Western on the Peninsulas Student Wins Award at Western Scholars Week

Western on the Peninsulas Environmental Policy student Thomas Hunter was recognized as an award recipient at Western Washington University’s annual Scholars Week Poster Competition.

Hunter, a resident of Bremerton and Water Systems manager for the City of Port Orchard, was one of 25 students who received an award of “Outstanding Poster of the Undergraduate Scholars Showcase Poster Competition” for his research titled “Reclaimed Water Policy in Washington State: Unitary and Polycentric Opportunities and Challenges.” More than 160 posters were entered in the university-wide competition.

Working with his faculty advisor, Troy D. Abel, Thomas’ research is part of a larger national study on climate risk governance supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to inform evidence-based climate policy choices, governance decisions, and public understanding across the nation and here in Washington State.

 “Thomas’ research is some of the best I have ever seen from an undergraduate,” said Abel. “It’s a rare case when an undergraduate’s scholarship impacts my scholarship and teaching in such a significant way. His work and intellectual curiosity have done that, and he will have a lasting influence on my thinking about climate risk governance and my future research in this field.”

Scholars Week is an annual celebration of student achievements in the various academic fields Western provides, and showcases research students have been working on in their curriculum, as well as keynote speakers each year. Student winners are decided by a committee of university faculty and staff.

Western on the Peninsulas offers a variety of programs at its three locations: Bremerton, Poulsbo and Port Angeles. Programs include educational leadership, human services, teacher education, business administration, computer and information systems security, environmental policy, environmental science and multidisciplinary studies.

For more information on Scholars Week, visit wwu.edu/scholars.

For more information on Western on the Peninsulas, visit wwu.edu/peninsulas.