Alumni Association

As a sophomore researcher, Justin was tasked with developing and building a compact diffraction grating wavemeter used to study atoms in the ultracold state. The potential applications of this research are immense. An electric power grid where current can flow without loss, and sensitive medical devices that can detect the onset of disease, are just a couple exciting possibilities. Justin joined WSU as a Regents Scholar, and has received the Paul A. Anderson Award for Excellence in Physics; the William, Irene, and Joseph P. Homechick Music Scholarship; and was named Outstanding 4th year German Student. He has received two distinguished scholarships: a 2015 Goldwater Scholarship and a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Germany. One of Justin’s physics professors is quoted as saying, “Justin is one of the very few students who are going to have the scope, depth, and energy to lead his generation in new directions.”   

With this being one of the most-applied-for categories, it was a tough decision among such well qualified candidates, but with great pleasure, I would like to recognize David Tobey for his outstanding academic achievement in the area of genetics and cell biology with a 3.93 G.P.A. Congratulations for your recognition as the Big Ten Senior for excellence in Academics.

With a cumulative G.P.A of 3.96 and as member of numerous honor societies Lindsey Kimble will be awarded as this year’s Big Ten Senior for Academics. Lindsey has excelled in the area of Dietetics and hopes to improve nutrition education for young students. Congratulations Lindsey!

With Academics being one of the most-applied-for categories, it was a tough decision among such well qualified candidates, but with great pleasure, I would like to recognize Brian Carlton for his outstanding academic achievement in the area of civil engineering and history with a 4.0 G.P.A. Congratulations for your recognition as the Big Ten Senior for excellence in Academics.

With an impressive research background in entomology, Brina Lewis will be awarded as this year’s Big Ten Senior for Academics. Brina has excelled in her work at the Research Entomology Lab and also in the WSU Pharmacy/Toxicology Lab.

With stellar academic performances in Physics as well as in Honors, Kristofor carries a 3.95 GPA as he completes his degree with a Bio-Physics option. His oral and written work for his Honor’s Thesis was recognized by a faculty panel, and his thesis was awarded Pass with Distinction. In his Honors Physics class, Kristofor shared one of the top rankings among all the students enrolled.

Svetlana is a 2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar Award winner, as well as a finalist in the 2010 Computing Research Association’s Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award Competition. She was recently chosen for a WSU Emeritus Society Undergraduate Achievement award in biosciences, and was also chosen as the outstanding senior in computer sciences in WSU’s School or Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

This semester Julian has worked as a teaching assistant for a calculus-based physics lab. He has also voluntarily managed additional help sessions outside of the lab for students who need additional help with the subject material. Julian has also been an active participant and leader of the Physics and Astronomy Club.

Karen will graduate with a BS in Economic Sciences, and has maintained a GPA of 3.85 while at WSU. Karen works as a research assistant at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research where she designs forecasting models and works with data and reports. She also serves as a tutor for WSU Athletics and the College Assistance Migrant Program. Karen is a Distinguished Regents Scholar and her name has appeared on the President’s Honor Roll every semester. She is a member of the Honors College and was recently awarded the Wall Street Journal Award, which is given out by the College of Agriculture and Human Resource Sciences. Starting June 6th Karen will be the new Market Analyst for the Northwest Farm Credit Services Knowledge Center.

Omar Bayomy, who has also been a student in the Honors College for the past four years. Omar is a member of the Honors Student Advisory Council and has also served as an academic tutor in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Calculus, and works for the Department of Chemistry as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Omar has worked in the laboratory of Dr. James Krueger at WSU Spokane and has contributed to Dr. Kreuger’s research into the physiology of sleep. Omar’s work in this area has been published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, and he has presented his work at the 2011 SLEEP conference in Minneapolis. Omar will graduate from WSU having maintained a 4.0 GPA, and next year will continue his studies at Harvard Medical School.

Rachel is a student in the WSU Honor’s College where this year she served as the co-president of the Honors Student Advisory Council. Rachel has maintained a 3.96 GPA as a student in the Neuroscience, Pre-Vet program, and double majoring in Spanish. At the 2011 Sciences and Engineering Poster competition, Rachel won 1st place both in her category and the People’s Choice award for her presentation She also recently completed her Honors Thesis with Excellence while conducting research on the Nodose Ganglia.

John who is a student in the WSU Honors College. John has maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA while earning a degree in biochemistry. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society, as well as a member of the pre-health club. John successfully defended his honors thesis which dealt with studying mitochondrial DNA variation in sockeye salmon. The results of his research will be helpful in conservation efforts with this species, and his findings are expected to be published in a scientific journal. In the fall, John will be pursuing an MD at St. Louis University Medical School.

Katherine is a student in the WSU Honor’s College, double majoring in psychology and neuroscience. Katherine is also among a select group of students offered early admission to WSU’s veterinary program. Katherine has been inducted to the WSU chapter of Psi Chi, the national honor society for psychology majors, and was recently invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. Katherine was also selected by both the Honors College and Neuroscience program to serve as a student ambassador for their programs.

Gordon Stumpo, a student in the WSU Honors College majoring in Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles. In his senior courses Gordon received top grades for every project, and was recently selected for the Molly Pepper Best of Show Award and as the outstanding senior designer. He is also an award winner in the Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities, and his Honors Program thesis also received a nomination for Pass with Distinction. He also competed at Dallas Career Day Fashion Competition, a national design competition. Described as goal-oriented, hard-working, with a strong desire to succeed, Gordon has recently been accepted for graduate school to two of the top five fashion design schools in the United States.

Fiorella Grandi is a student in the WSU Honor’s College, studying Biochemistry and Genetics/Cell Biology. A published author in her field of study, Fiorella is also a recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, which is presented annually to about 300 undergraduates nationwide. She has also presented at Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities, and this spring presented at the Mobile Genetic Elements and Genome Evolution Keystone Symposia in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fiorella also earned a nomination for “Pass with Distinction” on her

Honors Thesis. She has also served as an officer in the Molecular Biosciences Club, just one of her several extracurricular activities. This fall Fiorella will begin her PhD program in Molecular Biosciences at Stanford University, for which she has received a graduate fellowship. Congratulations, Fiorella, on being recognized as a Big Ten Senior.

Floricel has been a standout with her research and extracurricular involvements. She researches diseases, examining, in particular, the interactions that occur between a disease and a host. Of more than 3,000 applicants to the 2014 national Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Floricel was one of eight microbiology students who were selected to present their research orally. Then, only Floricel was selected to receive an award. She has also received an Auvil Undergraduate Research Fellowship, and will be the first author on a forthcoming manuscript. Floricel is involved in the McNair Scholars Program, the WSU Team Mentoring Program, and the First Scholars Program. She has also participated in the American Society for Microbiology Research Capstone program.

• Senior graduating with B.S. in civil engineering  

• Conducted research on water-air interactions and presented findings at Showcase for Undergraduate and Creative Activities 

• Selected as a Boeing Scholar 

• Has won the Outstanding Sophomore, Junior and Senior award in civil engineering 

• Served as research mentor through Office of Undergraduate Research 

• Senior graduating with B.S. in Neuroscience and minors in biology, chemistry, and mathematics Honors Certificate 

• Lead author or co-author on at least six publications in her field of neuroscience 

• Completed a summer research internship at the Allen Brain Institute 

• Has received two Barry M. Goldwater Honorable Mentions for undergraduate achievement in STEM research 

• Worked as a research intern in a neuroscience lab at Cambridge 

• Hopes to pursue an MD/PhD and to attend the new WSU medical school 

James Whitbread is a theoretical mathematics major with a 3.9 GPA and minors in sociology, chemistry, molecular biosciences, and biology. He is the president and founder of the National Alliance on Mental Illness at WSU, and has organized events at WSU to promote awareness of common mental health difficulties. James volunteered over 150 hours at Pullman Regional Hospital during 2015-16, assisting physicians and nurses and socializing with patients. During 2016-17 he served as a WSU Health and Wellness Services Holistic Wellness Facilitator, working to promote overall student health at WSU. James is a recipient of the President’s Award for Leadership, the WSU Regents Scholarship, and scored a 519 on the MCAT, a score which placed him in the 98% percentile of all examinees. In the fall of 2018 James will begin studying at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. We are pleased to honor him as a Top Ten Senior.    

Shanelle Briggs is a pre-med and Spanish double major who will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA. As an undergrad conducting research for the WSU Psychology Department Shanelle was 3rd author on a paper which has since been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Journal of Adolescence. This article is listed on the journal’s web page as the third most downloaded article in the last 90 days. During the spring of 2017 and 2018 Shanelle volunteered in Guatemala and helped feed families, construct a school building, and volunteered in a nutrition center and orphanage. Shanelle is also a captain on the WSU Spirit Squad, an ambassador for the WSU Office of Admissions, and was involved with the Cougar Health Awareness Team. In the Fall of 2018 Shanelle will begin studying at the University of Washington School of Medicine.  

Shi Min Tan holds a 3.86 GPA as a Neuroscience major, with the desire to pursue an MD/PhD. Shi Min is a member of the WSU Honors College, an officer in the WSU Neuroscience Club, and a plays violin in the WSU Orchestra. In her work as an undergraduate research assistant her project focus was on cocaine addiction and memory reconsolidation. Because of her dedication she was a co-author on national presentations related to this project, and is a co-author on the manuscript in preparation. Shi Min also presented her findings from the study and received a Crimson Award at SURCA in 2017. Shi Min has also volunteered with the National Alliance of Research Associates Program at Pullman Regional Hospital. Shi Min is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, some of which include the Phi Betta Kappa Honors Scholarship, the Peter A. Zornes Neuroscience Scholarship, the Auvil Research Fellow, and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program Undergraduate Fellowship. She has presented at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, the Society for Neuroscience Conference, and can read, speak, and write in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish.  

Lars Neuenschwander holds a 4.0 GPA and is pursuing dual majors in Bioengineering and Spanish. In his work as a research assistant at WSU he has investigated the nature of antibiotic resistance and its development within bacterial biofilms. He has also worked on utilizing conductive 3D printed material for electrochemical applications. Lars is the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Senior in Bioengineering Award, as well as the Outstanding Senior in Foreign Languages and Cultures. Lars was a recipient of the Boeing Outstanding Senior Scholarship, and the WSU Medical Hackathon First Place Scholarship. He serves as an officer for the Biomedical Engineering Society, and as the president of the Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship Institute. He is an officer for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and belongs to the National Society of Leadership and Success. Lars is also a student ambassador for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. Recently, Lars won second place in the University of Washington Health Innovation Challenge with is colleague TJ Goble. This competitive challenge is described as “an exciting extracurricular competition that gives students the opportunity to come up with meaningful solutions to big problems the world faces today related to health.” Lars and TJ won this award for developing a camera-integrated mobile application that improves the early diagnosis of autism in children. 

Kristian Gubsch holds a 3.85 GPA as a Chemical Engineering major and has been a member of the Honors College since fall 2016. His work with Dr. Von Walden contributed to his becoming the first WSU student to receive the Ernest Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2019. His research in 2018 with Dr. Hongfei Lin developing carbon dioxide capture and conversion technology earned him another national prestigious award from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. In November 2019, Kristian was selected as WSU’s first-ever Marshall Scholar, one of 46 American students to receive the award. With this scholarship, he will spend the next two years studying at Sheffield University in the UK. Alongside his accomplishments in the lab, Kristian has also been recognized for his achievements in leadership. Kristian was awarded the WSU President’s Award for Leadership in 2019 and was selected among nominated students as the sole recipient of the Virginia E. Thomas Scholarship. Kristian was one of ten students selected in the United States to attend the 25th United Nations Climate Change conference in Madrid, Spain as an American Chemical Society delegate in July 2019. He educated Cougs on global climate change and how the world addresses it in April 2020 as part of WSU’s Common Reading Series Refugee: Rethinking Refugee Policy in a Changing World. 

Kristian was nominated by April Seehafer. 

Megan Lee holds a 3.9 GPA as a Genetics and Cell Biology major with minors in Psychology, Genetic Counseling, and Aerospace. She intends to become a doctor and has already gained admission to WSU’s Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine with a full-ride Health Professions Scholarship from the Air Force. While obtaining her undergraduate degree, Megan has served several semesters in the Bio 315 human cadaver lab assisting fellow students, volunteered and job shadowed in several medical clinics and hospitals, and participated in the Air Force ROTC program. Within the ROTC, she has received numerous awards for her scholastic excellence, superior performance, and unique skills, including Cadet of the Year (2019), Scholastic Excellence Cadet (2018), and Superior Performance Graduate (2017). Megan has been a member of the College Honors Society since 2015. She has also served as a wildland firefighter on a helitack crew, competed as a finalist for the Pac-12 Rowing Championship in 2016, and volunteered to serve seniors and hospice patients. Megan worked as a research assistant under Dr. Stephanie Fosback at Pullman Regional Hospital and is currently in charge of leading a grant project to earn $250,000 for integrating mental health care at a clinic. Megan desires to serve as a physician in an underserved rural area and provide services like free clinics for those who have limited access and no insurance. 

Megan was nominated by Nicole Kelp. 

Patrick Robichaud holds a 3.82 GPA as a Civil Engineering major, with minors in Spanish and sustainable development, and according to one of his nominators, has “shone as a student in the WSU Honors College.” For four years, Patrick has been a member of Engineers Without Borders. As a member of this group, Patrick led a team of engineers in Panama to construct a solar pump to provide clean drinking water to a local community. In the summer of 2020, Patrick worked as a policy intern for the American Society for Testing and Materials International, the largest and most widely regarded standards organization in the world, where he researched how water utilities could help in the mitigation of wildfires. In addition, Patrick was selected as a delegate to the Conference of the Parties, the largest meeting in the world on the topic of climate change, which took place in Madrid, Spain. Patrick has been awarded the outstanding junior and senior in the Civil Engineering Department as well as the outstanding junior for Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. As a student leader, Patrick has been the ASWSU Environmental Sustainability Alliance chair, an Honors Advisory council member, and a member of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering society recognizing the top engineering students. In the spring of 2020, Patrick was named a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Patrick is just the fourth WSU student to receive recognition from the Truman Foundation since it started awarding scholarships during the 1977-78 academic year.  

Patrick was nominated by Kelli Gardner-Schrand.  

