History
Founded in Pullman in 1890, WSU became a multi-campus system with the establishment of campuses in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Vancouver in 1989. As the state’s land-grant institution, its purpose was to promote the liberal and practical education in the several pursuits and professions in life. WSU (then known as WSC) primarily provided instruction in the agriculture, veterinary medicine, and mechanical arts, supported by studies in the sciences and classical studies. The research orientation of WSU then, as it is now, was problem solving.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has always supported agricultural research programs at WSU. The University participated in the formation of the USDA Agriculture Research Service (established in 1953) and the Cooperative Extension System with the nation’s other land-grant institutions. These services have increased research and productivity in the agricultural sector and have helped create the high standard of living we enjoy today.

World War II provided WSU scientists with the opportunity to participate in many multidisciplinary projects as part of the war effort. After the war, many civilian research agencies were created by the federal government, including the National Science Foundation (1950), the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (1946), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (established in 1915 as NACA and 1958 as NASA), the Department of Education, and the Department of Energy (established in 1942 as Manhattan Engineering Project and reorganized in 1977). These research-funding agencies are the primary sources for extramural research funding at WSU today.