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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

Sean Bessette, Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief - Winter 2022

Editor-in-Chief - Fall 2021

Assistant News Editor/Orientation Editor- Spring 2021

Scene Editor - Winter 2021

Staff Reporter - Fall 2020

All content by Sean Bessette

New fitness center in town

Sean Bessette, Reporter
April 28, 2022

Kittitas County’s newest fitness center is located right here in Ellensburg. Garage Studio Fitness (GSF), founded by Dalton and Emma Keene, had its grand opening on April 9. GSF didn’t start like...

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Will CWU’s indoor mask mandate be rescinded? Students and staff share their thoughts.

Will CWU’s indoor mask mandate be rescinded? Students and staff share their thoughts.

Sean Bessette
March 9, 2022

Masks have been required in all indoor settings at CWU since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The indoor mask mandate completely changed the way students interact on campus. As spring quarter approaches,...

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Executive Leadership Team faces upcoming change

Executive Leadership Team faces upcoming change

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
February 23, 2022

Two members of CWU’s Executive Leadership Team are leaving the university, according to a release from President Jim Wohlpart on Feb. 23. Chief of Staff Linda Schactler will be leaving to work in...

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Vaccinations up among students since CWU vaccine deadline

Vaccinations up among students since CWU vaccine deadline

Sean Bessette, Editor-in-Chief
November 24, 2021

As of publication, 10,136 students out of roughly 10,200 students are in compliance with CWU’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. 91.6% of those in compliance have been vaccinated. This means roughly 850...

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Courtesy of amazon.com. 
The cover of the book Bonner wrote using pseudonyms to evade campus policy.

ITAM professor faces fine

Sean Bessette, Editor-in-Chief
November 24, 2021

CWU professor Julie Bonner wrote and published a textbook using pseudonyms to receive and keep royalties from CWU students, and may be facing a fine greater than $500 as a result of it. This is according...

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Awake Health, owned by Elperin, is located at 201 S. Main St. in Ellensburg

Exemptions for sale, no questions asked

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
November 22, 2021

KING 5 SEATTLE - An Ellensburg doctor and owner of Awake Health, Dr. Anna Elperin, repeatedly sold vaccine and mask exemptions to those without medical conditions, according to an investigation conducted...

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Two city council races too close to call

Two city council races too close to call

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
November 3, 2021

This election has been unlike any other. One city council candidate withdrew a day before the election, another candidate is an incumbent of 20 years and one race has a 26 vote difference.  The 2021...

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Wohlpart delivered his first State of the University speech as CWU's President in the Concert Hall of the Music Building on Oct. 20.

President Wohlpart delivers State of the University speech

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
October 20, 2021

Roughly four years ago, President Jim Wohlpart and his father, who passed away from cancer a little over a year ago, drove up the Cherohala Skyway in Tennessee to the Snowbird Mountain Lodge in Robbinsville,...

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CWU releases Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

CWU releases Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
October 13, 2021

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report was sent to all students, faculty and staff via email by Police Chief Jason Berthon-Koch on Thursday, Sept. 30. The crime statistics presented in the report are...

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Fall enrollment numbers released; CWU sees roughly 8% decrease

Fall enrollment numbers released; CWU sees roughly 8% decrease

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
October 13, 2021

Over 10,200 students are attending CWU’s Ellensburg campus and its eight sites and centers across Washington this fall, according to the 10-day census published in an article on cwu.edu. The number is...

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After spending six years at the University of Northern Iowa, Wohlpart took the position earlier this year.

Meet President Wohlpart

Sean Bessette, Editor in Chief
September 30, 2021

Back in June, President Jim Wohlpart stepped onto CWU’s campus for the first time. Over 1,500 miles away from his previous position, Wohlpart began a new adventure as CWU’s 15th President. Wohlpart...

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President Gaudino: His closing words

President Gaudino: His closing words

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
June 2, 2021

As the school year comes to a close, so does James Gaudino’s tenure as President. Gaudino shared some of his favorite and least favorite moments over the past 12 years and provided an update to some...

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The Beat Drop

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
May 19, 2021

The real is back, the ‘ville is back. It took 1,120 days for J. Cole to release his sixth studio album, “The Off-Season,” the follow-up to his 2018 album, “KOD”. Instead of being in connection...

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Students respond to fall vaccine requirement

Students respond to fall vaccine requirement

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
May 12, 2021

Following CWU’s announcement mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for fall 2021 quarter, students took to social media to share their feedback. On CWU’s Instagram post regarding the mandate, over 750...

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ASCWU virtual debates kick off general election

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
April 20, 2021

The first of two ASCWU virtual debates took place last Wednesday night over a Zoom webinar. The positions of president, executive vice president, director of Governmental Affairs and senate speaker...

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Geoffrey Odoch Feature

Geoffrey Odoch Feature

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
April 14, 2021

Accessibility, equity and accountability:, that is the platform Executive Vice President candidate Geoffrey Odoch is running on. “Accessibility to clubs, accessibility to organizations, and maybe...

