Evan Charney grew up surrounded by woods in Wilton, Connecticut, and decided WSU in Pullman would be a good fit for college as it had a similar community atmosphere — just with yellow wheatfields instead of green trees.
Charney, senior digital media and technology major, spent his time surrounded by wheatfields doing the most he could to be involved through the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and other clubs around campus.
At WSU, Charney said he, at different points, served as human resources director for Cable 8 Productions, president of the club baseball team, a Murrow ambassador, part-time writer of The Daily Evergreen, a choir member, called games for KUGR and the Pac-12 network and finally, safety and marketing officer for the club ski team.
He said he is a jack of all trades and a bit of a perfectionist, but with all the time he has committed to his clubs, he is trying to be a good friend and familiar face to people on campus.
Charney said he is a people person who loves talking and always trying to get involved and build new relationships.
“I like to think of myself as a friend. Above most, I like to try and be there for people and as much as I like to joke around with my friends, I hope they know I’m always there for them,” he said. “Secondly, I would say I’m a son. I’m very close with my dad. And I want to make him proud. So hopefully I’ve done that by now.”
Carlos Murrieta, 2023 WSU graduate and Charney’s former roommate, said despite being older and graduating sooner than him, Charney helped him with his classwork, as well as socially. Despite all the time Charney had allotted to his clubs, he always made the time to be there when needed by his closest friends like Murrieta.
“More than just in school, but with everything outside of school,” Murrieta said. “He puts everything he has into what he does. He does [everything he does] out of passion, not just because it might make him look good.”
Even a full year after his graduation, Murrieta said the two talk nightly; Charney is always there and always reaching out.
For his friends still in Pullman, Charney has made a significant impact on their success. Gunner Miller, senior broadcast news major, said Charney is someone who has fundamentally changed his college trajectory.
Having recently interviewed as a finalist for a job with the Seattle Seahawks, Miller said he cannot take all the credit for his success, instead praising the help he has received from people like Charney.
“I look to him as a mentor. I owe a lot of my success to him,” Miller said. “There is no Gunner Scott Miller without Evan Charney. The things he’s done for me on a personal level are things I cannot even begin to start thanking him for.”
Miller and Charney are both graduating Saturday with degrees from Murrow and have both worked side by side for years. Both were selected to represent the college on the MLB Spring Training trip over spring break and both worked together on the Cable 8 show “Wazzu Recap” before taking positions on the executive board for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Charney said the reason the two have been close is they can balance their relationship.
“Being able to have the two sides of like, ‘Hey, we’re goofing around right now. We’re having a lot of fun.’ Then being able to switch it up and just if we need to get serious we can get serious,” Charney said. “We can be like, ‘Hey, man, whatever you’re going through right now. I’m here to help and support you.’ That is what is at the center of our friendship.”
As he prepares for his graduation, there is no set path for Charney.
He said he is going wherever the wind takes him; whether working in sports or taking his off time to travel the world and explore new places, he is ready for what lies ahead.
