Writing Program Honored at DAESA Awards Ceremony 

The WSU Writing Program is proud to recognize several members of our community who were honored at the DAESA Awards Ceremony this spring for their outstanding contributions to student learning, faculty support, and institutional excellence.

Jamie Comstock Receives DAESA Excellence Award for Classified Staff

We are pleased to announce that Jamie Comstock, Fiscal Specialist II for the Writing Program, received the DAESA Excellence Award for Classified Staff.

The Writing Program manages a highly complex budget that includes multiple revenue streams and funding structures. Two major assessment programs—Portfolio and Placement—require continuous fiscal oversight, alongside dozens of hourly employees, including Writing Center student tutors, Portfolio and Placement evaluators, and hourly faculty appointments that support the work coordinated by the Writing Program Director. In addition, the program oversees three Legacy Funds dedicated to staff, student, and faculty support; four cost centers requiring frequent updates and management; and four gift funds used to distribute faculty and student stipends in accordance with donor intent.

Senior Writing Consultants Recognized with the Jeanne Rounds Olsen Award

At the ceremony, several senior writing consultants were also recognized with the Jeanne Rounds Olsen Award, honoring their sustained commitment to peer writing support and student success.

• Sarah Murphy has been a writing consultant for over two years and is an English, Rhetoric, and Professional Writing major. She is also a Fulbright semifinalist and enjoys empowering students and helping them regain confidence in their writing.
• Gavin Moomaw has been a writing consultant for two years and is a Marketing major with a minor in Spanish. He values the impact he has on his peers through his work in the Writing Center.
• Rebecca Lommers has been a writing consultant for nearly two years and is a Creative Writing major with a minor in Music. She enjoys the new perspectives she gains through her work with writers from across disciplines.
• Elizabeth Garza has been a writing consultant for three semesters and is a Human Development major. She is also a member of the Crimson Girls dance team and loves working with peers from a wide range of academic fields.
• Juan Pena has been a writing consultant for almost two years and is an Applied Physics major. He enjoys helping fellow students become more confident writers.
• Kylie Fickert has been a writing consultant for two semesters and is majoring in English and Communications. She values supporting her peers and witnessing their growth as writers.
• Alli Sachs is a new writing consultant and a Professional Writing and Rhetoric major. She loves seeing writers discover and develop their voices.

Dr. Wendy Olson Receives Writing Program Award for Contribution to Writing Across the Curriculum

The Writing Program also recognizes Dr. Wendy Olson (Vancouver), recipient of the Writing Program Award for Contribution to Writing Across the Curriculum, sponsored by the Harold and Jeanne Rounds Olsen Endowment.

Dr. Olson has been instrumental to the growth of the University Writing Program this year. She co‑facilitated the WORD Workshops with Dr. Angela Mitchell this spring and helped develop new and updated materials for WORD faculty teaching writing‑intensive courses at WSU. She also serves on the University Writing Program Assessment Committee, supports the Placement and Portfolio process for Vancouver students, and is a member of the Portfolio Appeal Committee.

We are grateful for Dr. Olson’s sustained leadership, collaborative spirit, and meaningful contributions to writing instruction across the curriculum.