May 23, 2002
Contact: Nancy Vogel(509-963-3614/fax 509/963-1371/e-mail: vogeln@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Two Central Washington University exchange students from Japan have been named Usha Mahajani Scholar(s) for 2001-02. Suni Kim, Tokyo, who is majoring in sociology, and Sayaka Mitsutake, Hiroshima, microbiology, will both graduate during CWU’s June convocation.
The $1,000 award is named in honor of Dr. Usha Mahajani, who served as a CWU political science professor from 1965 until her death in 1978. It recognizes an international student or students best demonstrating both academic achievement and potential for continued intellectual contributions in his or her field of study.
Kim, a third generation Korean growing up in Japan, plans to use her CWU studies — which also have included courses in religious studies, philosophy and French — to contribute to finding solutions to inequitable social conditions. She aspires to work for the United Nations to help promote human rights for minority groups.
“It is exciting to see how the education and experiences she’s gained at Central are helping to lay the foundation for her future success,” says Eliza Kent, CWU philosophy professor.
While at CWU, Kim has also been active in the student philosophy club, “French Table,” and Korean Students Association.
Mitsutake is preparing to become a physician. She plans to combine the information she’s learned through the study of both western and eastern medicine. Her special interest is learning about the genetic basis that “makes each human being more likely to be influenced by environmental factors,” according to Mitsutake.
“She took on the challenge of learning genetics with enthusiasm, which is rare for a difficult course that is not in one’s own language,” says Steven Wagner, CWU biological sciences professor. “Her interest in genetics will provide a great background toward achieving her goals in medicine.”
Wagner also noted Mitsuake served as a mentor to fellow CWU genetics students, which, in turn, helped her to further master English.
Mitsutake earned her tutor certification through the National College Reading and Learning Association and served as a tutor in biology, chemistry and math.
