WSU Honors College Presents Top Awards to 14 Students, 3 Professors at 2010 Commencement Banquet May 7
PULLMAN, Wash.—The Washington State University Honors College celebrated the accomplishments and excellence of more than 70 of its graduating seniors at a 2010 Commencement Reception Friday, May 7, where top college awards were presented to 14 students and three faculty members.
“Hosting Honors Commencement on the eve of university graduation is a long tradition in our 50-year-old college, and it is always a great pleasure to share with our audience the interesting projects completed and the significant personal and academic goals reached by our graduates,” says Libby Walker, Honors dean.
Following a special reading of a poem written for the event by seniors Nicole Sawatzki and Julian J.T. Reyes, the college presented awards.
Two seniors received the Dean’s Award, given each spring and fall to students who exemplify Honors’ mission and values by challenging themselves to lead and serve their communities, demonstrating intellectual curiosity, and exhibiting skills in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and information literacy. They also embody values relating to diversity; scholarship and achievement; integrity, character, and moral responsibility; thinking and intellectual risk-taking; creativity; global awareness and responsibility; and service and philanthropy.
Dean’s Award recipients for spring 2010 are Reyes and Walter N. Schlect. Each will receive an engraved medallion, be commemorated by a tile placed on the fireplace wall of the Honors Hall Lounge, and receive a $250 scholarship.
The second category of student excellence recognition is the S. Town Stephenson Award. This is the highest recognition given by the Honors Council, reserved for graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence in courses within and outside their majors as well as other qualities, such as involvement in extracurricular activities, completion of unusual combinations or courses and activities, and evidence of growth and talent in and beyond a student’s field. Each recipient gets a special certificate and a $50 scholarship from Honors.
They are, in alphabetical order: Morgen E. Anyan, Lynn K. Colingham, Alan J. Emanuel, Leah G. Jordan, Kara Mowery, Ainsley R. Nix, Kimberly A. Petty, Julian J.T. Reyes, Jaron A. Robinson, Nicole Sawatzki, Walter N. Schlect, and Melissa Stowe.
Three faculty members received the Honors College Thesis Advisor Award. They are: Jennifer Beller, David Turnbull, and Erica W. Austin. Beller is an associate professor in educational leadership and counseling psychology. Turnbull is an associate professor in music. And Austin is a professor of communication and director of the Murrow Research Center.
CONTACT: Beverly Makhani, Communications Director, WSU Honors College, 509-335-6679, makhani@wsu.edu
Libby Walker, Dean, WSU Honors College, 509-335-4505, walkerl@wsu.edu