Pullman, Washington
Encyclopedia
Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, Washington
, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census
. Originally incorporated as Three Forks, the city was later renamed after George Pullman
.
Pullman is best known as the home of Washington State University
, a four-campus land-grant university, and of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
, an international firm in the power industry. Eight miles east of Pullman is Moscow, Idaho
, home of the University of Idaho
.
. Within the year, Dan McKenzie and William Ellsworth arrived to stake claims for adjoining land. The first post office located there was named Three Forks. In the spring of 1881, Orville Stewart opened a general store and Bolin Farr platted about 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of his land for a town. Pullman was incorporated in 1886 with a population of about 200 people. It was originally named Three Forks, after the three small rivers that converge there: Missouri Flat Creek, Dry Fork, and the South Fork of the Palouse River. Within the decade, Dan McKenzie and Charles Moore (of Moscow
) replatted the site and named it for George Pullman
of the Pullman Car Company.
On March 28, 1890, the Washington State Legislature established the state's land grant
college, but did not designate a location. Pullman leaders were determined to secure the new college and offered 160 acres of land for its campus. On April 18, 1891, the commission appointed by Washington's governor to select a site for the new agricultural college chose Pullman. On January 13, 1892, the institution opened with 59 students under the name Washington Agricultural College and School of Science. In 1905 it was renamed the State College of Washington, becoming Washington State University in 1959.
In 1961, Pullman became a non-chartered code city under the Mayor-Council form of government. The city has an elected mayor with an elected seven-member council and an appointed administrative officer, the city supervisor. The current mayor is Glenn A. Johnson, who doubles as a professor at WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication; he is the long-time WSU Cougars football announcer in Martin Stadium
and the basketball announcer at Beasley Coliseum
. The long-time city supervisor is John Sherman.
is located on College Hill.
An expanding high-tech industry is located on the north end of the city, anchored by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)
, founded by Edmund Schweitzer
, a Ph.D. graduate of WSU
. SEL
and other firms are located within the 107 acre (0.43301402 km²) Pullman Industrial Park, run by the Port of Whitman County.
consists of the following:
Pullman High School (PHS)
is attended by about 700 students, and is the city's only public high school. It is located on Military Hill, and the mascot for its athletic teams is the Greyhound. PHS
offers honors and advanced placement courses, along with Running Start
course work through WSU
and area community colleges.
(WSU), an NCAA Division I school, and member of the Pac-12 Conference. WSU
is well known for its veterinary medicine, business, architecture, engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, and communications schools.
, the city has a total area of 9.0 square miles (23.3 km2), all of it land. The water supply is a natural aquifer. The surrounding region, called the Palouse prairie
, or simply the Palouse
, is noteworthy for its fertile rolling hills where winter and spring wheat, barley, lentils, and peas are grown.
climate is semi-arid
, features dry and clear for much of the year, with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Based on records kept from 1940 to 2005 by the Western Regional Climate Center, Pullman's average annual rainfall is 21 inches (533.4 mm) while the average annual snowfall is 28 inches (711.2 mm). The warmest month is August with 82 degrees the average maximum temperature, while January is the coldest month with 22.7 degrees the average minimum temperature. The average density of air in the Pullman vicinity is approximately 1.15 grams/liter. However, this value constantly changes because of Pullman's dry summers and wet winters. The nearness of the Cascade mountain range
also contributes to Pullman's changing air density.
The racial makeup of the city was:
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population.
The 2000 Census found 9,398 housing units at an average density of 1,043.9 per square mile (403.2/km2). There were 8,828 households out of which:
The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out as follows:
The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there are 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,652, and the median income for a family was $46,165. Males had a median income of $36,743 versus $29,192 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,448. About 15.3% of families and 37.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
Pullman is served by the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport
located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Pullman and 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Moscow, Idaho. Horizon Air offers four flights daily from Pullman-Moscow to Seattle and four flights daily from Seattle to Pullman-Moscow.
Shuttle service to Spokane International Airport
is available. Major bus routes, including Greyhound, pass through Pullman. Pullman is also served by Pullman Transit which provides service for many students of the university who do not live on campus and also provides service to the residents of Pullman. Students can get on the bus by showing their student ID card, as all students pay a fee for use of the bus system which is included in their fees when attending WSU
.
Since 1989, Pullman has been home to the National Lentil Festival
, a major community event celebrating the lentil
legume grown in the surrounding Palouse
region. The festival includes a lentil cook-off, Friday night street fair, Saturday parade and music in the park, and more. It is held on the August weekend before fall semester classes start at WSU.
