VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver will honor 784 graduating students this year. The honorees include graduates from the fall 2023 and spring and summer 2024 terms.
Commencement begins at 1 p.m. May 4 at RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield, Wash. No tickets are required, and parking is free. The seating area opens at 11:30 a.m.; parking opens at 11 a.m. The ceremony will also be streamed on WSU Vancouver’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/wsuvancouver.
Guests as well as graduates will walk through a metal detector at entry. Carry-in belongings will be searched. Only small clutches, wristlets or fanny packs no bigger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches or clear plastic bags no bigger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches will be allowed inside. Guns, pocketknives and other weapons are not allowed. Do not bring balloons, gift bags, fireworks, outside food or drink, coolers, laser pointers, pets, weapons, umbrellas, strollers or playpens, skateboards or inline skates. Graduates and guests will be asked to return these items to their vehicle.
ABOUT THE GRADUATES
The 2024 graduates include 34 doctoral candidates in the areas of anthropology, biology, educational leadership, environmental and natural resource sciences, neuroscience, nursing practice, prevention science and sociology.
The 47 master’s candidates will receive degrees in anthropology, biology, business administration, computer science, education, electrical engineering, environmental and natural resource sciences, environmental science, health communication and promotion, mechanical engineering, molecular biosciences, nursing, plant biology, prevention science, psychology and teaching.
The 703 bachelor’s candidates will receive degrees in anthropology, arts, biology, business administration, computer science, criminal justice and criminology, data analytics, digital technology and culture, earth and environmental science, education, electrical engineering, English, history, hospitality business management, human biology, human development, humanities, mathematics, mechanical engineering, neuroscience, nursing, political science, psychology, public affairs, social sciences, sociology, speech and hearing sciences and strategic communication.
Names of the graduates can be found in the online Commencement program, available at vancouver.wsu.edu/commencement.
ABOUT WSU VANCOUVER
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver Native American Programs and Collective for Social and Environment Justice invite the public to an “Evening of Activist Women in Film: The Fight for a Livable Planet” from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 21 at the Universalist Unitarian Church festival at 4505 E. 18th St. Vancouver, WA 98661.Donations will be accepted at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds will help fund a student organizer for the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice. The festival will feature films and commentary by award-winning filmmakers Misty Grace, Jan Haaken and Heidi Hutner, who will be present to talk about their work.
Grace is an enrolled member of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe and a descendant of the Chinook Indian Nation who earned her Ph.D. in English at Washington State University. She will discuss her short films “The Handsome Man” and “Wasteland” along with her experiences working in a vibrant Indigenous film scene with luminaries such as Lily Gladstone and Evan Adams.
Haaken’s film “Atomic Bamboozle, the False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance” and Hutner’s film “Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island” both foreground the environmental and human health impacts of nuclear power. Screenings of the two films will be followed by a panel discussion on local antinuclear organizing.
The film festival is the culmination of WSU Vancouver’s fifth annual interdisciplinary social justice conference—Health and Environmental Justice: Constructing Coalitions at the Intersections of Extraction, Militarism, and Climate Collapse. The free conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 19 and 20. Most content will be presented on Zoom with some in-person sessions as noted on the conference agenda. The detailed agenda and registration link can be found on the conference website: labs.wsu.edu/thethingreenlineispeople/announcing-the-5th-annual-sjcon/
Questions about the film festival or conference may be directed to julian.ankney@wsu.edu or desiree.hellegers@wsu.edu.
About WSU Vancouver
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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VANCOUVER, WASH. — Washington State University Vancouver will present its 2024 awards for equity, service, research, student achievement and teaching at this year’s Commencement ceremony on May 4. The following will each receive a Chancellor’s Medallion:
Chancellor’s Award for Equity—Pavithra Narayanan, Professor of English; Academic Director and Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence—Praveen Sekhar, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Computer Science
Chancellor’s Award for Service to WSU Vancouver—Workforce Southwest Washington
Chancellor’s Award for Student Achievement—Juan Carlos Garcia Gonzalez, B.A., Humanities
Students’ Award for Teaching Excellence—Debra Wilmington, Associate Professor, Career Track, School of Biological Sciences
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR ADVANCING EQUITY
This annual award honors a faculty or staff member for excellence in contributing to a community of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at WSU Vancouver.
