New CUB mural saves maintenance, turns heads

The beginning of a new semester ushers in a change of classes, and associates of the CUB similarly felt it was time to change the hallway mural.

“The (new) mural in the CUB is a series of monochromatic images showing parts of WSU, including locations on campus and students,” said the CUB Student Advisory Board Chair Alexander Sanchez.

Kyle Cance, assistant director of marketing & communications for administrative services of the CUB, said the change was proposed due to the high volume of traffic and constant activity that made the previous piece difficult to maintain.

Sanchez said the mural is where the fight song used to be. The location was chosen because the fight song wall was damaged and repairing it would have taken several painters, he said.

“The inspiration was to create something that was a representation of campus and the students but had a brighter color scheme so the CUB spine would be a more welcoming and open space for students,” Sanchez said.

He said the mural serves several purposes, including brightening the space and being easier to repair.

Karee Shaw, the senior associate director of operations for the CUB, said the goal for the mural is to represent student life at WSU and the spirit of being a student here. She said she hopes everyone will find something that represents WSU in the mural.

The CUB funded the mural, and Dustin Hall, the graphic designer for WSU Communications, designed it.

“We have received mixed reviews of the piece,” Cance said. “However, we have noticed more students taking time to look at the photos on the wall finding themselves, friends and former students.”

Sophomore nursing major Bekah Hunstiger said she likes the mural.

“The mural is a great addition to the CUB and really captures the essence of the WSU community,” she said.

Sanchez said he thinks many students are surprised by the change and some will probably not like the mural simply because it is a change.

He said many students didn’t like the wall’s new look at first, but changed their perspective upon seeing the final product.