2015 Scholarship and Awards Ceremony Recipients

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015, 3:10pm, Neill Hall 5W

Scholarships and awards are given each year to students with high academic achievement and are possible because of the generosity of our donors. We deeply appreciate the financial contributions from each donor. The history of each scholarship and its donor may be found on the department scholarships page.

We are honored to have donor Tom Eastep join the ceremony to speak about his WSU undergraduate experience and to meet this year's three recipients of the Tom and Tarry Eastep Scholarship; Nicole Peck, Lauren Schilb, and Sarah Peterson. Tom grew up in Colfax, Washington and attended WSU from 1963-1967. He and his wife Tarry were married in 1969 after he received his masters degree from the University of Washington. His career in the computer industry has spanned decades and involves working for Burrough Corporation, Tandem Computers, Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard (HP). He is currently a system software architect with HP and will retire in November of this year, but will continue to manage an Open Source software project he started in 1999. Tom and Tarry Eastep make their home in Shoreline, Washington.

Please read about our outstanding scholarship recipients for 2015 below. You may click on any photo on the right to view a larger image of the same photo.

Tyler Pratt received an Ames Family Scholarship in Mathematics

Tyler Pratt is a mathematics education major from Cheney, Washington. He is an active volunteer who has spent an hour each week cleaning up local areas for the past three years as a member of the adopt-a-block community project. He has also volunteered at the YMCA. As a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon he has served as an assistant scholarship chair coordinating daily study tables and group project work times for new members. He was recently elected president of the Kappa Delta Pi Education Fraternity. He is an active member of the Student Washington Education Association (SWEA), and has been selected to represent Washington State University as an orientation counselor. His goal is to become a math teacher and soccer coach while working on achieving national board certification.

Crystal Swanson received an Ames Family Scholarship in Mathematics

Crystal is a senior from Spokane, Washington and has been on the President's Honor Roll every semester since attending WSU. She is the recipient of a Henry T. Beuchel Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship from the WSU Economics Department, and a University Achievement Scholarship. During her senior year of high school she placed in the top ten for a community service project event at the International DECA competition. She currently represents the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) as a senator for the Associated Students of Washington State University. While attending school at WSU she also works part time at a local restaurant. She plans to pursue a career in actuarial science and would like to work in this field after graduation. Five years after graduation she hopes to have passed all of the actuarial exams.

Grace (Eleanor) Jones received a Bell Freshman Mathematics Scholarship Award

Grace is a mathematics major from Seattle, Washington and received the Boeing Outstanding Undergraduate Students in Science Scholarship last year, as well as a University Achievement Award. During her senior year of high school she received a Washington State Honors Award for being in the top 10% of her statewide class. She was one of six high school students to graduate with a 4.0 while taking honors and advanced placement courses. During high school she worked in a veterinary hospital and also worked at her church. As a member of her church youth group she planned and prepared food for an annual week-long retreat for 50-70 people for several years in a row, doing all of the cooking with just one other person. She plans on completing some of the actuarial tests before she graduates and hopes to work as an actuary in the Seattle, Washington area.

Sabrina Judson received a Bell Freshman Mathematics Scholarship Award

Sabrina is a freshman from Spokane, Washington and is the past recipient of a Visit WSU Award Scholarship, a Jeanne & David Scholarship, a Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a Leadership 1000 Scholarship, an NC Alumni Scholarship, and an Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Scholarship. In high school she was an intern at Whitworth University where she worked with university graduate students to research an enzyme capable of digesting gluten in the presence of stomach acid for celiac patients. She also worked in research in the North Central High School Genomics Student Led Research program. For the past three summers she has worked at Pigeon Hollow Farms. She volunteers for the Pre-Pharmacy blood drive, helps with the Chi Alpha flower sale at WSU's winter graduation and has volunteered at the Colfax Food Bank. She is actively involved in the Pre-Pharmacy Club, Chi Alpha, and is a fourth floor representative of the WSU Honor's Hall Government. Upon graduation she will pursue a pharmacy degree through the WSU Pharmacy School in Spokane.

