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

鈥淭his is a way to honor our female leaders within the 黑料社 Tri-Cities community who have gone above and beyond to improve access to educational opportunities, driven momentous initiatives within their respective professions and have given generously of their free time in dedication to service and volunteerism,鈥� said Chris Meiers, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student services.

Those being honored as 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� 2017 Women of Distinction include:

• Amber Eubanks 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities community engagement specialist
• Anna King – news correspondent for the Northwest News Network and Northwest Public Radio
• Cindy Bruckner-Lea – project manager at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Dana Parmenter 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities junior in digital technology and culture
• Elizabeth Hernandez-Osorio 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities master鈥檚 student in educational leadership
• Jana Kay Lunstad 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities academic affairs coordinator
• Katherine Banks – 黑料社 Tri-Cities instructor of political science in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs
• Kay Olson – 黑料社 Tri-Cities clinical nursing instructor
• Lisa Godwin – executive director of Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity
• Lura Powell 鈥� chair of the 黑料社 Board of Regents
• Michele Acker-Hocevar – 黑料社 Tri-Cities interim vice chancellor of academic affairs
• Selene Torres-Medrano 鈥� 黑料社 Tri-Cities senior in biological sciences
• Shawnta DiFalco 鈥� commanding officer in the Washington National Guard and secondary school聽administrator

Photos of the Women of Distinction and their biographies will be on display in the hallway nearest The Bookie, 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� student bookstore, through May 12.

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The award is given out each year to individuals or groups within the 聽Washington State University community who聽have demonstrated altruism, community service, efforts to advance diversity, and an educational commitment to inclusion.

Recipients this year are Computer Science Professor Behrooz Shirazi, Academic Success and Career Center Assistant Director Sharon Ericsson, 黑料社 Tri-Cities graduate student Brent Ellis, the 黑料社 Crimson Group, and Family Promise of the Palouse.

Shirazi

Since arriving at 黑料社 in 2005, Shirazi has been instrumental in building a diverse, world-class faculty in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), one of 黑料社鈥檚 most rapidly growing areas. The Huie-Rogers chair professor stepped down in December 2016 as the director of EECS to lead the School鈥檚 new Community Health Analytics Initiative (CHAI). His many accomplishments include helping EECS鈥檚 Power Engineering Program become recognized as one of the top three programs in the world. He provided leadership for the development of a new software engineering program and the creation of new graduate degree programs to better meet industry needs. In his department, he is known for his outstanding leadership, mentoring, and for taking special interest in his faculty, staff and students. Nominator Barbara Lyon, an EECS fiscal specialist, said he has fostered an environment in which diverse people thrive and feel highly valued. 鈥淗e has gained the respect of his colleagues and peers for his exemplary character, integrity, as well as his honesty and ethical stance,鈥� she said.

Ericsson

Through Ericsson鈥檚 work with College Success Foundation students and Passport Scholars, she advanced diversity in powerful ways by making 黑料社 a welcoming place for students traditionally excluded from higher education. She specializes in helping first generation, low-income, and foster care students, often serving as one of their initial contacts when they arrive on campus. Nominator Karen Weathermon, director of First-Year Programs, has observed the difference Ericsson鈥檚 hands-on mentoring makes in the success of these students. 鈥淭hey graduate from 黑料社 despite some very significant personal challenges,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a testimony to Sharon鈥檚 unwavering and active encouragement, connecting them to resources and mentors, and encouraging them to see their potential in new ways.鈥�

Ellis

After violence forced him to flee his home country of Burma and spending years in a refugee camp in Thailand, Ma Thu Sha La has been building a new life in Tri-Cities, Wash. Since 2011 he had been living in a cramped apartment with his wife and three children. Thanks to Ellis and Habitat for Humanity, his family now has a home they can call their own. Ellis served as project leader for the construction of the home, otherwise known as 鈥淐oug House鈥�.聽 His group of 黑料社 faculty, staff and alumni collectively donated over 1,250 hours to the project.

Crimson Group

Crimson Group provides a peer network for its members and promotes higher education to undocumented communities on and off campus. It hosted the inaugural UndocuQueer Conference in the fall and reaches out to hundreds of undocumented high school students across the state.

Family Promise of the Palouse

Family Promise of the Palouse鈥檚 motto is 鈥渆nding homelessness on the Palouse, one family at a time鈥�. By coordinating the resources of 27 congregations of various faiths, they provide temporary housing, meals, transportation and daycare for those in need. Since it was established two-and-a-half years ago, it has assisted 34 families.

The awards will be presented during the 30^th Annual MLK Community Celebration, a free event open to the public. Charlene Carruthers, a community organizer, writer, and advocate for social justice and feminism, will give the keynote address. To learn more about Carruthers and all 黑料社 events planned in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr.鈥檚 birthday, visit mlk.wsu.edu.

Contact:

Maria de Jesus Dixon, 黑料社 Culture and Heritage Houses Manager, 509-338-9209, mdj.dixon@wsu.edu

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鈥淗e was friendly and well-mannered but living pretty far away from civilization,鈥� said Iverson, a Washington State University nursing student. 鈥淲e were at least 10 miles upriver from West Richland. That is a long walk to town.鈥�

She and her father found that Brett had lost a good job before becoming homeless. She immediately felt a desire to assist him.

鈥淎s a nursing student, we learn empathy and altruism. I couldn鈥檛 just walk away without helping,鈥� Iverson said.

She and her father provided Brett with a warm jacket, sleeping bag, cleaning and hygiene supplies and more. She mentioned his needs to her nursing class and the students were happy to help.

鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of my classmates,鈥� Iverson said. 鈥淭he students at the nursing school took up a collection of clothing, food and supplies for Brett.鈥�

She and her father check on Brett every few days.

鈥淗e mostly stays in West Richland,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e talked to him about going to the mission in Pasco, but he is uncomfortable with that right now. We can tell he has had a hard time and we want to support his well-being and safety.

鈥淚 try to keep in mind that one kind gesture done for someone else can make a huge difference in their life, whether it鈥檚 a simple smile to show you care or offering someone something they need at that time,鈥� she said.

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