated in the Notes to Neighbors pen pal program on Jan. 13.  With the ongoing complications of the coronavirus, outlets...

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The civil rights leader Martin Luther KIng (C) waves to supporters 28 August 1963 on the Mall in Washington DC (Washington Monument in background) during the "March on Washington". King said the march was "the greatest demonstration of freedom in the history of the United States." Martin Luther King was assassinated on 04 April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray confessed to shooting King and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. King's killing sent shock waves through American society at the time, and is still regarded as a landmark event in recent US history. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

Honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
January 19, 2022

On Jan. 17, people across the nation honored the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his prolific work in the Civil Rights movement. The day of remembrance falls on the third Monday in January...

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Brittany Lewis (left) and Sarah K. (right)

Breaking the Stigma: Bipolar Disorder

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
January 19, 2022

Bipolar disorder is often misrepresented in media or everyday conversations, but it encompasses so much more than vague, dramatic stereotypes. CWU community members shared their experience to break down...

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Activities on campus create space for connection

Activities on campus create space for connection

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
January 19, 2022

Despite the drawbacks of the pandemic, activities on campus have been thriving and providing connection for students. Recent campus events included the “Create a Creature” event on Jan. 8 and the...

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Jampa Dorje brings his knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism to Ellensburg

The Many Lives of Jampa Dorje

Katherine Camarata, Senior Reporter
January 12, 2022

Students may have seen Jampa Dorje freely giving out hand-sewn books in front of the SURC, robes billowing around him while sharing philosophical joy. From the streets of Berkeley during the post-Beat...

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Courtesy of @wellington_wildcat

Satire: Wellington Wildcat spends three-night stint in animal shelter after lively night out

Katherine Camarata, Columnist
January 12, 2022

According to an anonymous student source, CWU’s own Wellington Wildcat was spotted behind bars in the back of the Ellensburg Animal Shelter’s truck last Saturday at approximately 3 a.m., with bloodshot...

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Kelsey Sells (left) Lily Klevjer (right)

Breaking the Stigma: PTSD

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 24, 2021

When discussing PTSD, there are misconceptions and misunderstandings that arise from stereotypes presented in daily life about this topic. “Trauma can come from anywhere,” junior in psychology and...

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All photos by Katherine Camarata

Missing and Murdered Native American and Indigenous Women’s march spreads awareness on campus

Katherine Camarata and Star Diavolikis
November 18, 2021

“Where are our sisters? We pray for you everyday. We miss you. We love you. Creator, watch over our sisters. Bless their beautiful families. Each day we pray for our missing sisters. Light their way...

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Contractors hard at work to complete the Health Sciences building before spring quarter

Health Sciences building pushes opening back to spring quarter

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 18, 2021

The opening date for the new Health Sciences building has been pushed back to March 29, 2022, according to Capital Planning and Projects Director Delano Palmer.  There have been a number of supply...

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CWU aims to expand Nicholson Pavilion and Purser Hall by 2023

CWU aims to expand Nicholson Pavilion and Purser Hall by 2023

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 18, 2021

On the horizon for CWU in 2022, the historic Nicholson Pavilion will have its first major upgrade since its construction in 1959.  Approximately $55.5 million has been designated for the expansion...

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(Left to right) Annemarie Albright, Leia, McWilliams, Danielle Hegarty

Breaking the Stigma: Anxiety

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 11, 2021

“You have your conscience in your head telling you what is good and what is bad,” freshman theatre design and production major Annemarie Albright said. “[With anxiety], it feels like I have two of...

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El Zodíaco Familiar blends Chinese zodiac with Mexican and Chicane culture

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 11, 2021

Upon entering the El Zodíaco Familiar exhibit at the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, dozens of students, faculty and community members encountered a vast array of vibrantly-decorated creature heads mounted...

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Health Science building concept sketch

$60 million building set to open in January 2022

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 4, 2021

CWU’s latest construction project is drawing to a close this winter as the Health Sciences program prepares to inhabit its new home.  The Health Sciences building will be three stories tall, house...

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Failed transformer leaves psychology building empty until late November

Failed transformer leaves psychology building empty until late November

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
November 4, 2021

The transformer in the basement of the psychology building had an unexpected failure before the beginning of fall quarter, leaving the building without electrical service and students without a classroom. “There...

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Birds of a feather flock together

Local family of ducks start GoFundMe to pay for migration

Katherine Camarata, Columnist
October 28, 2021

Beloved residents of the irrigation canal that runs through the CWU campus, the Webber family, floated many ideas around before deciding that a GoFundMe would be the perfect way to finance their migration...

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ASCWU meeting updates students on CWU events

ASCWU expands on upcoming events and forums

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
October 21, 2021

ASCWU members discussed upcoming events including homecoming events and forums during their public meeting Monday afternoon. This week is homecoming week and, according to Vice President of Student...

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ASCWU meeting updates students on CWU events

ASCWU meeting intends to increase student involvement

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
October 21, 2021

Director of Governmental Affairs Edgar Espino announced the Get Out The Vote drive was reduced to only one day instead of three days. The event dates canceled were Oct. 19 and Oct. 21. The event will be...

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CWU Alumni G-Man Denke uses music to cope with depression

Breaking the Stigma: Depression

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
October 21, 2021

This article discusses the concepts of self harm and suicide, content which some readers may find upsetting. “Everybody knows what it’s like to be sad,” CWU Psychology Lecturer Cynthia Engel said....

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Company booths lined up to offer students internships and jobs.

Career fair provides future opportunities for students

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
October 10, 2021

The SURC Ballroom bustled with dozens of company booths and students eager to make career connections Thursday Oct. 7 during the first Engineering, Technologies, Safety and Construction Fair since the...

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PUSH pantry serves CWU community

PUSH pantry serves CWU community

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
October 9, 2021

The opening of the Presidents United To Solve Hunger (PUSH) centralized pantry in the Brooks Library took place on Oct. 4th. The pantry is in the main lobby of the library and will be the main area for...

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Breaking the stigma: Autism spectrum disorder

Breaking the stigma: Autism spectrum disorder

Katherine Camarata, Staff Reporter
October 8, 2021

“Autism is not only how our brains operate, but it’s also our culture. It helps shape who we are and why we are the way we are,” said alumna Devin Beach, founder of a local community of autism activists,...

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