PULLMAN – Three Washington State University students were awarded a David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Security Education Program.
Andrew Whitaker, Tamber Hilton and Jordan Bush each received $10,000 per semester, for up to two semesters to live in China and study the language, culture and issues related to global security. After graduation, the students are required to work for a year in a U.S. government agency or an institution of higher education. During these years, the students gain experience that will help them in their future careers.
This national scholarship program is very competitive with 700 applicants and only 141 scholarships granted. Students are chosen based on their knowledge and interest in studying a language and culture of a country that is considered critical to U.S. national security.
“It is a big achievement for WSU and the Chinese program that three students were selected for this opportunity, considering they must compete with hundreds of students nation-wide,” said Christopher Lupke, associate professor of foreign languages and coordinator of Asian studies.
Lupke visited Washington D.C. in hopes of better understanding what the National Security Education Program was looking for in scholarship applicants. He mentored the students and guided them in preparing their applications.
Andrew C. Whitaker is a 2003 graduate of Ellensburg High School. He is studying electrical engineering at WSU. Whitaker said this scholarship will allow him to advance his skills in the Chinese language. He also said he knows this opportunity will open a lot of doors for him in the future, especially within the federal government.
Whitaker has received several other scholarships including a Glenn Terell Presidential Scholarship, a Boeing Engineering Scholarship and a Crimson Regents Scholar Award.
Whitaker was the treasurer of the WSU chapter of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers during the 2005-2006 academic year. He enjoys sports and was involved in intramural soccer and club ultimate Frisbee. Whitaker is also a member of the Chinese Club at WSU.
Tamber D. Hilton is a 2001 home school graduate from Renton. She is studying political science and Asian studies. Hilton said her dream job is to work for the State Department as a Foreign Service officer. She said this scholarship will help her gain fluency in Chinese and obtain a career in government.
Hilton has also received a Study Abroad in Asia Scholarship. She was also recognized as an Outstanding Graduating Senior for the College of Liberal Arts and an Outstanding Political Science Senior.
Hilton was the secretary of the Chinese Professional Students Association. She was also a part of the women’s rowing team and a fitness instructor at WSU.
Jordan Bush is a 2002 graduate of West Linn High School in Oregon. He is studying international business, management information systems and Chinese. Bush said he knows this scholarship will help him better learn the Chinese language, which will be very important in the future.
Bush has also received study abroad scholarships from the Honors College and the history department. He was the information coordinator of the Chinese Professional Students Association.
Another scholarship applicant from Washington State University, Mallory Armstrong, was selected as an alternate for the program.
For more information about the David L. Boren Scholarship from the National Security Education Program, visit: http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/nsephome.htm
