Honors College Graduate Named S. Towne Stephenson Scholar

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Washington State University Honors College has awarded the S. Towne Stephenson award to WSU Vancouver graduate Erin C. Cockrell. Cockrell graduated summa cum laude from WSU Vancouver in December 2005, majoring in Psychology.

Cockrell, a Vancouver resident who grew up in Longview, WA was a 2001 graduate of Mark Morris High School and received her associate’s degree from Lower Columbia College. In her studies at WSU Vancouver, Cockrell wrote her thesis for the Honors College on “Psychosocial Barriers in the Disclosure of Rape” and was awarded a “Pass with Distinction” by the faculty on the Vancouver and Pullman campuses.

While attending WSU Vancouver, Cockrell volunteered for the Clark County YWCA Sexual Assault program as an assault advocate, in addition to volunteering as a group facilitator for the parent’s of sexually abused children support group, also at the YWCA. 

S. Town Stephenson scholars have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement both in their Honors classes and in their major. The selection committee looks for unusual combinations of courses and activities, combinations which demonstrate a diversity of interests, talents and commitments. A Stephenson scholar may demonstrate serious involvement in his or her discipline – such as research or public presentations. Extracurricular and curricular activities which indicate an investment of self beyond ordinary expectations are also important. 

WSU Vancouver offers 15 bachelors and nine master’s degrees in more than 35 fields of study. The campus is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205.