WWU names seven Presidential Scholars

Written by Kira Cox | The Bellingham Herald | June 24, 2009

Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard recently honored seven graduates as Presidential Scholars.

The award honors top students from seven colleges at hte university. The awards were created by former president Karen Morse in 2000.

This year’s winners are:

Paula Berg, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and a 3.93 GPA. During her time in school, Berg volunteered with several community organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwest and the Mother Baby Center.

Christina Mae Berger, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with an acting and direction concentration and Psychology minor. During her time at WWU, Berger participated in several productions, including “Dog Sees God” and “Nine Parts of Desire.” She will remain at WWU to complete a post-baccalaureate major in Psychology and minor in Athropology.

Forrest Copeland, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, is also the Oustanding Graduate for the program. He helped launch WWU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders and assisted with a Mayan community in Guatamela managing a water pollution problem.

Holly Faulstich, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a 3.97 GPA. She presented her research on rare plant community biodiversity at the Ecological Society of America in 2008 and was offered a position as a graduate student at Brown University because of it. She was also one of two students selected to be part of the Polaris Project, a field course and research experience for undergraduates in the Siberian Arctic.

Ra’Jeanna Ann Foxx, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education and a certification in both P-12 special eduducation and K-8 general studies. Foxx spent some of her college career interning with programs around the state and was selected to present her research at the national conference for the Council for Exceptional children.  This fall she will start working as a special education teacher at Kilo Middlel School in the Federal Way School District.

Gina Kim, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in both Sociology and Political Science, is also the Oustanding Graduate in Sociology. She has worked with national programs Norm Mineta Intership Immersion Program and the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program. She’ll be spending the next year as an Emerson Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center.

Sharde Mills, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities-History of Culture, was also named the Oustanding Graduate in Liberal Studies. Mills is the leader of the Mixed Identity Student Organization and also participated in the “Naked Truth Monologues.”