Denim dovetailed with glitz as outstanding undergraduates, graduate students, and club members in Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences were recognized during the 2025 CAHNRS Student Awards.
Held Thursday, April 3, at Ensminger Pavilion on the WSU Pullman campus, the “Denim & Diamonds” awards ceremony and banquet recognized 10 individual award winners, 19 scholars named outstanding seniors in their academic departments, and more than 30 nominees.
“It’s because of you that we get to celebrate,” said co-emcee Alex Watkinson, CAHNRS Student Senate Vice Chair and Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority member. “We would like to commend all of the nominees for their dedication, their drive, and their passion.”
“You should all feel proud of yourselves in this moment and beyond,” added emcee Emily Libey, a senior Human Development major, CAHNRS Student Senate, and CAHNRS Ambassador.
Participants wore denim clothing, with many adding sparkling accessories, in line with the gala theme.
Award winners and nominees include:
Cashup Davis Merit Awards
The two Cashup Davis Merit Awards, named for Palouse pioneer and innovator James S. “Cashup” Davis, honor outstanding CAHNRS undergraduates who demonstrate a balance between academic achievements, leadership, extracurricular activities, and engagement with communities locally and at WSU.
Cashup Davis Merit in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Award Recipient: Esther Grosz.
Nominees: Gusta Rose Beard, Miguel Fuentes, Samantha Gambonini, HarleyJo Holman, Avery Lyons, Gil Shatti, Natalie Valdez.
Cashup Davis Merit in Human Sciences Award Recipient: Hannah McCready.
Nominees: Luisa Cano, Beatriz Rowena Gonzales, Rachel Jones.
Emerging Leader Awards
The three Emerging Leader awards recognize outstanding second year or above, and/or transfer, undergraduate students in CAHNRS programs who display a balance between academic achievements, leadership, and activities.
Emerging Leader in Natural Sciences Award Recipient: Julia Buckley.
Emerging Leader in Agricultural Sciences Award Recipient: Lauren Crisostomo.
Nominees: Grace Dammen, Jasleen Dhaliwal, John Hookham, Reece Isaak, Aidan Touriel.
Emerging Leader in Human Sciences Award Recipient: Jennifer Morgan.
Nominees: Gracyn Cantrell, Isabella Jachymek, Maddie McNeil.
Graduating Research Awards
The two Graduating Research Awards go to students in ag and natural resource sciences or human science programs who show exceptional progression toward publishing and presenting research during their time as undergraduates.
Graduating Agricultural and Natural Sciences Research Award Recipient: Elizabeth Heilman.
Nominees: Cam Longwith, Steven Ward.
Graduating Human Sciences Research Award Recipient: Mackenzie Phelps.
Nominee: Kiah Conway.
Graduate Leadership Award
This award honors CAHNRS graduate students demonstrating leadership that positively impacted their unit, college, campus, or wider community. Graduate leaders make significant positive contributions to their programs, initiatives, and organizations.
CAHNRS Graduate Student Leadership Award Recipient: Gagandeep Kaur.
Nominees: Asif Mahmud Chowdhury, Martin Churuvija, Ninh Khuu, Sheera Manna, Rachel Potter, Sahil Thapa.
CAHNRS For All Awards
These awards recognize CAHNRS students who have shown leadership when it comes to building a sense of belonging within the college and the community.
Undergraduate CAHNRS For All Excellence Award Recipient: Miguel Fuentes.
Nominees: Daniel Arinez, Luisa Cano, Emily Currie, Joseph Reyes-Hernandez.
Graduate CAHNRS For All Excellence Award Recipient: Anaderi Iniguez.
Nominees: Gagandeep Kaur, Rachel Potter.
Superior Club
This award honors clubs carrying out activities that benefit their members academically and socially.
Superior Club Award Recipient: MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences); this club promotes academic and professional advancement for minorities in ag and connected fields.
Nominees: Ag Automation and Engineering Club; Environmental Science Club; Food Science Club; IFT College Bowl Club; Pre-Vet Club.
Outstanding Seniors
- Kimberly Baxley, Food Sciences
- Gusta Rose Beard, Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
- Gracyn Cantrell, Apparel Design
- Remy Cummings, Apparel Merchandising
- Ashley Dickerson, Economics Policy and Law
- Kamrynn Eddy, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Miguel Fuentes, Ag Technology and Production Management
- Samantha Gambonini, Ag Education
- Sarah Kovich, Ag Economics and Accounting
- Malachi Ledbetter, Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
- Emily Libey, Human Development
- Mackenzie Potter, Animal Sciences
- Cam Longwith, Environmental and Ecosystem Sciences
- Madison Shaw, Viticulture and Enology
- Samantha Schreier, Human Development
- Gil Shatti, Business Economics
- Ethan Stocknow, Economic Sciences
- Natalie Valdez, Landscape, Nursery, and Greenhouse Management
- Toby Watanabe, Apparel Design
View a photo album showing all award winners on the CAHNRS Flickr photo webpage.
Preparing tomorrow’s workforce
Students in CAHNRS help make a more resilient Washington and world. The college trains a more adaptable workforce, helps sustain our food supply and natural resources, and works for thriving families and communities. Learn more about our degrees and career programs at cahnrs.wsu.edu/academics.
About CAHNRS
The land-grant mission of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is made possible through the U.S. Hatch Act of 1887 and the U.S. Smith-Lever Act of 1914. Respectively, these Acts fund experiment stations and cooperative Extension efforts that aid Northwest growers, provide nutrition and health education, support rural businesses, enhance our environment, and much more. Hatch and Smith-Lever capacity funds drive our work for a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable Washington and are matched by state and local funds.