Just Reward
Outstanding Liberal Arts Graduates Honored with New Tradition

“Transferring to WSU was the best thing I have ever done.”
— Jordana Ross, Criminal Justice

OUTSTANDING GRADUATING seniors in the College of Liberal Arts were honored in 2003 with a new annual tradition, a pre-Commencement brunch. In previous years, only one graduating senior was honored as part of the liberal arts awards ceremony. “It just made sense that if each department and school had an outstanding student, that they should be recognized,” said Kay Glaser, in the liberal arts development and alumni relations office and the person who created and organized the brunch. “It’s a marvelous event,” adds Dean Barbara Couture. “It celebrates academic excellence. In addition, the family members and faculty members who have played an integral part in the student’s success get to celebrate the student’s achievement.” The college defines “outstanding graduating senior” as one who has excelled in academic performance and in service to the school or department and the University community. Chairs and faculty members select the graduating senior representing their area.

What some of our outstanding liberal arts graduates say about their Washington State University experience:

“The professors were very accessible, and it is easy to get one-on-one attention from many of them.”
— Todd Trembley (Philosophy)

“The hands-on learning that we get from the broadcast sequence, doing nightly newscasts from production and news, has been wonderful.”
— Nicholas Allard (Communication)

“I had the opportunity to work with one of the great minds in my field (Professor Frances McSweeney) while forming a close, interpersonal relationship with her.”
— Jeremiah Brown (Psychology)

“Professors are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Not only do they know you during class, they remember you and are always happy to help, even after you’ve taken their class.”
—Anna McAllister (English)

Each outstanding graduating senior was presented a medallion with the college logo and the inscription “College of Liberal Arts, Distinguished Achievement.” The back of the medallion reads “Outstanding Graduating Senior” and the student’s name, plus the year.

The 2003 College of Liberal Arts outstanding graduating seniors were:

Anthropology
Mary Conran

Comparative Ethnic Studies
Elizabeth Peña

Communication
Nicholas Allard

Criminal Justice
Jordana Ross

English
Anna McAllister

Fine Arts
Daniel Alley

Foreign Languages and Cultures
Marthe Schroeder

General Studies
Shelly Gilcrest

History
Diane Warner

Music and Theatre Arts
Sarah Wilson
Sophia Tegart

Philosophy
Todd Trembley

Political Science
Amanda Ulrich

Psychology
Jeremiah Brown

Sociology
Stephany Mitchell

Speech and Hearing Sciences
Amy Williams

Women’s Studies
Leah Nathan