By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� student Savanna Navarro Kresse was honored this month with a national award for her work in increasing student democratic engagement on campus and in the regional Tri-Cities community.

Kresse earned an 鈥淗onor Role鈥� award through the program, where she was invited to be honored in Washington, D.C. She was selected as one of 10 students for the category, which specifically recognizes student leadership in helping college students to improve nonpartisan civic learning, political engagement and voter participation.

Kresse, vice president for the Associated Students of 黑料社 Tri-Cities and a senior history major, was instrumental in bringing a ballot drop box to campus in partnership with the . She has also led a series of events geared toward getting students registered to vote, in addition to partnering with her fellow student government peers to hold voting celebration days on campus.

She worked with Bob Ferguson鈥檚 office to host a presentation on DACA and immigration regulations last academic year. She helped organize a city council debate prior to the mid-term election last year. She also brought the Association of Women Voters to campus for an event pertaining to voter registration.

Kresse is active in discussions about the Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which prevents discrimination based on sex in educational programs. She previously represented the Washington Student Association on a state-wide taskforce on the federal legislation civil rights law. She also completed a political science project, examining the law, as well as how to better handle issues pertaining to discrimination, which she presented at the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition.

Kresse is passionate about providing access to civil discussions and participation, and additionally has worked with her student peers to organize female mentor panels to shed light on women鈥檚 issues in the workplace, organized initiatives to increase student access to food in light of food insecurity on college campuses, and more.

Earlier this year, Kresse was honored with 黑料社鈥檚 MLK Distinguished Service Award for her commitment in educating others about human rights, social justice and for putting her own foot forward to make a difference in her local community.

Chris Meiers, Vice Chancellor for student affairs, said Kresse continually takes a leadership role in making sure all students have the access and resources they need to be successful, and is a champion for student and individual success.

鈥淗er leadership and passion for providing access in positive change is evident to everyone around her,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are incredibly proud of the work she continues to display at 黑料社 Tri-Cities and her local community. She is an inspiration to her fellow students and has created many lasting legacies at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.鈥�

Kresse said she wasn鈥檛 expecting the honor or knew that she was even nominated for the award, initially. When asked why she gives back to her community, she said that she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her fellow students.

鈥淥ften times we tend to think that the system is too big, and we are too small,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut when we recognize our ability to make positive change through relationship building and a spirit of willingness, nothing can hold us back.鈥�

Kresse is a first-generation student, mother four and a former seasonal field worker. She continually uses her background as inspiration for overcoming barriers for education where she aims to grow resources available to those from all backgrounds.

 

Media contacts:

Savanna Kresse, 黑料社 Tri-Cities senior undergraduate history major and vice president of AS黑料社TC, savanna.kresse@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – Three individuals were honored this year as 2019 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction for their notable contributions to the campus and community through service, teaching and/or involvement.

The 2019聽黑料社 Tri-Cities聽Women of Distinction recipients were recognized this fall as part of a ceremony at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 黑料社 Wine Science Center.

A huge congratulations goes out to these fantastic individuals who have given greatly to 黑料社 Tri-Cities, its students and their community!

Tanya Cheeke 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant professor of biological sciences

Tanya Cheeke is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at聽黑料社 Tri-Cities聽where she studies using symbiotic fungi to help native plants get re-established in disturbed landscapes. Her work has the capacity to repopulate native plant environments, especially after incidents of natural disasters such as wildfires. Tanya is the recipient of thousands of dollars in research grants and formerly was honored as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, Carl Tryggers Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results Fellow, as well as a visiting scholar at Indiana University. In addition to her research, Tanya works extensively to mentor students in the biological sciences program. She mentors students who were selected for the Chancellor鈥檚 Summer Scholars Program, in addition to regularly mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in her lab throughout the school year.

Bernadette “Bernie” Gagnier 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities wine science student

Bernie currently studies integrated plant sciences with an emphasis in viticulture and enology at聽黑料社 Tri-Cities聽where she plans to graduate May 2020. She served for nearly five years in the聽 Marine Corps. As a student veteran at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, Bernie led the effort in partnering with聽Bombing Range Brewing Company聽to initiate a partnership with the Patriots鈥� Club and Veterans Center at 黑料社 Tri-Cities to provide hands-on opportunities for student veterans in beermaking, which also led to the organization donating more than $2,000 back to student veteran-related services. She serves as a tasting room attendant and participates in local events and limited production at聽Kiona Vineyards and Winery. Additionally, she works at the 黑料社 Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, where she works with associate professor Michelle Moyer on nematicide efficacy evaluation, nematode management and rootstock evaluations as it pertains to wine grapes and vineyards.

Dashia Hopp 鈥� Co-owner of Bombing Range Brewing Company

Dashia and her husband started聽Bombing Range Brewing Company聽in 2017, paying tribute to the Hanford Site and those who have served in the Armed Forces. Shortly afterward, they were approached by the 黑料社 Tri-Cities聽Patriots’ Club聽and Veterans Center, asking if they would like to partner with the organizations for a unique opportunity that would allow student veterans to partake in the beer brewing process, but also as a means to give back to student veterans. The effort has led to the release of two “GIPA” beers that sold out within the first two weeks of release, a visit from former U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the donation of more than $2,000 to support student veterans at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. A few months ago, she and her husband opened a restaurant called 鈥淭he Dive Restaurant and Bar鈥� in Richland near their Bombing Range Brewing Company location. She and her husband also earned the 鈥�2017 Entrepreneur of the Year鈥� award through the Richland Rotary Club, and were nominated this month for the 鈥淓xcellence in Customer Service Award鈥� by Visit聽Tri-Cities.

For more information about the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction program, visit tricities.wsu.edu/women-of-distinction.

