PULLMAN, Wash. It was with great sadness the Washington State University family learned of the passing of Kathi Goertzen, a 1980 WSU graduate who spent nearly 30 years working for KOMO-TV in Seattle.
“She has been a true friend, both to me and to all of her fellow Cougs. One who was well-loved by all whom she touched,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd.
Goertzen spent her entire career working for KOMO, covering the most important stories of our time, earning the industry’s top honors, including five Emmy awards, and the Edward R. Murrow award. In 1999, Kathi received the WSU Alumni Association’s highest honor, the WSUAA Alumni Achievement Award. She was also a long-time member of the Murrow Professional Advisory Board.
“Kathi was the embodiment of what we hope our students will become: A consummate professional but also a warm, caring and approachable human being,” said Lawrence Pintak, founding dean of the Edward R Murrow College of Communication. “Countless students have entered the Murrow College because they grew up watching Kathi Goertzen.”
The perseverance and hard work Kathi demonstrated throughout her career are a true testament to her Cougar pride and will inspire WSU alumni, friends, and students for years to come.
“She was fighter right to the very end, and she always had that positive attitude,” said her WSU broadcasting Professor Glenn Johnson. “I think a lot of us can draw a lot from her.”
Goertzen also served with distinction on the WSU Foundation Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2000, and on the Foundation’s Board of Governors since 2007. She established an endowment at WSU called the “Kathi Goertzen Leadership Award” to benefit journalism students.
“WSU played a great role in who I became as a journalist and as a person,” wrote Goertzen in establishing the scholarship.
“Our hearts now go out to her husband Rick Jewett, and her two daughters, Alexa and Andrea,” said Floyd. “To Kathi we would say, “You have fought the good fight. May you now be in peace.”
Watch a celebration of Goertzen’s life from KOMO News here.