Past recipients of CougParents Program funds include:
- Out-of-Classroom Learning Experiences
- WSU Aerospace Weekend Fly Days. The Aerospace student organization has weekend fly days in which students fly RC airplanes they custom build. The club prides itself on providing the resources (e.g., batteries, motors) and teaching students how to build and fly their own airplanes from scratch.
- WSU Chemistry Club. The WSU Chemistry Club is an academic student organization where students can learn about various chemical processes that are taught in the classroom during the semester and happen all around us every day. During Parents' Weekend, the student organization hosts a large demonstration that gives students a chance to showcase what they have learned and gives parents a chance to see some of the fascinating reactions.
- COUG TV, WSU Vancouver, media equipment. By using their skills and talents in grassroots journalism, digital storytelling, and video production, students give back to their community through producing meaningful, creative, engaging, and entertaining videos. These videos aim to support a greater purpose in the community.
- WSU Plant Sciences Symposium. This symposium, attended by more than 200 people from across the nation, is organized by graduate students from the departments of Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Crop & Soil Sciences, Entomology, and the Program of Molecular Plant Sciences at WSU. In addition to the costs associated with hosting speakers and organizing a free symposium, students are awarded travel scholarships and poster session prizes to make the event accessible and attractive.
- Professional and Leadership Development Opportunities:
- Collegiate DECA Regionals Competition. DECA helps students build their business and professional skills. This funding helps students attend the Collegiate DECA regionals competition in Seattle, where they practice conducting interviews, creating sales pitches, designing marketing strategies, networking, and more.
- Pacific Northwest Collegiate Leadership Conference, Office of Student Involvement. This conference is the largest student leadership conference in the region, bringing over 500 students together to develop effective leadership skills and qualities that will enhance their collegiate and post-collegiate careers. It attracts Cougs from all WSU campuses, as well as peers from Gonzaga and other institutions, for a day of leadership, growth, networking, and empowerment.
- WSU Police Corps. The Police Corps was founded in 1986 with the purpose of improving law enforcement officers in the state of Washington. This program prepares college students for future careers in law enforcement. The training WSU cadets receive exceed state academy standards and places them within the top five of their academy classes when they graduate from WSU.
- Cultural Celebrations and Educational Programming:
- Brown Style Annual Dance, La Hermandad de O eMe Te. Brown Style celebrates diversity through music, dance, and the company of diverse cultures. The event aims to unite everyone regardless of race, gender, and socio-economic status, creating equality and inclusion for all.
- Chinese New Year Gala. This gala provides Chinese music, drama, and a kung fu show. Close to 800 people attend this event, including many international students and community members. The event deepens the friendship between U.S. residents and Chinese people.
- Family Weekend Cultural Exhibition Lu’au, Pacific Islander Club. This event brings a piece of the Pacific Islands to WSU and includes performances by club members featuring dances from Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, Hawaii, Tonga, and Fiji. The event includes a dinner that features cuisines from the different islands.
- International Mother Language Day, Association for Bangladeshi Students and Scholars (ABSS). This is an annual observance recognized by UNESCO to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This event develops a fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue in a creative manner through performances, speakers, and art installations.
- Community-Building Events:
- Cougfest, Student Entertainment Board. Cougfest is an annual free concert held during the first week of school. With 3,000 students in attendance, it serves to welcome back all the students, faculty, and staff after the long summer. Cougfest shows younger students the power of student involvement and is a fun, safe, and alcohol-free event.
- Springfest, Student Entertainment Board. Springfest is an annual end-of-year event to celebrate the Cougar Community. Each year the event hosts big-name musical artists, arts attractions and features, food trucks, and sponsors like HBO, Amazon, and KIND Bars, who provide awesome swag for students to collect. The event includes a lineup of 5-6 artists, including one headliner, one or two openers, and a few student/local acts.