PULLMAN, Wash. – Outstanding students in Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences were honored Saturday (April 4) at the 50th annual college awards banquet.
Riley Mengarelli, an animal science major from Toppenish, was named Aggie of the Year. The honor goes to the overall top senior majoring in either an agricultural or natural resources field. Mengarelli, who was honored last year as the Capital Press Outstanding Junior in Agriculture, maintains a 3.97 grade point average, has been active in the WSU Cougar Cattle Feeders Club and currently manages his own cow-calf herd.
Danielle Broberg, a human development major from Bonney Lake, was honored as Family Consumer Scientist of the Year. The award recognizes the college’s outstanding senior majoring in apparel, merchandising, design and textiles; interior design; human development; or economics. Broberg has a cumulative GPA of 3.72, and while at WSU has been named to the WSU President’s Honor Roll every semester. Her department has recognized her as Freshman, Junior, and Senior of the Year. She also has been inducted into the Omicron Nu Honor Society.
Kelly Hollister, an animal sciences major from Snohomish, was named the Capital Press Outstanding Junior in Agriculture. Hollister works at the WSU Beef Center where she gets hands-on experience with care and management of beef cattle. She currently is working on a beef nutrition study.
Amanda Hunt, a junior from Redmond, was named the Outstanding Junior in Human Sciences. Hunt, who is pursuing a degree in apparel design, has a passion for theater costuming. She has volunteered at the WSU’s Theater Costume Shop for several productions and has interned at the Seattle Children’s Theater. Service is a large part of Amanda’s contribution, becoming involved in church projects that benefit local and global underprivileged communities.
Kate Sweitzer, a sophomore from Moorepark, Calif., was honored as the Alpha Zeta Arnold Knopf Outstanding Freshman. This award recognizes student achievements during the previous academic year. Sweitzer is pursuing a double major in food science and marketing. She has a goal of working in a product development laboratory where she would like to focus on recipe development and packaging innovations. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is a novice coxswain for the WSU Men’s Rowing team. As a result, she has learned teamwork and leadership skills that will be valuable in the workplace.
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