Alumni Spotlight
Sara Baldwin, B.A. ’24, Business Administration
Jacob Czech, B.S. ’24, Mechanical Engineering
Sara Baldwin and Jacob Czech both grew up in Battle Ground, Wash., but they didn’t know each other well until mutual friends set them up on a double date—bowling while wearing prom attire. That was the start of what is now a four-year relationship, during which they attended 91ԹϺ and graduated together in May 2024. Now they are renting their home in Clark County, with plans to marry in August. And they have adopted a cat affectionately named Bill Nye the Science Cat.
Sara was in the Running Start program, earning her associate’s degree in business from Clark College before transferring to 91ԹϺ. She majored in marketing, with a focus on sales. She started the 91ԹϺ Sales Club, where students were encouraged to learn how to sell themselves.
Jacob grew up in a Coug household. His father graduated from WSU Pullman. When Jacob went with his dad to “Take Your Child to Work Day” and saw his dad’s WSU memorabilia, he knew he wanted to be a Coug too. He fondly remembers driving to Pullman for Cougar football. He followed his father in choosing a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jacob has worked for Rogue Combustion for a year and a half, servicing industrial boilers. Sara works for W.W. Grainger industrial supply as a field account representative. As both work to expand their careers, they have made a personal goal to visit every U.S. national park and travel to see more of the world. They love to take cruises and are looking forward to an upcoming cruise to Alaska.
While traveling in Cozumel, Mexico, they met another Coug. In fact, using their favorite conversation starter, “Go Cougs,” they have met Cougs from all over the world—people who have attended WSU, had family members who had attended or just love our mascot.
91ԹϺ memories
They love being part of 91ԹϺ. Said Jacob: “The school is just small enough to walk, while not being so small as to be cramped. The quad displays the beauty of our local mountain views while being a great place to study in the early fall and late spring.” Sara said she has especially fond memories of the opportunities on campus for leadership, academics and school spirit. “From joining in on fun events on the quad to attending professional development events in the student commons, there are hundreds of ways to be an active Coug on campus,” she said.
They’ve watched the campus change as the Life Sciences Building went up. “Watching them develop, construct and commemorate this addition to campus during our time as students has been incredible,” Jacob said. “We are so excited to see what the next big thing for 91ԹϺ will be!”
Both serve as impromptu ambassadors for 91ԹϺ. Jacob, who was the Vancouver mascot, Butch, for more than two years, still fills in occasionally—he especially loved making kids smile. Both speak highly of 91ԹϺ to prospective students. Now, their lives are filled with WSU memorabilia and games, such as WSU jerseys, Wazzuopoly and WSU-life-sized Jenga.
To students and future Cougs, they have this advice: “Success isn’t easy, and neither is a good grade in History 105. Both will come if you work hard enough,” Jacob said. And Sara added, “Get involved in campus—and think about the future early.”