250,000 donation allows university insect museum to expand its collection

Terry and Faye Whitworth's $250,000 donation will significantly enhance the M. T. James Entomological Collection at Washington State University. This collection, the largest insect repository in Washington, has outgrown its current storage facilities. The donation will fund a new compactor storage system, which could double the museum's capacity for housing millions of specimens.

Terry Whitworth, a retired entomologist with a Ph. D. in entomology, emphasized the importance of such collections for research on population dynamics and species extinction. Elizabeth Murray, the museum director, stated that the expanded space will support the ongoing growth of the collection through new specimens and donations. The museum's development comes at a critical time, as it faced unexpected storage limitations.

The installation process will involve significant renovations, including cabinet removal and subfloor support. This financial support underscores the Whitworths' commitment to the museum's mission and its future endeavors.