Michella Sutherland

Anticipated Graduation Year: 2012

Major: Speech Communication

Hometown: Spokane, Wash.

Whitworth activities/clubs: Students4Giving, Communication Club

Favorite music: Brett Dennen

Favorite guilty pleasure: I love people watching. The best place to watch people is during HoopFest in Spokane during the summer.

We’d be surprised to know that… I was born in the passenger side of a Mercedez Benz, in front of a Chinese restaurant, in Pordenone, Italy.

Favorite thing about Whitworth: I love that I can address my professors by first name and feel comfortable meeting then for coffee to discuss assignments.

Favorite professor: Ron Pyle is the most wonderful professor. I have so much respect for him as an instructor and friend.  I have learned so much from him and actually look forward to attending his class.

Best class: The most impactful class at Whitworth is Race and Ethnicity taught by Jenni Holsinger. This class was so meaningful to me; it changed how I view the world.

Research/special projects I'm involved in: As a member of the Students4Giving committee, I wrote my first grant and the club was awarded $500 toward its cause. The money went toward local non-profit organizations in Spokane. I felt honored to serve the Spokane community.

Advice for incoming students: You are at a liberal arts institute; take advantage of all the courses offered to you. There are some really great ones out there. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a trillion majors. Enjoy your time here because once it’s gone, there is nothing else like it.

What I plan to do after graduation: I want to travel outside of the United States for two months or so after graduating and then I will begin graduate school in hopes of obtaining an MPA (Masters in Public Administration).