Pullman, Washington is the sister city of Kasai, Hyōgo
Japan.
Whitman County, Washington
Whitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,776, with the majority living in its largest city, Pullman, home to Washington State University, the state's land-grant university. The county seat is at Colfax.Whitman County was...
, United States. The population was 24,675 at the 2000 census and 29,799 according to the 2010 census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
. Originally incorporated as Three Forks, the city was later renamed after George Pullman
George Pullman
George Mortimer Pullman was an American inventor and industrialist. He is known as the inventor of the Pullman sleeping car, and for violently suppressing striking workers in the company town he created, Pullman .-Background:Born in Brocton, New York, his family moved to Albion,...
.
Pullman is best known as the home of Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
, a four-campus land-grant university, and of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. designs, manufactures, and supports products and services ranging from generator and transmission protection to distribution automation and control systems. Founded in 1982 by Edmund O. Schweitzer III, SEL shipped the world's first digital protective relay...
, an international firm in the power industry. Eight miles east of Pullman is Moscow, Idaho
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
, home of the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
.
History
About five years after the establishment of Whitman County on November 29, 1871, Bolin Farr arrived, camping in 1876 at the confluence of Dry Flat Creek and Missouri Flat Creek, on the bank of the Palouse RiverPalouse River
The Palouse River is a tributary of the Snake River located in the U.S. states of Washington and Idaho. It flows for southwestwards, primarily through the Palouse region of southeastern Washington...
. Within the year, Dan McKenzie and William Ellsworth arrived to stake claims for adjoining land. The first post office located there was named Three Forks. In the spring of 1881, Orville Stewart opened a general store and Bolin Farr platted about 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of his land for a town. Pullman was incorporated in 1886 with a population of about 200 people. It was originally named Three Forks, after the three small rivers that converge there: Missouri Flat Creek, Dry Fork, and the South Fork of the Palouse River. Within the decade, Dan McKenzie and Charles Moore (of Moscow
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
) replatted the site and named it for George Pullman
George Pullman
George Mortimer Pullman was an American inventor and industrialist. He is known as the inventor of the Pullman sleeping car, and for violently suppressing striking workers in the company town he created, Pullman .-Background:Born in Brocton, New York, his family moved to Albion,...
of the Pullman Car Company.
On March 28, 1890, the Washington State Legislature established the state's land grant
Land grant
A land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
college, but did not designate a location. Pullman leaders were determined to secure the new college and offered 160 acres of land for its campus. On April 18, 1891, the commission appointed by Washington's governor to select a site for the new agricultural college chose Pullman. On January 13, 1892, the institution opened with 59 students under the name Washington Agricultural College and School of Science. In 1905 it was renamed the State College of Washington, becoming Washington State University in 1959.
In 1961, Pullman became a non-chartered code city under the Mayor-Council form of government. The city has an elected mayor with an elected seven-member council and an appointed administrative officer, the city supervisor. The current mayor is Glenn A. Johnson, who doubles as a professor at WSU's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication; he is the long-time WSU Cougars football announcer in Martin Stadium
Martin Stadium
Martin Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Pullman, Washington, United States, on the campus of Washington State University. It is the home field of the Washington State Cougars of the Pacific-12 Conference, and is the smallest football stadium in the conference...
and the basketball announcer at Beasley Coliseum
Beasley Coliseum
Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum is a multi-purpose arena, in Pullman, Washington, on the campus of Washington State University. The arena opened in 1973 and is named for Wallis Beasley, a long-time WSU sociology professor, executive vice president and interim president. Beasley was also WSU's...
. The long-time city supervisor is John Sherman.
Neighborhoods
Pullman sits on four major hills that divide the city into nearly equal quarters. The four hills are Military Hill, found north of the Palouse River and west of North Grand Avenue; Pioneer Hill, located south of Main Street and the downtown area and east of South Grand Avenue; Sunnyside Hill, sitting south of Davis Way and west of South Grand Avenue; and College Hill, found north of Main Street and east of North Grand Avenue. Washington State UniversityWashington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
is located on College Hill.
An expanding high-tech industry is located on the north end of the city, anchored by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. designs, manufactures, and supports products and services ranging from generator and transmission protection to distribution automation and control systems. Founded in 1982 by Edmund O. Schweitzer III, SEL shipped the world's first digital protective relay...
, founded by Edmund Schweitzer
Edmund Schweitzer
Edmund O. Schweitzer, III , is an electrical engineer, inventor, and founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. He obtained a B.S. and M.S. from Purdue University and a Ph.D. from Washington State University, where his doctoral thesis was on digital protective relays. He is an IEEE Fellow. ...
