WSU News Service

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Spencer Funk admits that he was not the best student in high school, but he always knew that he wanted to attend college and that he wanted to become a lawyer.

He entered Washington State University with a renewed commitment to his education.

During his freshman year he broke his foot and found himself immobile. The unfortunate event helped him to become more involved with his studies, learn better time management skills and find new ways to become involved at WSU.

As a sophomore, he was involved with Vector Marketing and was one of the top sales performers in the United States. As a result, he was promoted to branch manager, where he spent his junior year attending leadership conferences in Salt Lake City, Boise, Chicago, and New York. He led a team of 30 students from WSU and University of Idaho during a summer internship where he ran his own business and office.

“This was one of the most beneficial and exhausting efforts I have ever undertaken,” Funk said.
Funk also studied abroad in Florence, Italy. While there, he had the opportunity to volunteer with homeless shelters and helped to tutor middle-school aged children in English.

“I came back to the United States with new-found confidence and direction,” he said.

Funk then became a student ambassador for both Academic Programs International and for the Study Abroad office.

Funk has also been involved in several political organizations and has been a volunteer for political campaigns. The Mock Trial Team and Pre-Law Society have been great experiences for him.

“I wish I had joined (both clubs) sooner in my college career because of the camaraderie and collegiality of working with such intellectually driven students,” Funk said.

After graduation, Funk plans to take some time off before attending law school. He is currently in the process of applying for Teach for America, AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps.