PULLMAN, Wash. – Twenty-five outstanding students from the Class of 2013 will be honored for their academic and extracurricular achievements at the first College of Arts and Sciences’ Senior Recognition event on Friday, May 3.
The seniors were selected by faculty and represent all degree programs offered by the college. As a group and individually, they have demonstrated commitment to the university community and dedication to expanding their learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Many have overcome significant obstacles or exhibited unique initiative in completing their studies.
Awardees will receive a certificate and engraved medal from Dean Daryll DeWald at the ceremony on Friday. The event begins at 2 p.m. in Jones Theater in Daggy Hall and the public is welcome to attend.
The 2013 Outstanding Seniors include:
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| Ladderud is in the WSU Raptor Club. |
Jeffrey Ladderud: Bachelor of science in geology with minors in Spanish and environmental and resource economics and management.
A fourth-generation Cougar on his dad’s side and third generation on his mom’s, he is a Distinguished Regents Scholar from Walla Walla who is active in the Raptor Club and president of Stimson Hall. He sings in the Concert Choir and plays violin in the Symphony Orchestra.
Ladderud will intern with the U.S. Geological Survey in Washington, D.C., this summer and then will attend the Colorado School of Mines to begin a master’s program in hydrologic science and engineering.
He has been chosen to carry the gonfalon during the college’s inaugural commencement ceremony on Saturday.
Nikki Brueggeman: Bachelor of arts in Her adoptive mother, who is blind, taught Brueggeman to not let setbacks keep her from doing the things that mattered. Originally from Walla Walla, Wash., she has served as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C., and studied abroad in Osaka, Japan.
She is past president of the Black Student Union and chaired the Council of Multicultural Student Presidents and the Scott-Coman residence hall improvement committee. She has been a member of the ASWSU Services and Activity Fees committee, was a peer tutor and volunteered as a driver for Women’s Transit. She is a McNair Scholar and won the 2012 WSU President’s Award for Leadership and Service.
Brueggeman will spend the summer in South Korea as a Fulbright Scholar and has been accepted to the University of Washington Japan studies master’s program. She plans to earn a Ph.D. in foreign policy.
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| Warner in Germany with his dad. |
Robert Warner: Bachelor of arts in digital technology and culture with a minor in fine arts.
Proficient in several computer languages and software programs, he applied his skills administering and teaching in the Avery Microsoft Computer Lab, a facility used by writing and digital technology students. For the past two years he has been solely responsible for maintaining the lab network. He has taught sections of English 300, a skills-based course in the lab.
Adept in art, Warner enjoys printmaking, creating lithographs and engravings. While living in Sweden with his family, he became interested in machine knitting and later created a two-color sweater using Norwegian methods for an indigenous project.
Following graduation, he will join Fisher Investments in Vancouver, Wash., while working towards his goal of becoming creative director for a magazine.
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| Barnes with her mom. |
Whitley Barnes: Bachelor of arts in criminal justice and criminology with a double major in political science.
A first-generation student from Joyce, Wash., a small town on the Olympic Peninsula, she worked two jobs, one as a tutor and another in dining services, to help pay for her education.
She is past president of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice National Honor Society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is a member of the Criminal Justice Club, the Forestry Club and very much involved with her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.
Before Barnes came to Pullman, the tragedy of having her best friend commit suicide inspired her to work with her high school counselor to begin the Youth Suicide Prevention Program.
She plans to attend law school at University of Idaho and would like to practice advocacy law.
Tara Kronen: Triple bachelor’s of science degrees in general studies (medical sciences), microbiology and psychology. Since age 4, Kronen has wanted to be a doctor. She is a certified nurse assistant and has completed job shadowing experiences at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla., and her hometown of Olympia, Wash.
She is active in Circle K International, Sigma Kappa sorority, the Pre-Health Club and the psychology honor society. She has held many leadership positions while at WSU, including president of the Order of Omega, vice president and treasurer for the Alpha Epsilon Delta medical fraternity and secretary of Hillel.
Kronen has been selected for a year-long program with Sacred Heart Medical Laboratory Science and plans to begin medical school in fall 2014. Her goal is to be a thoracic heart surgeon and eventually work with global health programs such as Doctors Without Borders.
A full listing of all of the College of Arts and Sciences 2013 Outstanding Seniors:
Kendall McGill, anthropology
Nikki Brueggeman, Asian studies
Emily Martin, biology
Kelsey Covington, comparative ethnic studies
Melissa Leigh Sanborn, chemistry
Whitley Barnes, criminal justice and criminology
Robert Nathan Warner, digital Technology and Culture
Deven Lynn Tokuno, English
Mikayla Kusuda, environmental sciences
Jovanni Luna, fine arts
Ingrid Perez, foreign languages and cultures
Danica Wixom, general studies – humanities
Mikko Stuart McFeely, general studies – social sciences
Tara Lynn Kronen, general studies – sciences
Jeffrey Ladderud, geology
Matthew Kenyon, history
Daryl R. DeFord, mathematics.
Duke Sullivan, music
Kaitlyn Rose Dick, philosophy
Jenna DeWald, physics and astronomy
Nikkole Hughes, political science
Sabrina Gonzales, psychology
Corri van Schijndel, sociology
Lia Anne Birrell, women’s studies
Kaylyn Patitucci, zoology