2008 Department of Communication Scholarship Awards Ceremony
May 8, 2008

Past Ceremonies: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

The Department of Communication held its 2008 Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the Kane Hall Walker-Ames Room. Along with the presenters, many of the scholarship recipients' family and friends attended. Will Blethen was also there to present the Seattle Times/Blethen Family Memorial Scholarship. Blethen is a retired treasurer and corporate risk manager for The Seattle Times. Don Kraft, a 1948 alumnus, as well as a lifelong friend of Fred Baker, presented the Fred Baker Endowment for Professional Education in Advertising and Public Relations. Sally Hanson, scholarship chair of the Northwest Automotive Press Association, presented the NWAPA scholarship. Beth Erickson, 1963 alumna, presented the Journalism Foreign Intrigue Endowed Scholarship and the Excellence in Journalism scholarship. George Riddell, president and sponsorship chair of the Ad Club Seattle presented the Dan Warner/Bob Willey Memorial Scholarship. Robert Philip, a past UW Regent and Foundation Board member, as well as a 1940 alumnus, presented the Robert F. Philip Scholarship. Jerry Baldasty, Kathleen Fearn-Banks, Karen Rathe and Nancy Rivenburgh were among the faculty who presented.

Click on the recipients' photos to see the larger images. Go here for more photos.

Fred Baker Endowment for Professional Education in Advertising and Public Relations

Presented by Don Kraft

Katie Clark — Katie Clark is a Communication major who is interested in public relations. She hopes to work with a non-profit or with a government agency. She has been a Freshman Interest Group leader and has interned with the Center for Communications & Civic Engagement. She is a member of Gamma Phi Beta, for which she has served in various capacities, including membership vice president. Katie has been on the Dean's list.

Journalism Foreign Intrigue Endowed Scholarship

Presented by Beth Erickson

Keith Vance — Keith Vance is a Journalism major who would like to work as a reporter for a daily newspaper. He is the first in his family to have finished college. He has written for The Daily, the Jibsheet, Real Change, and the Federal Way News. In his previous career as a software engineer he focused on Web development. Keith is excited about going to Cambodia to work for the Cambodian Daily and is looking forward to experiencing culture shock. He has been on the Dean's list.

Yu Nakayama — Yu Nakayama is a Journalism major interested in pursuing a career in sports reporting. He has worked for The Seattle Times on two separate occasions: First as an intern-reporter covering the 2008 Washington State Legislature during winter quarter as part of the Olympia Legislative Program. He has also worked the Times as a sports news assistant, covering high school sports in the region. He has also interned for The Issaquah Press, writing features, profiles and covering live events for the sports section. He has done some freelance work for The Daily and has been on the Dean's List. Outside of his career in journalism, Yu has worked as a Special Education Para Educator at Robinswood Middle School, and also coaches pole vaulting for the Sammamish High School track team. Yu is thrilled about his opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone to work at the Awoko and experience what is sure to be a completely different world.

Meghan Peters — Meghan Peters is a Journalism major who has worked for the NW Asian Weekly, the North Seattle Herald Outlook, The Seattle Times, the Seattle PI, Real Change, and The Daily. She was awarded the Pioneer Newspapers Award for Community Journalism. She has also interned with KZOK in promotions. She has volunteered with the Pipeline Project, Gilda's Club, the North Seattle Boys and Girls Club, Relay for Life, and Avalon AIDS Hospice. She studied abroad in Granada, Spain in 2006. She is looking forward to working for the China Daily and to increasing her understanding of Chinese culture and its role in global issues. Meg is a member of SPJ, Alpha Delta Pi, and has been on the Dean's list.

Excellence in Journalism

Presented by Beth Erickson

Sarah Jeglum — Sarah Jeglum is a Journalism major who has held various positions with The Daily, including editor-in-chief. She will be doing PR for the U.S. Forest Service this summer. She wants to work in journalism and after graduation plans to spend at least one year being a long-haul truck driver, recording her experiences and writing about this male-dominated culture from a woman's perspective. During the summers, she is a wild land firefighter. Sarah has been awarded many scholarships and awards, is a contributor to The Wenatchee World's Visitor's Guide, and has been on the Dean's list.

