The Chancellor’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.
Juan Carlos Garcia Gonzalez
B.A., Humanities
During the pandemic Juan Carlos Garcia Gonzalez decided to get a college education. He was living in Vancouver, Wash., at the time, and Clark College had online classes. “We were sitting around with nothing to do and thought we needed to do something or go nuts,” he said, “so I enrolled in Clark.” And that led to WSU Vancouver.
He was 50 years old and had spent his life on the move, growing up in Mexico and living in California, Oregon, Chicago and New York, mainly doing mission work on behalf of his church. He moved to Vancouver in 2015. Having inherited Fabry disease, a genetic kidney disease that requires dialysis three times a week, he has been unable to work. The disease also raises havoc with other parts of the body. But he doesn’t let it set him back. He studies diligently and, even though English is his second language, maintains high grades.
“He often feels unwell and is in pain, but still manages to complete his assignments and always goes to class in a good mood and ready to learn,” said his daughter, Samantha Garcia-Ortiz, a senior at WSU Vancouver who nominated him for the award.
Because Garcia Gonzalez is approachable and easy to talk to, many students look to him as a paternal figure. When he and his daughter attend club meetings on campus, she said, “before the students greet me, someone their age, they are more excited to greet Juan Carlos.” His interest in people inspired him to pursue anthropology as a minor.
Garcia Gonzalez chose a fine arts focus for his humanities degree. As an artist, he has had work published in the Salmon Creek Journal and exhibited in student shows on campus. Although his classes have introduced many artistic mediums, Garcia Gonzalez enjoys painting the most. Yet through his classes, “I have been falling in love with every medium,” he said. His house in Vancouver serves as a studio for him and Samantha, who is also an artist.
“Not to get sappy, but I really don’t think I could be enjoying my time as much as I am at WSU Vancouver if my dad were not here,” Samantha said. “He is somebody who can easily get to know people, and it has allowed me the space to open up. His studious nature has been incredibly motivating to me.”
Past award recipients
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