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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 McKenzie Lakey
As of July 1, the dean of each college will be in charge of the flow of funds. This could lead to a bigger push for students to declare majors, especially in departments with fewer general education courses.

[Photo] Warm weather, new budget

Racquel Rollins, Senior News Reporter
April 6, 2017

As of July 1, the dean of each college will be in charge of the flow of funds. This could lead to a bigger push for students to declare majors, especially in departments with fewer general education courses.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman points to the crowd after an audience member shouts out his alma mater, Stanford University.

[Photo] Sherman intercepts Students of Color Summit

Kailan Manandic, Editor-in-Chief
April 6, 2017

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman points to the crowd after an audience member shouts out his alma mater, Stanford University.

Ahmed

[Photo] King of Cooks

Jon Olsen-Koziol, Staff Writer
March 9, 2017

Rune Torgersen's Getz-Short apartment is pictured with the makeshift gutter and drip bucket placed there by maintenance the day after the leak began.

Short on repairs

Kailan Manandic and McKenzie Lakey
February 23, 2017
Two students share their experiences living in the Getz-Short apartments.
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A group of PR students table in the SURC to inform students and gather support for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Students aim to ‘break the stigma’

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
February 23, 2017

Four CWU public relations students have prepared a week-long series of events to help give voice to mental health awareness, a topic that many believe the American society has long remained silent on. On...

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Ron Sims, CWU alumnus and former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development speaks at the State of the University address.

Alumnus credits CWU with career success

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
February 23, 2017
Keynote speaker Ron Sims, CWU alumnus and former deputy secretary of the U.S. department of housing and urban development, openly described his experiences and love of CWU to more than 250 students, staff and faculty members at the State of the University address last Thursday, Feb. 16.
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Scott Drummond hugs a colleague during his retirement party on Thursday, Feb. 2.

‘It’s not good-bye, it’s just see ya later’

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
February 9, 2017

Editor's Note: McKenzie Lakey also works as a media assistant in the Publicity Center, an office which collaborates with Campus Activities.  As a young college student in the 70s, and known as one...

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Week One-Winter Quarter

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
January 11, 2017

Welcome back, Wildcats. Not only are we returning to a new quarter, but we are returning to a new year filled with new opportunities—and way too much snow. As we leave 2016 in the dust, I can only...

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Final Week-Fall 2016

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
November 30, 2016

The holidays always seem to bring out the most festive, sentimental and nostalgic mood in everyone. And personally, this year has been no different. As we go into the holiday season and exit 2016,...

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Week Eight-Fall 2016

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
November 16, 2016

The amount of beauty that I have seen in this week has been difficult for me to wrap my mind around entirely. You would think that beauty would be an easy thing o conceive. However, in a day and age...

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Week Seven-Fall 2016

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
November 9, 2016

As of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, the newsroom was split. The election was playing out on multiple computer screens across the room as we watched the results play out before us. A few of the editors and reporters...

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Week Six-Fall 2016

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2016

By the end of this week’s publication date, we will likely all be wondering what the future direction of our country will look like. Perhaps we will even have a faint idea as to how our next four years...

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NY Times columnist visits CWU

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2016

Syrian refugees sit huddled together on the floor of an abandoned gym, the few belongings that remain from their previous life rest by their sides after travelling thousands of miles. They have escaped...

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President Gaudino addresses concerns of KKK and hate speech

McKenzie Lakey, Editor-in-Chief
October 4, 2016

Around 4:30 p.m. on Oct.4, CWU President James Gaudino released a public statement to faculty, staff and students in response to reported hate speech and KKK pamphlets found throughout the Ellensburg community. The...

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The diseased trees along the corridor have been removed in order to allow equipment access into the construction site

Constructing a better education

McKenzie Lakey, Summer Editor-in-Chief
June 27, 2016

efore the excitement of graduation could settle over campus and students could flee for a summer reprieve, Central’s latest renovation project roared into full-swing as they shifted focus from...

