Executive Vice President for Statewide Campus’s Award for Student Achievement recognizes a graduating student each academic year. The recipient is selected on the basis of academic achievement and love of learning, overcoming barriers in pursuit of academic goals, future leadership potential, involvement in campus life and other examples of achievement.
Sage Ford
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Computer Science
Sage Ford embodies the spirit of the Executive Vice President for Statewide Campus’s Award for Student Achievement through exceptional academic accomplishment, leadership and service to the WSU Vancouver community. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Computer Science, she has paired rigorous coursework with global learning experiences, studying abroad in Ireland and Sweden, and completing advanced engineering coursework and research as an undergraduate.
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Ford’s academic curiosity spans disciplines, with participation in four research projects ranging from nursing and aerospace autonomous fastening to mathematical modeling and volcanic ash behavior. An NSF-funded international research scholar, she has demonstrated exceptional research potential while also serving as a mechanical engineering tutor, supporting fellow students in foundational and advanced technical subjects.
A dedicated campus leader, Ford founded the Struggling Engineers club, served as its president and launched the annual Struggle Bots competition—now a defining Engineering and Computer Science tradition. She continues to mentor emerging leaders and manages multidisciplinary projects, including development of a robot dog project.
Through perseverance, innovation and a genuine love of learning, Ford exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding graduate and a future leader in engineering and beyond.
Past award recipients
| Academic Year | Award Recipient(s) |
| 2024 – 2025 | Faith Yang |
| 2022 – 2023 | Scott Houston |
| 2021 – 2022 | Zoe Minden |
| 2020 – 2021 | Rebecca Daniel |
| 2019 – 2020 | Vince Chavez |
| 2018 – 2019 | Loren Horowitz |
| 2017 – 2018 | Navaraj “Raj” Lamichhane |
| 2016 – 2017 | Julian Rivas |
| 2015 – 2016 | Allegra Koupal |
| 2014 – 2015 | Kathrynn Gonzalez |
| 2013 – 2014 | Helena Lucia |
| 2012 – 2013 | Monica Santos-Pinacho |
| 2011 – 2012 | Dora Hernandez |
| 2010 – 2011 | Jerry Gowan |
| 2009 – 2010 | Mary Krzysiak |
| 2008 – 2009 | Amy Burton |
| 2007 – 2008 | David Neuhauser |
| 2006 – 2007 | Richard O’Brien |
| 2005 – 2006 | Laurie Giacomini |
| 2004 – 2005 | Melissa Huse |
| 2003 – 2004 | Kimiyo Kanekoa-Rivera |
| 2002 – 2003 | Robin Shanafelt |
| 2001 – 2002 | Jon Hartinger, Noelani Punwai |
| 2000 – 2001 | Major W. Harris Jr. |
| 1999 – 2000 | Laura Ellsworth |
| 1998 – 1999 | Michelle (Smith) Musso |
| 1997 – 1998 | Jimmie Wright |
| 1996 – 1997 | Karen Brown |
| 1995 – 1996 | Melody Miller |
| 1994 – 1995 | Pam Hilberg, Dennis Lambie |
| 1993 – 1994 | Michael Martin |
| 1992 – 1993 | Adam Baker, Paula Martin |