Fine Arts – Outstanding Senior 2020

Clubs, Organizations, Leadership, and Service

• Residence Hall Association Representative
• Director’s Special Projects Team, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art: Worked with Director Robin Held on development of new Collections Study Center.

Internships and Employment

• WSU School of Design and Construction – Clerical Assistant
• Commencement Assistant
• Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art internship: Hands-on experience with handling and framing art; researching and curating exhibits; and installation and deinstallation of exhibits.
• Girl Scouts of Western Washington – Membership Intern

Undergraduate Research

• Art History Thesis: Karl May and the Representations of Native Americans in Museums in the United States and Germany. Focus on the 19^th-century German writer Karl May, whose still-popular novels portray an imaginary world of a fictional Apache Chief and his German immigrant blood brother.

Two trips to Germany in 2019, set the stage for Eleanor’s research where she compares and contrasts the romanticized view of historic Native American culture at the Karl May Museum in Dresden, Saxony, with contemporary Northwest museum installations at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington and the Suquamish Tribal Museum in Suquamish, Washington. The latter two’s programmatic missions are to engage and partner with tribal communities concerning the narrative and display of Native North American material culture.

Education Abroad

• Berlin, Germany: Faculty-led program on the History of German Culture

Awards & Recognition

• 2020 College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Senior in Fine Arts

Faculty Comments

“Ellie shows a critical commitment to her studies, which in turn mirrors her overall stature in the Fine Arts department as one of our most dedicated and accomplished students. My colleagues in the department acknowledge that she is devoted to her studies, while managing competently her other academic responsibilities in other departments throughout the college. In short, she is one of our shining stars whose future at the next academic level appears confidently assured.”  –Dr. Michael Holloman

“What makes Ellie an outstanding student is her commitment to learning and her perseverance. In my classes, Ellie demonstrated a broad range of interests and boundless curiosity. She often took the lead in asking questions that advanced students’ engagement with the course material. She frequently visited me during my office hours to further her understanding of an issue raised in the course readings. I have rarely encountered such a committed student in my 16 years of teaching at WSU.”  –Dr. Marianne Kinkel, associate professor, Department of Fine Arts

Personal Statement

In my time at WSU, I’ve been able to meet and work with so many amazing people, students and professors alike. My four years here have allowed me to grow into a better and more well-rounded person than I was when I came here, and I will always be so thankful to WSU and the amazing people here for making my experience unforgettable. I’ll always be a proud Coug!

Honored Faculty and Mentors

• Michael Holloman, associate professor, Department of Fine Arts
• Joshua Bonzo, clinical associate professor, School of Languages, Cultures, and Race

Future Plans

Eleanor will continue to work in the School of Design and Construction and is considering graduate school to earn a master’s degree in museum studies. She hopes to work in an art museum as a collections and conservation manager.