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Kathryn and her husband J.D. after she was named the WSU William G.
McGowan scholar.
tion/MIS). “Because it is no longer necessary to learn the
various nuances associated with different programming
environments, I’ve developed a greater familiarity with
.NET and had more success in the upper-level programming
courses than I would have had otherwise.”
Unlike most majors, in which students don’t always
need to take courses in the same order, the MIS curriculum
is specifically sequenced to ensure the mastery
of technical skills. The transition to the new curriculum
had to be carefully orchestrated as students who entered
the program under the previous curriculum finished
their studies in the new courses.
Despite this hurdle, the change gets positive reviews
from the students who endured the transition. Says
2006 graduate Matt Tobey: “The switch to the .NET
environment will benefit both current and future
students by offering a dynamic, well-rounded curriculum
that adapts to and reflects mainstream technology
utilized and required by all IT professionals today.”
Junior MIS and Management
and Operations Major Named
Second CB McGowan Scholar
Kathryn Laurance, a 4.0 student from Anchorage,
Alaska, was named the William G. McGowan
Scholar on April 28, 2006. This is the second year the
College of Business has awarded funds from the William
G. McGowan Charitable Fund Inc. through a competitive
application process.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized and supported
by an organization so committed to innovation,” says
Laurance. “William McGowan’s legacy inspires future
leaders and innovators to apply themselves in the business
industry—to make an impact on the lives of people
around the world.”
The scholarship was established in honor of William
G. McGowan, founder of MCI Telecommunications.
In addition to submitting a 1,000-word essay on the
contributions of William G. McGowan to today’s business
world (both in general and in the telecommunications
field), applicants must be non-resident students.
The College of Business identified out-of-state students as
an area currently underserved by available scholarships.
“By strategically targeting funding to aid underserved
student populations, the College of Business is able to
maintain a well-balanced student body,” says Lisa Irby,
CB scholarship coordinator.
Laurance and her husband J.D., a WSU molecular and
biosciences major, have a three-year-old son, John. The
award offers her a full out-of-state tuition scholarship for
the 2006–2007 academic year.
“Receiving funding from McGowan Charitable Fund
allows me to focus on my academic career rather than
my financial situation,” says Laurance. “The award has
also invigorated my passion for academic discovery, and
will allow me to explore more innovative and interesting
opportunities.”
After graduation, Laurance wants to pursue a career
in MIS consulting and organizational restructuring.
“Becoming a McGowan scholar inspires me to follow in
William McGowan’s footsteps, and I hope to one day
make significant contributions to my work, my field, and
my community.”
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