Northwest Automotive Press Association Scholarship

Presented by Sally Hanson

Sarah Jeglum — Sarah Jeglum is a Journalism major who has held various positions with The Daily, including editor-in-chief. She will be doing PR for the U.S. Forest Service this summer. She wants to work in journalism and after graduation plans to spend at least one year being a long-haul truck driver, recording her experiences and writing about this male-dominated culture from a woman's perspective. During the summers, she is a wild land firefighter. Sarah has been awarded many scholarships and awards, is a contributor to The Wenatchee World's Visitor's Guide, and has been on the Dean's list.

Dan Warner/Bob Willey Memorial Scholarship

Presented by George Riddell

Thomas Beattie — Thomas Beattie is a double major in Communication and History. He plans to work in advertising and marketing, and wants to run a marketing firm of his own. He has interned with Doner Advertising Agency, learning about producing television commercials. He has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club in San Juan Capistrano, for the Corazon Group House Building Projects, and has coached children in basketball. Tom is a member of the UW American Marketing Association, the UW Advertising Club, and has been on the Dean's list.

Maria Kourenina — Maria Kourenina is doing a double degree in Communication and Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing, and is also in the Retail Management Program through the Business School, for which she'll receive a Certificate in Retail Management. She plans to work in marketing, and to work her way up to the executive level. She has interned with GMP Homes, Inc., has worked part time as an administrative assistant here at the UW, and is a writing tutor at Cascadia Community College. Maria has been on the Dean's list.

Seattle Times/Blethen Family Memorial Scholarship

Presented by Will Blethen

Andrew Doughman — Andrew Doughman is a Journalism major who writes for The Daily and is the Daily news editor. He would like to work in journalism in some capacity. He works for the City of Bellevue, writing, interviewing, and researching. Andrew has been on the Dean's list.

Michelle Ericksen — Michelle Erickson is a double major in Journalism and Political Science. She wants to be a journalist, writing about national or international politics. She participated in the Olympia program during winter quarter and has served in various editorial positions for her community college newspaper, the Thunderword, for which she received several awards. Michelle is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and at Highline was on the Vice President's list and the National Dean's list.

Kristin Okinaka — Kristin Okinaka is a double major in Journalism and Spanish who is also proficient in Japanese. She is interested in photojournalism and would like to work for a magazine using her photography and writing skills. She has interned with the North American Post, a Japanese community newspaper, writing articles for the English section. Kristin has been a Freshman Interest Group leader, was a running coach for elementary school girls, and works for Perkins Preschool. She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma and has been on the Dean's list.

Robert F. Philip Scholarship

Presented by Robert Philip

Marie Bailey — Marie Bailey is a Communication major and Honors student who plans to go to graduate school to study health communication, specifically chronic illness as it impacts interpersonal relations. She would like to teach and do research at the university level. Other areas of interest are the effects of mass media on female body image and the study of architecture and space design as a means of social control. She is a member of Tau Sigma National Honors Society and PRSSA. Marie is a McNair scholar, a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, and has been on the Dean's list.

Angeline Candido — Angeline Candido is a double major in Communication and English who is planning on going to graduate school and studying within the fields of intercultural and speech communication. She has interned for Dr. Coutu as an undergraduate teaching assistant. She presented research she had done on Filipino-American Youth and the Tagalog language at the McNair Scholars/Early Identification Program and she has researched this area for several other projects. Angeline has interned for the Filipino American National Historical Society and has participated in the Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities and the Safe Schools Coalition. She is the Historical Chair of the Philippine American Dialogue and Discourse organization, Makipag, and the Filipino American Student Association. She recently received an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Endowed Merit Scholarship, and she has been on the Dean's list.

Anna Norman — Anna Norman is a Communication major who is interested in TV production and would like to produce either long-form news or documentaries. Last fall, she interned at ABC News' “20/20” and “PrimeTime” in New York, working primarily on the PrimeTime series "What Would You Do?" She is currently assisting with the production of a short film about the department that will be shown at graduation. She has also interned with San Jose Magazine and Columns Magazine, and has written for The Daily. Anna has been on the Dean's list.

Nancy Pham — Nancy Pham is a double major in Communication and French. She would like to work for a global humanitarian organization, helping to combat human rights violations in Asia and Africa, or for an agency such as the United Nations, helping to make policy changes regarding human rights law. She also plans on attending law school, studying international law and focusing on international human rights law. She would eventually like to start her own humanitarian organization. She has been assisting Dr. Foot on her project on the Anti-Human Trafficking Movement throughout this year. Nancy is a senior editor for the Washington Undergraduate Law Review, is a member of Phi Alpha Delta, and has been on the Dean's list.

Rika Kuros Reid — Rika Reid is a double major in Communication and Psychology who is interested in inter-cultural communication. She is bilingual in Japanese, having lived in Japan for the first 19 years of her life. She has been researching differences in sensitivity to facial expressions between Americans and Japanese women. She tutors with the CLUE program, teaching Japanese language and culture. She would like to work in interpersonal communications, focusing on Asian Americans and Asian immigrants. Rika is a member of the Phi Chi Psychology honor society, has received several scholarships, including the Altrusa International Scholarship, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Northwest Asian Weekly Scholarship

Presented by Jerry Baldasty

Nina Hsiao Huang — Nina Huang is a Journalism major who plans to work for a PR agency either here or in Los Angeles and to also do free-lance writing. She would like to go to graduate school to study either communication or business. She has worked for the University of Washington's Office of Annual Giving, has interned with China Post, Trend Micro, Inc., and Publicis Consultants. Nina is a member of PRSSA, is the secretary for Alpha Kappa Psi, and has been on the Dean's list.

Marty Wilson Endowed Scholarship

Presented by Jerry Baldasty

Sarah Cox — Sarah Cox is a double major in Journalism and Political Science. She would like to go to law school and to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. She has worked for the University of Washington's Office of Annual Giving and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is vice-president of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Sarah has been on the Dean's list.

Jane Roller Scholarship

Presented by Kathleen Fearn-Banks

Bryce Anderson — Bryce Anderson is a Communication major who would like to work in the sports industry in marketing or advertising. He worked for Varsity Communications during winter quarter, assisting with development and marketing and advertising for sporting events. He has been a Skyhawks sports coach, and has been on the UW baseball team. He received the Husky Baseball Unsung Hero Award and was the student representative for the Washington Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Bryce is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Planning for College Success, a mentoring program for underprivileged elementary students. He has been on the Dean's list.

Cassie Lawrence Bryant Endowed Scholarship

Sarah Greenleaf — Sarah Greenleaf is a double major in Journalism and English. She would like to work in a major newsroom on multi-media projects as well as doing traditional print journalism, perhaps working in another country. She has been an editor for The Daily and has interned and freelanced with Seattle Weekly, editing audio and producing a weekly podcast. Sarah has received various grants and scholarships and has been on the Dean's list.

John H. and Harriet Reid Memorial Scholarship

Presented by Karen Rathe

Nicholas Trost — Nicholas Trost is a Journalism major who works at KIRO TV. He plans to continue working there, in internet production. He would like to be a broadcaster in a top 5 media market. He has worked in the UW Athletic Communications Office and has interned at KRQE Channel 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nicholas is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, has received the Gerald R. Ford Character Award, and the Salmon History Award, given annually to the most dedicated history student at Bosque School and he has been on the Dean's list.

Bob Doble Memorial

Presented by Karen Rathe

Will Mari — Will Mari is a double major in Journalism and History. He would like to work for a community newspaper, ultimately pursuing political or religious beat reporting and perhaps teaching at the college level. Will is an editor and also writes for The Daily, has been an intern with The Snoqualmie Valley Register, University Week, and Seattle Metropolitan magazine. He has also been a library page for the King County Library System, an archival assistant with the Puget Sound Regional Archives, and a research assistant with the Dart Center. He is president of SPJ this year, is a member of Tau Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta, and has been on the Dean's list.