, a Ph.D. graduate of WSU
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. SEL
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. designs, manufactures, and supports products and services ranging from generator and transmission protection to distribution automation and control systems. Founded in 1982 by Edmund O. Schweitzer III, SEL shipped the world's first digital protective relay...
and other firms are located within the 107 acre (0.43301402 km²) Pullman Industrial Park, run by the Port of Whitman County.
Schools
The Pullman School DistrictPullman School District
Pullman School District No. 267 is a public school district in Whitman County, Washington, USA and serves the city of Pullman.As of October 2004, the district has an enrollment of 2,277 students.-Elementary schools:*Franklin Elementary School...
consists of the following:
- Franklin Elementary school
- Jefferson Elementary school
- Sunnyside Elementary school
- Lincoln Middle School
- Pullman High SchoolPullman High SchoolPullman High School is a public high school in the city of Pullman, Washington, the home of Washington State University.It is the only public high school in the city and in the Pullman School District...
Pullman High School (PHS)
Pullman High School
Pullman High School is a public high school in the city of Pullman, Washington, the home of Washington State University.It is the only public high school in the city and in the Pullman School District...
is attended by about 700 students, and is the city's only public high school. It is located on Military Hill, and the mascot for its athletic teams is the Greyhound. PHS
Pullman High School
Pullman High School is a public high school in the city of Pullman, Washington, the home of Washington State University.It is the only public high school in the city and in the Pullman School District...
offers honors and advanced placement courses, along with Running Start
Running Start
The Running Start program in Washington state allows high school juniors and seniors to attend college courses numbered 100 or above, tuition-free, while completing high school. It is similar to dual enrollment programs common at public and private colleges and universities in other states...
course work through WSU
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
and area community colleges.
Washington State University
Pullman is the site of the largest and original campus of Washington State UniversityWashington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
(WSU), an NCAA Division I school, and member of the Pac-12 Conference. WSU
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
is well known for its veterinary medicine, business, architecture, engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, and communications schools.
Geography and climate
Pullman is located at 46.7326°N 117.1718°W (46.7326, -117.1718). Elevation 2552 ft (777.8 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.0 square miles (23.3 km2), all of it land. The water supply is a natural aquifer. The surrounding region, called the Palouse prairie
Palouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
, or simply the Palouse
Palouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
, is noteworthy for its fertile rolling hills where winter and spring wheat, barley, lentils, and peas are grown.
Climate
Pullman areaPalouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
climate is semi-arid
Semi-arid
A semi-arid climate or steppe climate describes climatic regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not extremely...
, features dry and clear for much of the year, with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Based on records kept from 1940 to 2005 by the Western Regional Climate Center, Pullman's average annual rainfall is 21 inches (533.4 mm) while the average annual snowfall is 28 inches (711.2 mm). The warmest month is August with 82 degrees the average maximum temperature, while January is the coldest month with 22.7 degrees the average minimum temperature. The average density of air in the Pullman vicinity is approximately 1.15 grams/liter. However, this value constantly changes because of Pullman's dry summers and wet winters. The nearness of the Cascade mountain range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
also contributes to Pullman's changing air density.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 24,675 people, 8,828 households, and 3,601 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,740.8 people per square mile (1,058.6/km2).The racial makeup of the city was:
- 83.10% White
- 8.48% Asian
- 3.40% from two or more races
- 2.40% African American
- 1.58% from other racesRace (United States Census)Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
- 0.67% Native American
- 0.38% Pacific Islander
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population.
The 2000 Census found 9,398 housing units at an average density of 1,043.9 per square mile (403.2/km2). There were 8,828 households out of which:
- 59.2% were non-families
- 33.0% were married couples living together
- 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals
- 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them
- 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present
- 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older (included in the 31.1% of households made up of individuals)
The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out as follows:
- 13.1% under the age of 18
- 49.4% from 18 to 24
- 22.8% from 25 to 44
- 10.3% from 45 to 64
- 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there are 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,652, and the median income for a family was $46,165. Males had a median income of $36,743 versus $29,192 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,448. About 15.3% of families and 37.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport
Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport is a public airport located in Whitman County in the U.S. state of Washington, two miles east of Pullman and four miles west of Moscow, Idaho...
located 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Pullman and 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Moscow, Idaho. Horizon Air offers four flights daily from Pullman-Moscow to Seattle and four flights daily from Seattle to Pullman-Moscow.
