Honors Alumni and Friends Impact the World
Throughout Washington, the nation, and the world, more than 5,000 WSU graduates are distinguished for having completed the rigorous WSU Honors College program. They work as financiers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and educators, for example, in corporations, governments, start-ups, and non-profits. They make a difference wherever they go. They, along with other friends of the program, also continue to make a difference to Honors.
Alumni and Friends News
A hiking mishap led Honors alumnus Brian Gawley (Mass Communications and Journalism '87) to write and publish a book about his three-day adventure in the Olympic National Forest. The book details getting lost and injured, a daring rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard, and life after the ordeal.
Alumni Work to Make a Difference in Iraq and Afghanistan
Two Honors College alumni returned to Pullman in fall and shared information about their recent experiences as civilians embedded with U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
Though they have never met, and worked on projects at different times overseas, both Michael J. Baumgartner (Economics '99, with minors in French and math) and Elisha Grange (Journalism '03) reached similar conclusions. Namely, that the individuals in the U.S. military are doing commendable jobs and making an impact on the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Alumnus Brian Carlton (Civil Engineering and History '09, minors in math and Spanish) received numerous accolades for his achievements while at WSU. Today, he is studying geotechnical engineering at Berkeley and plans to be an expert in aspects of earthquakes.
Honors alumnus Shannon E. Coulter (Mechanical Engineering) reported in July 2009 for his latest assignment as a U.S. Navy officer: assistant professor of Naval Science and executive officer of the University of Auburn Naval ROTC unit in Alabama. During a military career that began in 1990, Commander Coulter, nicknamed "Flash," completed numerous assignments; for example, he served with the "Screaming Eagles" in Miramar, Calif., flew reconnaissance missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina, was a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the F-14A/B Tomcat, and served as the Iraqi Civil Aviation Project Officer as part of a 12-month assignment to the Multi-National Force-Iraq Logistics Directorate at Camp Victory in Iraq.
Honors alumna Leslie V. Rowe (French and Education, minor Spanish) is set to present the V.N. Bhatia Lecture March 6, 2010 during the WSU Honors College 50th Anniversary celebration . She was appointed in fall 2009 to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique. She completed in summer 2009 her assignment as U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanutu. She was featured in the Fall 2008 Honors Excellence magazine, and an expanded complete interview is available online.
Honors alumna Anjie Bertramson(International Business, minor Chinese) joined the U.S. Peace Corps and since November 2008 has worked as a small business developer in the Ouarzazate Province of Morocco.
Honors alumnusDuane Jacklin (Ag Econ) made a significant gift with his brothers that supports Honors students seeking a better understanding of the world, and the role the U.S. has in it.
For more stories and news ...
Excellence (e-newsletter) spring 2009
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Civilian Elisha Grange prepares to conduct interviews in Iraq
Anjie Bertramson with her Moroccan Mom.
USA Ambassador Leslie V. Rowe with S. Basil during January 2009's U.S. Embassy Press Conference in Port Moresby.