Students Earn Recognition
First-generation scholar & immigrant shines in academics, research & service; bears college’s gonfalon
Hilary Zuniga dreams of someday working for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, earning her doctoral degree in international development studies, and enjoying a fulfilling career with the United Nations. In December, the determined 22-year-old took one giant step closer to her goals by graduating from WSU with two bachelor’s degrees and a record of outstanding academic and research achievement, student leadership, and community service.
For her accomplishments as an undergraduate, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) honored Zuniga as its gonfalon bearer in the fall 2019 commencement ceremony at WSU Pullman. Gonfalons are the shield-shaped banners that represent each of WSU’s 11 colleges at graduation events.
“I was truly honored and appreciate the opportunity and recognition,” she said. “I’m the first in my family to get a college degree and I’m immigrant—not a U.S. citizen—so it was very meaningful…
Zuniga also honored as CAS Outstanding Senior in Earth & Environmental Sciences
In the College of Arts and Sciences, an Outstanding Senior is defined as one who has excelled in academic performance and in service to their department or school and to the University community. SoE named Hilary Zuniga 2020 Outstanding Senior in Earth and Environmental Sciences.
“Being a Coug has changed my life for the better. Never did I imagine that this school and its amazing faculty would build upon who I am fundamentally and who I could see myself to be. Because of faculty that believed in me, like Dr. Kara Whitman, Dr. Michael Goldsby, Arlene Parkay, Dr. Raymond Herrera, and those from Multicultural Student Services, as well as the close relationships I have made here, I am honored to be a strong student that can accept this accomplishment and a Latina that will continue her studies to graduate school and make a difference in the world and in the field of international development.” –Hilary Zuniga
Grad students earn recognition at PNW Chapter of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
SoE students win Leadership and Engagement Awards of Distinction
Undergraduate and graduate students advance leadership and engagement at WSU. Recipients of Leadership and Engagement Awards of Distinction (LEAD) demonstrate exceptional leadership and service to students, WSU, and/or the community.
SoE is proud of our two LEAD winners of 2020: Amanda Krieger, who will finish her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Sciences in spring of 2021; and Jennifer Johnson, who will finish her PhD in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences in spring of 2021.
Congratulations on this achievement! More information on LEAD awards
Puthiyaveettil
SoE grad student accepted to PNNL Distinguished Graduate Research Program
Navajyoth Manjeri Puthiyaveettil, a doctoral candidate in the School of the Environment at WSU Vancouver, was selected for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory–WSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program. The DGRP offers a unique opportunity to tackle scientific challenges alongside national leaders in energy, environment, and national security research.
Promising minds, strong hearts: CAHNRS student award winners named for 2020
Award-winning students in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences are changing the world. Every year, CAHNRS recognizes outstanding students in a range of fields – from agriculture to family and consumer sciences – as well as promising undergraduates and clubs.
The college’s 2020 student award winners include scholars who are addressing agricultural, animal, and societal health, seizing opportunities for involvement on campus and across the state, and aspiring to make positive impacts in their future careers.
Congratulations to all the CAHNRS Outstanding Seniors in SoE!
Environmental and Ecosystems Sciences: Brenden Campbell
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Sciences: Eli Loftis
Earth Sciences: Keita Hasegawa
Forestry: Julia Behling
SoE student awarded Graduate Research Innovation fellowship
Dylan Quinn, doctoral student in SoE at WSU Vancouver, was awarded a Graduate Research Innovation fellowship through the Joint Fire Sciences Program. GRIN is a partnership among six federal agencies to address problems associated with managing wildland fires and fire-impacted ecosystems. The award provides an opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of how science can be used to inform fire-related policy.
SoE master’s student awarded Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center research fellowship
Michelle Audie, a master’s degree student in SoE at WSU Vancouver has been awarded a fellowship from the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. The NW CASC’s Research Fellowship Program enables graduate students and postdocs from a variety of scientific backgrounds to co-produce actionable science in collaboration with regional natural resource managers and decision-makers.
SoE: Connecting Earth and Life