Samantha King-Shaw holds a 3.91 GPA as a Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies major, with minors in Queer Studies and Economic Sciences. Samantha is a student in the WSU Honors College and has served as a student officer for the Queer Intersections Association at WSU, where she works with other students to create inclusive and affirming spaces for LGBTQI+ individuals. Her work with this group earned Samantha the 2020 WGSS Celia Forrest Award, and Samantha extended this commitment to present her original scholarship in her paper “LGBTQI+ Life Chances and a Queer Approach to Prison Abolition” at WGSS’s InQueery Symposium. During the summer of 2020, Samantha organized a research group with students at WSU and San Diego State University to create the Black Lives Matter Collective. This collaborative qualitative research resulted in a photovoice exhibit and event called “Black Lives Matter All The Time.” Samantha’s Honor’s Thesis was hailed as demonstrating strong analytical and research skills most students do not develop until the early years of their graduate work. One instructor praises Samantha for producing “extremely original and graduate-level research,” and “her ability to grapple with dense theoretical materials is always impressive and sets a high bar for the rest of the class.”  

Samantha was nominated by Pamela Thoma.  

Felicia is earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a dual concentration in Management Information Systems and Accounting, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. In addition to being a Boeing Scholar and a 2024 Fulbright Study/Research Award applicant, she is now working on a McNair Scholar project titled "Understanding the Role of Social Media and Technology on Mass Shootings." Felicia has presented several conferences and has already been published three times. She is a peer mentor for the Carson College of Business EDGE program and volunteers with the WSU Economics Club. She has accomplished that all of this at the age of nineteen! Felicia is a model student, researcher, and leader who strikes a balance between her scholastic achievements and her community service to WSU. After Felicia graduates from WSU this semester, she intends to begin her PhD.

Involvement

National Merit Scholar; one of three students in Students Targeted towards Advanced Research Studies (STARS) for bachelors to doctoral track; recipient, Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education award; Teaching assistant, chemistry; research assistant, biochemistry and molecular biology; fencing club; pianist, Atrium Music at WSU libraries; Edwin Williams Award for top WSU music students; first prize for piano, New York Artists International Competition; first prize at the New York International Music Concours; winner, WSU Concerto Competition; teacher, private piano lessons for beginner students

Favorite activity at WSU

My undergraduate research experiences have been a lot of fun, just being able to do actual science in the lab. Specifically, I think the coolest project I probably worked on was in Dr. Haseltine’s lab, where I was working with Archaea that grew in boiling acid. The high point in my music life would be playing at Carnegie Hall this last January. That was a once in a lifetime experience.

Future plans

I’m going into graduate school for my PhD and leaning toward the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. After that I want to go into industry and ultimately to be the lead scientist for a company, where I decide what experiments and what directions the research should be going.

John Bussey, who will graduate in May with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, a minor in Mathematics, a certificate in Nuclear Materials, and Honors College membership. He researches X-ray characterization and nuclear waste disposal. John has authored thirteen (13) peer-reviewed journal articles, delivered thirty (30) conference posters and presentations, and participated in international collaborations in Sweden and France. He did summer research at Vanderbilt University. At WSU, John has contributed to John McCloy's Nuclear, Optical, Magnetic, and Electronic Materials lab and HYPER-Borea team as a Goldwater Scholar. He is a Distinguished Regent’s Scholar, a Department of Energy University Nuclear Leadership Program Scholar, a Corning Incorporated Glass Age Fellow, and just received word he received an N-S-F Graduate Research Fellowship Program award. On a group endeavor, his team was awarded NASA's Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-changing Idea challenge for a project involving cryogenic liquids for space-suit dust mitigation. John is an exceptional individual whose academic and research achievements are extraordinary.

With an almost flawless GPA of 3.99, Stevie is an Honors College student majoring in both Microbiology and Spanish and minoring in Jazz Studies and German. Stevie's unusual major and minor combination demonstrates his wide variety of interests, which he will apply to his future work in medicine and medical research. Stevie has four publications to date in addition to several presentations all around the country and world, including Dubi and Canada. Highlights of recent awards include the Boeing Washington Research Foundation Award, the Fulbright Canada Mitacs Award, the WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Research Presentation Crimson Award, the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, and, in a testament to his diverse talents, first place in the Advanced Category of the Spanish creative writing competition "Los sueños en cien palabras." In addition to being the founder of Fossil Free WSU, Stevie is an active participant in the Environmental Sustainability Alliance (ESA). His involvement in these and other organizations has already had an impact on WSU's sustainability initiatives. In addition, he enjoys playing the drums, producing music, and volunteering at the Cougar Food Pantry and Hearts in Motion Guatemala. As a scholar, scientist, mentor, advocate, and experienced leader, Stevie represents the very best of Washington State University.

Forrest Fearington is a Neuroscience major on the Vancouver campus who holds an impressive 4.0 GPA. Described as a leader in the classroom and the research lab, Forrest has been heavily involved in undergraduate research related to hearing loss while working in the lab of Dr. Allison Coffin. His main project focused on understanding how exposure to intense noises damages the connections between sensory hearing cells and the brain. As part of this research, Forrest mastered confocal microscopy – a type of fluorescent cell imaging usually reserved for more senior lab members. Forrest became adept at this technique, and Dr. Coffin didn’t remember any student learning it faster. Along with his own research, Forrest has been a mentor to others, taking time to help fellow undergraduate researchers with their projects in Dr. Coffin’s lab. As a result of this mentorship, he will be listed as a co-author on at least two papers submitted to scientific journals this year. In 2021 Forrest won the best undergraduate poster award at the WSUV research showcase and received an Auvil Research Fellowship from WSU. This year he will be awarded with the WSUV Neuroscience programs Outstanding Research Award. Forrest is also a member of the Neuroscience Club and is the vice president of the Pre-Health club. He also volunteers at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, where he takes time to connect patients with other community and economic resources. Forrest plans to pursue a career in medicine, and with an MCAT score in the 99th percentile he has received offers from many reputable institutions.

Annie Lu holds a 3.98 GPA and will be earning her B.S. in applied mathematics with minors in physics and music. One nominator described her as, “…the most gifted and talented student I have ever encountered in my entire career.” In 2019 Annie was offered a position on the research team of Dr. Nikolaos Voulgarakis, where she worked on a project that is a modified version of facilitated diffusion in fractal environments. The preliminary results on this project earned her a WSU Carson Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Annie has attended multiple events such as SURCA, and the Young Mathematicians Conference to present her research, and has competed in WSU’s Math Modeling Team competition where undergraduate students can gain experience in real-world applications and receive exposure to research-type problems in mathematics. Annie has also been involved as a teaching assistant for a calculus lab and is a grader for two upper division math courses. She is the recipient of the CAS Outstanding Senior Award for Mathematics and Statistics, and the Knebelman Outstanding Senior Award. Earlier this spring, Annie was selected for a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to Hungary for the 2022-23 academic year. She will collaborate and learn from faculty who are experts in the field of computational biology and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods to develop algorithms that can accurately sample genome rearrangement to identify and address many biological problems. Annie is the first WSU student ever to be selected for this Fulbright.

Involvement

Recipient, Outstanding Senior Award, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; recipient,  Charles “Chuck” Millham Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics, Boeing Endowed Scholarship Fund for Underrepresented Undergraduate Students, Joe and Pat Cude Scholarship Endowment, Knebelman Prize in Mathematics Award, and Regents Scholar Award; teaching assistant, WSU mathematics (linear algebra, elementary math, statistical modeling for data analytics, introduction to statistical methods, and stat methods in research; summer school kindergarten paraprofessional, Apollo Elementary in Renton; Math Learning Center tutor; vice president of membership integrity, Alpha Omicron Pi sorority; vice president of WSU Association of Women in Mathematics; Honors College mentor

Favorite activity at WSU

When we got back to in-person classes after COVID, I was in an upper-level math class: real analysis. There are no numbers; it’s all concepts. It was so challenging and hard, but I got so close to my cohort of friends in the class. Every Thursday, we would go to the Math Learning Center for four hours. We’d get into these long discussions about math and the board would be filled with ideas, concepts, and symbols. We were just mathematicians present in the moment. It felt magical, honestly.

Future plans

My dream for the future is to be a high school math teacher. There’s nothing more important for me than giving back. I had such amazing math teachers in high school, and I want to be that teacher for someone else. I will start my master’s degree in teaching at WSU Spokane this fall.

Amabel Zuker, who is earning a B.S. in Theoretical Mathematics and a B.A. in Philosophy with minors in Spanish and Music. She has completed one-hundred-sixty-three (163) credits maintaining a four-point-oh (4.0) cumulative G-P-A. Amabel participated in an exclusive MATH four-ninety (490) independent study last spring with three (3) others to deepen their understanding of real analysis material. She also did a second semester of independent study parallel to the graduate-level differential geometry class. She completed PHILosophy four-ninety-nine (499) independent study in a research lab, studying scientific explanation, understanding, and decision-making. In addition to her academics, Amabel has completed a high level of musical performances in numerous ensembles, from choir to world-music ensembles. She teaches piano to adults and children, showing a strong commitment to, and passion for, music. Amabel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics at her top choice school—Carnegie Mellon University.

Joseph is a three-year letter winner with the WSU Football team, having played on the offensive line for the Cougars during his time at WSU. He helped the offense land many accolades and records, doing so in a very unassuming manner while always putting the team goals first. During his career he helped WSU to two bowl games, capped by a 2015 Sun Bowl Championship and nine wins during the season, the second-most in school history. During his senior year he garnered Second-Team All-America honors by USA Today, was a 2015 All-Pac-12 First Team selection, and was named by Pro Football Focus as the top offensive tackle in college football. Additionally, he was a 2015 Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention, and was invited to the prestigious Senior Bowl. Joseph will participate in the 2016 NFL Draft. 

This individual has reached incredible academic and athletic success, and as a third year captain of the women’s tennis team, Ekaterina Burduli is well deserving of the recognition as a Big Ten Senior for her excellence in Athletics. Ekaterina has accumulated 88 singles victories and now holds the record for most career wins in WSU history. Congratulations Ekaterina!

As a well known member of the Men's Basketball team, Taylor Rochestie is also chosen as a Big Ten Senior for Athletics. Taylor holds the record for career free throw percentage at WSU, and ranks 5th in school history for 3-point field goals. He was named to the Pac-10 First Team All Conference in 2009, and was also chosen for the All-District First Team by ESPN: The Magazine.

This individual has reached incredible academic and athletic success, and as a captain of the Women's Basketball Team, Katie Appleton is well deserving of the recognition as a Big Ten Senior for her excellence in Athletics. Katie led the Cougars in scoring during the 2007-08 season and was chosen to the Pac-10 All

Academic Second Team for 2008-2009. During her time at WSU, Katie has also served as a volunteer coach, teacher and mentor.

Matt, a member of the WSU Men’s Track and Field Team. In 2009 Matt finished 4th at the Pac-10 Championships and 5th at the NCAA Championships. He is a three-time NCAA All-American in the discus, and for the 2010 season has been chosen by Track and Field News to be the front runner to win the NCAA title in that event. Matt also ranks #2 on WSU’s all-time list for the discus. Matt is a member of the Honors College, and this year was also one of the 12 student athletes to be awarded the Cougar Pride Academic Salute.

Kiersten is well deserving of the recognition as a Big Ten Senior for her excellence in Athletics. Kiersten finished her WSU career with a total of 13 goals and 7 assists for a team that went to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season. Her name will be placed in the WSU record books under ‘ten’ All-time program categories. Kiersten is also a three time member of the PAC-10 Conference All-Academic Team for Soccer. She is also the first WSU soccer player to be drafted in the first round for the Women’s Professional Soccer League.

A member and captain of the WSU Men’s Track and Field Team, Jeshua is a three-time Pac-10 Champion in the 400 meter hurdles and is racing for his fourth title this month. In 2008 and 2009 he was the NCAA 400 meter hurdles champion and last year was the runner-up. He will be attempting a third title this June. Jeshua is the WSU record holder at 48.47 seconds, and the Pac-10 Championship Meet record holder in the intermediate hurdles. Jeshua is one of the top 10 hurdlers in the world and has carried the WSU affiliation with him as the United States Junior Champion, World Junior Champion, and NACAC U-23 Champion.

As a member of the Varsity Women's Rowing Team Natasha is well deserving of recognition as a Big Ten Senior for her excellence in Athletics. Natasha is a dedicated member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for education. She has twice finished in the top eight at the NCAA Women’s rowing championship, and has been a consistent general and executive member of the Student Athlete Advisory Board. Natasha has volunteered in the athletic department by helping with peer athletic counseling, assisting with SAAC website improvements, and spearheading the annual food drive. She also volunteers with Girl Scouts, PATH, coaching youth soccer and basketball, and providing classroom help for the 8th grade “Healthy Living” class at Lincoln Middle School.

As a member of the WSU Baseball team, Derek recently became the WSU career home run record holder with 41, breaking a 25 year old school record. Derek leads the Pac-12 Conference this season in home runs, slugging percentage and total bases. He is also currently ranked fifth nationally in slugging percentage. Derek was selected in the 13th round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft but turned down a professional contract to play his senior season in Pullman. Derek is described as a gifted mentor, volunteering as a Peer Academic Counselor where he provides support for other student athletes in transitioning to life at WSU. Derek was named to the Pac-12 Honorable Mention Team in 2009, 2010, and 2011, and Sporting News named him to the Rawlings Freshman All-American team in 2009. He has also been on the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team each of the past three years.

Elisabeth Fournier, As a four year letter winner for the WSU Women’s Tennis team, Elisabeth will graduate with a degree in Economics. As a sophomore Elisabeth set a

single season school record with 31 singles victories. That year she was selected to represent WSU at the individual NCAA Championships. This year, Elisabeth broke WSU’s all-time singles victory record by winning her 91st singles match. Elisabeth won the WSU Tennis Academic Excellence Award for the 2010 and 2012 seasons and was also named to the 2011 ESPN the Magazine All-District VIII Academic At Large Second Team.

Adam was drafted out of high school by the Seattle Mariners, but turned down the opportunity to play professional baseball so he could play for the Cougars while pursuing his education. This year Adam has become a team leader for the Cougs, batting well over .300 and among the team leaders in most offensive categories. Adam has also volunteered his time with local elementary schools by taking part in literacy and writing exchange programs, and has also served as a peer counselor for WSU Athletics.