Pavithra Narayanan advocates passionately for equitable treatment for students, faculty and staff alike. She introduces students to Indigenous and non-Western histories, texts and authors who are not part of the regular course material. Guided by her philosophy of justice, equity and inclusion, Narayanan has increased WSU Vancouver’s cultural diversity at all levels. She has recruited and hired both staff and faculty of color, and supports professional development and career growth of all employees. She advocates not only for faculty and students but also for graduate students, adjunct faculty and support staff.
Narayanan, who joined WSU Vancouver in 2004, has an eclectic educational background. She completed most of her education in India, with an undergraduate degree in zoology. Prompted by a love for books and writing, she earned a master’s degree in English, a second master’s in American literature and a third in mass communication, as well as a Ph.D. She is an affiliate of the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, focusing on economic and social policies, civil liberties, gender and globalization.
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
Each year, WSU Vancouver gives its highest research honor to recognize a faculty member’s exemplary research quality and quantity as well as positive influence on the broader community.
Praveen Sekhar’s research is grounded in the interdisciplinary field of electrochemical gas sensors, which intersects disciplines such as electrical engineering, chemical sciences, applied physics and materials science. He has achieved the heights of international recognition in his field while remaining down to earth: His research is aimed at making people safer and the world a better place to live.
Sekhar directs WSU Vancouver’s Nanomaterials-Sensor Laboratory, where he and his students are working on solutions related to environmental pollution, national security, energy security and Internet of Things applications. He is the principal investigator on a project that addresses the need for a flexible wireless gas sensing device at high temperatures for many applications—notably for use by first responders during emergencies such as forest fires and terrorist attacks.
Sekhar is committed to diversity in engineering research through collaborating with and mentoring women, immigrants and persons of color. He joined WSU Vancouver in 2011.
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR SERVICE TO WSU VANCOUVER
The award recognizes dedication and commitment to the WSU Vancouver community through leadership on behalf of the university and dedication of time, talent and resources toward advancing the university’s mission.
Much of what Workforce Southwest Washington does aligns with WSU Vancouver’s mission and values. WSW works to transform lives across the region and serves as a cornerstone for economic vitality. Its mission is to lead a regional workforce development system where every individual has access to high-quality employment and every business has access to a highly skilled workforce.
At the heart of WSW’s mission is a profound belief in the power of education and skill development. This is where WSU Vancouver and WSW have found a sweet spot for collaboration. Through partnership on multiple initiatives, WSW and WSU Vancouver work to strengthen the economic resiliency of Southwest Washington and provide students with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving job market.
Since 2020, WSW and WSU Vancouver have collaborated through a partnership contract that funds a full-time position in WSU Vancouver’s Engaged Learning and Career Action Center. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between the higher education system and the workforce development system.
CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
The student achievement award annually recognizes one student’s love of learning, persistence to overcome barriers in pursuit of academic goals, leadership potential and involvement in campus life.
During the pandemic, Juan Carlos Garcia Gonzalez noticed that Clark College had online classes. “We were sitting around and thought we needed to do something or go nuts,” he said, “so I enrolled in Clark.” That led to WSU Vancouver.
He was 50 years old and had spent his life on the move, growing up in Mexico and living in California, Oregon, Chicago and New York, mainly doing mission work on behalf of his church. He moved to Vancouver in 2015. Having inherited a genetic kidney disease that requires dialysis three times a week, he has been unable to work. The disease also raises havoc with other parts of the body. But he doesn’t let it set him back. He studies diligently and, even though English is his second language, maintains high grades. Because he is approachable and easy to talk to, many students look to him as a paternal figure.
Garcia Gonzalez chose a fine arts focus for his humanities degree. His house in Vancouver serves as a studio for him and his daughter Samantha, also a WSU Vancouver student and an artist. “Not to get sappy, but I really don’t think I could be enjoying my time as much as I am at WSU Vancouver if my dad were not here,” Samantha said.
STUDENTS’ AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Students honor a faculty member each year with the teaching excellence award. The award recognizes exceptional dedication to students and infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Debra Wilmington always has time for her students. Her classes in physiology, genetics and nutritional science, among others, are “fun and engaging,” students say. She strives to make class material relevant to students’ lives and goals, to meet students where they are and to be flexible. She brings “tools” such as blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes to class to let them learn by doing, and she tries to get to know each student “to understand the best way to connect to and teach them,” she said.
In addition to teaching, Wilmington is an advisor for students working toward biology and pre-health majors. She is also the faculty advisor to the Pre-Health and Pre-Dental clubs.
