May 5, 2008
Commencement spotlights focus
on College of Education graduates
Two College of Education graduates, Emilee Hearrean and Bradley Mohr, were among Washington State University graduates highlighted by President Elson S. Floyd during Pullman’s May 3 commencement ceremony in Pullman. A third, Tara Sciurba, will be singled out for praise by WSU-Tri-cities Chancellor Vicky L. Carwein at the May 9 ceremony on that campus.
Emilee Hearrean
Emilee Hearrean grew up in a single-parent household in Spokane. Within four years, she earned her mathematics degree and engineering minor, and completed her student teaching, and maintained a 3.8 grade point average. She intends to be a high school math teacher in the kind of low-income neighborhood where she grew up.
“I plan on encouraging students to go into math and engineering fields,” said Hearrean, who won more than $25,000 in scholarships while at WSU. She was especially proud of being a Noyce Scholar, an additional honor that came with a $20,000 National Science Foundation Grant.
While at WSU, she taught yoga/pilates and was a teaching assistant for pre-calculus. She plans to earn a master’s in education degree and, eventually, a Ph.D. “I especially appreciated my amazing instructors at the College of Education.”
Bradley Mohr
Bradley Mohr knew at an early age that he wanted to work in professional baseball—“as soon as I realized people got paid to sit at baseball games.” The Libby, Mont., native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports management after excelling during spring semester in his internship in the Seattle Mariners communications center.
Mohr, whose cerebral palsy requires him to walk with crutches, has been a member of WSU’s Disability Awareness Association for three years and has worked in a variety of positions within the athletic department. Says Mohr: “Thanks to WSU and the Seattle Mariners organization, my field of dreams has its grass cut and lines chalked.”
Tara Sciurba
Tara Sciurba, who is graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in education, grew up in the Tri-Cities and completed her student teaching at Chief Joseph Middle School in Richland. Her husband, Blaise Sciurba, and 20 other members of her family will celebrate with her.
She credits her success as a student teacher to the College of Education faculty who, she says, demonstrated a passion for lifelong learning. Her advice to others who aspire to the profession: “Seek a mentor, not because you don't know enough, but because you refuse to stay stagnant in this ever-changing world. Be a mentor, because what you have just accomplished is no small feat and sharing it with others will perpetuate that love for learning. And there's nothing wrong with a little more love and a lot more learning.”
For more information, contact Julie Titone, director of communications, at jtitone@wsu.edu, 509-339-5554.