Shuttle service to Spokane International Airport
Spokane International Airport
Spokane International Airport is a commercial airport located about west of downtown Spokane in Spokane County, Washington. It is the primary airport for Spokane, eastern Washington, Coeur d'Alene, and northern Idaho...
is available. Major bus routes, including Greyhound, pass through Pullman. Pullman is also served by Pullman Transit which provides service for many students of the university who do not live on campus and also provides service to the residents of Pullman. Students can get on the bus by showing their student ID card, as all students pay a fee for use of the bus system which is included in their fees when attending WSU
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
.
Additional information
Bloomberg Businessweek chose Pullman as the "Best Place to Raise Kids" in the State of Washington for 2011. Factors include affordability, a family-friendly lifestyle, the quality of Pullman High School, the presence of Washington State University, and the natural beauty of the area. Neighboring Moscow, Idaho, received the same recognition for that state.Since 1989, Pullman has been home to the National Lentil Festival
National Lentil Festival
- Activities:Each year, the citizens of Pullman congregate to enjoy, celebrate, and revel at The National Lentil Festival, a food festival honoring the lentil....
, a major community event celebrating the lentil
Lentil
The lentil is an edible pulse. It is a bushy annual plant of the legume family, grown for its lens-shaped seeds...
legume grown in the surrounding Palouse
Palouse
The Palouse is a region of the northwestern United States, encompassing parts of southeastern Washington, north central Idaho and, in some definitions, extending south into northeast Oregon. It is a major agricultural area, primarily producing wheat and legumes...
region. The festival includes a lentil cook-off, Friday night street fair, Saturday parade and music in the park, and more. It is held on the August weekend before fall semester classes start at WSU.
Pullman, Washington is the sister city of Kasai, Hyōgo
Kasai, Hyogo
is a city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 49,496 and the density of 336.31 persons per km². The total area is 150.19 km²....
Japan.
Notable people
- Philip AbelsonPhilip AbelsonPhilip Hauge Abelson was an American physicist, a scientific editor, and a science writer.-Life:Abelson was born in 1913 in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Washington State University where he received degrees in chemistry and physics, and the University of California, Berkeley , where he earned...
, physicist and long-time editor of ScienceScience (journal)Science is the academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is one of the world's top scientific journals....
, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Chester La FolletteChester La FolletteRobert Chester La Follette, was an American painter. His portrait of his cousin Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr. hangs in the Senate Reception Room of he United States Capitol...
, artist, was born in Pullman. - William La FolletteWilliam La FolletteWilliam Leroy La Follette was a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Washington. He represented the 3rd District from 1911 to 1915, and the 4th District from 1915 to 1919....
, U.S. Congressman, lived in Pullman. - John M. FabianJohn M. FabianJohn McCreary Fabian is a former NASA Astronaut and Air Force officer who flew two space shuttle missions and on the development of the shuttle's robotic arm. He later led the Air Force's space operations....
, former NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronaut, graduated from Pullman High School and Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university... - John ElwayJohn ElwayJohn Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
, NFL quarterback for the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, attended Pullman High SchoolPullman High SchoolPullman High School is a public high school in the city of Pullman, Washington, the home of Washington State University.It is the only public high school in the city and in the Pullman School District...
. - Timm RosenbachTimm RosenbachTimm Lane Rosenbach is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League . Rosenbach was selected in 1st round of the 1989 NFL Supplemental Draft by the Phoenix Cardinals...
, NFL quarterback for the Phoenix Cardinals and the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, attended Pullman High SchoolPullman High SchoolPullman High School is a public high school in the city of Pullman, Washington, the home of Washington State University.It is the only public high school in the city and in the Pullman School District...
and played football at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Drew BledsoeDrew BledsoeDrew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
, NFL quarterback for the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
played football at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Turk EdwardsTurk EdwardsAlbert Glen "Turk" Edwards was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He played his entire career for, and eventually became the head coach of, the Washington Redskins...
, NFL Hall of Famer, player and head coach for the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, played football at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Gerry LindgrenGerry LindgrenGerald Paul Lindgren is an American track and field runner who is widely recognized as having been the best high school long distance runner in the United States at the time....
, Olympic distance runner, set numerous high school and collegiate records. Won NCAA Cross Country Championships an unprecedented three times, 11 total championships while at WSU. Also set 6 mile world record. - Henry RonoHenry RonoHenry Rono is a Kenyan former athlete.-Biography:Rono was born in Nandi Hills, Kenya, into the Nandi tribe. He started running while at primary school. Starting in 1976 he attended the Washington State University, along with his compatriot Samson Kimobwa, who broke the 10,000 meter world record in...