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President James Gaudino recognized by the Washington State legislature

President James Gaudino recognized by the Washington State legislature

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
April 7, 2021

Both chambers of the Washington State Legislature recently adopted identical resolutions honoring President James Gaudino for his service throughout his tenure. Senators Judy Warnick, Jeff Holy, Jim...

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The Wildcat Neighborhood Farm, located on the northeast side of campus, requested to carry over up to $24,000 in funds to expand its services

The Services and Activities Committee holds first spring meeting, hears new business on funding

Sean Bessette, Assistant News Editor
April 7, 2021

The Services and Activities Committee (S&A) held its first meeting of spring quarter on March 31 and discussions regarding funding for the Wellness Center, the music department and the Wildcat Neighborhood...

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The Beat Drop

The Beat Drop

Sean Bessette, Scene Editor
March 9, 2021

Welcome to The Beat Drop by Sean Bessette, my weekly column where I’ll write about the music I listen to on a weekly basis. My music taste focuses around hip-hop/rap, a little R&B and a little pop....

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The Beat Drop

The Beat Drop

Sean Bessette, Scene Editor
March 2, 2021

Welcome to The Beat Drop by Sean Bessette, my weekly column where I’ll write about the music I listen to on a weekly basis. My music taste focuses around hip-hop/rap, a little R&B and a little pop....

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The Beat Drop

The Beat Drop

Sean Bessette, Scene Editor
February 23, 2021

Welcome to The Beat Drop by Sean Bessette, my weekly column where I’ll write about the music I listen to on a weekly basis. My music taste focuses around hip-hop/rap, a little R&B and a little pop....

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Annual Parade of Nations event happening via Zoom this week

Annual Parade of Nations event happening via Zoom this week

Sean Bessette, Scene Editor
February 23, 2021

The Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) and Office of International Studies and Programs are putting on the annual Parade of Nations on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.  Different from the previous Parade of Nations...

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GNAC member Azusa Pacific discontinues football

GNAC member Azusa Pacific discontinues football

Sean Bessette, Senior Reporter
January 12, 2021

Last month, GNAC member Azusa Pacific University (APU) ended its football program effective immediately after 55 years of competition in the NCAA and NAIA. “You hate to see any program discontinue...

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Top recruit from Team IMPACT, Jarred Francis (middle) signed with CWU football for 2021.

Football team announces signing of top recruit Jarred Francis

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
November 12, 2020

Football has signed a new star player. On Oct. 16, the team announced the signing of Jarred Francis, a 2021 top recruit from Team IMPACT. Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization located in Boston,...

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Head coach Chris Fisk (left) and his wife, drop off their ballots to set an example for athletes.

All athletic activities are canceled for Election Day

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
November 3, 2020

There won’t be any practices or team meetings on Election Day, as CWU has joined other GNAC schools to cancel athletic activities on Nov. 3. The decision to do this was in order to “promote civic...

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DI Elite Rugby partners with CRAA for women’s rugby

DI Elite Rugby partners with CRAA for women’s rugby

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
October 27, 2020

DI Elite Rugby, the league in which CWU’s Women’s Rugby team competes in, has announced a partnership with the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) to improve the landscape of women’s rugby. “The...

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Inside of Nicholson Pavilion where alumni’s donations help fund the athletic programs, staff and events ran around the community.

The seventh annual Wildcat alumni challenge is underway

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
October 20, 2020

The seventh annual Wildcat alumni challenge began on Oct. 1 and will run through Dec. 1 to raise money for the athletics program. “The purpose of it is to engage our former student athletes and get...

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Athletics to host virtual homecoming event

Athletics to host virtual homecoming event

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
October 13, 2020

On Oct. 17, athletics will host a virtual homecoming event to honor the traditional homecoming events that have been canceled. “This is a great opportunity for our fans to support our student athletes...

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Head football coach Chris Fisk is confident that CWU’s football team will be able to build up their workouts to avoid injuries similar to the NFL.

A modified buildup to competition raises the possibility for more injuries in the upcoming season for CWU athletics

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
October 7, 2020

With the lack of preseason games, more NFL players are getting injured through the first few weeks of the season. As seen in the NFL, when competition occurs, it’s possible the same thing could happen...

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Five reasons the Seahawks are going to win the 2021 Super Bowl

Five reasons the Seahawks are going to win the 2021 Super Bowl

Sean Bessette, Columnist
October 7, 2020

Since winning the 2013 Super Bowl and nearly winning the 2014 Super Bowl, the Seahawks have been a consistent playoff threat but not a Super Bowl contender. Here are five reasons why 2020 is different...

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CWU’s fall athletes have been granted an additional year of eligibility, and Will Ortner plans to take the NCAA up on their offer.

Athletes unsure about potential return in fall 2021 despite additional eligibility

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
September 29, 2020

The NCAA DII administrative committee recently approved a waiver that would allow all fall sport student athletes to play their sport’s maximum amount of competition and receive an extra year of eligibility. The...

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Club sports prepare for return amidst new safety restrictions

Club sports prepare for return amidst new safety restrictions

Sean Bessette, Staff Reporter
September 27, 2020

The return of students on campus signals the return of club sports, which will look a lot different due to the safety restrictions set in place and the reduced number of students on campus because of COVID-19. Club...

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