Michael Newsham received a Bell Freshman Mathematics Scholarship Award

Michael is an upcoming junior majoring in mathematics from Eagle River, AK. As a freshman he was invited to the Freshman Scholars progression. He recently received 10 points on the Putnam Math Competition, placing him in the upper half of all participants. He has been elected vice president of the WSU Math Club for the 2015-2016 year, and served as president of the WSU French Club. He helped establish the French Club as an officially registered student organization by drafting its constitution and planning meetings. He is involved in the Catholic Newman Association and has also participated in intramural soccer while attending WSU. After graduation he plans to attend graduate school to obtain a doctorate in mathematics. He would like to pursue a career in cryptanalysis or possibly become a professor after finishing his studies.

Kate Lanzinger received a Paul and Marjorie Clement Memorial Mathematics Scholarship

Kate is a junior from Bellevue, Washington and is a past recipient of the Leona Metzger Endowed Scholarship and a WSU Regents Scholarship. In high school she started a tutoring program at Bellevue High School to help peers struggling in mathematics, which involved organizing a group of upper level students and setting up training sessions with teachers. She matched students, called academic coaches, with peers that were falling behind in classes. The academic coaches were able to strengthen their mathematics foundation through extra practice, and the students were able to have free one-on-one tutoring. She is a member of the WSU Women's Club lacrosse team and is captain for the 2015-2016 school year. She has been active in the Delta Gamma Sorority, Beta Omega chapter as Scholarship Chair, and has overseen all academics for the house during the past year. She recently joined the National Society of Leadership and Success on campus and works as Treasurer of the Sigma Alpha Pi chapter of this society. After graduation she plans to move back to Seattle and work with a software or technology firm.

Jarrick Wick received a Paul and Marjorie Clement Memorial Mathematics Scholarship

Jarrick is a junior majoring in mathematics from East Wenatchee, Washington. In high school he was recognized as being among the academic top ten students of his graduating class with a high cumulative GPA. While attending Wenatchee Valley College he received certificates of commodation for a 4.0 GPA and for making the President's List 7 of the 8 quarters, as well as making the Dean's list the remaining quarter. He was officially recognized by the National Merit Scholarship as a commended student, being just a few points shy of the cut-off for the semifinalists. He volunteers on a regular basis with his church youth group and has taken part in several United Way and Kiwanis sponsored activities. He has been a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and volunteered this school year with the WSU Women's Transit program. He joined the Adventist Christian Fellowship Club on campus, and takes part in their fall service day. At WSU he is a member of the Cougar Marching Band and has made himself a valuable part of the Women's Transit team.

Nicole Peck received a Tom and Tarry Eastep Scholarship

Nicole is a senior majoring in mathematics from Woodinville, Washington. Each year while attending WSU she has received a scholarship from the Honors College based on academic merit. She has also received the Cougar Achievement Award, and has been on the President's Honor Roll every semester at WSU. She has worked for the Womens Resource Center, and currently works at the Honors College as the Honors Development Coordinator. In addition to working part-time, she is a member of the WSU Cougar Marching Band. Upon graduation she would like to work for Boeing in mathematical analysis, but is also interested in nuclear power and might consider working for NASA or the government. Five years after graduation she sees herself working on her masters degree and then obtaining a PhD.

Sarah Peterson received a Tom and Tarry Eastep Scholarship

Lauren Schilb received a Tom and Tarry Eastep Scholarship

Lauren is a senior from Spokane, Washington who is majoring in mathematics. She is a recipient of a Cougar Commitment Scholarship and a University Achievement Scholarship. While attending WSU she works part-time as a desk assistant for the Department of Residence Life at WSU. She is a member of the Actuarial Science Club and would like to become an actuary. She has been an active participant in WSU intramural sports the past four years, playing in both co-ed basketball and co-ed softball. Before graduation she plans to take and pass the Probability Actuarial Exam. After graduation her main focus will be studying for the Financial Mathematics Actuarial Exam. She would like to obtain a position as an actuary and five years after graduation she would like to be an Associate of the Society of Actuaries.