, Kenyan distance runner, broke the world records for the 10,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 3,000 meters and 3,000 meters steeplechase during an 81 day span, ran cross country and track at Washington State University, where he became he third person in history to win 3 NCAA Cross Country Championships. - Bernard LagatBernard LagatBernard Kipchirchir Lagat is an American middle and long distance champion athlete.Lagat was born in Kapsabet, Kenya...
, Olympic Distance runner, has four World Championship gold medals has well as Olympic silver medal. Second fastest 1,5000 meter in history, American 5,000 meter Record Holder. - Gary LarsonGary LarsonGary Larson is the creator of The Far Side, a single-panel cartoon series that was syndicated internationally to newspapers for 15 years. The series ended with Larson's retirement on January 1, 1995. His 23 books of collected cartoons have combined sales of more than 45 million...
, cartoonist, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Glenn Johnson, Pullman mayor, Voice of the Cougars, President of the Association of Washington cities
- Monica B. Olson, biologist with numerous patents, was born in Pullman.
- James MattisJames MattisJames N. Mattis is a United States Marine Corps general and the current commander of United States Central Command. Having replaced David Petraeus on August 11, 2010, he previously commanded United States Joint Forces Command from November 9, 2007 to August 2010 and served concurrently as NATO's...
, USMC General - Edward R. MurrowEdward R. MurrowEdward Roscoe Murrow, KBE was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada.Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, and Alexander Kendrick...
, journalist, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Sherman AlexieSherman AlexieSherman Joseph Alexie, Jr. is a writer, poet, filmmaker, and occasional comedian. Much of his writing draws on his experiences as a Native American. Two of Alexie's best known works are The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven , a book of short stories and Smoke Signals, a film...
, author, poet, director, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Keith JacksonKeith JacksonKeith Jackson is an American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports , his coverage of college football , his style of folksy, down-to-earth commentary, and his distinctive voice, with its deep cadence, and operatic tone considered "like Edward R...
, sportscaster for ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Barry SerafinBarry SerafinBarry Serafin is an Emmy award-winning American television journalist for ABC News. An Oregon native, born in Coquille, and raised in Roseburg, Serafin graduated from Washington State University in 1964, and began his journalism career at the University's public radio station...
, news correspondent for ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Paul AllenPaul AllenPaul Gardner Allen is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates...
, businessman, co-founder of MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, owner of the NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
and the NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Walt HoranWalt HoranWalter Franklin Horan , American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for ten terms from January 3, 1943 to January 3, 1965, representing the Fifth Congressional District of Washington....
, U.S. Congressman, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Patty MurrayPatty MurrayPatricia Lynn "Patty" Murray is the senior United States Senator from Washington and a member of the Democratic Party. Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992, becoming Washington's first female senator...
, U.S. Senator, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Ron C. MittelhammerRon C. MittelhammerRon C. Mittelhammer is an American economist at Washington State University. He received his Ph.D. from the Washington State University in 1978, with specialisms in Econometrics and Marketing...
, former director of the School of Economic Sciences and former president of the American Agricultural Economics Association. - George NethercuttGeorge NethercuttGeorge R. Nethercutt, Jr. is an American politician, and is the founder and chairman of The George Nethercutt Foundation. He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2005, representing ....
, U.S. Congressman, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Robert A. RoeRobert A. RoeRobert A. Roe is an American Democratic Party politician who represented New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives for over twenty-three years, serving from November 4, 1969 to January 3, 1993....
, U.S. Congressman, studied at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Patrick RothfussPatrick RothfussPatrick James Rothfuss is an American fantasy writer and college lecturer. He is the author of the projected three-volume series The Kingkiller Chronicle.- Biography :...
, fantasy writer of The Name Of The WindThe Name of the WindThe Name of the Wind is a fantasy novel by Patrick Rothfuss, the first book in a series called The Kingkiller Chronicle. It was published in 2007 by DAW books with two possible hardcovers: one features the face of the Green Man with the title letters in silver and the other shows the figure of...
, completed his Masters in English at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
. - Constantine Alexander, who established the Tilos Natural Park (a Greek National Park), served as the Executive Director of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.
- Kirk TriplettKirk TriplettKirk Alan Triplett is an American professional golfer, currently playing on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Triplett was born in Moses Lake, Washington, and grew up in Pullman. He graduated from Pullman High School in 1980 and accepted a golf scholarship to the University of Nevada in Reno,...
, 3 time PGA Tour champion and member of the 2000 President's Cup team