A three-year member of the WSU Women’s Tennis team, she ranks on the school’s all-time singles victories list. She has twice represented WSU at the NCAA Singles Championships, with the chance of a third appearance later this spring. She is also a two-time member of the All-Pac-12 Conference team. Liudmila has also excelled academically, having twice been named to the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team, as well as being a member of the Pac-12 Conference All-Academic team. Liudmila has also served as a team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Andrew Furney, A kicker on the WSU football team, Andrew began his career as a walk-on, earned a scholarship following his freshman year, and ended his time in Pullman as a two-time All-Pac-12 honoree. He is also second in school history in career field goal percentage, third in career field goals and third in most 50-plus yard field goals. Andrew’s clutch performance in the 2012 Apple Cup, hitting the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Huskies, will be remembered for a long time by Cougar fans everywhere. Andrew was named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team three times during his career, and was also a three-time member of the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team. He has been an integral part of the Reading Buddies program, where he spends time each semester reading to local elementary school children.

Elise Jones, A senior engineering student with a 3.93 GPA, Elise is the stroke of the Varsity Women’s 8 boat, which is currently ranked 12th in the country. Among her many academic honors, Elise is a WSU Regents Scholars, a Pac-12 Conference All-Academic team member, and a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete. Outside of academics and rowing, Elise participates in Coug Pals, Women in Sports Day Clinics, and has volunteered for Special Olympics Track and Field meets.

A team captain on the WSU Women’s Basketball team, Mariah has shown outstanding leadership both on and off the court. During her four years at WSU Mariah has played in two different positions as a starter. Described as a humble yet passionate player, Mariah leads by example and is constantly encouraging her teammates to push harder and reach new limits, seeing potential in her teammates long before they see it themselves. Mariah has served for four years on the Student Athlete Academic Committee as President and CFO. Mariah has also worked as a peer academic counselor, has twice been voted to the WSU Athletics All-Academic Team, and has twice earned a Pac12 All-Academic Honorable Mention.  

• Senior graduating with B.A. in Sport Management 

• Four-year letter winner for WSU Football  

• Part of 26 victories and three bowl game appearances 

• Career total 218 receptions, which is second on the WSU all-time list, and 19th on the Pac-12 career list 

• Total of 2,701 receiving yards and 20 touchdown receptions are sixth all-time at WSU 

• Twice named to WSU All-Pac-12 team and a Pac-12 All-Academic honoree 

• Senior graduating with B.A. in Education. Also pursing add-on endorsement in special education 

• Four-year member of WSU Women’s Soccer team, and a two-time team captain 

• Participated in three NCAA Tournaments 

• Named to WSU Athletics All-Academic team five times, and earned three Pac-12 All-Academic First Team awards 

• Named to the Inland Northwest Soccer News Best of the Inland Northwest XI twice 

• Also participated with local projects such as WSU Reading Buddies, WSU Coug Pals, WSU Senior Buddies, and the Special Olympics Regional Basketball Tournament 

• Plans to teach abroad after graduation 

Alivia Brown is a four-year member of the WSU Women’s Golf Team, and was team captain for her senior season. She has been selected as a Women’s College Golf Academic All-American, as well as being named to the Pac-12 Academic Team and the WSU Academic Team. Alivia has been the number one player on the golf team for all four years of her college career, and was selected to compete at the NCAA Regional Championships during her freshman and junior years. She won the 2017 Cougar Cup Individual Title and holds many school records for Women’s Golf including Player Career Scoring Average, Player Career Par or Better Rounds, Player Single Season Scoring Average, Player Single Season Par 4 Scoring, and Player Single Season Par or Better Rounds. After graduation Alivia will pursue a career as a professional golfer.  

Monae Hendrickson has served as the president of the WSU Women’s Rugby Club since 2016. In this role, Monae spends an inordinate amount of time communicating with sports club coordinators, league directors, referees, coaches, as well as managing a $27,000 annual budget. In a previous role as recruitment chair, Monae coordinated the first overseas tour for a WSU sports club team in over 30 years. Monae has been a consistent starting athlete, and an integral member of the team during multiple trips to national playoff competitions. Her nominator described her as “a shining example of leadership both on and off the field.” Monae is also the vice president of the International Business Club, and has previously served as a Sports Club Federation board member. Monae will graduate with degrees in Marketing and International Business.  

Devon McCornack is the top oarsman on the WSU men’s rowing team. For the past two years Devon has served, as elected by his peers, as the team Commodore. In that role he is not only responsible for setting the standard for the team athletically as the team campaign, but also in leading the student officers that run the team. The men’s rowing team is the only varsity sport club team on campus, and the athletes compete in the Pac-12 against the premier conferences in the country. Devon’s service and leadership as Commodore helped the team go from placing 32nd at the national championship in 2017, to placing 12th in 2018. Devon has been named to the Pac-12 First Team All-Conference Men’s Rowing, and the Pac-12 Second Team All-Academic Men’s Rowing. In addition to rowing, Devon is a member of the WSU Honors College and is pursuing a degree in bioengineering. He has worked on undergraduate research aimed at the creation of a point-of-contact device capable of diagnosing cancer via the detection of cancer-derived exosomes. Devon will return to campus this fall as a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Engineering Science, and he will also serve as the Graduate Assistant of the men’s rowing team.   

Paige Danielson is a member of the WSU varsity women’s rowing team, and holds a 4.0 GPA in electrical engineering. She is a member of the WSU Honors College, and has been a valuable member of the top boat at the last two NCAA rowing championships. In fact, Paige joined the rowing team as a walk-on her freshman year, earning a spot on the varsity boat, and competing at her first NCAA rowing championship nine months after learning the sport. In each of the last two years Paige has been awarded the Elite 90 Award for Division 1 rowing, acknowledging the single highest academic standard among 550 student athletes from 22 different Division 1 institutions competing at the NCAA championships. Paige is a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic First Team honoree, a College Rowing Coaches Association Scholar- Athlete First Team honoree, and a College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District team recipient. In addition, Paige is the president of the Honors Student Advisory Council, an Honor’s College student mentor, and has volunteered her time for programs such as National Women in Sports Day, Butch’s Bash, and the Coug Pals program.  

AJ Block is a Left-Handed Pitcher on the WSU Baseball Team studying Computer Science. He is a four-year athletic scholarship recipient. AJ was named to the Pac-12 Conference All-Academic First Team his sophomore and junior year. After the conclusion of his junior season (2019), AJ was selected in the 17th round of the MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers, but decided to finish his education and continue to improve his game at WSU. With this year’s season cut short, AJ was in the top three for the PAC-12 in strikeouts: he struck out 10 hitters in three consecutive starts, something that had never been done at Washington State.  According to D1Baseball.com, AJ is ranked the eighth-best senior pitcher in the country. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, AJ served as a member of the first Leadership Council, participated in the Pullman Special Olympics, served as the representative and player spokesman for the Cougar Baseball Facility Project opening ceremony, and volunteered at Butch’s Bash. After graduation, AJ would like to play baseball as long as possible. 

AJ was nominated by Wanda Tennant. 

Elyse Bennett is a member of the WSU Women’s Soccer Team studying Biology. During Elyse’s first year of play, she was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and as a sophomore, she was named the Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention. In 2018, Elyse was named WSU Women’s Soccer; Student-Athlete of the Month for November and in 2019, she was named to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll. Elyse played in all four games of the 2019 NCAA Tournament, providing an assist in the win against Virginia. She also played in the 2019 College Cup against North Carolina, capping an incredible college career with a total of 10 goals and seven assists. Elyse’s academic achievements are equally impressive. She is a member of WSU’s Honor’s College and has remained on the President’s Honor Roll every semester while completing her degree in three years. She served as the Events Coordinator on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and volunteered at Special Olympics Basketball, Butch’s Bash, and Sunnyside Elementary School Career Day. Currently, Elyse shadows Jordan Cade PA-C and Doctor Edwin Tingstad at Inland Orthopedics and she works as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide at Bishop Place in Pullman.  Else’s priority this summer is to be accepted in a physician assistant master program and would like to play soccer professionally with the National Women’s Soccer League. 

Nominated by M. Grant Norton. 

Charisma Taylor is a member of the WSU Track & Field Team. As a student-athlete, she has garnered much recognition for her athletic abilities, including being named to the 2020 NCAA Indoor All-American Second Team, the 2021 NCAA Indoor All-American First Team, and the 2020 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Triple Jump Champion. Charisma currently holds the WSU Track & Field Indoor record for 60-meter hurdles and the WSU Track & Field Indoor Record for triple jump. She holds the WSU Track & Field Freshman Record for both 60-meter hurdles and triple jump, as well as the WSU Track & Field Outdoor Record for triple jump. In 2021 Charisma set the Bahamian National record in the triple jump, which was also the 37th best mark in the entire world. In addition, she earned 5th place at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championship in the triple jump. Charisma serves as a team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and holds a leadership role in the Black Student-Athlete Association. Charisma is “on-track” to qualify for the 2021 Olympic Games, but also has impressive plans outside of athletics. She has been accepted into a master’s program in entrepreneurship and plans to open and run her own chain of bakeries once she has completed her degree and athletic career.  

Charisma was nominated by Pat Chun.  

Dallas Hobbs is a three-year letter-winner on the defensive line for the WSU Football team. As a junior in 2020, Dallas started all four games at defensive tackle and recorded eight tackles, including one for loss. Dallas is the Pac-12 Student-Athlete Leadership Team representative and is also a graphic designer for the Cougar Athletic Fund. He also serves on the student-athlete advisory committee and leads the Black Student-Athlete Association as an executive board member. As a sophomore, Dallas was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 8 First Team, and in 2019 was named to the Pac-12 Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll. He is hailed as a natural leader, and someone who raises the effort and performance of those he is around. On the field, Dallas is the leader of his position group and is viewed as a mentor to younger athletes. Dallas is a double major in Digital Culture & Technology, and Fine Arts, and is a first-generation college student.  

Dallas was nominated by Pat Chun. 

Michaela Bayerlova is a captain on the WSU Women’s Tennis team. She is described as a leader who leads by example, and helps her teammates excel by modeling a strong work ethic both in the classroom and on the tennis court. Michaela is a two-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection, and the only player in school history to be named to First Team. She was a Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2021 and has been a two-time participant at the NCAA Singles Championship, and the only player in school history to win a singles match at the NCAA Tournament. She is currently ranked No. 91 in the nation and is WSU’s only ranked player. She is also the third-highest ranked woman playing NCAA Division 1 tennis in the world rankings. Michaela has volunteered her time for many community programs over the years, including Circles of Caring, Butch’s Bash, Coug Pals, and various tennis clinics. Michaela is studying data analytics, and is completing minors in mathematics, statistics, and material science.

While missing an average of thirty school days a year during golf season, Preston has been on the President's Honor Roll each semester maintaining a 3.92 GPA toward his Bachelor in Economic Sciences with a minor in Business Administration. He has been recognized as a PAC-12 All-Academic for the last three years, and he is expected to repeat the title in 2024. During his tenure at a Coug, Preston competed in 29 tournaments and won the October 2023 PAC-12 Player of the Week award. At 72.47, he has the third-lowest career scoring average. The Golf Coaches Association of America awarded him the Cleveland/Srixon All-America Scholar Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their craft and in the classroom. Preston gives back to the community through the Whitman County Humane Society and yearly Butch's Bash, which engages the local youth in Pullman. Preston is remarkable in the community, in the classroom, and on the golf course.

Samantha Krew, who is working toward her B.S. in Neuroscience with a three-point-nine (3.9) G-P-A. Team captain, Samantha holds the tenth-fastest time in swimming program history in the two-hundred-yard (200) butterfly. She was on the Pac-12 Conference Winter Academic Honor Roll and earned Academic All-District. She is the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is founder and president of the Athletes in STEM Club. Beyond athletics, Samantha has been a Research Assistant studying the effects of cocaine-retrieval-memories in rats, and is involved in animal handling, surgical assistance, and post-operative care. She has volunteered for nearly one-hundred-seventy (170) hours of community service over the past two years, serving with Special Olympics, as a Peer Academic Counselor, and Butch’s Bash. She participated in the Cougventure Service Trip to Costa Rica, helping restore a school for disabled youth. Samantha aspires to attend medical school.

Chloe Larson is one of the all-time top performing members of the WSU Women’s Swimming team. She is a team captain, and a role model for other student-athletes due to her academic achievement and involvement in the community. She is a four-time school record holder for the 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, and is part of the 200 Freestyle Relay Record and the 400 Freestyle Relay Record. Chloe participated in the 2021 US Olympic Trials where she finished in 14^th place, which is one of the highest finishes in school history. Chloe holds the Gibb Pool record in the 50 Freestyle, which was formerly held by a two-time Olympian and NCAA champion. In 2020 at the PAC-12 Championships, Chloe was the first swimmer in WSU history to win a PAC-12 championship. Earlier this spring, Chloe competed in her second straight NCAA Championship and became the first Coug to return, back-to-back, to the competition. Outside of the pool, Chloe excels in the classroom as a two-time Academic All-American and helped the swimming program achieve the highest team GPA in school history of any sport at 3.61. Chloe plans to become a nurse and will attending nursing school after her graduation from WSU.

Charlisse has consistently shown her excellence in social, academic, and personal spheres while obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Operations Management while being a force on the Women’s Basketball team. Integrity, strength, commitment, humility, work ethic, perseverance, determination, joy, thanks, and humor are qualities that she truly embodies. Through countless public appearances, speaking engagements, interviews, and by taking on leadership roles in a variety of WSU student-athlete organizations, Charlisse selflessly has made herself available to serve the needs of individuals, WSU leadership, the athletic department, Pullman, and various community organizations. It's possible that Charlisse is the most well-known female representative of WSU for "Coug nation" both domestically and abroad. When a New Zealand TV network decided to air every one of Charlisse's WSU games in 2023–2024, Charlisse introduced NCAA Division 1 college women's basketball and WSU into the living rooms of New Zealanders. In addition to being the Vice President of the Asian-American Pacific Islander Student Athlete group, she is a member of the Student Athlete Advisory committee. From New Zealand to Pullman, Washington, Charlisse has inspired a generation of young girls and boys to work hard, set big goals, and believe in dreaming big dreams.

Involvement

Bobby Bragan Slugger Award Watch List; Team Captain and member of Leadership Council; 27th Ranked First Baseman nationally in 2023; 2023 Preseason All Pac-12 Conference Team; 2022 ABCA All-Region 2nd Team; 2022 All Pac-12 Conference; 2022 Pac-12 Player of the Week; President’s Honor Roll; 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-American 2nd Team; 2022 CoSIDA All District Team; Pac-12 Conference Academic Honor Roll, 2021-2023; 2023 Academics Student-Athlete of the Month; Boost Collaborative; Lentil Cook-offs; WSU ROAR Program; Butch’s Bash; 2022 WSU Athletics Community Service Award

Favorite WSU experience

Sweeping Arizona State last year to end the season. That was my hometown team. For us to be able to do that at home, to sweep them on Senior Day, that was awesome. The last time we did that was in 2015. And my parents were there!

