Who We Are & What We Do
Welcome is our mantra at the Brelsford WSU Visitor Center and we’re here to help make you feel right at home when visiting WSU Pullman!
We’re a small but mighty team comprised of two professional staff and fueled by a crew of Cougs serving as our Student Ambassadors. They’re the smiling faces who will greet you upon arrival into our beautiful custom-designed building, cheerfully answer your phone call or promptly respond to an email. Regardless of what you need or how you reach out, we’re here to help!
Our team can assist with a variety of campus visit logistics from maps, directions and insider tips for navigating campus to parking and transportation options, information packets, and community activities and amenities.
Services we provide:
- Campus maps and information
- Wayfinding, directions and insider tips for navigating campus
- Coug insight into the must dos and sees at WSU Pullman
- City of Pullman and Palouse region insight, including outdoor recreation, dining and shopping
- Parking information and assistance, including daily permit sales and hourly parking options
- Local bus routes, information and public fare sales
- Retail for Cougar-made products like Cougar Cheese, WSU Blended Learning Wine, WSU Honey and WSU Seasonings
- Retail for Cougar-affiliated wines and Coug Merch from the Bookie
- Campus and community events open to the public
- Private rental events
BVC Fun Facts:
- The top of the concrete letter “U” supports the overhanging roof.
- The 40-foot-high lighted outdoor tower on the eastern side of the building stands as a tribute to the historic Bryan Hall Clock Tower.
- All of the wood-based building materials used in the facility were developed using technology created by the WSU Composite Materials and Engineering Center, a recognized world leader in the development of sustainable composite materials.
- The Brelsford WSU Visitor Center owes its name and structural existence to long-time WSU supporters Duane and Terri Brelsford.
Our Crew
Ashlee Toone
Manager
ashlee.toone@wsu.edu
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “A must see spot is on top of the Terrell Library. The view is beautiful and it is a very pleasant place to have lunch or simply to be present.”
Kristopher Alina
Program Coordinator
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “On campus, I recommend Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe and Creamery and the Grizzly Bear Research Education and Conservation Center. In Pullman, I recommend biking on Bill Chipman Palouse Trail and hiking Kamiak Butte.”
Julia B.
Team Member since 2023
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “Check out the grizzly bear center! The WSU Bear Research, Education and Conservation Center is a great way to see these animals up close and learn about a major university research project.”
Rose P.
Team Member since 2023
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “Visitors should definitely check out all the local businesses around Downtown Pullman! I love being able to go explore downtown and what it has to offer. It gives visitors insight to the type of community we have!”
Emme I.
Team Member since 2025
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “Porch Light Pizza and Pullman sunsets are the best combination! Make sure to also stop by Stratton’s Cutting Garden to build your own beautiful bouquets in the fall!”
Simon J.
Team Member since 2024
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “Dine in at The Old European Restaurant — it is such a cool experience with so many delicious, gourmet breakfast meals.”
Karlie K.
Team Member since 2024
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “Go to Lawson Gardens for a walk, especially in the spring!”
Collin B.
Team Member since 2025
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors: “I recommend going to the Compton Union Building to tour all the amazing student organizations and centers that WSU has to offer.”
Gloria C.
Team Member since 2025
WSU Pullman Must Do for Visitors:
Welcome to Our Space
The Brelsford WSU Visitor Center officially opened its doors Oct. 12, 2013, creating a central connection for the WSU Pullman campus and Pullman community.
We’re superbly located on the edge of campus and within the Downtown Central Business District on the corner of Main and Spring streets, making it easy for out-of-town and local campus visitors alike to stop before continuing to their ultimate destination. Our 15-foot concrete W-S-U letters and bright crimson exterior walls are by far our most distinctive characteristics and very simply say, “Go Cougs!” It is one of the best photo opportunities on campus!
Our exterior premise also features a variety of native grasses and vegetation among a carefully curated greenspace and spacious patios with shade or sunlight and seating, offering visitors an area to stretch after a long drive, enjoy a picnic or pause for fresh air. The parking lot is reserved for visitors and allows guests the opportunity to come inside for additional parking assistance.
The interior continues to boldly state, “Go Cougs!” with several large-scale wall displays that embody what it means to be part of Washington State University. The displays prominently feature WSU’s iconic Cougar head logo, words to the fight song and alma mater, along with graphics of several notable campus landmarks such as the Bryan Hall Clock Tower — all in crimson and gray. The displays are located on moveable walls, prime for yet another series of photo opportunities!
A newly updated and reimagined timeline highlighting a few of the university’s most significant milestones since its inception in 1890 runs the full length of an entry hallway with the opposite side detailing WSU’s athletics history. The athletics side concludes with one of our favorite elements — a two-dimensional, life-size Butch T. Cougar standing tall!
The main lobby space inside is flooded with natural daylight from floor to ceiling windows that run along three walls, adding to our friendly, down-to-earth ambiance, and a large built-in display showcases a wide variety of Cougar-connected wines available for retail purchase. Above the wine display shows WSU’s state-wide reach, marking the university’s six campuses and myriad county extension sites and research, education and business centers.
The building was designed by Olson Kundig Architects and constructed by Sellen Construction, both of Seattle, Washington.
