Contact: Lisa Shin
(206) 937-9691
lshin@washingtonpolicy.org

SEATTLE — Washington Policy Center (WPC) announced today it has awarded the 2015 Jennifer Dunn-Thomson Scholarship to Hayley Hohman of Spokane, WA.  The fifth annual scholarship provides $5,000 from the Jennifer Dunn-Thomson Fund for America’s Future to a female college student who exemplifies Jennifer’s leadership, commitment to public service and personal values.

Hayley is entering her junior year at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, where she is pursuing a degree in Quantitative Economics. Hayley has served as Chief of Staff as well as Director of Legislative Affairs and Chief of Staff of the Associated Students of Washington State University,  and served on Washington State University's President's Student Advisory Council. She is currently the President at the Washington Student Association, which is the only student-led organization in the state that represents, serves and protects the collective interests of students receiving public post-secondary education.

"This scholarship is a great help in allowing me to continue my education at Washington State University. The legacy of Congresswoman Dunn is that of a trailblazer who worked to make the path easier for women who would come after her. Her compassionate character and dedication to supporting constituents and building meaningful relationships is a powerful inspiration for me and other women. I am extremely grateful to receive this scholarship and honor and will use it to pursue my passion for economic sciences," said Hayley.

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, son of the late Congresswoman, congratulated Hayley, "I'm so pleased that WPC’s annual Jennifer Dunn Scholarship has been awarded to such a deserving and promising individual. As a student of politics, Haley Hohman will be able to share in the vision and goals of my late mother's political leadership."

“Hayley is clearly a very accomplished young woman, and Washington Policy Center is proud to have her as the recipient of this year's scholarship. Her strong leadership at WSU and for college students across the state and active involvement in the community exemplify the type of leader that will carry on Jennifer's legacy of service," said WPC President Dann Mead Smith.

Jennifer Dunn-Thomson, who passed away in 2007, served as the Representative from Washington’s 8th Congressional District from 1993–2005. During her time in Congress, she served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, championed fiscal reform and rose to become Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference.  At its 2005 Annual Dinner in Seattle, WPC honored Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn-Thomson with its annual Champion of Freedom Award “for her contributions throughout her distinguished Congressional career advocating for her constituents and our entire state on the important policy issues facing our region. Honoring her strong leadership, support of free-market principles and being a friend to small businesses and taxpayers on the death tax repeal and other tax reforms.”

WPC awarded the 2014 scholarship to current Washington State University student Stephanie George, who is from Moxee and used her scholarship to intern for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers in Washington, DC this spring. She is currently entering her senior year at WSU and completing a dual major in Agriculture and Food Business Economics and Economics with an agriculture production option, and a minor in Political Science.

WPC, an independent, public policy think tank with a staff of 17, a $2.3 million budget and offices in Seattle, Olympia, Spokane and the Tri-Cities, will begin accepting applications for the 2016 Jennifer Dunn-Thomson Scholarship this fall. Click here for more information on the scholarship.