Future plans

My dream career is professional baseball. I love the game so much. If you get the opportunity, you can’t turn it down. You’re living everyone’s dream, getting to play a children’s game for a job. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll go into strength and conditioning or cardiac rehabilitation. I’ve always wanted to be a physical therapist, and I loved WSU’s program.

Involvement

Rower with Women’s Crew: student athlete of the month (March 2023), Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll (2020-2022), and WSU All-Academic Team (2018-2022); faculty award for Outstanding Presentation at the 2021 Bruya-Wood Undergraduate Research Conference; teaching assistant for human anatomy; tutor for Athletics Department; research assistant in Psychology of Physical Activity Lab; Pedalheads kids bike club manager and coach of Nanaimo Rowing Club in Nanaimo, BC; WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president; 2022 Student-Athlete Civic Engagement Award; WSU Black Student-Athlete Association member and ally; WSU Cougar Pride Student-Athlete Association member

Favorite activity at WSU

I am president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and that has been incredible. I got to go to San Francisco and represent WSU at the Pac-12. I also met so many people on different teams, just building connections and having more of a support system than before. I really felt that I was more involved and doing things for the school.

Future plans

I am leaning towards physical therapy, and I’ve been really starting to consider medicine and being a doctor. First, I’m planning to travel next year and see the world a bit. I have looked at South America. I have a Spanish minor but I’m not really confident speaking. If I’m immersed, I could actually learn and be able to speak the language.

Katy Ryan, earned a B.A. in Elementary Education. With over one-hundred-twenty-seven (127) volleyball team matches, she has a consistent and dominant presence, finishing sixth in program history with a .282 hitting percentage. In offense, she amassed 1,387 career points—earning the seventh spot in W-S-U history—while her 469 sets played rank 10th. With 1,198 career kills, she narrowly missed breaking into the program’s top 10 list. On defense, she had 351 career blocks. Katy led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, with second-round finishes in 2021 and 2022, then a Sweet-16 run in 2023. She earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors twice, was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2021, and was selected for the 2022 U.S. Women's Collegiate National Volleyball Team. Academically, she was a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree from 2022 to 2024. Katy is an ace on the court and in the classroom.

Jansen came to WSU as a Regents Scholar, and has been on the President’s Honor Roll every semester. Passionate about representing the best interests of students and creating the most supportive environment for them to succeed, Jansen is on the WSU Board of Regents, a gubernatorial appointment that is the highest position in university governance a student can achieve. He was involved in the process of selecting a new WSU president, and in the establishment of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. As part of his busy schedule, Jansen has also worked as a facilitator for Honors 198 and as a retention and recruitment intern for the College of Arts and Sciences. He has alos held several leadership positions within the Associated Students of Washington State University.  

Andrew Goodin is well deserving of the 2008 Big Ten Senior Award for Campus Involvement. Some of the organizations Andrew has been involved in include the Young Democrats, the Progressive Student Union, and Residence Life. Congratulations Andrew!

I would like to congratulate Jessica Fitts. She has been involved with numerous campus organizations, including ASWSU, the Student Alumni Connection, and the Alive Program. We would like to thank her for all the hard work and dedication she has put into staying involved at WSU.

Daniel Herman is well deserving of the 2008 Big Ten Senior Award for Campus Involvement. Daniel is a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity where he has served as New Member Educator and Recruitment Chair. Daniel has also served as a section editor at The Daily Evergreen, and was chosen to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the paper for two semesters. He is also a member of the Pi Beta Kappa Society, and has worked for the Chemistry Department.

An individual is being recognized for her continual involvement as an Up All Night Programmer, and that individual is Brenna Fullner. She has worked with Student Involvement on Student Organizations Services and Leadership Programs. This year she also directed the Vagina Monologues, which was very well attended. We would like to thank her for all the hard work and dedication she has put into staying involved at WSU.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, Derick served as WSU’s Student Regent. During his year as Student Regent Derick proved his leadership abilities by working cooperatively with students, faculty, and senior administration at WSU on a number of issues. Derick also tackled the issue of campus safety and made that cause one of his number one priorities. As a senior he was elected as the President for the Associated Students of WSU, and has managed to serve in that role successfully while juggling the demands of academia. Congratulations Derick!

Andrea is a member of the Washington-Idaho Professional Symphony, as well as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She has served as the Chair of the Ku-Au-Mah Native American Student Organization, and was a program organizer for the 2010 MSS Leadership Conference. Andrea has spent many hours mentoring students through the Office of Multicultural Student Services, and also within the Native American Student Center. She has also volunteered within the UsK Educational system teaching the Salish Language and baby sign language. We would like to thank her for all the hard work and dedication she has put into staying involved at WSU.

As the president of the Black Student Union, Steven organized the Black Unity Banquet and the annual Mom’s Weekend comedy show. He also represented the African American student body in ASWSU committees. Steven also served as president of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at WSU, where he has worked to recruit various students on campus for community service projects. In addition, Steven serves as a student representative on the President’s Student Advisory Board. He has also worked as an Alive Orientation Counselor, mentored various students through Multicultural Student Services, and served as a volunteer for Women’s Transit. Congratulations, Steven, and thank you for all you have done for the WSU community!

A member of the Honors College, Jenadee has worked as an intern for the United States Senate, serving Senators Jon Tester and Ted Kennedy. Some of Jenadee’s volunteer activities include volunteering at the YMCA, serving as a mentor in the Native American Student Center, planning conferences for Multicultural Student Services, and serving as treasurer for Ku-Au-Mah. She is an active member of the Palouse Falls Drum Group, Native American Women’s Association, Soldiers Angels, and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. We would like to thank Jenadee for all the hard work and dedication she has put into staying involved at WSU.

Benjamin has been an active member of the Cougar Marching Band for four years, as well as a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band service fraternity. He served as the band’s student body president for the 2011-2012 school year where he oversaw budgetary matters for the group, and also directed WSU’s alma mater after every home football game. Benjamin also served as a Resident Advisor for Stephenson East Hall, Waller Hall, and Olympia Avenue Hall. He also participated in the WSU Police Department Intern Program, and has volunteered for Women’s Transit.

Christina has served as a Hall President for Streit-Perham, and also has been an ASWSU Senator, representing the residence halls of Streit-Perham, Scott-Coman, and Regents. Christina continued her involvement with ASWSU by serving as the External Affairs Committee Chair, and was also selected to serve on the Service and Activities Fees committee, as well as the Athletic Council. During her senior year Christina was the Facilities Manager in her sorority, Chi Omega, as well as the Vice-President of Administration for Coug Guys and Gals. As a Broadcast News major Christina also participated as a reporter and anchor for Cable 8 News.

While a student at WSU, Karsten has worked as a disc jockey for KZUU where he hosted a weekly radio show. He also founded his own company, DJ Dane Productions, and has provided music and entertainment for on and off-campus events. Karsten also served as the concerts programmer for the Student Entertainment Board, where he was in charge of booking a variety of concerts including national and regional acts. Karsten also worked with the Department of Residence Life as a resident advisor. As an RA, he helped create programs that fit the needs of students and helped them focus on being successful during their time in the residence halls. He is a recipient of the President’s Award for Leadership and Service, as well as the University Achievement Award.

Erin is a four-year member of the WSU Women’s Tennis team, as well as a member of the All-Academic Team. Despite the heavy demands of being a varsity athlete and maintaining a full academic schedule, Erin managed to complete over 100 hours of community service during her senior year at WSU. She also served on ASWSU as an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She was also a member of the University Recreation Board, and worked as a liaison between many groups on campus. Erin was also chosen as a recipient of the 2013 President’s Award for Leadership. Erin has applied to be a team leader with AmeriCorps and is hoping to help people who can’t afford an education, as well as help create low-cost produce stores in low income areas.

Tristan Hanon, A senior studying Agricultural Economics, Tristan has been on the President’s Honor Roll every semester, and was also selected as the 2014 Outstanding Senior in Economic Sciences, Agricultural Economics. He has served as an RHA representative, as well as on the ASWSU Senate. During his time on the Senate Tristan worked to expand the green bike program, established the Cougar Green Fund, and helped establish the Green Dot program through Health and Wellness. Tristan also held the position of Director of Legislative Affairs for three semesters, which gave him the opportunity to testify before legislative committees and meet with legislators to discuss student issues. He also managed the Cougar Lobby Team which registered 1,850 students to vote during the 2012 election season. Tristan was also selected to be part of the President’s Student Advisory Board, and is also a recipient of the President’s Award for Leadership.

Lindsey Elhart, As a Finance major and International Business and Political Science double minor, Lindsey maintained a 3.9 GPA within the Honors College at WSU. Lindsey has served as a Cougar Connector through WSU Admissions, as well as a counselor in the Cougar Quest Summer Academic Camp. She has also been the project lead and vice president of WSU’s Students in Free Enterprise Club, and this past spring represented WSU for the Cougs on Wall Street Program in New York. She has also been a presenter at the Model United Nations International Conference, as well as the Western Regional Honors Council. Lindsey is an active member and committee chair for Coug Guys and Gals, and has volunteered to help with various events hosted by the Student Alumni Ambassadors. Lindsey is described as one of the brightest, most charismatic, and well-networked students WSU has ever seen.

A member of the Lightweight Women’s Rowing team since 2012, Ashley is team captain this year. She has been an Honors College mentor and ambassador, and a facilitator for its intro course (Honors 198). She is a team mentor for Multicultural Student Services where she assists mentees who are in STEM fields to connect and succeed in their colleges. Since twenty-thirteen (2013), Ashley has been a student director for The Bookie, and served two years as president of the Student Alumni Ambassadors at the Alumni Association, taking the lead on a number of large-scale campus events. She is a recipient of the Phil and June Lighty Leadership Award, the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Scholarship, and was the 2015 WSU Student Employee of the Year.  

• Senior graduating with B.S. in Kinesiology, Pre-med 

• Class facilitator for the WSU Honors College 

• Chairperson and lead organizer for ASWSU Gender and Sexuality Alliance Committee, as well as a resident advisor for Residence Life 

• Participated in WSU Jazz Choir and has hosted his own jazz show on KZUU Radio 

• Challenge Course Facilitator for WSU Outdoor Recreation and also as building manager for the new Chinook Student Center  

• Has worked in two different research labs on campus, and has been called an “extremely respectful and responsible member of the learning community.” 

• Has volunteered around the country to help build houses in Mexico, helped with reconstruction efforts during wide-spread flooding in Western Washington, and helped rebuild condemned homes in the lower 9th District of New Orleans 

• Plans to pursue an MD/PhD and work in the area of biological prosthetics 

• Senior graduating with B.A. in comparative ethnic studies. Will also earn the Honors College Certificate and the WSU Global Leadership Certificate 

• Student facilitator for leadership program through WSU Honors College 

• Has held several leadership roles in ASWSU such as Director of Diversity Affairs, Director of Student Life, and team leader for Coug Day at the Capitol 

• She has also been a resident advisor, and the ritual chairman for Sigma Kappa WSU chapter. Also served as public relations chair for Black Student Union 

• She has been selected as Panhellenic Council’s “Greek of the Year”, as well as the Critical Culture, Gender, and Race Studies’ Outstanding Senior Award 

• Plans to attend graduate school for a master’s degree in Student Development Administration in fall of 2019 

Alyssa Norris is a student in the WSU Honors College, and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Alyssa is currently the student representative on the WSU Board of Regents, and in this role she has worked tirelessly to help students become better students and citizens. In addition, Alyssa served as the President of Society of Women Engineers, and held several leadership roles within ASWSU from 2015-2017. She has served as an ambassador for the WSU Honors College, a radio host for the Crimson Report on KZUU, and was selected to participate in Leadership WSU, where she attended monthly professional development workshops across the state of Washington. Alyssa is also a past recipient of a US-UK Fulbright Commission award and studied at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.  

Garrett Kalt is a student in the WSU Honors College and will graduate with degrees in Political Science with an emphasis in Pre-Law, and Strategic Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. For the past year Garrett has served as the Vice President for ASWSU, and for the past three years has been involved with the Cougar Lobby Team, working with others to advocate for lower tuition rates for Washington State’s public universities and colleges. Garrett was also the chair of the “It’s on Cougs” campaign, aimed at reducing sexual assault through awareness and violence prevention education. In addition, Garrett completed an internship with the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, and worked as a campus tour guide for the WSU Office of Admissions. In 2016 he was one of 16 students selected nationwide to participate in the highly competitive leadership program, George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Garrett has volunteered with Women’s Transit, the Environmental Sustainability Alliance, and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership. In fall 2018 Garrett will begin the Masters of Science in Political Communication program at the London School of Economics.   

Devon Holze is a student in the Honors College studying applied mathematics and political science. She has served as an ASWSU senator, where she was the Chair Pro Tempore of the Senate. In this role Devon ran all senate meetings and mentored and supported all 22 senators as they wrote legislation. She is the president of the WSU In It To End It Initiative, a group that works to end modern slavery. Devon also collaborated with other student leaders to encourage the passing of the Student Conduct Recommendation 21, which would encourage students to seek help for others in cases of substance abuse. Devon has also worked as an Orientation Counselor and a Cougar Connector, and has also been the Peer Education Lead for WSU Cougar Health Services. In this role she facilitated conversations on campus-wide issues and promoted advocacy and awareness efforts. Devon has also been a part of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, and is a recipient of the President’s Award for Leadership.  

Austin Anderson is the captain of the WSU Spirit Squad, where he dedicates at least 20 hours a week to the team between practices, meetings, workouts, and games. He is a member of the WSU Honors College and will earn his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. In addition to the spirit squad, Austin was a member of the Innovation for Sustainable Research Group, where he collaborated with a team of 8-12 members in annual international hydrogen student design competitions. He is a Resident Advisor at WSU, and has been recognized as a Scholar Student Athlete.  

Morgan Atwood is the President of the Associated Students of Washington State University Global (ASWSUG) studying Social Sciences with concentrations in Criminal Justice and Human Development. Simultaneously, she serves as the Student Government Council Chair (SGC), a role she took on since 2019 to build community around the concept of #OneWSU. She led the discussion around the Coug Health Fund, and as a result, all WSU students will have access to programming and education on mental health and sexual violence prevention in the upcoming year. In 2018, Morgan served as a Global Campus Senator and stepped into the role of Director of Legislative Affairs for ASWSUG mid-year when the need arose. Morgan served on the search committee for the WSU Provost and has been a member of the Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness Council (SPIEC) since August 2019, representing the student voice in the planning process for the WSU Systemwide 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. After graduation, Morgan is hoping to work within the criminal justice system as an advocate. Her goal is to implement new policies that prevent recidivism and help address the root causes of crime, like socioeconomic status, drug addiction, mental health, and race. 

