WCC Students honored by Secretary of State
March 28, 2018
Whatcom Community College (WCC) students Kordel Clarks and Elizabeth Kazadayev were honored by Secretary of State Kim Wyman for their academic accomplishments at the All-Washington Academic Team ceremony on March 22 in Olympia, WA. The All-Washington Academic Team recognizes the top students from each of Washington State’s 34 community and technical colleges.
Each team member is awarded a $250 scholarship, plus additional transfer scholarship opportunities. Kordel received an additional $1,000 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Coca-Cola as a 2018 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar.
Kordel is studying engineering at Whatcom and hopes to transfer to the University of Washington to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering. He said his long-time passion for the subject as a child motivated him to pursue higher education despite significant financial and health obstacles. He maintains a 3.97 GPA, works at WCC’s Learning Center as a math tutor, serves on a faculty tenure committee, and volunteers at his church’s community garden. He credits his support network of WCC faculty and math center staff as the reason for his success.
Raised in a Russian-speaking home, Elizabeth did not learn English until she started school. She began her career at WCC as a high school student through the Running Start program, and has since pursued a rigorous course load in her pursuit of a career in medical research or phlebotomy. She prides herself on always being prepared so she won’t let others down. Elizabeth volunteers extensively with her church, is an accomplished musician, and plans to transfer to the University of Washington or Western Washington University.
About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College is a regionally and nationally accredited college with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 11,000 students annually. The College works closely with industry to prepare graduates to excel in their fields and meet emerging business trends. On its campus in Bellingham, Wash., and through online courses, Whatcom offers a four-year bachelor of applied science, transfer and professional-technical degrees, as well as basic education, job skills training, and community education classes. For more information, visit whatcom.edu.
Each team member is awarded a $250 scholarship, plus additional transfer scholarship opportunities. Kordel received an additional $1,000 scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Coca-Cola as a 2018 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar.
Kordel is studying engineering at Whatcom and hopes to transfer to the University of Washington to earn a degree in aeronautical engineering. He said his long-time passion for the subject as a child motivated him to pursue higher education despite significant financial and health obstacles. He maintains a 3.97 GPA, works at WCC’s Learning Center as a math tutor, serves on a faculty tenure committee, and volunteers at his church’s community garden. He credits his support network of WCC faculty and math center staff as the reason for his success.
Raised in a Russian-speaking home, Elizabeth did not learn English until she started school. She began her career at WCC as a high school student through the Running Start program, and has since pursued a rigorous course load in her pursuit of a career in medical research or phlebotomy. She prides herself on always being prepared so she won’t let others down. Elizabeth volunteers extensively with her church, is an accomplished musician, and plans to transfer to the University of Washington or Western Washington University.
About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College is a regionally and nationally accredited college with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 11,000 students annually. The College works closely with industry to prepare graduates to excel in their fields and meet emerging business trends. On its campus in Bellingham, Wash., and through online courses, Whatcom offers a four-year bachelor of applied science, transfer and professional-technical degrees, as well as basic education, job skills training, and community education classes. For more information, visit whatcom.edu.
