Honors College at WSU Recognizes Students, Faculty at 2013 Spring Commencement Banquet
PULLMAN, Wash. — Students, faculty, staff, and guests celebrated the accomplishments of the Honors College at Washington State University class of 2013 on May 3 in the Compton Union Building Senior Ballroom.
More than 60 students walked at the event, with 75 percent having earned Latin Honors at the university for maintaining a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA. Forty-one percent of the graduates studied abroad during their undergraduate experience.
On the whole, the Honors class of 2013 had 93 percent of students study a foreign language, more than 20 percent passed their thesis with distinction, and 36 percent passed their WSU writing portfolio with distinction. In addition, there was a great breadth of volunteer and service hours put in by the class, Walker says, and half of the students will be continuing their education in graduate or professional school.
Honors College Dean Libby Walker introduced the class as well as the many special faculty and staff guests in attendance. She noted that “the families and friends in attendance created an amazing support system, helping the students accomplish incredible things.”
Following introductions, a group of students from the Polynesian dance group Hui Hau’oli’O Hawai’i, including Honors student Celine Munoz, performed for the guests. This practice of having current Honors students provide entertainment, and hosting a commencement speaker, has become somewhat of a tradition during the event, Walker says.
Guest speaker was WSU and Honors College alumnus Dave McGoldrick (’65, political science), a Tacoma attorney. He talked about his time completing service projects in Uganda, giving back to the global community. Following his speech, the commencement began.
During the ceremony, each student is recognized for their excellence with a short description of their academic and extracurricular accomplishments, read by Honors College faculty. Though this takes longer than a traditional ceremony, the breadth and variety of achievements warrants the time, Walker says.
Beyond the accomplishments of the group as a whole, the Honors College also recognizes select students and faculty for awards at the commencement ceremony.
Awards Recipients:
The S. Town Stephenson Award recognizes outstanding students who demonstrated academic excellence and involvement during their time in the Honors College. The award stresses the students’ interests in a diverse range of topics, including those outside their major.
The spring 2013 Recipients of the S. Town Stephenson Award are:
- Lauren Eberle, a chemical engineering major
- Justin Englund, a math and finance major
- Amanda Feeney, a biology/pre-med major
- Adriana Franks, a French and global politics major
- Elizabeth Graham, a neuroscience/pre-med major
- Nikkole Hughes, a natural resource science major
- Jeffrey Ladderud, a geology major
- Mikael McFeely, a social sciences major
- Beth Ross, an interior design major
- Danica Wixom, a humanities and Spanish major
The Dean’s Award was presented to two graduating seniors. This honor goes to students who exemplify the core values of the Honors College and challenge themselves to develop their potential to its fullest. The 2013 recipients are Deven Tokuno, an English and biology major, and Evelyn Quezada, an English major.
The Honors College Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching and Outstanding Contributions was presented to Gary Thorgaard, a professor in the school of biological sciences. He retired in the spring after cultivating a long career at WSU with a research interest in fish and related biology. He also sits on the Honors Council.
Awards were also presented to faculty who served as Honors thesis advisors. These individuals were nominated by their students for being helpful, knowledgeable and supportive throughout the thesis process. This is the eighth year the Honors College has issued this honor.
Recipients of the Thesis Advisor Awards are:
- Olusola Adesop, associate professor of English, nominated by student Evelyn Quezada
- Peter Chilson, professor of English, nominated by Alyssa Patrick
- Rebecca Craft, professor and chair of psychology, nominated by Alisha McBride
- Pamela Lee, clinical associate professor of fine arts, nominated by Danny Reis
- Keri McCarthy, associate professor of music, nominated by Sarah Stark
- Mark Dybdahl, associate professor of molecular biosciences, nominated by Zachary Colburn
- Amit Dhingra, associate professor/scientist of horticulture, nominated by Ryan Christian
- John Wolff, professor and director of GeoAnalytical Lab, nominated by Jeff Ladderud
MEDIA CONTACT: Jared Brickman, Communications Assistant, Honors College at WSU, 509-335-8070, UCHCCommMar.4@wsu.edu
SOURCE: Peggy Perkins, Administrative Manager, Honors College, 509-335-4507, perkins@wsu.edu