CWU Celebrates Women

February 27, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - For the past ten years, Central Washington University has been holding a special celebration to honor the accomplishments of women. The annual Women's Achievement Celebration will once again recognize the efforts of those individuals that have had a great impact on women's issues. The celebration takes place Wednesday, March 5, 2008, from 6-8 p.m. in the Sue Lombard Dining Room.

Eight individuals will be honored at this year's Women's Achievement Celebration. They have been chosen for their roles as mentors and leaders, and for the effect they've had on helping other women succeed and excel in their personal and professional endeavors. The 2008 Women's Achievement Award recipients are Dr. Bang-Soon Yoo, Dr. Jack Dugan and Patryk Culter. Dr. Chenyang Li will receive the Key to Success Award. The Student Empowerment Award will be presented to Central student Kimberly Rewinkel. Two women will be honored this year with the Presidential Recognition Award, Dr. Anne Denman and Joan Glover. And, Phyllis Parsons will receive the Lifetime Excellence in Service Award.

Along with the awards ceremony, live music and catered dinner, the evening also includes a keynote address by Zabrina Jenkins, corporate counsel for Starbucks Coffee Company and a Central alumna.

Jenkins received a bachelor's degree in finance from Central in 1992. She was also a member of the Wildcat women's basketball team. She is currently active in many legal and civic organizations including the CWU Foundation Board, the Washington Women Lawyers Board and the Washington Attorneys Assisting Community Organizations (WAACO) Advisory Board, just to name a few. Jenkins oversees liability litigation for Starbucks' retail locations in North America and has been recognized as a Rising Star by "Washington Law and Politics" magazine.

Admission for this event is $16 for general and $10 for students. Students can purchase tickets using their CWU dining card at the Center for Student Empowerment in the Student Union and Recreation Center, room 250. Tickets are also available at the CWU Student Union Box Office, 509-963-1301, and the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, please visit www.cwu.edu/~ecenter or contact the CWU Center for Student Empowerment at 509-963-2127 or ecenter@cwu.edu.

Media Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.