Philip Behrend received a Marianne Hawley Fessler Endowment in Mathematics Award

Philip is a senior from Newport, Washington who is majoring in mathematics. He has received a Distinguished Regents Scholarship, an Auvil Fellowship granted for research endeavors, and is a Boeing Scholar. He has received a Wright Hearts in Motion Scholarship, a Charles Milham Award in Mathematics, a Bell Freshman Math Scholarship, an Alumni Leadership Award, a Swartz Memorial Scholarship, a Vanderford Foreign Languages Award, a WSU Buckley Honor Award, a Verne Lindsay Memorial Scholarship, and a Ponderay Newsprint Scholarship. He currently works on mathematical modeling as a research assistant with the Crowder Laboratory in the Entomology Department. Last summer he worked as a research intern at FSX Equipment performing mathematical analysis and chemical research. He is an ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences and is Vice President of Community Service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). Through the World Computer Exchange at WSU, Philip repairs donated computers for shipment to schools in Africa. He recently traveled to Guatemala to translate for a team of facial surgeons and dentists. Philip would like to pursue an advanced degree in Global Logistics to optimize waste management processes internationally.

Martijn Oostrom received a Marianne Hawley Fessler Endowment in Mathematics Award

Martijn is a senior majoring in mathematics from Richland, Washington. He is the past recipient of a National Merit Commended College Board Award, an Ellen Hauge Abelson Endowment Award, a Kiwanis Top Senior Award, the KNDU Best and Brightest Award, a Rotary Club Scholarship, a Top Senior Award from Hanford High School, has been a WSU Regent Scholarship recipient and was valedictorian of his high school graduating class. He has tutored math and chemistry for the Columbia Basin College branch of SSS/TRi0, has been a counselor at Camp Korey, is a chess tutor and judge, has taught basic chess strategy to elementary students, and also coaches roller skating. He has been a member of the Hanford High School branch of Key Club, and volunteered at a wide variety of events. He was a member of the Hanford High School Knowledge Bowl, Math Club, Science Bowl, Spanish Club,and National Honor Society. He is a member of the WSU Math Club and currently tutors in the Math Learning Center (MLC). After receiving his bachelor degree in mathematics, he plans to attend graduate school to obtain a PhD in mathematics.

Yan Zhao received a Marianne Hawley Fessler Endowment in Mathematics Award

Yan is a junior transfer student majoring in mathematics from Renton, Washington. He plans to attend graduate school after he completes his undergraduate degree and would like to teach at the college level or work for an international firm. He is interested in digital technology and sees his future involved in the technology industry.

Alden Bradford received a William and Mary Lynn Graber Mathematics Development Endowment Fund Award

Alden is a junior majoring in theoretical mathematics and general physics. His home town is Seattle, Washington. In September of 2013 he was elected president of the WSU Math Club, and was re-elected in 2014. During his three years at WSU he has maintained a GPA of 3.9 and has achieved the President's Honor Roll each semester. This spring he will be inducted into the honor society of Phi Beta Kappa. In 2014, he was one of only two WSU students to compete in the annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition. He currently works 10 hours a week tutoring WSU students in the Math Learning Center. After next year he plans to attend graduate school majoring in mathematics.

Katie Hayward received a William and Mary Lynn Graber Mathematics Development Endowment Fund Award

Katie is a senior majoring in mathematics and minoring in Spanish from Auburn, Washington. She is a past recipient of the WSU Regents Scholarship, a Boeing Outstanding Undergraduate Students in Science Scholarship, an Honors College Scholarship, a Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship, a Washington State PTA Scholarship, an Auburn Mountainview High School Booster Club Scholarship, an Auburn Rotary Club Scholarship, a Kenneth Vanderford Scholarship, a Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a Boeing Underrepresented Scholarship, a Mathematics Academics Award, and a Graber Math Endowment Award. She, along with two partners, had a research paper published in the spring 2014 edition of ASK (Arts, Science, Knowledge), the College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Journal. Last summer she spent time in Tegucigalpa, Honduras volunteering at an elementary school through the organization Orphan Outreach. She has been a camp counselor for Camp Auburn, and a camp counselor for her church's high school summer camp. At WSU she is a student leader for Campus Crusade for Christ, and leads a weekly dormitory Bible study. She is on track to receive her teaching certification in mathematics secondary education and plans to teach high school mathematics.