Morgan was nominated by Brandy Seignemartin. 

Zachary Harper is the President of the Associated Students of Washington State University Tri-Cities (ASWSUTC) studying Business Administration. He served ASWSUTC in various roles, beginning as the Director of Finance in 2016 where he tracked an annual budget of $200,000. From 2017-2018, Zach served as Vice President, supervising eight students and their projects before becoming President in 2018. In his current role he supervises 22 student-employees and has led the efforts to create a five-year plan for the ASWSUTC organization that included improving campus relationships with administration and increasing civic engagement among students. Throughout his time at WSU, Zach served on over 25 committees and task forces which led to him receiving multiple awards during his WSU career including the Rising Star Award, the President’s Award for Leadership, the President’s Civic Leadership Award, and The Rock Award. He has also been included on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll every year since 2016. Off-campus, Zach is involved with mentoring high school refugee students and sits on the local hospital community health council. Zach is applying for graduate school and would like to work in fashion again. 

Zach was nominated by Chris Meiers. 

Alicia Campos Macias is an electrical engineering major at the WSU Everett campus. Alicia is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and is the secretary of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering chapter. In addition, Alicia serves as a WSU Everett Student Ambassador and was elected as a student senator for Associated Students of Washington State University Everett. Later, she was also voted to be the secretary of ASWSUE. One of Alicia's most significant impacts on campus life is through her work as the WSUE Student Civic Leader Fellow through the Washington Campus Compact. Alicia is currently the only Student Civic Leader Fellow on the WSUE campus and was hand-selected for this position based on past student involvement. As a fellow, she is responsible for working to address food insecurity on our campus. Throughout the academic year, she has been participating in a statewide learning community, engaging in online networking, and training opportunities where she can learn how to better serve her campus community. As a student senator, Alicia has provided a more inclusive environment for Hispanic students at WSU Everett. Her role of Vice Chair of the Events and Planning Committee has contributed to the coordination and execution of events to engage students in the virtual environment, and she is conscious of ensuring all students have access to events.  

Alicia was nominated by Holly Longman.  

Mikayla Beckley has been described as a strong and empathetic leader at WSU, who has dedicated her years as a student to promoting inclusivity and advocating for the rights of students with disabilities on campus. She is currently the Vice President of the Disabled Students and Allies Club, a Top Scholars Mentor in Genetics and Cellular Biology, a Student Learning Liaison in General Microbiology, and the Access Center Representative for the Transit Advisory Group. As an aspiring pediatric cardiologist, Mikayla strives to use her disability advocacy to help reduce health disparities for people with disabilities. She has done this by collaborating with other leaders and student groups to achieve common goals. Mikayla has worked with over ten WSU offices and organizations to improve disability programming and awareness events and helped to launch the Disability Experience Podcast, which is a collaboration with KUGR radio. In addition to the podcast, Mikayla formed and led discussions for the newly established fall and spring semester Virtual Book Club meetings focused on disability issues and founded a time management series for students with disabilities. Mikayla has also been involved with the Shark Conversation Club, which won the 2020 President’s Award. In addition to earning a degree in Genetics and Cell Biology, she has also earned a certificate in Human Subjects Biomedical Research from WSU and one as a COVID-19 Contact Tracer from John’s Hopkins University.  

Mikayla was nominated by Davi Kallman.  

Yeahz-mihn Alazawi is earning dual degrees in Medical Biology and Psychology with a three-point-nine-six (3.96) G-P-A. She has served in many capacities for organizations, creating a welcoming and inclusive student community. Her involvement includes the Muslim Student Association, Pre-Health Club, College of Arts & Sciences Senator and finance committee member for the Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities, TRIO student scholars, Craft Club, and Foodies Club. She helped with fundraising efforts for winter care packages for the homeless. Yeahz-mihn serves on the Regional Medical Campus team to present to the Area Wide Health Science/Sports Medicine Advisory Committee consisting consists of high-school sports-medicine trainers and healthcare educators to include community healthcare professionals in and around the Columbia Basin and Walla Walla. Through her work, she has connected and inspired high school students in the Tri-Cities area who are considering healthcare careers. Yeahz-mihn is dedicated to helping others, and her impact is long-lasting on the lives she has touched.

Jocelyn Granados has acquired a long resume of involvement during her time at WSU. She is a student mentor in the Chicanx/Latinx Student Center, where she helps mentor and support over 25 incoming freshmen to WSU. As part of this role, she developed programming events to help new students integrate into the WSU community and advocated tirelessly for the development of more on-campus resources for underrepresented students. As a leader with the Pullman campus’ Crimson Group, she has helped lead initiatives promoting awareness and education regarding many issues such as changing immigration laws, rights, and needs. Jocelyn was part of a campaign that went to Washington D.C. called the Home is Here Campaign. The group’s mission included the promotion of better support for undocumented communities, like the extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Another element of Jocelyn’s involvement is through her selection as a Team Leader and Directorship roles with the Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) and Visionaries Inspiring Black Empowered Students (VIBES) conferences. Both conferences involved many hours of volunteer work and allowed students from lower income high schools to discuss access and opportunities that higher education can provide. In addition, Jocelyn has been the co-chair for Movimiento Estudantil Chicanx de Aztlan (MEChA), Vice President for Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Incorporated, and an ASWSU Senator. Jocelyn is a recipient of the President’s Award for Leadership, has accumulated over 400 hours of community service, and is a Regents Scholarship recipient. Jocelyn has exceled academically at WSU with a 3.86 GPA and is finishing three degrees in the fields of Political Science, Psychology, and Spanish.

Hannah McCready, a double major in Human Development and Psychology. She is President of the Human Development Club, serves as a CAHNRS ambassador, and is an officer of Psychsquared, a psychology club. Her leadership extends beyond student organizations to the classroom. She is a Teaching Assistant for many courses and has been involved in multiple research labs—including IMPACT, H-A-I, and C-S-I. She has created opportunities for students to connect with the department and build professional networks through meaningful engagement, such as the Human Development Networking Night, which connects students with industry partners and fosters collaboration between HD and other departments. Through her leadership she creates pathways for students to succeed and flourish in an environment where they feel empowered to grow academically and professionally. Hannah makes the world around her a better place through her dedication and commitment to others.

Reem has had an impactful influence on the Tri-Cities campus, in addition to being an exceptional student who earned a 3.9 while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Math Minor. She holds the position of Vice-President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch with an impressive 85 active members and is President of the Black Student Union Club.  Under her leadership, thirty students in the Coding Coug Student Club participated in the Hackathon competition, where one of the teams won first place. Her accolades include Washington Campus Coalition Student Civic Leadership Award, WSU Tri-Cities TRIO Honor Roll, WSU Tri-Cities Student Leader of the Year, and the WSU President’s Award for Leadership. Reem’s passion for leadership and campus involvement in parallel with academic journey and can attest to her exceptional abilities, dedication, and achievements.

Involvement

Director of diversity, inclusion, & veteran affairs, ASWSU; director of legislative affairs for ASWSU; vice president of Legislative Affairs, Washington Student Association;  hotline volunteer, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network; Centro Latino Institute For Public Policy, Training, & Education; cabinet member, MECHA de WSU; recipient, College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP); tutor, Pasco School district; advocate and communication chair, Crimson Group for the undocumented community;  WSU CAMP representative, US Hispanic Leadership Institute; student mentor, Chicanx/Latinx Student Center; student representative, WSU Parking & Transportation Task Force Committee; winner, Presidential Student Civic Leadership Award; winner, WSU President’s Award Leadership

Why I chose WSU

I attended one of the Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) conferences in high school, and I got accepted to WSU through the conference. CASHE is a leadership conference put on by MECHA de WSU that encourages Latinx high school students to pursue college. I considered other schools, but WSU had that sense of community, where you could find your home away from home.

Future plans

I want to go to law school. Next year, I’ll be working and studying for the LSAT. I’m interested in social justice and immigration law, and I want to have my own law firm. I’d also like to partner with others, so it’s not just a law firm but a place where people can go for workshops on financial planning or to learn about community resources that are available.

Sidney is a first-generation college student who is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Digital Technology and Culture. She has earned a graphic design certificate and is minoring in both Psychology and Fine Arts. She is the President of the Digital Media Club, which she formed in 2021. Sidney represents SOLES, the Society of Latinx Engineers and Scientists, as an ambassador and member. She has been a volunteer, peer advisor, and project ambassador for the Office of Academic Engagement's Passport Program, which is a program that assists former foster youth and homeless students at WSU in adjusting to college life and identifying pathways to success. Well over a hundred students in the program have benefited from her dedication. Sidney's realization that her community service is not "about her," but rather about the importance of teamwork and education and how they may be used to heal, educate, and influence future generations. Sidney had a difficult upbringing and a difficult transition into college, but her positive outlook and intense enthusiasm for helping others has provided her with a solid base upon which to build her successes. Sidney exemplifies the quintessential Coug spirit by consistently contributing to the academic and community life at WSU.

Nolan Thomaswick is a student in the WSU Global Campus who holds a 4.0 GPA while studying Business Administration in Accounting. Nolan has served as a Global Student Ambassador where he created, participated in, and hosted events for students. In this role he was described as a reliable and valuable member of the ambassador team whose work ethic and teamwork were much appreciated. Nolan also utilized his leadership skills as chair of the Resource Allocation and Accountability Committee during the spring of 2021. In his role as chair, Nolan organized the newly created committee and helped establish bylaws, processes, and a handbook. He also served as the point person between supervisors, committee members, and students. Currently, Thomas is the President of Association Students of Washington State University Global. In this role Nolan works diligently to assist students, helping them to explore opportunities including but not limited to, joining, or creating clubs and approving funding for research opportunities. His nominator states that Nolan has had a positive impact on his campus and has helped set expectations and success for future Global student leaders.

Involvement

WSU Cougar Marching Band, alto saxophone section leader and drum major; Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, vice wing commander and other roles; Arnold Air Society, candidate training officer; president, dance marathon at WSU; Wazzu Racing, social media lead; President’s Award for Leadership; Air Force ROTC scholarship recipient; Llyod Cyr and Randal Spicer scholarships recipient; voted “Most Inspirational” by Cougar Marching Band members; Society of American Military Engineers award; President’s Honor Roll; the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal; AFROTC Commendation Medal; AFROTC Achievement Medal; Outstanding AFROTC Flight Commander Award; Northwest Region selectee to attend the Women in Aviation International conference; awarded several flight training scholarships; completed private pilot’s license

What I learned from WSU experiences

I have been able to develop my leadership, followership, and interpersonal skills, and see the impact I’ve made on those around me. AFROTC has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader, and then serve my country upon graduation. The Cougar Marching Band allowed me to contribute to gameday atmospheres, while also belonging to our band family.

Future plans

I’m going into the Air Force as an officer, and I plan to be a pilot. After graduation, I’ll start flight training. There’s going to be a lot of training in the next couple years. From there I’ll either be in fighters or bombers and heavies. My goal is to one day be the pilot to perform a fly over during a WSU game day.

With a long list of experience in community service, Rachel has worked at the Center for Civic Engagement as a student employee, and has also served as Philanthropy and Community Service Chair for Chi Omega Sorority. With that position, her duties included organizing and leading philanthropic events to raise awareness and donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She also planned multiple community service projects for 150 women in the sorority, and delegated project tasks to all participants. She has completed over 187 hours of community service activities, some of which include Pen Friends, a letter writing project with local school children; Seattle Feline Rescue, helping with cat rescue duties; Teaching Assistant for Clarkston School District, and the Palouse Cares Food Drive event. In the summer of 2015, Rachel also traveled to Ghana to work with a non-profit call Water Access Now, with the mission to bring sustainable water to villages in Ghana with the most urgent need. Rachel helped complete the water project in five village clinics and water insecure sites that previously had little or no access to predictable clean water. 

With an impressive 2000 logged hours of community service during her years at WSU, it is without doubt that Anna Heninger is being recognized for her commitment to volunteering on campus and our surrounding communities. Anna has volunteered for numerous community organizations including our local food bank, the Pullman Senior Center and her local church. It is only fitting that she is the winner of the Big Ten Senior Award for Community Service.

Brady Prim is recognized today for his work as a Director of the CUB Advisory Board, and a Site Coordinator for the Camp Adventure Youth Series. Brady was also chosen as an Outstanding Student Liaison with Campus Involvement in 2007. We are pleased to award him with the Big Ten Senior Award for Community Service for his dedication and impact on our university community.

Grace Langham is a member of the YMCA Student Leadership Team and Governing Board of Trustees, and has also coordinated two of the organization's Alternative Service Break trips. She has also facilitated an after school tutoring site for children in grades K-5.

Leif has served as Chair of the Environmental Science Club as well as Chair of the Environmental Task Force. He recently wrote, filmed, and produced a video to be used as a recruitment tool for the school of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and has served as a research assistant for the Urban Long-Term Research Area Project. He also has worked to promote campus-wide events such as the WSU Sustainability Fair, and Earth Day. We are pleased to award Leif Moon-Nielsen with the Big Ten Senior Award for Community Service for his dedication and impact on our university community.

Audrey has been volunteering for the Palouse Area Therapeutic Horsemanship Program since 2008. In her role as a PATH volunteer she has assisted adults and children with various disabilities in weekly therapeutic horseback riding lessons. She has also served as the President of the WSU American Medical Student Association, and has helped to arrange job shadow and internship opportunities for the members of the group.

Jaun has worked with the Office of Enrollment in hosting fellow WSU students. He is a self-taught musician who developed a Mariachi class to use at the recruiting events of Imagine U at WSU. He also helped create a student group called Mariachi WAZZU which has been in operation for 3.5 years. This person has also been an RA with various educational programs at WSU. We are pleased to award Jaun Chavez with the Big Ten Senior Award for Community Service for his dedication and impact on our university community.

Sierra has been working with the WSU Center for Civic Engagement, where she was chosen as a statewide peer mentor. As a mentor Sierra helps WSU online students find community service activities. Sierra has helped thousands of fellow Cougs find meaningful service projects in which to participate. This year Sierra also served as the Community Service Chair for the Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity. She coordinated and led many service projects for the group, which assisted with at least 10 different community partners around the Palouse.

