More than 50 students in Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) were recognized March 30, 2023, during an evening awards ceremony and banquet at Ensminger Pavilion in Pullman, Washington. “A Night in Hollywood” was the evening’s theme, with a popcorn machine and red-carpet photo booth adding to the fun.
After a brief welcome from Associate Dean of CAHNRS Academic Programs Nancy Deringer, the award ceremony began with the help of announcers Grant Irey, CAHNRS student ambassador secretary, and Sandra Crook, CAHNRS student senate chair.
The award descriptions, winners, and nominees are listed below:
Cashup Davis Merit in Human Sciences Award / Cashup Davis Merit in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Award
Named for James “Cashup” Davis, an adventurous innovator who immigrated to the Palouse from England and built a hotel atop nearby Steptoe Butte, these awards honor Gordon Davis, Cashup’s great-grandson. A CAHNRS alumnus and philanthropist who has been recognized as an “Honored Alumni and Friend,” Gordon Davis has generously endowed the college’s deanship.
These awards — one for a student majoring in human sciences programs, and one for a student majoring in agricultural and natural resources-focused programs — are given to outstanding CAHNRS undergraduates who have demonstrated a good balance between academic achievements, leadership, extracurricular activities, and engagement within communities at WSU or locally.
- Merit in Human Sciences Winner: Edwin Gianini – Financial Markets
- Merit in Human Sciences Nominees: Joseph Ikueze; Eliesse Jakotich; Sophia McMaster; Jackson Parker; Meghan Pochert
- Merit in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Winner: Andrew Bartelheimer – Animal Science Management
- Merit in Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Nominees: Hannah Peha; Jebadiah Sheldon; Kate Thorne
Graduating Human Sciences Research Award
This award recognizes students in CAHNRS human sciences programs who have shown exceptional progress toward publishing and/or presenting research during their time as undergraduates. These students have graduation dates of December 2022, May 2023, or August 2023.
- Winner: Claire McMeen – Human Development
- Nominees: Ava Rambo; Joseph Ikueze
Graduating Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Research Award
This award recognizes students in CAHNRS agricultural and natural resource sciences programs who have shown exceptional progression toward publishing and/or presenting research during their time as undergraduates. These students have graduation dates of December 2022, May 2023, or August 2023.
- Winner: Brook Mac – Animal Sciences
- Nominees: Lucy Frey; Hannah Peha; Lindsay Hunt
Emerging Leader in Human Sciences
This award honors outstanding second year or above and/or transfer undergraduate students in CAHNRS human sciences programs who displayed a balance between academic achievements, leadership, and activities.
- Winner: Andrew Davila – Economics
- Nominees: Sydney Ferari-Zimmerman; Meghan Pochert; Ava Rambo; Sydney Schmierer
Emerging Leader in Agricultural Sciences
This award honors outstanding second year or above and/or transfer undergraduate students in CAHNRS agricultural sciences programs who displayed a balance between academic achievements, leadership, and activities.
- Winner: Lauren Stubbs – Field Crop Management
- Nominees: Skyler Allison; Sandra Crook; Robert Meadows; Erick Vergara Barrios; Christina Ward
Emerging Leader in Natural Resource Sciences
This award honors outstanding second year or above and/or transfer undergraduate students in CAHNRS natural resource sciences programs who displayed a balance between academic achievements, leadership, and activities.
- Winner: Ryotaro Colon – Environmental and Ecosystem Sciences
- Nominees: Ryotaro Colon
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Undergraduate)
This award recognizes CAHNRS students who have shown leadership when it comes to building inclusive spaces for minoritized groups within the college and the community.
- Winner: Alyn Rivera – Human Development
- Nominees: J.T. Umayam
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Graduate)
This award recognizes CAHNRS graduate students who have demonstrated active participation and leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion within their unit, college, or community. These individuals have made significant positive influence, impact, and/or improvements in minoritized communities.
- Winner: Meenakshi Richardson – Prevention Science
- Nominees: Suhina Deol; Dowen Jocson
Superior Club
This award honors a club that has carried out activities that benefit its members academically and socially.
- Winner: Entomology Graduate Association
- Nominees: Food Science Club
CAHNRS Graduate Leadership Award
This award honors CAHNRS graduate students who have demonstrated leadership that positively impacted their unit, college, campus, or wider community. These individuals have made significant positive contributions or improvements to the operations and functions of programs, initiatives, or organizations.
- Winner: Kathryn Bruzios
- Nominees: Tosha Big Eagle; Gajanan Suryakant Kothawade; Amninder Singh Sekhon; Renan Lopes; Uddhav Bhattarai
Outstanding Seniors
- Annette Loring – Viticulture & Enology
- Miguel Fuentes – Agriculture Technology & Production Management
- Ruby Anderson – Agricultural Education
- Ben Asan – Earth Science
- Neylan Bryan – Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
- Claire McMeen – Human Development
- Gabrielle Lund – Environmental & Ecosystem Science
- Hannah Peha – Agricultural Biotechnology
- Bradley Lubeck – Food Science
- Lucy Case – Field Crop Management
- Ian Nickels – Forest & Ecology Management
- Chase Winkler – Animal Sciences
- Saira Allan – Apparel Design
- Ava Rambo – Apparel Merchandising
- Christopher Busch – Business Economics
- Risa Bridge – Environmental Economics
- Kolby Ross – Economics, Policy & Law
- Mitchell Kent – Quantitative Economics
- Martha Lum – Agricultural & Food Business Economics
- Maguire Isaak – Agricultural Economics
- Joseph Ikueze – International Economics
- Edwin Gianini – Financial Markets
Media Contacts
Angela Sams, PR/Communications Coordinator