May 21, 2001
Contact:
Amy K. Hanson, WSU News Bureau, 360/546-9602, hanson@vancouver.wsu.edu
Editor’s Note: A list of the 2001 graduates is available electronically by calling WSU Vancouver at 360/546-9602.
WSU Vancouver Commencement Recognizes 19 With Awards
VANCOUVER, Wash. — Washington State University Vancouver honored 19 individuals during its 12th annual commencement ceremony May 19, led by Campus Executive Officer and Dean Hal Dengerink.
The ceremony included the following student, faculty and community awards:
— The Dean’s Award for Student Achievement was presented to Major W. Harris Jr. of Vancouver, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in human development.
— Hakan Gurocak, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, received the WSU Vancouver Research Excellence Award for his achievements in robotics and distance-education research.
— The student body honored Jackie McReynolds, academic coordinator and human development instructor, with the Student’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
— Two Dean’s Awards for Service to WSU Vancouver were given this year. The first award was given to Sherry Vaughan, coordinator of education programs. Tom Hougan, WSU alumnus, adjunct faculty, board member and donor, received the second.
— The master’s in teaching program awarded its first J. Kenneth Miller Award for the Outstanding MIT Student to Todd Parsons of Vancouver.
— The nursing program awarded Outstanding Undergraduate Nursing Student Awards to Tammy Barwick of Longview and Teri Doran of Gresham, Ore., and Outstanding Graduate Awards to Kelly Bell of Camas and Ann Nielsen of Vancouver.
— The business program awarded Outstanding Undergraduate Student Achievement Awards to Dyann Hamilton of Battle Ground and Dan Cox of Washougal and an Outstanding Graduate Student Award to Al Halleck of Vancouver.
— The science program named Heather Ligman of Vancouver this year’s Outstanding Undergraduate Science Student and Nicholas Murchison of Vancouver Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher.
— Rainier resident Susan Christophersen, a magna cum laude human development graduate, received a 2001 President’s Award. She was among 79 students honored university wide for service to WSU.
— The University Honors College recognized Jackie Meeker of Vancouver with the S. Town Stephenson Award. Meeker earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and graduates with a 3.98 grade point average after fulfilling all Honors College requirements.
— Jane Cote, associate professor of accounting and business, received the College of Business and Economics Outstanding Service Award for her service to WSU and the community.
— Assistant professor of history and associate director of the Center for Columbia River History Laurie Mercier received the College of Liberal Arts’ William F. Mullen Outstanding Teaching Award for her integration of technology into American history courses.
This year, WSU Vancouver granted 496 degrees: 364 undergraduate and 132 graduate. WSU President V. Lane Rawlins gave the commencement address, and human development graduate Lori Latendresse sang the national anthem