Michael Imboden received a William and Mary Lynn Graber Mathematics Development Endowment Fund Award

Michael is a mathematics major from Marysville, Washington. He is double minoring in statistics and business administration. He has been a recipient of a Veteran Resident Advisor of the Year Award, the Compton Union Building Assistant Coordinator of the Year award, a WSU Alumni Leadership Award, a Richard and Bonnie Winkwenwerder Mathematics Scholarship, a Tom and Tarry Eastep Scholarship in Mathematics, and an Ellen Hauge Abelson Endowed Scholarship Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. He has been on the Presidents Honor Roll each semester at WSU. He has been a former resident advisor at WSU, is involved in intramural sports, and works at the CUB supervising facility managers. Throughout high school and during university breaks he has helped elementary students struggling in math or English from his hometown. In 2012 he volunteered to help demolish an old Pullman building for spare materials for a local church. He is an officer of the Actuarial Science Club and has helped plan company visits and resume workshops. After graduation he would like to work in the Seattle or Bellevue area. He hopes to pass all actuarial exams and achieve the credentials to become a “Fellow Actuary.”

Annalise Miller received a William and Mary Lynn Graber Mathematics Development Endowment Fund Award

Annalise is a senior majoring in mathematics and entrepreneurship. She is the past recipient of the Highline College Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Boeing Endowed Scholarship for Underrepresented Undergraduates in the Sciences, and has been a WSU Distinguished Regents Scholar and on the President’s Honor Roll throughout her time at WSU. She has been actively involved with the International Development Club (IDC), serving as secretary and web designer. She competed in the 2014 Thought for Food Global Challenge, and placed second in the 2015 WSU Global Case Competition. She works as an undergraduate teaching assistant for linear algebra and in the Math Learning Center. She would like to work for a company such as Compatible Technology International to research and develop tools for crop processing and packaging, food storage and transportation and water purification. She hopes to travel with her work and teach locals how to integrate such improvements into their existing practices. Eventually she would like to launch a Washington based company focused on minmizing waste while optimizing processes used in agriculture and water purification.

Kayla Leinweber received a William and Mary Lynn Graber Mathematics Development Endowment Fund Award

Kayla is a senior majoring in mathematics from Walla Walla, Washington. She has received a WSU Silver Regents Award, a Trippeer Scholarship Award, a Washington State School Retirees Association Scholarship Award, a WSU Math Scholarship Award, and an Alpha Delta Pi Chapter Scholarship Award. She currently works as a math tutuor in the WSU Athletic Department and as a part-time nanny. She has been the scholarship chair, music chair, finance assistant and membership education vice president for the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She teaches a pre-school Sunday school class in Pullman and volunteers for the Family Promise in Palouse. She has made three volunteer visits to the Yakama Indian Reservation during which time she helped re-roof a house, paint a home, and run a childrens camp for the community children. She has also been a Read for Life tutor helping children improve their reading skills. She loves mathematics and plans to teach middle school math.

Kayla Rhodes received the Julie Kerr Scholarship in Mathematics

Kayla is a sophomore majoring in mathematics. She has been on the President's Honor roll, has received a Regents Scholarship, an Honors College Scholarship, a Henry Neusse Scholarship, the Federal Way Lion's Club Scholarship and a Harold Curtis Scholarship. She is an undergraduate teaching assistant tutoring in the Math Learning Center and also helps grade worksheets. She volunteers as an Honors College mentor to freshmen which involves writing to them, hosting them for Honors Orientation, taking them to University Convocation and staying in touch with them regarding Honors College activities. She is vice president of the WSU Math Club and helps run meetings and events for the club. She has been a member of the Honors College Student Advisory Council. She would like a job that incorporates both math and computer science, and is considering programming.

