WSU Auvil Scholars Program Supports 17 Honors Students’ Research for Fall 2010

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University Undergraduate Research announced that 17 students from the Honors College are among those who have been awarded $1,000 Auvil Scholars Fellowships for the 2010-11 academic year.  There were 34 total recipients and nearly 100 applicants from majors and disciplines across campus, both record setting numbers for the program.

 “We are very proud that our students continue to represent a significant proportion—50 percent—of the total number of Auvil Fellows,” says Honors Dean Libby Walker.  “It is representative of Honors’ dedication to the advancement of undergraduate research at WSU, and of our students’ high standards for scholarship and achievement.”

Many of Honors’ recipients will use the award to support research for their thesis, a hallmark of quality honors education around the world and common feature among the country’s top programs.

 “The quality and scope of the research and scholarly and creative pursuits being conducted by these undergraduates is very impressive, and it’s a pleasure that we are able to support so many this year with Auvil Scholars Fellowships,” says Dave Bahr, director of WSU Undergraduate Research.

The Auvil awards are intended to further the students’ research.  Administered by the WSU University College’s undergraduate research office, the program was created in 2006 through an estate gift from WSU supporter Grady and Lillie Auvil, Wenatchee tree-fruit entrepreneurs.

 “We are ever grateful to the Auvil’s, whose generous gift has provided financial support to nearly 100 undergraduates since the program began.  The Auvil fellowships make a tremendous difference to students pursuing research.  And, mentored undergraduate research is identified as a highly impactful experience in any student’s well-rounded college education.”

For purposes of his office, Bahr says “undergraduate research” is shorthand for research, scholarship, and creative activities.  He notes this covers “all majors and colleges, and it’s any time students are working one-on-one with faculty in an academic discipline at WSU.”

Honors College recipients for fall 2010 are:

Omar Bayomy, a junior in neuroscience and the Honors College, who researches with faculty mentor James Krueger;

Jonathan Thorn Bliggenstorfer, junior, biology and French and the Honors College, Doug Call;

Sharon Louise Cox, junior, chemical engineering and the Honors College, Nehal Abu-Lail;

Jeffrey Carl Davis, junior, biochemistry and the Honors College, Michael Griswold;

Kevin Feiszli, senior, psychology and political science and Honors College, Lisa Fournier;

Caryssa M. Gilmore, junior, music education/choral endorsement and the Honors College, Jesse Spohnholz;

Skuyler Poage Herzog, senior, environmental science and Honors College, Cailin Huyck Orr;

Jeffrey Andreas Ladderud, sophomore, geology and the Honors College, John Wolff;

Casey Lawson, junior, animal science/pre-vet and the Honors College, Dan Rodgers;

Adriana Lippy, senior, microbiology and Honors College, Robert Mealey;

Ellen I. Miller, senior, natural resource sciences and Honors College, Linda Hardesty;

Daniel James Reis, junior, psychology and the Honors College, Brendan Walker;

Edward M. Rooney, senior, neuroscience and Honors College, Michael Wiater;

Charlotte M. Seidel, junior, zoology and Honors College, Laura Lavine;

Gianne Souza, senior, microbiology and Honors College, James Krueger;

Alexander McFarland Walker, sophomore, biochemistry/biophysics and the Honors College, Eric A. Shelden;

Rachel Katherine Wanty, junior, neuroscience and Spanish and the Honors College, Krzysztof Czaja.

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Source:  Libby Walker, Dean, WSU Honors College, 509-335-4505, wakerl@wsu.edu

Media Contact:  Beverly Makhani, Communications and Marketing Director, WSU University College and WSU Honors College, 509-335-6679, Makhani@wsu.edu