2026-2027 CAS Scholarship Recipients Spotlight
Your gift inspires.
Your generosity gives students the confidence to say yes to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Whether it is conducting research with a faculty mentor, accepting an internship, participating in a study abroad program, or simply spending more time focused on their studies, your support helps make those experiences possible.
At the College of Arts and Sciences, we are committed to helping students develop the knowledge, curiosity, and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. That work is only possible because of partners like you who invest in their success.
Thank you,
Courtney Meehan, Dean
College of Arts and Sciences
Alastor Smith
Major: Engineering
Award: Randall Spicer Marching Band Scholarship
This scholarship means a lot to me in the same way that the Cougar Marching Band has meant a lot to me going through this year of the biggest changes of my life so far. Marching at football games, playing at basketball games, and just generally showing off the Coug spirit in such a fun yet impactful way was an opportunity I did not think that I would be able to have in the first place, much less take so much from it. The band and the people in it have made my transition to college infinitely easier and more enjoyable, enabling me to start my studies and higher education while continuing to play music. For this, I am beyond grateful to WSU and the CMB for this incredible experience, the people I have formed meaningful bonds with through my first year here, and to you for this chance to support my ability to make new memories and continue to develop the community that makes this band the Best in the West.
Alexis Kamende
Major: Pre-Law
Award: C. Alan Sumption Undergraduate Scholarship
Coming from a family where I’m a first-generation college student, second-generation immigrant and have faced financial struggles, pursuing higher education has always felt like both a dream and a challenge. Any support brings me one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a lawyer and making meaningful change. This scholarship allows me to focus on my education without the overwhelming burden of financial hardship. It symbolizes an opportunity to shape my future. I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity as it is truly a blessing and came at a perfect time for my family and I.
Carolyn Whiting
Major: Chemistry
Award: Dr. Edwin J. Hart Chemistry Scholarship
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you for supporting this scholarship and helping make it financially possible for students like me to pursue our education. As tuition costs continue to rise each year, support from individuals like yourself becomes increasingly important in providing opportunities for the next generation of students. Because of contributions like yours, I am able to continue my studies and work toward completing my degree in Chemistry. As I progress through my undergraduate career, I hope to contribute to the advancement of nuclear energy research and clean energy technologies that address global energy challenges. I am also interested in improving drinking water quality and protecting one of Earth’s most essential natural resources.
Claire Anh Sao Boudard
Major: Environmental and Natural Resources Science
Award: Robert Lane Fellowship in Environmental Sciences
I am exploring the feeding ecology of native freshwater mussels and their interactions within freshwater ecosystems and the human component. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Pacific Northwest for my graduate research and look forward to the next couple of years here! This past summer, I ran feeding incubation experiments, which required time in the field and lab. I am thankful for this award as it helped me fund the resources needed to conduct these experiments, such as transport, personnel, and laboratory equipment. As an aspiring professor, this graduate program is key to developing the research and teaching skills required to continue in academia while continuing to protect our natural landscapes. Your support means the world to me!
Felix Galvan
Major: History
Award: Sherman and Mabel Smith Pettyjohn Memorial Fund
I served in the United States military for six years. During this time, I met my wife, lost a close relative, enrolled in college, discovered my love for history, and became a father. Although many things have changed in my life since I graduated high school, the only thing that has remained is my desire to make a positive impact on my community. Studying history has profoundly shaped my worldview, offering a level of intellectual depth I never anticipated. It has refined my abilities as a communicator, thinker, and writer, while fundamentally bettering me as an individual. I am grateful for this scholarship because it will give me the financial opportunity to continue my education.
John Hewitt
Major: Pre-Med
Award: LaPorte/Thorson Scholarship in Physical Sciences
I am so grateful for the scholarship that you have offered me, I plan to eventually become a doctor and money has always been a concern in my education. The LaPorte/Thorson Scholarship in Physical Sciences has contributed to my lifelong dream and is something that I am very grateful for. This scholarship means so much to me and as I grow older, I hope to be in a situation where I can return the favor and donate money to the college as I understand how much it can help the situation of a college student. I am very grateful for your support, these scholarships are greatly motivating towards working hard and striving to make the most out of my education.
