We are excited to announce Joel Anaya, Campus Event Coordinator with Advancement and Community Engagement at WSU Tri-Cities, as a Crimson Spirit Award recipient.

Joel’s nominators had many great things to say. “Since taking on the role of Campus Events Coordinator within the WSU Tri-Cities office of advancement, Joel has made an immediate impact on campus. He leads planning and execution of commencement, leads development and chancellor events including the scholarship brunch, chancellor events, and community engagement activities. Since coming on, these events have been elevated, flawlessly executed, and driven with purpose. Joel has taken leadership and created a vision that is goal driven and executed at the highest levels.”

“Because of Joel, we also were able to add events that create a sense of community both for the campus and the larger Tri-Cities region. Joel has taken on adding a wave the flag event at the beginning of the school year, developed the first campus watch party (a brand-new event attended by over 200 community members), and has led the logistics for a campus aid station supporting the Tri-Cities Iron Man Triathlon. Joel also was instrumental in startup and continued excellent execution of a Tri-Cities Butch T. Cougar program.”

“Joel consistently goes above and beyond to create events that bring together students, faculty, staff, and community to celebrate our accomplishments and contributions to the WSU land grant mission. He manages events—big and small– with an incredibly high degree of professionalism, remains calm when others might not, and is constantly seeking feedback with an eye towards growth and process improvement. No matter how much is on his plate, Joel never allows his stress to undermine his Coug spirit, and by example he inspires all those around him. In short, his spirit is contagious, and our campus is without a doubt substantially better for it.”

“This nomination is more than a nomination from me, his supervisor, but a unanimous vote of confidence from the entire leadership team at WSU Tri-Cities including the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellors, and all the Cabinet team.”