Max and Monica Holsinger Scholarship

Presented by Karen Rathe

Leah Gohring — Leah Gohring is a Journalism major with a minor in History. She would like to write for a newspaper or magazine, writing feature stories. Her long-term goal is to write lifestyle features for a prominent magazine either here or abroad. She is applying to the Rome program for next winter. She has interned with Allied Advertising doing PR and is presently interning with the Bellevue Reporter, writing local lifestyle features. Leah is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and is Recruitment Counselor for fall and has been on the Dean's list.

John Impola Endowment for Journalism Education

Kathleen Miller — Kathleen Miller is a double major in Journalism and Political Science. She is interested in political reporting and is considering going to graduate school for either Journalism or law. She is also interested in broadcast journalism with a focus on politics, or in writing for a publication with a political focus. She has written articles for various local newspapers and is a contributor to SeattlePoliticore.org. Some of her pieces have also been featured on the Huffington Post.com web site, (Houston Chronicle web site), and the local crosscut.com. She studied abroad in Cyprus during autumn quarter. Kathleen is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and has been on the Dean's list.

Kevin Ellis Endowed Scholarship

Presented by Nancy Rivenburgh

Jenifer Ayers — Jenifer Ayers is a double major in Communication and Political Science. She would like to combine her interests in political science and international relations with communication to pursue a career in broadcasting or international communication. She loves to travel and has participated in the CHID study abroad program to Greece. She has interned in the Department of Communication and with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. She is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and has served in various capacities for them. Jenifer is a member of the Association for Women in Communication and has been on the Dean's list.

Alyssa Goldberg — Alyssa Goldberg is a double major in Journalism and International Studies. She hopes to combine her interests and work for an NGO like Amnesty International doing PR or international journalism. She has been an intern for the Big Sister League of San Diego and has volunteered for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service in Seattle. Last summer she went to Greece with Dr. Lago's summer program. Alyssa is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, the Young Democrats, is part of the UW Water Polo team, and has been on the Dean's list.

Nikolaj Lasbo — Nikolaj Lasbo is a double major in Journalism and European Studies with minors in Political Science and Danish. He wants to be a journalist and is interested in the discourse that exists between public figures and the media, and also in environmental sustainability. He is the Prime Minister of the UW Danish Club and he plans to study abroad in Denmark next year to study its unique political model. Nikolaj is a photographer for The Daily and has been on the Dean's list.

Ruddick C. & Cherry Lawrence Endowed Scholarship

Presented by Nancy Rivenburgh

Lindsay Powers — Lindsay Powers is a double major in Communication and Drama. She is interested in entering broadcasting as a news anchor or doing PR for the theatrical industry. She is an actor and a professional singer, having sung the national anthem for the Mariners and she just recently appeared in “MAME” at the 5th Avenue Theatre. She has interned with KZOK radio and with “Evening Magazine” at King 5. She was Vice President in charge of recruitment for her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and was on the executive board. Lindsay is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, has been awarded numerous scholarships, and has been on the Dean's list.

Allison Way — Allison Way is a Communication major whose goals include communication, community, and a commitment to excellence. She began a group called Circle of Friends, a support group for her brother who was born with brain damage. She has also founded her own successful purse business, PurseOnAlly. She has worked as a nanny and is a facilitator for the Vision 16 South House. Allison has had several internships, including one for International Foundation in Washington D.C., with National Student Leadership, and one with Washington State Student Leadership. She is a member of Women in Communication and next year she will be the Vice President of Programming. She has been on the Dean's list.

Jessica Whitman — Jessica Whitman is a double major in Communication and Political Science. She is interested in advertising and plans to attend graduate school in Business. She has interned with National Cable Communications, a national advertising company. She was in Rome during winter quarter. Jessica is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Gamma Phi Beta, and has been on the Dean's list.

More photos (click on an image to see the full-size photo):