WSU to Honor 2 Alumnae March 25

PULLMAN, Wash. – A plant pathologist from Mount Vernon and an entrepreneur and community leader from Malaga are the latest recipients of Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Women’s History Recognition awards. The awards will be presented at a public ceremony scheduled at 3 p.m., March 25, at the CUB Junior Ballroom as part of the college’s observation of Women’s History Month.

Debra A. Inglis
Debra A. Inglis

Debra A. Inglis, Mount Vernon, Wash., will receive the 2009 CAHNRS Women’s History Recognition Award for Professional and Academic Leadership. Inglis is currently an associate professor of plant pathology at WSU. From 2004 through 2008, she served as interim director of WSU’s Northwest Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon. As interim director, Inglis led the renovation of the NWREC, raising nearly $2.5 million from the local community and executing a plan to keep the center in full operation while replacing its major structures. Inglis is also a highly respected vegetable pathologist. Her research has focused on the biology and management of fungal and nematode diseases of fresh and processed vegetables grown in Washington. Inglis earned both her Ph.D. (1982) and M.S. (1978) degrees from WSU.

Laura Laurent Mrachek

Laura Laurent Mrachek is the winner of the 2009 CAHNRS Women’s History Recognition Award for Community Leadership and Public Service. Mrachek is an entrepreneur, and an industry and community leader. She is currently the owner or co-owner of four businesses. Mrachek established and, through her company, Cascade Analytical, financially supports the Women’s Leadership Awards for Science and Service. The awards have been given annually since 1996 at the annual meeting of the Washington State Horticultural Association, of which Mrachek is the current president. With her husband, Mike, she is co-owner of Saint Laurent Winery, located in Malaga. Mrachek has been recognized with the Venture Forum’s Emerging Business Award (1991), and was named Business Woman of the Year in 1997. Mrachek graduated from WSU with a B.S. in Horticulture in 1977.

A wine and cheese reception will be held for the award recipients from 3 – 5 p.m. on March 25 in the CUB Junior Ballroom on the WSU Pullman campus. The Junior Ballroom is located on the second floor of the Compton Union Building.

A resolution passed by Congress in 1987 designated March as National Women’s History Month. Annually since 1999, the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences has held recognition reception to honor outstanding alumnae.

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