Kate Brown
Major: Fine Arts
Award: Sidney D. Siler Graduate Fellowship in Fine Arts
Until very recently, I believed a graduate degree in the arts may be outside of my reach. I’m a parent of two young children, with precious little time or space to dedicate myself to my practice. I didn’t have much belief in my chances while applying for graduate school. Washington State University was my top choice. I was thrilled to be admitted, and even more thrilled when I learned that an incredibly generous donor would make it possible for my family to have financial stability during my transition into graduate study. I’m eternally grateful to everyone who has supported me in my efforts. I’m determined to pay your generosity forward by continuing to improve my work and show up for the other artists around me. Thank you again for your support. Your investment in me will have an immeasurable impact on my studies.
Millea Rosario
Major: Linguistics
Award: Oscar and Muriel Holloway Ferrians Endowment in Foreign Languages and Literature
Your endowment is especially meaningful to me because of Muriel Holloway Ferrians’ background in foreign languages and education. Knowing that she dedicated her life to teaching and even helped establish a school is incredibly inspiring. I am currently pursuing a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, and I hope to follow a similar path by teaching English internationally, beginning in Japan. I am also planning to study abroad to strengthen my Japanese language skills and gain immersive cultural experience that will help me become a more effective and empathetic educator.
Nicholas Kessler
Major: Biological and Environmental Sciences
Award: Leo Millam Undergraduate Research Scholarship
This scholarship will support my undergraduate research examining how environmental change influences disease outcomes through changes in the gut microbiome. Specifically, I will investigate how salinity and diet alter beneficial gut bacteria and their production of short chain fatty acids, compounds linked to immune function and disease tolerance in wood frog tadpoles infected with Ranavirus. This award is important to me because it allows me to take ownership of a project from beginning to end. This opportunity will allow me to move beyond methodology and data wrangling and develop a deeper understanding of the biological systems involved.
Shae Ortega
Major: Political Science
Award: Charles H. Sheldon Graduate Fellowship
As a PhD student focusing on Comparative Politics and Policy, I am informed by deep Filipino narratives from my mother and a formative military background from my father, with family members serving in the U.S. and Philippine Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Beyond being a PhD student, I am also a single mother and a first-generation student. My research explores the intersection of Indigenous paradigms, peacebuilding through concepts of land stewardship and collaborative governance, law and policy. This fellowship allows me to balance these leadership roles, my community advocacy, life as a single parent, and my academic requirements. I wish to extend my deepest thanks for your investment in my education and for honoring Dr. Sheldon’s legacy through this fellowship. I am honored to represent the School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs as a Sheldon Fellow.
Tiera Miller
Major: Mathematics
Award: Bell Freshman Mathematics Scholarship
I come from a small town in Washington and my graduating class was one of the largest in recent years, a whole 9 graduates. Coming from such a small school I learned the importance of community early which is one of the main reasons I chose WSU. WSU has a great sense of community and provides support wherever they can. I am beyond grateful to receive this award and to feel the continued support of the WSU community. When they say it takes a community to raise a child they really aren’t kidding. However, it goes beyond just the young ages but onto becoming an adult. It’s through the support of people such as yourselves that my parents feel safe sending me out into the world on my own.
Along with living in a small town, I also grew up on a wheat farm. My dad owns and operates a wheat farm, and my mom is a paraprofessional at our local school. Through their hard work I have also learned hard work. With my dad growing his wheat farm, we are not in the financial situation where we wish to be with me going off to college. So, it has always been a goal for me to get enough scholarships that my parents don’t have to worry about how they will pay for my education. Once again thank you for giving me this opportunity to accomplish that goal.
Vince Shi
Major: Chemistry
Award: Neva Martin Abelson Graduate Fellowship
Receiving this graduate fellowship means a lot to me because my path to chemistry has not been easy. Although I was born in New York, I spent the first few years of my life in China because my parents worked long hours in the United States and did not have the financial stability to be able to raise a child on their own. When I returned to the United States for kindergarten, I spoke no English. My parents, who had not studied beyond elementary school, also worked twelve-hour shifts almost every day, so I learned by copying words from my library books daily until they started to make sense. At the time, I only saw my habits as simple persistence. I only knew that I had to keep on trying until something unfamiliar became familiar. That way of learning stayed with me through high school, through the long hours of helping at my family’s restaurant, and eventually through college, where I had built enough of a foundation and courage to pursue a degree in chemistry.