Laura Hester received the Knebelman Memorial Scholarship

Laura is a sophomore majoring in mathematics. She is the past recipient of a Michael and Elaine Bair Endowed Scholarship, a Bell Freshman Mathematics Scholarship, a Silver Regents Scholarship, and a scholarship from the Leavenworth Lions Club. At the end of her senior year in high school she received the Washington State Top GPA Award for being in the top 10% of Washington's graduating senior students. During the summers and winter breaks she works at Kris Kringl, a Leavenworth business. In Pullman she volunteers at an elementary school to meet with students after class for math club. She has volunteered with the Leavenworth Softball for Girls helping with softball camps. During spring break she works with the Leavenworth high school varsity softball team as an assistant coach. She is vice president and a coach of the WSU Fastpitch Softball Club. After graduation she plans on obtaining a masters degree in education to teach secondary mathematics.

Steven Andrews received the Knebelman Outstanding Senior Award

As the recipient of the Knebelman Outstanding Senior Award Steven is an exceptional student who has excelled his entire academic career. By the time he finished high school he had accumulated 30 college credits through AP courses (AP Scholar with Distinction) and received the "Top 5% Graduate" and "Math" senior award. During his WSU career he has maintained a 4.0 GPA and previously received the Robert & Maxine Mcauley Scholarship, and the General John F. Kinney Memorial Scholarship in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Along with his studies he volunteers his time providing free tutoring in a variety of math and statistics courses. During his spare time he enjoys spending time outdoors. He has been on backpacking trips in Hell's Canyon and the Pacific Crest Trail that have lasted up to 6 days. He also enjoys water and snow skiing, camping, mountain biking, and playing sports; particularly ultimate frisbee and soccer. After graduation, his goal is to pass Exam P for the Society of Actuaries and obtain a position in actuarial science within the Pacific Northwest.

Kiah Rose received the Charles "Chuck" Millham Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics

Kiah is a senior majoring in mathematics from Sedro-Woolley, Washington. She is the recipient of a Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a Robert J. Handy Memorial Scholarship, a Washington State University Achievement Award, a Knebelman Memorial Scholarship, a Soroptimist Club Scholarship, and is a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. During the summer and university breaks she works as a sales associate at a produce stand in her hometown. She has volunteered at the Pullman Learning Center, helped out at WSU's Up All Night, collected canned food for the Pullman Cares Food Drive, and helped out at the Student Washington Education Association (SWEA) book fair. At WSU she is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), a member of the Student Washington Education Association (SWEA), and a member of the International Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi. She would like to teach math in a middle school or high school and obtain a masters degree in education.

Gabriel Anderson received a Robert and Nancy Strong Scholarship in Mathematics

Gabriel is a junior majoring in mathematics from Walla Walla, Washington. He has received a University Achievement Waiver, a Harold Curtis Civil Engineering Scholarship, a Des Voignes Music Scholarship, a David West Music Scholarship, a Mark Davis Memorial Music Scholarship, and a Robert and Nancy Strong Mathematics Scholarship. He has volunteered his help in after school programs and taught private math lessons. As a music minor he has been involved in a WSU Opera Workshop, has been in the WSU Concert Choir, and has been a member of the WSU Jazz Band II and the WSU Symphonic Band. After graduation he plans on teaching high school mathematics. He would like to obtain a masters degree in teaching and teach as long as possibe.

Micah Jenkins received a Robert and Nancy Strong Scholarship in Mathematics

Micah is a senior majoring in mathematics and computer science from Castle Rock, Washington. She has received a WSU Academic Achievement Award, been on the President's Honor Roll and been a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. While attending WSU she has worked at WSU Dining Services. She is a tutor for WSU Athletics tutoring math, music and American Sign Language. She has volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and is active in her church. She has volunteered for Read For Life tutoring elementary and middle school children in all subjects. She observed and helped students in a Pullman high school algebra II class last spring. She has helped teach junior high and senior high students math. She assisted with and taught several Inland Northwest Mathematical Experience (INME) lessons to middle school students about speed, time, velocity and displacement through the use of motion detectors during the annual fall INME event. She plans to attend graduate school to obtain a PhD in mathematics, and would like to teach at a university.