Wilmington, who joined WSU Vancouver in 2012 after earning a doctorate in biomedical science from the University of Texas, is also taking part in a project to improve the transfer process for STEM students from community college to WSU Vancouver.
COMMENCEMENT DETAILS
Commencement will be held at 1 p.m. May 4 at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater located at 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. It will also be livestreamed on WSU Vancouver’s YouTube channel.
ABOUT WSU VANCOUVER
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver Native American Programs and Collective for Social and Environment Justice invite the public to attend a three-day conference entitled, SJCon: Health and Environmental Justice: Constructing Coalitions at the Intersections of Extraction, Militarism, and Climate Collapse. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 19 and 20, and from 3:30 to 8 p.m. April 21. Most content will be presented on Zoom with some in-person sessions as noted on the conference agenda.
"At this conference we will examine the very real human and climate impacts of U.S. militarism and settler colonialism playing out in the U.S. and globally, and consider pragmatic pathways to transforming the permanent war economy in the U.S.—and the carbon-intensive corporate food system—into an economy that works for all," said Desiree Hellegers, professor of English and director of the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice.
The free conference features a variety of keynote speakers and breakout sessions. The detailed agenda and registration link can be found on the conference website: labs.wsu.edu/thethingreenlineispeople/announcing-the-5th-annual-sjcon/
At the end of day one, attendees are invited to an Indigenous Garden Dedication from 5:15 to 7 p.m. in the field adjacent to the Clark College Building on the WSU Vancouver campus. The event will feature Indigenous drumming and refreshments, and will be followed by a 30-minute talk by Celilo Wy'am activist Lana Jack on her experience as a water protector at Standing Rock.
The fifth annual SJCon will wrap up with an Evening with Activist Women in Film: The Fight for a Livable Planet from 3:30 to 8 p.m. April 21 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4505 E. 18th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661. The event will feature films by Misty Grace, Jan Haaken and Heidi Hutner. All three filmmakers will be on hand to speak about their work. Donations will be accepted at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds will help fund a student organizer for the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice.
Questions about SJCon: Health and Environmental Justice: Constructing Coalitions at the Intersections of Extraction, Militarism, and Climate Collapse may be directed to julian.ankney@wsu.edu or desiree.hellegers@wsu.edu.
About WSU Vancouver
WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver, east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-TRAN bus service. Find a campus map at vancouver.wsu.edu/map. Parking is available at meters and in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $4 a day, $2 after 5 p.m. and free after 7 p.m. and on weekends.
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Alan Ladd was a popular American movie star in the 1940s and early 1950s who started a company, Mayfair Productions, to syndicate radio programs, including “Box 13” and “The Damon Runyan Theater.” The programs made significant contributions to the history of radio storytelling. Re-Imagined Radio samples from them for its latest episode, titled “Syndication,” which premieres on April 15 at 1 p.m. on KXRW-FM (99.9), Vancouver, and KXRY-FM (91.1 and 107.1), Portland.
Ladd, best known for his 1953 movie “Shane,” frequently performed in radio adaptations of movies. He created Mayfair with Bernie Joslin in 1948 to broadcast rights to its content to any radio station or network anywhere in the country. The costs would be affordable for the stations, and the shows would reach a wide audience.
“Box 13” (1948 – 49) is considered Mayfair’s primary contribution to radio entertainment. It featured a retired newspaper reporter turned novelist (played by Ladd) who writes novels about mystery and adventure and, along the way, becomes an unofficial detective faced with life-threatening adventures. “The Damon Runyon Theater” (1949 – 51) was based on the character-rich stories of newspaper columnist Damon Runyon.
Re-Imagined Radio premieres episodes on the third Monday of the month on community radio stations KXRW-FM and KXRY-FM. Each episode is streamed globally and is then available as a podcast. Information and listening opportunities are available at reimaginedradio.fm.
Community Partners
Re-Imagined Radio draws on community voice actors, Foley artists, musicians, sound artists and engineers. Partners include KXRW-FM, KXRY-FM, Marc Rose and Holly Slocum Design with Sidney Nguyen.
About Re-Imagined Radio
Re-Imagined Radio was begun by Barber in 2013 to celebrate radio storytelling. ”We select, produce and perform classic and contemporary stories across a spectrum of radio genres, from dramas to comedies, from oral to aural histories, from documentaries to fictions, from soundscapes to sonic journeys, from radio to sound art,” Barber said.
About WSU Vancouver
As one of six campuses of the WSU system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect.
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