Reception Scheduled for Presidential Award Recipient Charlena Grimes

By Communications staff, Washington State University

PULLMAN, Wash. — A reception to honor Charlena Grimes, academic coordinator for the Washington State University College of Engineering and Architecture, will be held June 21.

The reception is set for 3-5 p.m. in the Samuel H. Smith Center for Undergraduate Education in the second floor atrium.

Grimes was one of nine individual (and five institutional) recipients nationwide invited to the White House last month to receive the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award recognizes people who have mentored underrepresented students in science, mathematics and engineering. Grimes is thought to be the first-ever WSU recipient.

Grimes, with the College of Engineering and Architecture since 1982, has directed both the Minority Engineering Program and the Women Engineering Program on campus.  She developed and directs the BRIDGE Workshop, now in its 16th year, for incoming women and minority students. The five-day event, just before the start of WSU classes in August, offers seminars on career planning, time management, stress management and study skills; classroom sessions on chemistry and math placement; and campus tours. More than 800 students have participated in BRIDGE since Grimes created the program in 1990. The program has increased the retention rate of underrepresented students by more than 20 percent. Grimes also formed chapters of organizations for African-American, Hispanic and Native American engineers and pioneered the establishment of a free summer camp for Native American youth, and their teachers, interested in engineering, as well as a camp for Latina/o students.

During her time at WSU, the number of African-American, Hispanic and Native American students in the college has more than doubled, and she has had an effect on the lives of more than 1,000 underrepresented students, said Bob Olsen, associate dean of undergraduate and student services for the College.

She has received numerous awards, including the WSU Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, WSU President’s Employee Excellence Award, the Council of Minority Student Presidents Award and the Finer Womanhood Award, presented by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, an African-American fraternity.

Next Story

Students design outdoor story walk for Keller schools

A group of WSU landscape architecture students is gaining hands‑on experience by designing an outdoor classroom with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation.
By Communications staff, Washington State University

Recent News

E-tongue can detect white wine spoilage before humans can

While bearing little physical resemblance to its namesake, the strand-like sensory probes of the “e-tongue” still outperformed human senses when detecting contaminated wine in a recent WSU-led study.
By Sara Zaske, WSU News & Media Relations

Provost selection process ongoing

WSU expects to name its next provost before the end of April. President Kirk Schulz is actively considering two finalists, with feedback provided by the university community being a key factor in the decision.
By RJ Wolcott, WSU News & Media Relations

Employee Assistance Program hosts special sessions, April 17

Washington State Employee Assistance Program Director Jennifer Nguyen will lead two discussions tomorrow on the topics of change and personal wellbeing. Both presentations will be livestreamed.
By Communications staff, Washington State University