Danielle White received the J. Russell and Mildred H. Vatnsdal Memorial Scholarship

Danielle is a junior majoring in mathematics. She has received a SEOG Metzger Award, a Leona M. Endowment Award, a Credit Union Scholarship, and a Cougar Academic Waiver. She spent a recent summer working for Polaris Automation as an engineering intern. In her first two years at WSU she took ballet classes at the Student Recreation Center. After graduation, she plans on teaching mathematics or working in industry.

Silvia Madrid received a Sidney G. Hacker Graduate Research Award

Silvia Madrid earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, and her master’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Arizona. As a graduate student there, she worked on and coauthored a paper on the numerical evaluation of the Evans function. Through her four years experience as a mathematics instructor at Washington State University she has become drawn to mathematics education research. Silvia collaborated on a published study on students’ persistent errors in working with the negative sign and exponential expressions, which led her to pursue a PhD in mathematics (teaching emphasis) at Washington State University. Silvia is currently working with Dr. Sandra Cooper on a research project involving a course redesign for an entry-level mathematics course, which she hopes will provide insights into how to improve mathematics instruction at that level. After earning her PhD, Silvia plans to continue research in mathematics education, and teach mathematics at the college level.

Jillian Glassett received a Sidney G. Hacker Graduate Teaching Award

Jillian Glassett is originally from Ramona, CA, a small town in San Diego County. She went to college at California State University Channel Islands, which is located in Camarillo, CA (between LA and Santa Barbara). She graduated from CSU Channel Islands with a double major in applied physics and mathematics in four years as a presidential scholar with summa cum laude honors. She is currently completing her first year as a graduate student in the WSU Mathematics Department, pursuing a PhD in mathematics, as well as finishing her first year as a TA for Calculus 1 (Math 171). She is interested in research in linear algebra and/or discrete mathematics, such as graph theory or combinatorics. Her future goal is to go into academia to teach mathematics as well as conduct research with graduate and undergraduate students. She says, "I want to show students how mathematics is so much more than what has been shown to them in their classes."

Ben Rapone received a Sidney G. Hacker Mathematics Graduate Teaching Award

Ben Rapone received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from California State University San Marcos, and his masters degree in mathematics from San Diego State University during which time he was a TA and taught at South Western Community College in Chula Vista. He returned to school to pursue a doctoral degree in mathematics with the ideal plan of teaching mathematics at the 4-year level while consulting for industry and conducting research intermittently. He is currently conducting research at the face of optimization and topology with Dr. Bala Krishnamoorthy while maintaining a cumulative gpa of 4.0. From the moment he stepped into a classroom as an instructor at CSUSM, he knew immediately that he had fallen in love with teaching. Ben says, "There is just something so supremely satisfying about watching a room full of students suddenly understand mathematics, as if the entire world suddenly made sense in a flash of a moment. If you can accomplish this feat frequently enough you will begin to see a hunger for truth and understanding in the eyes of your students. Producing that hunger is the goal for every class I teach."

Patrick Torres received a Nancy J. Robertson Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Mathematics

Patrick Torres was born and raised on the tropical island of Saipan before moving to Seattle in 2000 where he lived for 13 years. While in Seattle, he spent three years as a math instructor, tutor, and mentor at South Seattle College. He is now a second year graduate student pursuing a PhD in Applied Mathematics under the supervision of Dr. Michael Tsatsomeros. His research interests include matrix analysis, dynamical systems, and partial differential equations. His current research emphasis is on convex sets of P-matrices and the stability of matrices of this type. He is last year's recipient of the Nancy J. Robertson Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Mathematics, and says, "I am honored to receive this award for a second straight year." Since last August, he has been a peer mentor for the first year graduate teaching assistants for Calculus 1 (Math 171). He is very passionate about teaching math and tells students that, "Being inferior to math is normal, but if you study hard, ask for help, and don't give up, you will be successful." His future plan is to teach math at the university level and to continue his quest for knowledge through mathematical research.