Gary Larson, a 1972 alumnus best known for his cartoon panel The Far Side®, was unable to attend the event but sent a message to the school stating how his interest in advertising and biology led to his successful career.

“€œI never foresaw how this might all come together, but it’s pretty clear to me now that my classes at WSU were vital in both nurturing a creative bent I thought I might have, but also in stirring my interest and providing me with a solid background in biology as well,’ Larson said.

Larson has received numerous awards, including WSU”s highest award of distinction, the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1990 and the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from The National Cartoonists Society in 1991 and 1994, who also named The Far Side Best Syndicated Panel in both 1985 and 1987. He also has published 23 Far Side books, each of which has appeared on The New York Times Best Seller List.

The Far Side® is a registered trademark of FarWorks, Inc.