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Drag queens hosted and performed at the show in the SURC ballroom last night. The event was part of a week long celebration for Pride. Earlier in the week, a rainbow flag was flown above Barge Hall and small rainbow flags could be seen all around campus. On June 4, there was the first Pride Parade in Ellensburg.

[Photo] CWU Pride Drag Show

June 4, 2016

Drag queens hosted and performed at the show in the SURC ballroom last night. The event was part of a week long celebration for Pride. Earlier in the week, a rainbow flag was flown above Barge Hall and...

Michael Sam came during Pride Week to speak to CWU students, faculty, and staff about being one of the first openly gay NFL players.

[Photo] Pride Week brings NFL player Michael Sam to CWU campus

Kailan Manandic, Senior News Reporter
June 3, 2016

Michael Sam came during Pride Week to speak to CWU students, faculty, and staff about being one of the first openly gay NFL players.

Junior Armando Tafoya qualified for nationals in the hammer throw after finishing 19th in the country.

[Photo] Wildcats sprint to nationals: Track and field athletes look to end season on a high note

Samuel Beaumonte, Staff Reporter
May 26, 2016

Junior Armando Tafoya qualified for nationals in the hammer throw after finishing 19th in the country.

GNAC Pitcher of the Year Kianna Wood will be on the mound during the Super Regional for the Wildcats.

[Photo] Softball team set for Super Regional

Mitchell Johnson, Senior Reporter
May 11, 2016

GNAC Pitcher of the Year Kianna Wood will be on the mound during the Super Regional for the Wildcats.

OPINION: Stuck in the middle (without you)

OPINION: Stuck in the middle (without you)

McKenzie Lakey, Orientation Editor
April 28, 2016

Being a transplant from one small town to another, I’ve noticed that one thing tends to carry over from town to town: A conservative mindset. Now this might seem kind of odd, considering that Central...

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The Wildcat women's rugby team takes on the University of New Mexico Lobos in the first round of the rugby 15s playoffs.

[Photo] Wildcats host west pool of women’s rugby playoffs

Ryan Kinker, Staff Reporter
April 21, 2016

The Wildcat women's rugby team takes on the University of New Mexico Lobos in the first round of the rugby 15s playoffs.

Bernie Sanders sweeps Washington; more states to vote

Bernie Sanders sweeps Washington; more states to vote

McKenzie Lakey, Orientation Editor
April 7, 2016

Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders proved victorious in the Washington State Democratic presidential caucus that took place on Saturday, March 26, pulling in 72.7% of the votes statewide. With...

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Voices sing out at Open Mic Night

Voices sing out at Open Mic Night

McKenzie Lakey, Staff Report
February 25, 2016

Every other Thursday, students and community members gather in the SURC Pit to showcase local talent in Central’s Open Mic Night. It’s a tradition that’s been going strong for over six years.   It’s...

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It's okay: You can put your fucking phone down.

It’s okay: You can put your fucking phone down.

McKenzie Lakey, Staff reporter
February 25, 2016

Everyday we place a personalized world in our back pockets. We toss it on our desk, drop it on the ground and lose it in the depths of our backpack, all while being trapped inside a lifeproof case. Our...

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Tuned into faith

Tuned into faith

McKenzie Lakey, Staff Reporter
February 18, 2016

The temperature is barely making an effort to rise above freezing as missionaries Elder Carroll and Elder Putnam begin their day. They pull one of the eight white shirts in their closet, grab a pair...

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[Photo] Home for the homeless

Shanai Bemis, Contributing Writer
February 11, 2016

Central dining is evolving

Central dining is evolving

McKenzie Lakey, Staff Reporter
January 28, 2016
Change is constantly occurring for Central’s Dining Services, and the latest increase in numbers for Holmes Dining have shown that students approve....
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Central key in creation of earthquake early warning app

Central key in creation of earthquake early warning app

Mckenzie Lakey, Staff Reporter
January 23, 2016

In the Pacific Northwest earthquakes aren't uncommon. In fact, if you were on Central’s campus in March last year, you likely felt the 4.2 magnitude earthquake that rumbled through Ellensburg. This...

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