By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� A curiosity for the world and the yearning to know how it works.

It is what brought Allan Felsot to the world of science and it is what inspired in him an interest and passion for teaching and academia at the college level. He brings this passion to his students, which is what has led to Felsot earning a regional teaching award.

Felsot, the academic director for the math and science sector of the College of Arts and Sciences at Washington State University Tri-Cities and professor of entomology, was recently announced as the recipient of the pacific branch of the 鈥檚 award for excellence in teaching.

The award honors educators at the university or community college level who have excelled through innovations in developing new courses, programs and teaching methods in the field of entomology and the sciences. The regional award covers the region of 11 western states, seven U.S. territories, five Canadian provinces and four states in Mexico. After winning the regional award, Felsot is now up for the national award, of which will be announced at the society鈥檚 annual meeting in St. Louis this November.

Skeptical inquiry teaching philosophy

In his classes, Felsot approaches every lecture with an approach he regards as skeptical inquiry. He said the approach comes from the Greek noun 鈥渟kepsis,鈥� which means consideration, inquiry and examination.

鈥淚t is about asking questions, questioning authority, but seeking answers or the truth,鈥� he said. 鈥淭o doubt, but then to find out what the truth is. I want students to be skeptical in that sense. Part of being skeptical is developing a sense of curiosity. My idea is that if they develop a sense of curiosity, they will develop something they are passionate about, which will lead to other areas of interest.鈥�

In his courses, he brings recent news articles and headlines into the discussion, providing relevance to what the students are learning about.

鈥淭he principles they are learning about do relate to something in the real world,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat they are doing does matter in society. I hope it also brings about a sense of civic responsibility.鈥�

Mentorship and a passion for learning

Over his 26 years at 黑料社, Felsot has mentored more than 50 master鈥檚 and doctoral students. He has also been instrumental in developing new courses at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, as well as several for the 黑料社 Global campus. His research throughout his career at 黑料社 has focused on environmental toxicology and risk assessment of pesticides. Prior to coming to 黑料社, he worked as a project leader for pesticide chemistry and toxicology research at the University of Illinois.

At 黑料社, he teaches courses across 黑料社鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences and College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, ranging from general entomology, to integrated pest management, to pesticide toxicology, to insect and plant physiology. Teaching a range of diverse courses, he said, encourages his own love for learning. His own love for the learning process inspires his students, as well as fellow faculty members.

鈥淚f you were to ask me to name an instructor that has had one of the greatest impacts in my entire academic a career, I would answer Dr. Allan S. Felsot,鈥� said alumna Yessica Carnley. 鈥淭he dedication and commitment that he has to his students and to the proliferation of knowledge is one that is rarely encountered. One of the greatest lessons I learned in his courses was to question everything and to answer your own questions through proper research and testing, if possible.鈥�

Kate McAteer, 黑料社 Tri-Cities interim vice chancellor of academic affairs, said having a dynamic and engaging instructor like Allan in the lab gives students the opportunity to explore and understand concepts and develop a love of science.

鈥淎s students have often remarked, 鈥楬ow could you not think science is fascinating when Dr. Felsot teaches it?鈥欌�� she said.

Academic contributions outside the classroom

Outside of his teaching, Felsot provides dozens of lectures for workshops and programs each year. He also develops insect biology youth workshops for middle school students through 黑料社鈥檚 GEAR UP programs, which helps prepare students for college, and 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� STEM summer camps, in addition to formerly through the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement program (MESA).

鈥淧rofessor Felsot is a well-recognized member of the Tri-Cities community,鈥� McAteer said. 鈥淗is talk on insects and bugs is undoubtedly the highlight of the campus tour for many middle school children every year and for those students that attend the STEM summer camps.鈥�

Felsot will accept his regional award from the Entomology Society of America during an awards luncheon in San Diego, California, on April 2.

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Washington State University Tri-Cities will honor 12 individuals as part of its 2018 Women of Distinction class during a gallery exhibition opening and reception at 4 p.m. on April 20 in the Consolidated Information Center Art Gallery on campus.

The 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction program recognizes female students, staff, faculty, alumnae and community members who have made notable contributions to the campus and their community through service, teaching or involvement.

鈥淚t is our honor and privilege to recognize exceptional female leaders, mentors and overall professionals that have given back to the university and their communities,鈥� said Chris Meiers, 黑料社 Tri-Cities vice chancellor of student affairs. 鈥淭hese are individuals who have improved access to educational opportunities, created pathways for others to be successful and generally provided incredible support to the next generation of leaders.鈥�

Those being honored as the 黑料社 Tri-Cities 2018 Women of Distinction class include:

• LoAnn Ayers 鈥� United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties president and CEO
• Eadie Balint 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities professional development and community education coordinator
• Diahann Howard 鈥� Port of Benton director of economic development and governmental affairs and Tri-Cities Research District executive director
• Savanna Kresse 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities junior studying history and pre-law
• Kate McAteer 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant vice chancellor of academic affairs
• Mysti Meiers 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities senior academic advisor
• Judy Morrison 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities academic director for the College of Education and associate professor of education
• Maegan Murray 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator
• Sarah Newcomer 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant professor of education
• Darlene Scrivner 鈥� Columbia Basin College special assistant to the president
• Karen Sinclair 鈥� Mission Support Alliance project manager
• Dani Young 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities junior studying civil engineering

After the ceremony on April 20, all photos and biographies of the award recipients will be on display in the East Building hallway next to The Bookie, 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� student bookstore.

The honorees will also be highlighted on the 黑料社 Tri-Cities Women of Distinction website at /women-of-distinction/.

 

Contact:

Danielle Kleist, 黑料社 Tri-Cities specialist assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs, 509-372-7104, danielle.kleist@wsu.edu