By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� student Savanna Navarro Kresse was honored this month with a national award for her work in increasing student democratic engagement on campus and in the regional Tri-Cities community.

Kresse earned an ���Honor Role��� award through the program, where she was invited to be honored in Washington, D.C. She was selected as one of 10 students for the category, which specifically recognizes student leadership in helping college students to improve nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement and voter participation.

Kresse, vice president for the Associated Students of 厙ぴ勛圖 and a senior history major, was instrumental in bringing a ballot drop box to campus in partnership with the . She has also led a series of events geared toward getting students registered to vote, in addition to partnering with her fellow student government peers to hold voting celebration days on campus.

She worked with Bob Ferguson���s office to host a presentation on DACA and immigration regulations last academic year. She helped organize a city council debate prior to the mid-term election last year. She also brought the Association of Women Voters to campus for an event pertaining to voter registration.

Kresse is active in discussions about the Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prevents discrimination based on sex in educational programs. She previously represented the Washington Student Association on a state-wide taskforce on the federal legislation civil rights law. She also completed a political science project, examining the law, as well as how to better handle issues pertaining to discrimination, which she presented at the 厙ぴ勛圖 Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition.

Kresse is passionate about providing access to civil discussions and participation, and additionally has worked with her student peers to organize female mentor panels to shed light on women���s issues in the workplace, organized initiatives to increase student access to food in light of food insecurity on college campuses, and more.

Earlier this year, Kresse was honored with WSU���s MLK Distinguished Service Award for her commitment in educating others about human rights, social justice and for putting her own foot forward to make a difference in her local community.

Chris Meiers, Vice Chancellor for student affairs, said Kresse continually takes a leadership role in making sure all students have the access and resources they need to be successful, and is a champion for student and individual success.

���Her leadership and passion for providing access in positive change is evident to everyone around her,��� he said. ���We are incredibly proud of the work she continues to display at 厙ぴ勛圖 and her local community. She is an inspiration to her fellow students and has created many lasting legacies at 厙ぴ勛圖.���

Kresse said she wasn���t expecting the honor or knew that she was even nominated for the award, initially. When asked why she gives back to her community, she said that she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her fellow students.

���Often times we tend to think that the system is too big, and we are too small,��� she said. ���But when we recognize our ability to make positive change through relationship building and a spirit of willingness, nothing can hold us back.���

Kresse is a first-generation student, mother four and a former seasonal field worker. She continually uses her background as inspiration for overcoming barriers for education where she aims to grow resources available to those from all backgrounds.

 

Media contacts:

Savanna Kresse, 厙ぴ勛圖 senior undergraduate history major and vice president of ASWSUTC, savanna.kresse@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. – Three individuals were honored this year as 2019 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction for their notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching and/or involvement.

The 2019��厙ぴ勛圖��Women of Distinction recipients were recognized this fall as part of a ceremony at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center.

A huge congratulations goes out to these fantastic individuals who have given greatly to 厙ぴ勛圖, its students and their community!

Tanya Cheeke ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant professor of biological sciences

Tanya Cheeke is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at��厙ぴ勛圖��where she studies using symbiotic fungi to help native plants get re-established in disturbed landscapes. Her work has the capacity to repopulate native plant environments, especially after incidents of natural disasters such as wildfires. Tanya is the recipient of thousands of dollars in research grants and formerly was honored as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Carl Tryggers Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellow, as well as a visiting scholar at Indiana University. In addition to her research, Tanya works extensively to mentor students in the biological sciences program. She mentors students who were selected for the Chancellor���s Summer Scholars Program, in addition to regularly mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in her lab throughout the school year.

Bernadette “Bernie” Gagnier ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 wine science student

Bernie currently studies integrated plant sciences with an emphasis in viticulture and enology at��厙ぴ勛圖��where she plans to graduate May 2020. She served for nearly five years in the�� Marine Corps. As a student veteran at 厙ぴ勛圖, Bernie led the effort in partnering with��Bombing Range Brewing Company��to initiate a partnership with the Patriots��� Club and Veterans Center at 厙ぴ勛圖 to provide hands-on opportunities for student veterans in beermaking, which also led to the organization donating more than $2,000 back to student veteran-related services. She serves as a tasting room attendant and participates in local events and limited production at��Kiona Vineyards and Winery. Additionally, she works at the WSU Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, where she works with associate professor Michelle Moyer on nematicide efficacy evaluation, nematode management and rootstock evaluations as it pertains to wine grapes and vineyards.

Dashia Hopp ��� Co-owner of Bombing Range Brewing Company

Dashia and her husband started��Bombing Range Brewing Company��in 2017, paying tribute to the Hanford Site and those who have served in the Armed Forces. Shortly afterward, they were approached by the 厙ぴ勛圖��Patriots’ Club��and Veterans Center, asking if they would like to partner with the organizations for a unique opportunity that would allow student veterans to partake in the beer brewing process, but also as a means to give back to student veterans. The effort has led to the release of two “GIPA” beers that sold out within the first two weeks of release, a visit from former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the donation of more than $2,000 to support student veterans at 厙ぴ勛圖. A few months ago, she and her husband opened a restaurant called ���The Dive Restaurant and Bar��� in Richland near their Bombing Range Brewing Company location. She and her husband also earned the ���2017 Entrepreneur of the Year��� award through the Richland Rotary Club, and were nominated this month for the ���Excellence in Customer Service Award��� by Visit��Tri-Cities.

