James and Jean Hinthorne Scholarship
Scholarship Awardees
The Hinthorne fund was established in 2019 with a founding donation from CWU Emeritus Professor Jim Hinthorne. Funds from this award support student participation in field-based courses that carry fees in addition to tuition.
Interested in contributing to this scholarship to support undergraduate students? We are actively seeking to grow this fund. Find out how you can support us.
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2022 Awardees
Gabe Carlson: I am 20 years old and an Eagle Scout. I first became interested in geology when exploring abandoned gold mines with my grandfather at around nine years old. I did my first real gold mining when I turned twelve and was allowed to go to my grandfather gold claim. Seeing that beautiful yellow stuff in the bottom of my gold pan truly cemented my passion for geology. I have continued to mine for gold every summer since then. I enjoy practically everything to do with the outdoors, but my two favorite things are backpacking and rockhounding, I also enjoy rock climbing. As for my future after I graduate, I plan on getting a master's degree in mineralogy, or something similar. With those degrees I hope to get a job traveling the world as an exploration geologist working for a mining company. I would like to give a special thank you to everyone who made this scholarship possible and helped me get one step closer to my dream.
James Genero IV: I am currently a freshman at CWU. I am from Longview, WA (about an hour's drive from Mt. St Helens!) I am working on obtaining my B.S. in Geology and after that I intend to pursue a master's degree and a doctorate in the study of volcanoes! Volcanoes and earthquakes are a big interest of mine, that's where my passions lie.Jessica Scharpf: I am from Lacey, Washington. I decided to come to Central Washington University to grow my knowledge and understanding of the Earth and earth processes by getting a bachelor’s degree in Geology. I have always been fascinated by the sciences, my passion being in paleontology originally, then growing into wanting to understand earth processes. My future goal after getting my bachelor's is to either go for a master's in volcanology or a Ph.D. in Paleontology. One of my dreams is to have the chance to go do any kind of geological studies in Antarctica!
Rhiannon Whitehead: I am a first-generation college student, working toward my Bachelor of Science in geology. I have always been fascinated by the sciences and was convinced by a professor at Everett Community College that I was a geology major and just didn’t know it yet. Almost three years later, here I am, still studying geology! I have more recently been studying the Teanaway River and presented my research at GSA in Las Vegas. After graduation in Winter 2023, I plan to take a break from school for a year or two and gain work experience. I then hope to return for a Master’s program in petrology or mineralogy. I want to recognize our very supportive department, staff, and students alike, for helping me to succeed and find my path. I am very grateful to the Hinthorne Foundation for this educational opportunity!
Ariel Williams: I began college as a Psychology major but was convinced to switch over to Geology at my community College by CWU alum Michelle Harris, who is a professor at Centralia Community College. I have always had a love for volcanoes ever since I went to Mt. St. Helen's when I was 3 or 4 years old, and was captivated by the movie they played of the eruption. I hope to go on and receive my Master's Degree in either Volcanology or Igneous Petrology, and build a career studying volcanic eruptions and magmatic triggers, as well as hazard analysis. Working with the Cascade Range volcanoes would be a dream come true but I would also be happy to work in Yellowstone National Park.
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2021 Awardees
Colton Bell: I am a first-generation college student from a small town in Washington. I have always been interested in earth sciences, but I have become especially interested in economic geology. After graduation I hope to work for a mining or mineral exploration company for a short time before applying for graduate school and pursuing my Master's degree.
Alexis Naranjo: I am a first-generation student at Central Washington University. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in geology with the hopes of continuing my education even further. Upon arriving at college, my plan did not involve becoming a geologist. That is until I enrolled into an introduction to geology class that compelled me to change my future career path. The class introduced me to many new topics I had never learned about, which really made me gravitate to a geology major. Earning this degree can offer different option when it comes to choosing a career, so I am looking forward to any future job opportunities that might come my way. I, also, look forward to a future career where I can be outdoors and explore, while, also collecting data and samples.
Samuel Eyassu: I am a first-time university student in my immediate family. Ever since High School I knew that I would either be a meteorologist or a geologist when I grew up, since I always found earth processes to be fascinating. It was later on when I started my freshmen year when, I wanted to be an Economic Geologist, I wanted to know why do minerals that we always take for granted in everyday life, are found in the specific environments only. As of writing this reflection and gratitude paragraph I am in the works of obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Geology, hopefully by next year. Beyond that, I am working on plans on getting to start my career to gain experience before going back to graduate school. As an awardee of the Hinthorne Scholarship, I am deeply thankful for this opportunity to help me on my path towards reaching my goals.
Calli Frisinger: I am from Bozeman, MT. I am currently a junior at Central Washington University, and I am a geology major. After graduation, I plan on attending Graduate school and attaining my Master’s in Petroleum Geology.
Abbey Crowe: I am from Orting Washington. I came to Central with ambitions for a Bachelor of Science in Geology and discovered while I was here the opportunities CWU offers with its STEM teaching program. I am now on track to graduate in Spring of 2022 with a double major in geology and STEM teaching. I would love to work either in state or national parks service in some capacity or as a high school teacher post-graduation and look forward to either opportunity.
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