For the past three years Nick has performed and tracked more community service than any other student at WSU, and has logged an astounding 895 hours of community service over the past four years. To name just a few of his involvements, Nick has been an active volunteer for Harvest House and the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. He has also volunteered with Pullman Parks and Recreation, helped with the annual Haunted Palouse, and has volunteered time at local elementary schools. Nick is also a member of the Acacia fraternity, and is described as the strongest leader in the group. As one nominator mentioned, what stands out most about Nick is his natural drive and desire to contribute to the lives and well-being of those around him. Based on his extremely impressive background and the number of different organizations he has served, we feel Nick is more than deserving of this award in community service.

Kylie is a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and has been described as an exemplary member who never failed to meet and exceed her obligations. Kylie is also an active volunteer with Palouse Area Therapeutic Horsemanship, a position she has maintained for the past 1 ½ years. In 2011 Kylie was invited to become a volunteer in PATH to Success, an equine assisted growth and learning program for 5th – 8th graders. In describing her service to this program, Kylie was praised for her reliability and her calm and competent way of working with the horses and clients. Over the last semester Kylie has also volunteered over 90 hours working with the YMCA and their youth adaptive recreation program and Special Olympics.

As a student at WSU Joseph completed over 150 hours of service and volunteer experience at local hospitals and nursing homes. He has also volunteered over 200 hours with five different dental professionals in the area. Along with observing procedures, Joseph assisted in the making of orthodontic retainers, and also acted as a dental assistant for various procedures. He also served as the community service and public relations chair in the WSU Dental Club, and helped to organize blood drives, canned food drives, and events in the local elementary schools. Joseph is also a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Professional Honor Society, and the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Club at WSU. Joseph plans to attend dental school after graduation.

Since transferring to WSU in January 2011, Amanda has documented 269.75 hours of community service through the Center for Civic Engagement. She has volunteered her time with a number of local organizations, including the Pullman Child Welfare Food Bank, the Humane Society of the Palouse, Orphan Acres, and a local Girl Scout troop. Amanda has also contributed her time as an academic mentor at Lincoln Middle School, and also visited Aspen Park Senior Home in Moscow, Idaho to play games and spend time with residents. Amanda was also a member of GIVE, an ASWSU community service club. Through her work with GIVE Amanda became a college civics ambassador.

Jesse Naylor, A veteran of the United States Air Force, Jesse has volunteered countless hours with the WSU Organic Farm, helping maintain the fields and harvesting crops. He also managed the farm’s operations on the weekends, and recruited and organized other volunteers for special events. He has also been active with local organizations like Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute and the Palouse Conservation District. Jesse also has spent time volunteering for Avalon Care, Bishop Place, and Whitman Senior Living. As a Project Leader with the Center for Civic Engagement, Jesse has led more than 300 fellow WSU students on service projects in the last year. He is also a participating member of the International Development Club and the Organic Agriculture Club

Erin Ghigleri, With a passion for promoting food security and sustainability, Erin volunteered through the Center for Civic Engagement as an Organic and Sustainable Agriculture volunteer. She was also a project coordinator for the Nutrients of Life Foundation, where she presented information to the public on proper fertilizer application, plant nutrients, and soil health. Erin eventually became a Project Leader with the Center for Civic Engagement, where she led groups of college students in a diverse range of community projects. Erin also volunteered her time as a youth basketball coach, and has served as a child mentor through the Moscow Mentoring Program. She is also the President and founder of the CAHNRS Women in Leadership, and the Vice-President of the International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences. Within the next year, Erin plans on moving to Zambia to bring her work with food security and sustainability to the global level.

As the vice president of the WSU Sociology Club, Sreenath works on planning event to help fellow students be active in campus life and also successful in their academic pursuits. Some of these events include a stress management workshop, along with a career panel and a resume writing workshop. Sreenath is involved in a number of other student clubs and organizations at WSU, including the Office of the President’s Presidential Committee, ASWSU, The International Students’ Council, the United Students Against Sweatshops, the International Sociology Honors Society, and the International Psychology Honors Society. As co-chair and treasurer of United Student Against Sweatshops, Sreenath and the club have successfully advocated for WSU to divest from certain companies and are continuing work to encourage a campus wide divestment from all companies affiliated with sweatshops. In addition to all these activities, Sreenath works as an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. 

• Senior graduating with B.A. in Anthropology 

• Volunteer for Special Olympics 

• Has been awarded for her regular involvement in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, where she was a five year participant and earned the grand champion medal for highest donation connection 

• Also awarded for long-term leadership in Girl and Boy Scouts 

• Involved with the Community Clothing Exchange in Genesee, Idaho, for eight years 

• Regular volunteer involvement with campus conferences at WSU 

• Has worked regularly with students both in Student Financial Services and in the office of pre-health advising. One nominator mentioned that Gloria “….helps students remember why they came to WSU, focus on their goals and remember the reward in completing the journey.” 

• Senior graduating with B.A. in History 

• Works with the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service 

• Active volunteer with Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse 

• Advisory Board Member of Grassroots Education Nepal, an organization that provides educational support to a school in Nepal 

• Worked as a senator with ASWSU where he wrote and presented legislation to help support vulnerable student communities  

• Plans to study for a Master’s degree in International History at Columbia University, followed by a year at the London School of Economics for a master’s degree in World History 

Joanne Kunze is a student in the WSU Honors College and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She has been active in the American Medical Student Association where she recruited and organized local blood drives with the Inland Northwest Blood Center. Joanne is also an Honors College Ambassador, and completed the certified nursing assistant program through Lewis and Clark State College in November 2017. Joanne has served as a program leader for Cougar Safe Rides, where she led nightly operations and directed volunteers in their various duties. She has also been a Birth Place Volunteer at Pullman Regional Hospital where she assisted nurses and CNA’s with general hospital duties in the birth ward. Joanne has also been an interpreter and general volunteer for Hearts in Motion in Guatemala where she interpreted conversations between patients and doctors, and supplied impoverished rural regions with medical supplies.   

Denzel McCray will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science in General Studies emphasizing in basic medical sciences. Denzel currently serves as a patient registration representative at Pullman Regional Hospital, and in this role he works with others as well as independently to admit, transfer, and discharge patients throughout the hospital. He is the first point of contact between a patient and the medical staff, and he has worked alongside nurses, CAN’s, doctors and administrators. He stated that many his most meaningful moments have come from interactions with the patients, and through this work he has learned it is necessary for every healthcare professional to be considerate of patient and family needs. Denzel has also volunteered in the emergency department at Gritman Medical Center, is a member of Men for Social Change, and has been a research assistant in the Affective and Cognitive Influences on Decisions Lab. Denzel is also a member of the Army Reserves and served as a combat medic, and he will soon be promoted to the rank of sergeant.  

Anna McLeod has served as the president of the WSU Panhellenic Council, where she served a community of nearly 5,000 students. During her tenure, Anna worked with others to raise $37,000 to build a school in Malawi, Africa. This was the largest philanthropy project in the organization’s history. While on Panhellenic Council Anna also worked with other leaders to create a risk management plan for “at risk” weekends, in an effort to keep students safe on the WSU Pullman campus. She also worked to facilitate leadership conferences, and reorganized the council by implementing a new position for diversity and inclusion. Anna has been the vice president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and represented WSU in 2016 at the Leadership Academy conference in Indianapolis. Her nominator stated that, “Anna is both dedicated to holding individuals and organizations accountable for not being congruent with their values, while inspiring those around her to make a difference.”  

McKenna Woodford is a two-year team captain of the WSU Volleyball team, where she has been a three-time Pac-12 All-Academic selection, and a four-year WSU Athletics All-Academic team member. McKenna was also named to the Google Cloud Academic All-District 8 team, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for combined performances on the field and in the classroom. For the past three years McKenna has volunteered at the annual Special Olympics Basketball tournament. She has been an active participant in Reading Buddies – visiting elementary schools twice a week and reading to and with children. McKenna is also involved with Coug-Pals Mentor where she writes letters back and forth to elementary children to help them develop writing skills. McKenna volunteers with Senior Buddies, spending time with men and women in senior care centers in Pullman, and she has also been a volunteer at the Hope Center in Moscow, Idaho. McKenna has participated in WSU’s National Women and Girls in Sports Day celebrations, and has worked as an instructor and team coach at volleyball camps and clinics.  

Ana Karen Betancourt Macias is the Vice President of the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV) studying Sociology. She has served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the ASWSUV (2018-2019), the Vice President of Diversity for the Washington Student Association (2019-Present), and the President of WSU Vancouver Collegiate LULAC (2018-Present). Ana has worked extensively with stakeholders and legislators on a bill that just passed the Washington State Legislature to provide much needed student loans for undocumented students in Washington State. In 2017, Ana created a scholarship foundation for undocumented immigrants called Seeds of Liberation. As Program Director for this organization, Ana has volunteered her time to mentor, teach, and inspire young people to obtain higher education after high school. She has also served as the Lead Organizer for the Clark County Latino Youth Leadership Conference. Ana was recognized as a WSU Vancouver Distinguished Woman of the Year in May 2018 as well as a Roberta Anderson Cline Scholar (2019-2020) and a Kathy and Glen Sinclair Scholar (2018-2020). Ana serves on multiple committees, including the Washington Student Association Diversity Committee as Chair, the Council of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the Club Operational Budget Committee, and Campus Council. Ana is working on another bill for undocumented students in the state of Washington and plans on applying to Harvard University for her master’s degree. 

 Ana was nominated by Brandy Seignemartin. 

Kathryn Doonan holds a 3.99 GPA and is obtaining a double major in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture and Biology. She has served as a CAHNRS Ambassador since 2017 and worked in multiple soil science laboratories within the Department of Crops and Soil Sciences. Katie is the President of the Organic Agriculture Club and a Senate Representative on the WSU Collegiate Chapter Young Farmers and Ranchers as well as the CAHNRS Student Senate. Katie has interned with the Palouse Conservation District and studied abroad for a semester at the University College Dublin. At home in rural area California, Katie has acted as a White Mountain Fire Protection District volunteer firefighter since 2017 as well as a certified Emergency Medical Technician. In 2018, Katie served as a Watershed Restoration Volunteer where she helped plant native plants to prevent erosion into natural waterways and conducted educational workshops for local elementary schools. Katie has received numerous awards and honors, including the CAHNRS Outstanding Senior in Organic & Sustainable Agriculture (2020). She was the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Future Organic Farmer Grant Recipient (2018-2019) and the Pacific Foods Organic Agriculture Scholarship Recipient (2017-2018). Katie was also included on the President’s Honor Roll from 2016-2019. Katie would like to keep people healthy through sound agricultural practices and is currently working on a business plan with her family to start her own sustainable farm. 

Katie was nominated by John Reganold. 

Ariel Medeiros is a student staff member at the Center for Civic Engagement and oversees the Palouse Fresh Food Project. This program focuses on addressing local and regional food insecurity by connecting organizations, community members, and students to work together. In her role as the project coordinator, Ariel has been responsible for diverting over 15,768 pounds of food from the landfill so it could be repurposed into meals for local families. Under her guidance, this program has provided 9,784 meals to families at local food banks. She has also led weekly service projects for WSU students at many local food banks, and for the past three years, she has organized the WSU All Campus Food Drive event. Ariel has facilitated service projects for over 1,200 WSU students, totaling 525 hours. Ariel has interned with the Palouse Conservation District, and in 2018 was named Volunteer of the Year for the local non-profit Friends of the Clearwater. In 2019 Ariel was awarded the President’s Civic Leadership Award from Washington Campus Compact, for her efforts to reduce food insecurity in Whitman County. Also, Ariel is the secretary for the Washington Food Coalition and serves on the Food Assistance Advisory Committee. Ariel plans to attend graduate school to study food systems, and through her graduate work, Ariel hopes to work with food pantries in rural settings to improve access to nutritious food.  

Ariel was nominated by Ryan Lazo.  

Crystal Campbell is a student at the WSU Vancouver campus majoring in business administration and accounting. From 2008 through 2013, Crystal worked in small arms and artillery repair for the United States Army, where she received certificates of appreciation for exceptional service, superior performance, and teamwork. While stationed in Afghanistan, she achieved a 96% readiness status with her battalion and maintained over 1,100 weapons systems. While a student at WSU Vancouver, Crystal established the Volunteer Income Tax Club. She runs the group website every Saturday, which aids low-income individuals and the elderly with their taxes. Crystal has also volunteered with Share Vancouver, where she helped prepare and serve hot meals to low-income and homeless families in the Vancouver area. One of Crystals’ highest praised efforts was her effort in spearheading a holiday card writing campaign. For this project, she set-up and organized a holiday card campaign for people to send Thanksgiving and winter holiday cards to a retirement community of 76 residents. It was reported that because of her efforts the mailman for the retirement community was inundated with card deliveries, and all the residents were delighted with the unexpected mail.  

Crystal was nominated by Darcie Bagott.  

As one who prioritizes other’s needs before his own Jacob Mckissick is recognized today for his significant time spent in bettering the Palouse Community. During his years at WSU, Jacob has volunteered over 300 hours tutoring in our surrounding rural schools. We are pleased to award him with the Big Ten Senior Award for Community Service for his dedication and impact on our community.

Shay Boyd is a Business Administration major who maintains a three-point-eight-six (3.86) G-P-A while helping others. She received a twenty-twenty-four (2024) Chancellor’s Leadership Award. As a peer tutor, she made positive changes for the Veterans Student Support Services program in the Office of Academic Engagement. Shay achieved C-R-L-A Level 1 Peer Mentor Certification and provided high-quality, research-based mentoring to over one-hundred-twenty (120) students systemwide, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to military-affiliated students including veterans, first-generation students, and those with documented disabilities. She led wide-ranging efforts in the historic Arnold Air Society service organization, developed multiple annual events for children at Pullman’s Emmanuel Baptist Church, and spearheaded food and toy drives. She currently serves in the state’s Air National Guard. Upon graduation, Shay will be commissioned into the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant officer and will pursue an M-B-A. Shay embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and academic excellence.

Involvement

American Association of University Women, board member, outreach coordinator, scholarship fundraising event co-chair; Best Schools Marysville, campaign vice-chair; WSU Everett Wind Energy Team, communications lead; Marysville School District, program advisory committee team; Girl Scouts, assistant troop leader; 4H parent volunteer.

Favorite WSU experience

It’s been incredible to be on campus, to be in a university. I never thought that would happen. I’m a first-generation college student. It’s just kind of mind boggling when I think about how much struggle there was for me personally in education and how I’ve hit my stride and come into my own. The Everett campus is a small but tight campus. That’s one of the things I love the most.

