October Issue 2018

October 2018

Welcome to the October 2018 issue of Sociology News!

James Short, Jr. in his office at Washington State University in 2009. — *Jim Short in his office at Washington State University in 2009*

In this issue, we express our appreciation for James (Jim) F. Short Jr. and his 67 years of actively contributing to the WSU sociology department before his death on May 13, 2018, at age 93. Three articles reflect on his life and contributions that endeared him to multiple generations of students and faculty at WSU and beyond. We are pleased that the James F. Short Jr. Professorship is being created at WSU to honor him. It is described in the article “Personal Reflections on Jim Short.” Contributions to support the professorship are welcome.

Also in this issue, we discuss the diversity of graduate student research now evident in the department. We highlight the dissertation efforts of several students, including taking a detailed look at one student’s analysis of how the electricity keeps flowing but in a smarter way, written by Lauren Scott (PhD ’18).

In “Alumni Briefs,” we’re pleased to feature news about Jane Sell (PhD ’79), who received a prestigious award from the American Sociological Association for her lifetime contributions, and the career contributions of Terry Miethe (PhD ’82) and Donald Beck (PhD ’91).

We also express appreciation to alumni and others who have made it possible to distribute nearly $50,000 this year, in scholarships and other student awards that contribute greatly to helping students achieve their educational goals.

This issue also marks a change in editorship for Sociology News. Alana Inlow, a PhD candidate in sociology is welcomed as co-editor. She succeeds Pierce Greenberg (PhD, ’18) whom we thank for three years of great work as co-editor. We also congratulate him for completing his PhD and beginning work as an assistant professor of sociology at Creighton University in Omaha. Don Dillman continues in his sixth year as Sociology News co-editor.

Finally, we would welcome your comments and suggestions for topics to be covered in Sociology News. Please send them to dillman@wsu.edu.

Don Dillman and Alana Inlow, Co-editors

Photo of Don Dillman, co-editor — Don Dillman, dillman@wsu.edu

Photo of Alana Inlow, co-editor — Alana Inlow, alana.inlow@wsu.edu