PULLMAN, Wash.–Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) has helped save a local tradition so large it “can be seen from space.”
For the past five years a huge piece of crop art honoring the Washington State Cougars has been created in a local field that this year was at risk of not being created.
In response, the $5.27-billion WSECU stepped in.
“We couldn’t let this celebration of Cougar pride fade away knowing how many people love it,” President and CEO Gary Swindler said in a statement. “When we heard the beloved crop art wasn’t returning this year, we were excited to jump in to show our support for WSU on a big scale.”
‘Crop Art Dreams to Life’
According to WSECU, globally-renowned earthwork artist Stan Herd, who has “been bringing crop art dreams to life for 40 years” created the mural, continuing the iconic tradition at WSU Coug Mural Field.
The field serves as a final landmark as the highway splits, just minutes before the city of Pullman seems to materialize from among the sea of wheat fields, the credit union explained.
“The 2024 design features the iconic imagery of a roaring cougar above the words, ‘Cougar Country Loud and Proud’,” WSECU said, with the mural completed just in time for the second WSU home football game against Texas Tech on Sept. 7.
WSECU said the larger-than-life display of support comes two years after it expanded its partnership with WSU as the official banking partner of the WSU CougarCard, which doubles as a debit card and university student ID.
‘Brings People Together’
“This mural brings people together and that sense of community and shared pride is important to us,” Swindler said in a statement. “It’s a massive show of support so when we got the opportunity, we were ready to pick it up and run with it.”
WSECU said it has two branches in Pullman, including one in the WSU Compton Union Building. The credit union has had a branch presence on the WSU Pullman campus since 1979. In addition to 45 years of financial services support, WSECU said it also supports Cougs Feeding Cougs, a program that addresses food insecurity for students at WSU and offers free financial workshops to the campus community.
Visible for Months
The crop art celebrating WSU Pullman should be visible for approximately 8-10 weeks after completion before seasonal changes begin to impact its clarity, according to WSECU.
The exact location can be found on Google maps.