Future plans

I enjoy working with great folks who can do a lot of good for the community. I enjoy politics and the arts, so definitely something community-based, maybe doing outreach around an arts organization.

Alexis is a student at the Vancouver campus graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum laude, complemented by a minor in Molecular Biology and extensive coursework in Biochemistry. Alexis's journey is a testament to her scientific acumen, leadership prowess, and unwavering commitment to societal well-being. Alexis's journey to the forefront of healthcare innovation is a testament to her exceptional blend of academic prowess and professional excellence.  Alexis's leadership extends beyond the realms of academia and innovation. As a board member of the Children's Cancer Association and JoyRx, she has spearheaded initiatives that have significantly impacted pediatric oncology care. Her strategic efforts in program development and fundraising and have directly benefited over 1000 critically ill children annually, showcasing her commitment to enhancing care programs and expanding access to JoyRx services. Furthermore, her role as a Regional Manager for Nucleate Bio underscores her influence in nurturing the next generation of biotech innovators, providing crucial resources and support to over 20 biotech startups and streamlining the formation process for new ventures. Her leadership roles within the Oregon Bioscience Association's Women's Committee and various volunteer efforts underscore her dedication to addressing gender disparities in bioscience and improving public access to significant historical documents. This commitment extends to enhancing healthcare experiences and outcomes for underserved populations, particularly in rural and low-income communities where healthcare services are often limited or inaccessible. Alexis has already made a huge impact on the lives so many others and will continue to do so through her work after graduation.

Lindsey Gass is a Project Leader at the WSU Center for Civic Engagement, and during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was faced with a unique challenge. How do you provide student service volunteer opportunities to senior citizens, but you aren’t able to go into the facility or have direct contact with the seniors? Lindsey’s first outreach effort was to organize chalk art events at various Pullman senior facilities. A number of WSU students went to the facilities to draw and decorate the parking lots and sidewalks. Many of the community partners said the residents were so happy to see students outside working, and many held up handwritten messages to communicate through the windows. Lindsey also organized Senior Tours, which were Smithsonian inspired and revamped to serve the senior communities and student volunteers. Lindsey worked with senior center staff members to get the Smithsonian tours on their screens and she herself acted as the tour guide, taking people through the rooms, and providing educational information. She soon started involving student volunteers, began writing scripts, and was able to provide even more tour guides to the senior community. Lindsey also manages the Pen Friends program, a weekly letter exchange between WSU students and elementary schools. Lindsey manages 11 different classrooms across five local schools, that are serving over 170 elementary school students. Lindsey has also assisted with tutoring and stage help for the Regional Theatre of the Palouse, and she also volunteers her time at the Palouse Discovery Science Center to facilitate learning opportunities for elementary students. Eventually, Lindsey hopes to serve as a physical therapist in marginalized communities and senior facilities.

Involvement

WSU Center for Civic Engagement, community partnerships assistant working with local nonprofits; GivePulse Ambassador; WSU President’s Award for Leadership; Beta Alpha Psi accounting honor society; Student Entertainment Board Special Event Committee; tax intern at Sweeney Conrad P.S.; work-based learning student, Energy Northwest.

Favorite WSU experience

Football games will always be my most memorable experience. I wouldn’t really say there is a specific moment that jumps out. It’s more like, when you’re at WSU, everyone is so approachable. You see your friends on campus. That family feeling in general is my favorite experience.

Future plans

I have an internship at Deloitte this coming summer. I’m planning on going into tax accounting when I graduate and seeing where that takes me. I want to eventually work for a national nonprofit organization like Planned Parenthood.

Zachary is earning a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, has been awarded the David M. and Louise M. Scott Scholarship, the AGC College Scholarship, and is a member of the National Honors Society. His volunteer work has an impact on many facets of the community. Through his work at the Center for Civic Engagement, he collaborated with the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) to develop a special project in conjunction with the Common Reading program, with the goal of providing more opportunities for WSU faculty, staff, and students. Zach assumed a leadership role in the group of strangers and assisted the volunteer coordinator at PCEI in ensuring that the extensive list of goals. Zachary also volunteers with the Pullman Senior Center Holiday Party and Milestones of Moscow, a company that offers residential care to persons with physical or intellectual disabilities. Through managing and coordinating the Pen Friends program, Zach helped connect 11 different classrooms across 5 local schools serving 170+ elementary school students. Zachary has completed more than 200 hours of volunteer work meeting the needs of the people in our community. During his degree program, he has had the chance to work as a field engineer intern for USA General Contractors in Seattle for several summers to gain practical experience in the field. He has received a full-time offer from this company, and he is excited at the prospect of continuing to work closely with his mentors again.

Aydan Miner is studying Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and is the founder of WSU’s PERIOD chapter. She is described by her nominator as a deeply committed student activist who has applied her WGSS studies to the service of communities locally, regionally, and across the state of Washington. WSU’s PERIOD Chapter is a registered student organization dedicated to raising awareness of period poverty on campus and in communities locally, regionally, and nationally. She worked with chapter members to raise funds and provide free sanitary products for people in need, distributing over 10,000 period products to shelters and those experiencing houselessness in Pullman, Moscow, and Spokane. Under Aydan’s leadership, the group also hosted student-led workshops on campus and worked to begin and further local and state policy. Aydan organized the National Period Rally Day in Seattle, co-founded the Washington for Menstrual Equity Coalition, and worked with other youth activists to pass HB 1273, which will require all Washington State schools to provide free menstrual products in their bathrooms as of Fall 2023. Aydan was awarded the Celia Forrest Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Award, and the Distinguished Service Award in Altruism and Community Service. She was also selected as the Outstanding Senior in WGSS for 2022.

Eva Sheffler is earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and has over 85 community-service hours on various initiatives. As Senior Resident Advisor for Scott/Coman and McCroskey Halls, Eva hosted a food drive for the Cougar Food Pantry. Eva creatively engages with residents and helps present and future LGBTQ+ Cougs in Gender Inclusive Housing. Eva transformed an underused space in McCroskey Hall into a safe study room for students. She works with Palouse Habitat for Humanity, Boost Collaborative, Palouse Land Trust, Palouse Discovery Science Center, and Regency Senior Living. Eva will pursue master’s-level graduate work at the International Education Administration through the American College of the Mediterranean in France, thanks to a very selective A-C-M graduate fellowship. Their commitment to positive social change and community inclusion, plus their ability to inspire others make Eva a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Described by her nominator as a wonderfully gifted and talented pianist, Regan is also proficient in Spanish, is a short story author, and has served as fiction editor and manager of The Palouse Review, a literary and arts journal. During her sophomore year, Regan won the WSU Concerto Competition, a major victory that is oftentimes won by students who are seniors or graduate students. During the presentation of her honors thesis, Regan carried out a scholarly analysis of several musical works, demonstrating various sections at the piano. Many were impressed by her ability to move from public speaking to performing with flawless ease. Her thesis project earned a Pass with Distinction. This year Regan was also named Outstanding Senior in Music, and was one of only four students awarded a Phi Beta Kappa academic scholarship by the WSU chapter.  

Andrew Roder is being recognized today for his involvement and support in this area. Andrew is an actor in our Theater Department, and has had wonderful success as the president of the Wazzu Film organization on campus. Congratulations on being recognized as a Big Ten Senior!

Joseph Satori is being recognized today for his involvement and support in this area. Joseph has performed in numerous recitals as a piano soloist and with the WSU Concert Choir. He is also a winner of the Terry Jordan Organ Competition. Congratulations on being recognized as a Big Ten Senior!

While focusing on a degree in Neuroscience, Alan continued with his love of music by finding the time to take several music performance classes. He has also been involved with the WSU Wind Symphony Ensemble while a student at WSU. As a member of the Neuroscience Club at WSU, Alan established a pen-pal program with disadvantaged elementary students in Florida, as well as an elementary outreach program where club members give hands-on presentations to young students.

Eva has participated in the Art Student Union at WSU, and has contributed to numerous art shows. She is certified in the BFA program and volunteered with artistic events in order to raise money for community programs, and she also volunteered at the local high school by giving art instruction to students. This year, Eva designed the winning art submission for the Wine-by-Cougars Wine Club, and her design will be featured on the Artist Expression wine bottles in the upcoming year.

While earning his Bachelor in Fine Arts degree, Dane received a scholarship from the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, a nationally renowned ceramic arts center, which allowed him to participate in a ceramics glazing workshop in Aspen, Colorado. Dane also serves as an assistant to nationally known artist, Beth Cavener Stichter, at her studio in Garfield, WA. Dane is the vice president of the Art Student Union and has helped to organize exhibitions and arrange various visiting artists’ workshops and demonstrations. To quote one of Dane’s professors, “…his creative efforts present an extraordinarily mature vision for an undergraduate, and his recent BFA exhibit is on the level of a master’s thesis show and worthy of a professional gallery.” Congratulations, Dane, on being recognized as a Big Ten Senior!

As a music performance major Graham has participated in the performing ensembles of the School of Music and given numerous recitals. He also has had frequent performances on the School of Music Full Convocation, a venue for the most advanced students. In 2010 Graham was the winner of the MusicFest Northwest Young Artist—Reed Division. As a member of the WSU Wind Ensemble, Graham was also featured at the Western/Northwestern College Band Director’s National Association. Along with his degree in music performance, Graham will graduate from WSU with a degree in Economic Sciences and plans to continue his studies as a Master Music candidate at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro this fall.

As a digital technology and culture student, Avery focuses on digital art and graphic design. She is also an accomplished sketch artist and painter, and also has experience detailing 3D models. Avery has a certificate in Professional Writing, and this year she served as the Land Escapes Literary and Arts Journal Web editor. During her time at WSU Avery has participated in the WSU Opera Workshop, has been a member of the Black Student Union, and has also been a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

This year, Duke was a recipient of the Presser Scholarship, which is the top academic award in the WSU School of Music. Last year he was selected as an award winner in the Washington State Music Teachers Association solo competition, and was a featured performer at the 2011 Northwest Regional Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance, which is the most important academic organization for saxophonists. In addition, Duke recently completed an extensive, well-researched study of concerti for baritone saxophone.

A student in the Honors College, Danica received an Honorary Pass with Distinction award for her senior thesis, “Cultural Expressions of Grief Through Art.” She has been invited to present her work at the Honors Society Western Regional Conference in Arizona. Danica has written and illustrated four bilingual children’s books, and her art has been exhibited in gallery exhibitions and published in a number of literary magazines. Danica has served as the Student Entertainment Board’s Compton Union Building Gallery Programmer, and has interned at the Museum of Art at WSU. She has also been selected as the outstanding senior representing general studies within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Chelsea Gilpin, A student in the WSU Honors College, Chelsea has been heavily involved in music, theater, and other leadership roles while a student at WSU. Within the School of Music, Chelsea has participated in Opera Workshop, University Singers, Concert Choir, and VoJazz. She has also been an active member of STAGE Student Productions and has performed in several different productions. She has also served as Head Costume Designer for different STAGE Student Productions, and was awarded the American College Theater Festival Meritorious Achievement Award for Costume Design. Surprisingly, music is only Chelsea’s minor, and next year she will start working toward her Veterinary Medicine degree at Washington State University. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian in a zoo.

Sonja Larson, A music education major in the School of Music, Sonja performs on the bassoon in the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and numerous chamber music ensembles. Sonja also operates the WSU chapter of the National Association for Music Education, and has served as president for the WSU Symphony Orchestra. This spring she was one of two students to win WSU’s annual concerto competition, and was featured as a soloist with the chamber orchestra in their final concert this year. Sonja has distinguished herself as a composer, and composed a wind quintet which was performed as part of the WSU Festival of Contemporary Art Music. This spring her Honors College thesis composition also received a nomination for “Pass with Distinction.” Among her numerous accomplishments and accolades, this year Sonja was chosen as the “Outstanding Senior” in the School of Music, and plans to pursue graduate study in music performance.

Jonathan has worked for the WSU Museum of Art as a museum education assistant, a position that was created for him based on his academic merit and high level of experience. In this role Jonathan has been a key contributor to the museum docent program and its educational programming. He singlehandedly built an audio library of exhibition highlights to assist docents and researchers with exhibit content. He has also designed education workshops to take place at the museum over the course of the academic year, and has collaborated with other regional cultural institutions to design and implement education-based events. He recently helped design a program called Intersections: The Poetics of Jim Dine, which culminated in an event that attracted nearly 200 visitors for surrounding college campuses. This year Jonathan was selected as the 2016 Outstanding Senior in Fine Arts, and was also awarded the Francis Drake Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship.     

• Senior graduating with B.A. of Music in Performance 

• Selected as Outstanding Senior from the School of Music 

• Has performed in Italian, French, German and English, as well as Russian and Spanish 

• Placed second and received an Honorable Mention Award for his performance in the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Conerto/Aria Competition 

• For the past three years has placed first in his division in the Inland Empire National Association of Teachers of Singing competition 

• Member of Concert Choir for five years and has been in the Madrigal Chamber Singers for the past three years 

• Assists with the WSU Educational Choral Festival each fall, and for the past three years has performed the alma mater at all WSU commencement ceremonies 

• He will pursue a Master of Music in Performance and Literature at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

• Senior graduating with B.A. in Communication and Political Science 

• Part-time writer for The Huffington Post, USA Today, and LA Times 

• During the summer of 2016 worked for Somaliland’s national broadcast news outlet as a social media intern. During this time she also worked on a documentary film that centers on women health concerns in Somalia 

• Producer of Inside Out at Cable 8 Productions, which includes reading , researching, assessing ideas, finishing scripts, and organizing shooting schedules 

• Also assistant producer of Video Underground at Cable 8 Productions 

• Host of Global Scope at KUGR, which is a weekly radio talk show featuring international music and talk of international affairs 

• Hopes to work as a political reporter after graduation 

Alice Hiemstra is a student in the WSU Honors College and will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in oboe performance. Since arriving at WSU she has been principal oboist and served as secretary for the WSU Symphony Orchestra, and as co-president and co-founder of the WSU Double Reed Corps. She has performed many times with the WSU orchestra and the Washington-Idaho Symphony Orchestra. She has been featured as a soloist in many pieces and has won local, regional, and statewide competitions. Alice has distinguished herself through undergraduate research in the humanities at WSU and she has served as a mentor to honors freshmen. This past year Alice won the WSU Concerto Competition and performed as a guest soloist with the WSU Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed as a guest soloist with the Spokane Symphony. Alice plans to pursue a graduate degree in music performance, with the goal of becoming a professional oboist.   

