WSU President Receives Distinguished Scout Award
Samuel Smith, Washington State University president, recently received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
The award was presented by former Washington Gov. Dan Evans during a Spokane Rotary Club meeting. Evans also holds the award given to Boy Scouts who earned their Eagle Award 25 or more years ago, who since then, “have gained status of fame or eminence in their life’s work.”
Smith received his Eagle in 1954 while a student at Salinas (Calif.) High School. He graduated in 1957.
The college president earned two academic degrees at the University of California, Berkeley, and has served on the Berkeley and Pennsylvania State University facilities. As a well-known plant pathologist, Smith was Penn State’s dean of agriculture.
In 1985, he was appointed WSU president.
Desirae Victor and Heather Wilken, Sprague High School seniors, will receive the Gold Congressional Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., next month.
The award is the highest honor U.S. senators and members of Congress present to the youth of the nation. To earn it, students must complete 400 hours of community service work, 200 hours in personal development and conduct an exploration/expedition activity.
Victor volunteered more than 700 hours working with her school, community, region and nation. She represented the United States at the Youth Kirab in Indonesia for her expedition project and completed her physical development in volleyball. For personal development, she learned how to buy, raise, show and sell cattle and sheep.
Wilken went to San Francisco and experienced a variety of modes of travel and cultures as her expedition requirement, including interchanges with inner-city teenagers. She developed a specialized fitness program to meet her needs, and completed her personal development with special self-presentation classes. She volunteered as a counselor and assistant leader with the Sprague Chamber of Commerce, working with the town’s young people as well as with the Elderly Chore service and community beautification.
Six Inland Northwest students attending Gonzaga University have been selected for inclusion in the latest edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges: Jon Belzer, Chewelah, Wash.; Rebecca Munro, Colville, Wash.; and Kenneth Farrow, George Frankenfield, Karin Galbraith and John Perrine all of Spokane.
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