For more information about the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� A curiosity for the world and the yearning to know how it works.

It is what brought Allan Felsot to the world of science and it is what inspired in him an interest and passion for teaching and academia at the college level. He brings this passion to his students, which is what has led to Felsot earning a regional teaching award.

Felsot, the academic director for the math and science sector of the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington State University Tri-Cities and professor of entomology, was recently announced as the recipient of the pacific branch of the ���s award for excellence in teaching.

The award honors educators at the university or community college level who have excelled through innovations in developing new courses, programs and teaching methods in the field of entomology and the sciences. The regional award covers the region of 11 western states, seven U.S. territories, five Canadian provinces and four states in Mexico. After winning the regional award, Felsot is now up for the national award, of which will be announced at the society���s annual meeting in St. Louis this November.

Skeptical inquiry teaching philosophy

In his classes, Felsot approaches every lecture with an approach he regards as skeptical inquiry. He said the approach comes from the Greek noun ���skepsis,��� which means consideration, inquiry and examination.

���It is about asking questions, questioning authority, but seeking answers or the truth,��� he said. ���To doubt, but then to find out what the truth is. I want students to be skeptical in that sense. Part of being skeptical is developing a sense of curiosity. My idea is that if they develop a sense of curiosity, they will develop something they are passionate about, which will lead to other areas of interest.���

In his courses, he brings recent news articles and headlines into the discussion, providing relevance to what the students are learning about.

���The principles they are learning about do relate to something in the real world,��� he said. ���What they are doing does matter in society. I hope it also brings about a sense of civic responsibility.���

Mentorship and a passion for learning

Over his 26 years at WSU, Felsot has mentored more than 50 master���s and doctoral students. He has also been instrumental in developing new courses at 厙ぴ勛圖, as well as several for the WSU Global campus. His research throughout his career at WSU has focused on environmental toxicology and risk assessment of pesticides. Prior to coming to WSU, he worked as a project leader for pesticide chemistry and toxicology research at the University of Illinois.

At WSU, he teaches courses across WSU���s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, ranging from general entomology, to integrated pest management, to pesticide toxicology, to insect and plant physiology. Teaching a range of diverse courses, he said, encourages his own love for learning. His own love for the learning process inspires his students, as well as fellow faculty members.

���If you were to ask me to name an instructor that has had one of the greatest impacts in my entire academic a career, I would answer Dr. Allan S. Felsot,��� said alumna Yessica Carnley. ���The dedication and commitment that he has to his students and to the proliferation of knowledge is one that is rarely encountered. One of the greatest lessons I learned in his courses was to question everything and to answer your own questions through proper research and testing, if possible.���

Kate McAteer, 厙ぴ勛圖 interim vice chancellor of academic affairs, said having a dynamic and engaging instructor like Allan in the lab gives students the opportunity to explore and understand concepts and develop a love of science.

���As students have often remarked, ���How could you not think science is fascinating when Dr. Felsot teaches it?������ she said.

Academic contributions outside the classroom

Outside of his teaching, Felsot provides dozens of lectures for workshops and programs each year. He also develops insect biology youth workshops for middle school students through WSU���s GEAR UP programs, which helps prepare students for college, and 厙ぴ勛圖��� STEM summer camps, in addition to formerly through the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement program (MESA).

���Professor Felsot is a well-recognized member of the Tri-Cities community,��� McAteer said. ���His talk on insects and bugs is undoubtedly the highlight of the campus tour for many middle school children every year and for those students that attend the STEM summer camps.���

Felsot will accept his regional award from the Entomology Society of America during an awards luncheon in San Diego, California, on April 2.

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities will honor 12 individuals as part of its 2018 Women of Distinction class during a gallery exhibition opening and reception at 4 p.m. on April 20 in the Consolidated Information Center Art Gallery on campus.

The 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction program recognizes female students, staff, faculty, alumnae and community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and their community through service, teaching or involvement.

���It is our honor and privilege to recognize exceptional female leaders, mentors and overall professionals that have given back to the university and their communities,��� said Chris Meiers, 厙ぴ勛圖 vice chancellor of student affairs. ���These are individuals who have improved access to educational opportunities, created pathways for others to be successful and generally provided incredible support to the next generation of leaders.���

Those being honored as the 厙ぴ勛圖 2018 Women of Distinction class include:

• LoAnn Ayers ��� United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties president and CEO
• Eadie Balint ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 professional development and community education coordinator
• Diahann Howard ��� Port of Benton director of economic development and governmental affairs and Tri-Cities Research District executive director
• Savanna Kresse ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 junior studying history and pre-law
• Kate McAteer ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs
• Mysti Meiers ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 senior academic advisor
• Judy Morrison ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 academic director for the College of Education and associate professor of education
• Maegan Murray ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 public relations/communication coordinator
• Sarah Newcomer ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 assistant professor of education
• Darlene Scrivner ��� Columbia Basin College special assistant to the president
• Karen Sinclair ��� Mission Support Alliance project manager
• Dani Young ��� 厙ぴ勛圖 junior studying civil engineering

After the ceremony on April 20, all photos and biographies of the award recipients will be on display in the East Building hallway next to The Bookie, 厙ぴ勛圖��� student bookstore.

The honorees will also be highlighted on the 厙ぴ勛圖 Women of Distinction website at /women-of-distinction/.

 

Contact:

Danielle Kleist, 厙ぴ勛圖 specialist assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7104, danielle.kleist@wsu.edu