Celena Hansen will be graduating with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, and a minor in Global Studies. She has performed in Italian, French, German, Spanish and English, and last November she placed in the highly competitive senior women’s division at the Inland Empire National Association of Teachers of Signing auditions. Celena has had lead roles in many productions within the school of music, and is described as someone who can bring stage characters to life by becoming that character, not acting it. Celena has served as president of WSU Concert Choir and was an officer in the student chapter of National Association of Teaching of Singing. Within this group she has volunteered at the annual Choral Festival, audition days, and Music Major for a Day events. She has also worked as a stage technician on various productions with the School of Music Stage Technicians. Celena plans to pursue a career in opera and musical theatre.  

Bogdan “Theo” Mynka is a student in the WSU Honors College and is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance (Voice). Theo has been selected for many lead roles through the WSU opera program, and has been invited to perform solos at the Honors College commencement banquet as well as the WSU Fall Convocation. Recently, Theo was a guest soloist and performed with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at the Fox Theater in Spokane, Wash. Theo has been award 1st and 2nd place awards at the National Association for Teachers of Singing, and received a first place award in this year’s WSU Symphony Aria/Concerto competition. Last summer Theo attended the Boston Conservatory Summer Opera Intensive in Valencia, Spain. Theo is one of the founders and current president of Arts without Borders, and is the vice president in ALLEGRO, the Student Association for Music Advocacy, which sponsors many of the visits by guest artists to the WSU Pullman campus. Theo has been admitted to the graduate program in music performance at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one of the top music schools in the country.       

Garrett Snedecker has been studying piano for 17 years, and is pursuing a degree in piano performance with electives in pedagogy. He is a member of the WSU Honors College, and during his time as an undergraduate at WSU he earned the 2018 Presser Foundation Scholarship in Music, multiple WSU School of Music scholarships, and in 2017 received financial support from the College of Arts and Sciences to conduct independent research in Brazil on Chiquinha Gonzaga, Brazil’s first female professional pianist. Garrett has performed in numerous settings, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival in Maine, the Classical Music Festival in Austria, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. He was the first place winner in the Washington State MTNA Young Artist Competition in 2016 and 2017, and received Gold Medal awards at MusicFest Northwest in 2016 and 2017. For his Fulbright U.S. Student Program proposal, Garrett is seeking to investigate social justice issues related to gender representation in music. Garrett was notified in January that he is now a Fulbright Semi-Finalist. 

Thomas LeClair is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He first joined the WSU Honors College in Fall 2016 where he has remained an active participant in the areas of music performance, advocacy, and research. He has served as an Honors College Mentor through the Honors College Student Advisory Council (HSAC) and has taken a lead role as president in promoting the arts on campus through Allegro, a student association for music advocacy. Thomas has also served as a Student Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences since 2017 and currently serves as the President of the WSU Organ Club, which he founded. He worked to restore the historic organ in Webster Hall and conducted field research on village organs in Friesland, Netherlands. Thomas has received numerous awards and achievements, including the Darigold Henry Polinder Award (2016), the President’s LEAD Award (2019), and the Outstanding Senior – Biological Sciences at WSU (2020). He is the 2020 recipient of a prestigious, nationally competitive Fulbright Student Award that will fund his master’s degree studies in marine biology in Bangory, Wales this fall. 

Thomas was nominated by Robin Bond. 

Colin Taylor is a student of the WSU School of Music pursuing a double major in Music Education and Music Performance (Euphonium). Colin has performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble since Fall 2016, acting as principal euphonium from Fall 2018 to present. Colin has maintained involvement with chamber groups including the WSU Tuba Choir, the WSU Trombone Choir, and a student tuba-euphonium quartet, all the while participating in the Cougar Marching Band, Volleyball Band, and Basketball Band. He was a Cougar Marching Band euphonium/baritone section leader for Fall 2018 and Fall 2019, and currently serves as the President of the Low Brass Collective, a Registered Student Organization (RSO) dedicated to bringing low brass artists from around the country to the WSU campus for recitals, master classes, and enrichment activities. Colin has been a member of the National Association for Music Education and the International Tuba-Euphonium Association and has served successfully in his Advanced Practicum with the Garfield-Palouse Schools. In February 2020, Colin helped his mentor teacher Matt Zook arrange for the high school band to attend the WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert. Colin earned first place in the Young Artist Euphonium Division at the 2018 Northwest Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference. At WSU, he has been a Phase 1 scholarship recipient from the Brass and percussion area, an honor bestowed on the School of Music’s top performers. Colin is the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Senior in Music Award, an award he received by a music faculty vote. Next fall, Colin will be student teaching at schools on the Palouse, as well as preparing for auditions to graduate school. 

Colin was nominated by Chris Dickey. 

Kyle Koptais a student at the WSU Tri-Cities campus majoring in digital technology and culture. Kyle is a first-generation college student described as “a quiet leader who is dedicated to making WSU Tri-Cities, his community and the world a better place.” Kyle has held positions as a student graphic designer through the Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities and a teacher’s assistant and tutor through the digital technology and culture program. He is currently an intern with the marking and communication office. Kyle serves as an art committee member for the Washington State Art Commission, where he helps oversee the Washington State Art Collection, helps the organization allocate grant opportunities to expand public art, and collaborates with local artists on WSU installation work. Kyle holds an impressive 4.0 GPA and has been named to the President’s Honor List every year at WSU Tri-Cities. He was the first recipient of the Douglas P. Gast Fine Arts Scholarship and was selected for membership in the WSU Tri-Cities chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. Kyle regularly uses his passion for art and design to advocate for social justice and positive change on campus and in the community. He shares his work through his classes, on social media to help inspire positive change, and in the community through public arts forums. As part of ASWSUTC, he earned the organization’s Perseverance Award for Excellent Work, going above and beyond to plan, deliver, market, and advocate for a range of university events. He was central to the creation of the graphics and visual materials to market those events, and he used his skill in photography and video production to showcase each of them.  

Kyle was nominated by Maegan Murray.  

Brandt Fisher is a regionally recognized saxophonist and composer and is pursuing a degree in saxophone performance with an emphasis in jazz studies. He is a member of the award-winning WSU Jazz Big Band, where he is regularly featured as a soloist. For three years, he was named the top university saxophone soloist at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and is also featured on several compact releases with the group Jazz Wires. Brandt has performed across the WSU School of Music as a valued member of many other ensembles, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, SaxBand, and Saxophone Quartet. Brandt was selected as the 2020 recipient of the Presser Scholar Award, the top undergraduate honor in the School of Music. His nominator states he is one of the finest musicians ever to attend WSU. Brandt serves as the vice president of the Jazz Society at WSU, which supports jazz events on campus, assists with the production of the annual WSU Jazz Festival, and raises funds to bring national-level jazz artists to WSU for performances and workshops. Brandt will continue to compose and release music after graduating from WSU. He plans to travel the world and explore links between music and philosophy, literature, and film.  

Brandt was nominated by Gregory Yasinitsky.  

Cameron Barton is a member of the WSU Honors College, holds a 3.97 GPA, and is working toward a Bachelor of Music in keyboard performance with a minor in music technology. During his junior year he received honorable mentions both at the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the University of Nebraska Omaha Piano Day competitions. He was selected as one of three pianists to perform at a masterclass for the 2021 WSMTA conference and was accepted into important summer programs such as the Seattle Piano Institute and Brevard Summer Institute. He was also invited to perform in a masterclass at the National Conference of Honors College in Orlando, Florida. On the Pullman campus, Cameron started teaching private lessons for the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory School, and his successful teaching has resulted in a higher number of students taking lessons, and parents requesting longer lessons. Cameron currently serves as the President of the WSU MTNA Collegiate Chapter, as well as the President of Allegro, and RSO that provides funding to bring world-renowned guest artists to perform and work with WSU students. Last summer, Cameron was one of four students selected for an internship at College of Music Society, during which he helped plan the 2021 CMS National conference. Cameron also works for Northwest Public Broadcasting where he conducts a classical music program aired every Thursday night. In the fall, Cameron will begin pursuing a Master of Music degree.

Involvement

Distinguished Regents Scholar; President’s Honor Roll; College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior; Outstanding Senior in Computer Science; Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) national finalist for the chamber ensemble division; Jerry Bailey Memorial Scholarship; School of Music scholarship; Frances Risdon Scholarship for Flute Study; Harold Wheeler Memorial Scholarship; President’s Award for Leadership; Liana K. Sandin Grant; Gerke Collegiate Artist Scholarship; first place in the WSU Concerto/Aria Competition; MTNA Young Artist national finalist in the woodwind division; first place in the Musicfest Northwest’s young artist/flute category; concerto soloist with the Washington Idaho Symphony, WSU Symphony Orchestra, and the Spokane Symphony; baritone in WSU’s 2019 production of The Merry Wives of Windsor; WSU Phoenix Winds Flute Trio; Crimson Flutes, Carinhoso Latin Jazz Band; WSU Association for Computing Machinery, vice president; WSU Mu Phi Epsilon, president; camp counselor and assistant flute faculty at Young Musicians and Artists in Salem, Oregon; first flute in the 2019 Interharmony International Music Festival orchestra at Acqui Terme, Italy

Favorite WSU experience

I went to Italy the summer after my freshman year with my flute professor and a group of other students from my flute studio for a music festival. It was two weeks long, and it was in a non-tourist town in the Piedmont region. I performed at least a couple of times in festival showcases as well as in some master classes. After the festival, most of us from the flute studio went to Florence for several days. The entire experience was beautiful and amazing.

Future plans

I will start working full time at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories as an associate software engineer. I look forward to continuing with the Washington Idaho Symphony. I want to stay involved in music as much as I can. I want to perform concerts with my friends and peers and sing in cafés and at the Moscow Farmers Market.

Madeline Goolie is earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. She has focused mainly on printmaking and ceramics. Her work has been displayed at multiple solo exhibitions and group shows throughout the Inland Northwest and Alaska. She is involved with various groups such as the Art Club and Print & Zine Club, and she is a Student Board Member for the Rocky Mountain Printmaking Alliance. Madeline has given back to her craft by serving as a studio assistant and donating her work for fundraisers. Her nominator said that Madeline is a “young artist who is so clearly dedicated to their craft and getting better each day.” Madeline is a genuine connector and has continued to be a true leader among their colleagues as she sets a distinct tone with not only the process plus research but also in the final execution of her collective artworks.

Skylar McDavid is earning his Bachelor of Music Education with an Instrumental Endorsement. He has multiple musical and academic achievements. He has served in leadership roles for several R-S-O’s across the School of Music, and perhaps most notably as Drum Major of the Cougar Marching Band for three (3) years. In this capacity, he directed the band at games, helped organize social and musical events on campus, and was the face of the CMB for three years. Skylar has a real passion for providing resources, opportunities, and meaningful musical experiences for young musicians, educators, and spectators. He has exhibited musical growth on the trombone and represented the university at numerous performances and camps across the country. He has performed in essentially every major instrumental ensemble at     W-S-U including Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Cougar Marching Band, and basketball/volleyball pep bands. Skylar embraces what it means to be a “die hard Coug.”

Cristina Navarro will earn a B.A. in Fine Arts this May and is described as an exemplary student who excelled in her classes focused on advanced drawing and painting. She was awarded as the Department of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior, and a recipient of the Frances Drake Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship for Undergraduates. Cristina has worked as an undergraduate learning assistant where she led weekly discussion lessons to groups of 30-40 students in Into to Art and Art History classes. Cristina’s artwork was selected for inclusion in a Fine Arts departmental video intended to showcase what advanced undergraduates are doing in Fine Arts in Pullman. Her work has been included in several exhibitions at WSU and one of her professors ranked Cristina in the top 3% of undergraduate students she has ever taught. Cristina is hailed as a great collaborator and mentor for her peers, including those who are doing graduate student level work. Much of Cristina’s work focuses on painting and mixed media collage, and she hopes to one day teach art at an elementary or high school.       

Involvement

Vice president and president of Art Club; poster designer for the Moscow Film Society; undergraduate learning assistant for Fine Arts 101 and 201; Spokane Print Fest 2022 and 2023; BFA Thesis Exhibition 2023; Warren Roberts Endowed Scholarship; Frances Drake Endowed Scholarship for Undergraduates; Leonard H. Blinn Scholarship; and College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Student in Fine Arts

Favorite WSU experience

Getting to work in the Fine Arts Department—from ceramics and printmaking to working on different shows and using that space for all kinds of classes. There’s a sign in the front of the building here that reads: “This is the place. There is no place quite like this place anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.” There are great facilities and great people working here, and the Art Club meets here.

Future plans

I am going to Boise State in August to start my MFA. Ultimately, I want to teach and make art. My end goal is to teach studio arts at a university somewhere and continue my art career.

Logan is much more than just a skilled trombone player; he has a 3.62 GPA as he pursues a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. He has earned multiple Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships including a Phase One Scholarship, the top talent-based music scholarship from the WSU School of Music three years in a row and the Randall J. Spicer Marching Band Scholarship twice in recognition of his commitment to and participation in the WSU marching band. Logan has been involved in practically every instrumental large ensemble at WSU. Logan has published eight arrangements, some of which have been performed by Butch's Bones and the Cougar Marching Band. He has performed with the WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band I, Cougar Marching Band, Basketball Band, Volleyball Band, Butch’s Bones, Trombone Choir, and Trombone Quartet. The experiences he has gleaned at WSU has led to performances with professional musical ensembles across the region including substitute bass trombone for the Washington-Idaho Symphony, Mid-Columbia Symphony, and Spokane Brass Band. He was employed as an athletic band office staff member for two years assisting behind the scenes. In the future, Logan wants to work as a music instructor in public schools and eventually become a university athletic band director.

Thomas is an Honor College student pursuing a dual degree and triple major in Music, International Business, and Finance maintaining a 3.83 GPA. Additionally, he possesses a Global Leadership Certificate from Carson College of Business and a Certificate of Global Competencies from the Honors College. Thomas has received various honors, commendations, and scholarships, such as the Gwendolyn Wild Music Scholarship, the Jerry Bailey Memorial Scholarship, the Herbert T. Norris Music Scholarship, the Carson College of Business Schroder Scholarship, and the Presser Scholar designation for 2023. He is President of three student organizations: Allegro, Mu Phi Epsilon, and WSU Jazz Society. He plays the clarinet in the Washington-Idaho Symphony Orchestra, the saxophone in the Washington State University 7 P.M. Septet, and is first tenor in the Washington State University Jazz Big Band. Logan exhibited extraordinary talent and a strong work ethic, continuously surpassing the expectations of his instructors.