Each fall, winter, and spring, the WSU Distinguished Scholarships Program hosts annual events focused on our students and alumni who seek prestigious, nationally competitive awards that provide great educational experiences.
An Annual Event
Distinguished Scholars Celebration
About This Event
The entire university community is invited to this annual, fall networking event to celebrate all WSU students who received a distinguished scholarship over the course of the past year. Each awardee is recognized and given a unique WSU Distinguished Scholar medallion (formerly a special pin). The names of all awardees are included on the informational, permanent posters on the walls of the WSU Distinguished Scholars Gallery in the Compton Union Building, the location of the annual celebration event. The first Distinguished Scholars Celebration was held in 2014 and coincided with the dedication of the Distinguished Scholars Gallery.
When, Where, and Who
The 2021 Celebration and those following are in-person once again in the Distinguished Scholars Gallery, unlike the 2020 event that was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Each year, the special guest is Provost and Executive Vice President and WSU Chancellor Elizabeth Chilton. DAESA program emcees include Bill Davis, vice provost for academic engagement and student achievement, Mary Sanchez Lanier, assistant vice provost, and April Seehafer, program director. Several faculty mentors and supporters of the student/alumni recipients as well as program committee members also attend to support the awardees.
Our Other Annual Events
Freshman Scholars Progression
This invitation-only, mid-winter event is offered to inspire first-year students to consider pursuing prestigious, nationally competitive awards to broaden their educational experience and boost their résumés.
At each annual Progression, faculty and staff members host tables of students to explain steps that can be taken to boost eligibility for a distinguished scholarship.
Distinguished Scholars Reception
This spring event is to honor the year’s distinguished scholarship applicants as well as their faculty and staff mentors, and to pay tribute to Distinguished Scholarships Program Board of Advisors and numerous committee members.