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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

Astor Powell-Pedersen

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor

News Editor – Spring 2024

Staff Reporter – Winter 2024

All content by Astor Powell-Pedersen
Photo courtesy Fang Wang (王芳)

Coming to America: Fang Wang (王芳)

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Copy Desk Lead/Opinion Editor
March 6, 2025

Dr. Fang Wang is a professor of finance at CWU’s Lynnwood campus, having worked for CWU since 2007. Wang grew up in Nanjing (南京), China. “I was born and grew up in Nanjing, China. Nanjing is...

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Coming to America: Claudia Mendez Wright

Coming to America: Claudia Mendez Wright

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Copy Desk Lead/Opinion Editor
February 18, 2025

In the fourth volume of a running series, Dr. Claudia Mendez Wright discusses her experience growing up in Colombia, her journey in coming to live in the US and her connection with her home country. Claudia...

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Design by Brandon Mattesich

Coming to America

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Copy Desk Lead
January 30, 2025

In the third volume of the running series, Dr. Chong Eun Ahn shares her experience growing up in South Korea, and what it has been like to come to America and live in the country as an immigrant. Chong...

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Design by Brandon Mattesich

Coming to America

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Copy Desk Lead/Opinion Editor
January 21, 2025

CWU employs professors from all around the world. Professor Astrid Vidalon and Dr. Volha Isakava shared their stories with the Observer to share with the community. Astrid Vidalon Astrid Vidalon...

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Design by Brandon Mattesich

Coming to America (번역 한국어)

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Copy Desk Lead/Opinion Editor
January 14, 2025

예정된 시리즈 중 첫번째로, The Observer는 테네시아 다카스 박사와 김윤아 교수의 미국 이민자들로서의 배경을 바탕으로 인터뷰를 진행했습니다. 테네시아...

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Design by Brandon Mattesich

Coming to America

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Copy Desk Lead/Opinion Editor
January 14, 2025

In the first of a planned series, The Observer interviewed Dr. Tennecia Dacass and Professor Yoon Kim on their backgrounds as immigrants to the United States.  Tennecia Dacass Dr. Tennecia Dacass...

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(Design by Robin MacArthur)

The celebritization of politicians

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Columnist
October 25, 2024

Throughout American history, and quite frankly all of political history, every major politician is going to have their diehard supporters. The people who love everything they do, and follow their every...

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Design by Z Morris

The Observer’s 2024 Voters’ Guide

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor
October 17, 2024

With the US presidential elections less than a month away, it's vital to know where candidates stand on topics of importance, both domestically and internationally. All information is taken from candidate...

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Ballot box outside of the SURC.

Voting in Washington State

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor
October 3, 2024

Voting season is almost here again with the general election for the next president of the United States being a little over a month away on Nov. 5. For many college students, this is the first presidential...

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Rules for a Reason

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Columnist
May 30, 2024

They say that behind every rule, there is a story. Every young mind that tours CWU’s Ellensburg campus knows one thing by the end of the tour: you do not swim in the Ganges. The sweet smile of your tour...

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The building of Farrell Hall. 
(Courtesy of CWU archives)

So Long Farrell Hall

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor
May 23, 2024

If you have been on campus any time in the last several months, you’ve certainly noticed all of the construction, blocked pathways and, of course, the lack of L&L. While we’ve had this time to...

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CWU Students at Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).(Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Renteria-Valencia)

Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor
April 18, 2024

The federal government defines Hispanic Serving Institutions, or HSIs, as accredited institutions of higher education where 25% or more of the undergraduate population are Hispanic, with at least 50% of...

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Lucky

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Columnist
April 11, 2024

If you’ve been paying attention to the national news, it isn’t difficult to see that in recent years, the right-wing has found its perfect new scapegoat.  According to https://translegislation.com/,...

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The Primary Elections at CWU

Astor Powell-Pedersen, News Editor
April 4, 2024

For many CWU students and college students across the board the 2024 presidential primary election was their first voting experience. According to CNN, primaries are “election[s] to select candidates,...

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Spotlight on women at the Observer

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Staff Reporter
March 7, 2024

This Women’s History Month at The Observer we want to show our appreciation for the amazing women that make this newspaper what it is. This quarter, we have had the honor of working with Megan Foster,...

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Women Empowering Women at CWU

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Staff Reporter
March 7, 2024

This March will be the 37th annual Women’s History Month celebrated in the United States, according to history.com. Women’s History Month started as a week-long celebration of the contributions women...

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Photo courtesy Yohannes Goodell

MEChA’s Week of Action

Astor Powell-Pedersen, Staff Reporter
February 29, 2024

MEChA, CWU’s Chicanx student organization, has undoubtedly been one of the biggest supporters of the Palestinian people here on campus. In the past, they have held demonstrations and educational workshops,...

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The failure of University 101

Astor Powell-Pedersen , Columnist
February 8, 2024

It’s no secret to any first-year student here at CWU that the required University 101 course in the 2023 fall quarter was something akin to a trainwreck. At CWU, along with all of your other classes...

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What is an Honors Student?

Astor Powell-Pedersen , Staff Reporter
February 2, 2024

CWU has been home to the William O. Douglas Honors College (DHC) since 1977. According to its page on the CWU website, the Douglas Honors College “supports and encourages all students to find individual...

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