Opsahl Dawson Establishes First-ever Accounting Faculty Fellowship At WSU Vancouver - 03/25/26

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Opsahl Dawson, an accounting, assurance and business advisory firm serving the Pacific Northwest, has pledged $105,000 to establish the Opsahl Dawson Endowed Accounting Faculty Fellowship in the Carson College of Business at Washington State University Vancouver, creating the first endowed faculty fellowship in accounting on the campus.

Endowed faculty positions are a fundraising priority for WSU Vancouver because they help attract and retain high-quality faculty and strengthen academic programs aligned with regional workforce needs.

“Endowed faculty fellowships play a critical role in recruiting and retaining exceptional educators,” said Jenni Sandstrom, academic director of the Carson College of Business at WSU Vancouver. “This fellowship will enhance our accounting program and support faculty who make a direct impact on student success and engagement with the business community.”

The fellowship reflects Opsahl Dawson’s long-standing connection to Southwest Washington and its interest in supporting the accounting profession. Aaron Dawson, partner at Opsahl Dawson and a member of the WSU development committee, said the firm sees faculty support as an investment in education and the region’s future workforce.

“The accounting profession runs on talent and dedication, and that starts in classrooms like the ones at WSU Vancouver,” Dawson said. “Supporting the educators who shape the next generation is something we feel strongly about—it’s good for the community and good for the future of the profession. We’re proud to invest in what this campus and its students can become, and hope it inspires others to do the same.”

The Opsahl Dawson Endowed Accounting Faculty Fellowship will provide ongoing support for a faculty member in accounting, strengthening teaching, mentorship and engagement within the Carson College of Business.

Opsahl Dawson also supports an accounting scholarship at WSU Vancouver and has sponsored the campus’s annual Notable Alumni Award since its inception in 2014.

For more information and to learn how you can support WSU Vancouver, email Melissa Basset, senior director of development, at melissa.bassett@wsu.edu.

About Opsahl Dawson

Founded in 1979, Opsahl Dawson specializes in tax, accounting and advisory services for individuals and businesses of all sizes. The firm is committed to combining traditional values with cutting-edge technology to deliver world-class financial solutions. With a focus on helping businesses navigate complex financial landscapes, Opsahl Dawson is routinely recognized as one of Washington state’s leading firms, known for its expertise in strategic planning, compliance and growth advisory services. opsahldawson.com

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.

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DocArts Series Continues At WSU Vancouver With Screening Of “Sumud” And Talk By Jan Haaken (Photo) - 03/04/26

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver continues its weekly DocArts series this spring with a screening of "Samud: A Doctor's Report on Genocide and Survival in Gaza" and a talk by filmmaker Jan Haaken. 

The event will take place March 11 on campus in the Dengerink Administration Building, Room 110. Weekly artist screenings begin at 11 a.m., followed by the screening of “Sumud” at 11:30 a.m. Haaken will speak from noon to 1 p.m., followed by a reception in the art gallery. The screening, talk and reception are free and open to the public.

Haaken is professor emeritus of psychology at Portland State University, a clinical psychologist and documentary filmmaker. From refugee camps and war zones to abortion clinics and pipeline protests, as well as drag bars, dairy farms and hip-hop clubs, her films explore contested social spaces and sites of repressed collective memory.

“Sumud” centers on Palestinian physicians providing care under siege conditions in Gaza, documenting both the ethical demands and emotional toll of medical work amid ongoing violence. The film is a sequel to “The Palestine Exception” and part of a body of work that includes “Our Bodies Our Doctors,” the two-part “Necessity Series” and “Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance.”

The DocArts series brings together film and video screenings, artist talks and community conversations throughout the spring term. The series features a diverse group of multimedia artists, activists and public intellectuals, from community organizers whose lives are deeply documented to poets, songwriters and hip-hop performers working across media.

DocArts is a joint project of the WSU Vancouver Collective for Social and Environmental Justice, Native American Programs, Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation, and Council for Community, Engagement, Dialogue and Impact.

For more information about DocArts events, email van.csej@wsu.edu.

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver and is accessible via I-5, I-205 and C-TRAN bus service.

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Re-Imagined Radio Honors Women’s History Month With “Mae West Jewel Robbery” - 03/03/26

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Re-Imagined Radio celebrates Women’s History Month with episode #95, “Mae West Jewel Robbery,” premiering at 1 p.m. March 16. The episode pays tribute to Mae West—performer, playwright and cultural icon—whose unapologetic wit and bold persona challenged censorship and redefined expectations for women on stage, screen and radio.

Outspoken and controversial, West built her career through vaudeville acts, Broadway stage plays and motion pictures known for their steamy settings and sly, double-entendre dialogue. Her work and public persona championed female equality and independence at a time when the status quo dictated how women should behave. Attempts to censor and silence her only elevated her profile, securing her place as an international icon who made scandal stylish.

“Mae West Jewel Robbery” samples West’s early stage and screen career, presents a dramatized jewel heist inspired by her larger-than-life reputation, and features two rare network radio appearances from 1937 – 1950. Together, the selections highlight West’s inimitable voice, sharp comic timing, and fearless approach to sexuality and self-expression.

The episode also includes excerpts from “The Mae West Jewel Robbery” installment of the classic radio crime series “Calling All Cars,” which sidestepped controversy by employing a popular Mae West impersonator rather than the star herself. John F. Barber, producer of Re-Imagined Radio and faculty member in the Digital Technology and Culture program at Washington State University Vancouver, notes that unease over 1930s radio censorship limited West’s opportunities on the air, making her surviving broadcasts especially significant.

Throughout her career, West defied double standards and claimed ownership of her sexuality—an audacious stance that unsettled critics but resonated with audiences. Her influence can be seen in generations of performers who embraced assertive, self-defined sensuality, including Jean Harlow, Cher, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter.

When her film career waned, West continued performing on stage in Las Vegas and the United Kingdom, appeared on radio and television programs, recorded rock and roll albums, and remained a formidable cultural presence well into the later decades of her life.

“This is an episode about influence as much as performance,” said Barber. “Mae West understood the power of persona and language. Even when denied access to certain platforms, she found ways to command attention and assert her voice. Her legacy continues to shape conversations about gender, celebrity and creative freedom.”

Listeners are invited to tune in to “Mae West Jewel Robbery” on March 16 and rediscover one of the most provocative and enduring figures in American entertainment history.

About Re-Imagined Radio

Created in 2013 by Barber, Re-Imagined Radio explores sound-based storytelling across genres including drama, comedy, documentary and sound art. Through performances, broadcasts, streaming, podcasts and social media, the program reimagines radio storytelling for contemporary audiences.

New episodes premiere on the third Monday of each month. Re-Imagined Radio episodes air on KXRW-FM (99.9) in Vancouver, KXRY-FM (91.1 and 107.1) in Portland, and KNOM-AM (780) in Nome, Alaska. Listening links and an archive of past episodes are available at reimaginedradio.fm, which also features Re-Imagined Radio EXTRA, offering additional sound-based storytelling between monthly episodes.

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.

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