Western Ambassadors
Meet our group of students , also known as "Western Ambassadors!" These students are from across the country and represent a variety of majors and interests. Scroll down to find out their involvement on campus and in the community.
2010-2011 Western Ambassadors
Katie Boileau
Junior
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colo.
Major: Accounting & Business Administration
Areas of campus involvement: Katie works for the fitness center and the Ruby Cinema Theater.
Favorite spot on-campus: The student center. It is great for socializing, doing homework, and getting a snack.
One thing that surprised me most about Western after arriving here was... How fast I met so many people.
The one Western experience I will always remember will be... Going rafting with Wilderness Pursuits and making some great friends.
"There is no place like Western!"
Eric Booton
Junior
Hometown: Littleton, Colo.
Major: Environmental Studies & Sociology
Favorite restaurant: Powerstop! Awesome burgers, locally grown beef.
Western is the right fit for me because... It's a small mountain college.
My favorite professor is ... Sociology Professor Dan Cress.
"I love Western and the Gunnison Valley becasue it is filled with endless adventures year round."
Ramon Caballero
Junior
Hometown: Delta, Colo.
Major: Business Administration
Favorite WSC tradition: The Homecoming Celebrations.
Western is the right fit for me because... It's the perfect size and location.
The one Western experience I will always remember will be... Springfest my freshman year. It snowed while the band was playing and I was surprised by the random weather in Gunnison.
Favorite spot on campus ... The fire pit.
"It always sunny in Gunny!"
Hannah Cottier 
Junior
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colo.
Major: Recreation and Outdoor Education
Minors: Biology & Business Administration
Areas of campus involvement: Mountain Rescue Team, Freeride Ski Team, Women's Ice Hockey Team.
Western is the right fit for me because... It's a good school, that offers so many opportunities and it is in h an amazing location.
One thing that surprised me most about Western after arriving here was... How little (noticable) difference there is between 5 degrees and -20 degrees. (It really doesn't feel that cold here!)
The one Western experience I will always remember will be... All of my experiences throught the Mountain Rescue Team.
"Here at Western you don't have to try to be someone you're not!"
Fletcher Davis
Sophomore
Hometown: Hope, Maine
Major: Math
Minors: Environmental Studies & Economics
Areas of campus involvement: Whitewater Club, Mens Club Soccer, Math tutor.
Western is the right fit for me because... I can balance academics with the outdoor activities that I love.
The one Western experience I will always remember will be... Kayaking down the "Green Monster" during the first snow fall.
"It's never too late to try something new!"
Sam Degenhard
Sophomore
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Major: Business & Computer Information Science
Areas of campus involvement: Freeride Ski Team, Mountain Bike Team, managing the on-campus Rail Park
Favorite spot on campus: The upstairs fireplace in the College Center.
I chose Western because... It gives me everything I ever wanted in a school, outdoors, small classes, and friendly people.
The one Western experience I will always remember will be... My first home with my best friends.
"College is a big step but coming to Western feels like home."
Grace Eggleston
Junior
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colo.
Major: Organizational Communications
Minor: Business Administration & Pre - Law
Areas of campus involvement: Grace runs Cross Country for WSC and is in the Honors Program. She is also a member of the Student Advisory Board, the Snowboard Club, and the Academic Leadership Program.
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Snowboard!! That is by far my favorite, but I also like mountain biking, skiing, and going to the river to cliff jump.
Favorite restaurant in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Ginger Cafe in CB because it offers a lot of unique, but healthy choices.
Favorite spot on campus: Taylor Lawn - it is a fun spot to hang out with friends or do homework in the sun.
"The one Western experience I will always remember will be the personalized attention I received from my professors. They encouraged me to push myself and that will forever help me."
Fred Gross 
Junior
Hometown: Santa Fe, N.M.
Major: Recreation and Outdoor Education
Favorite thing to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: I love to fish, hike, climb, hunt, and find lost people (he's a member of WSC's Mountain Search and Rescue Team).
I chose Western because... it felt very friendly and welcoming along with what the area has to offer.
One thing that surprised me about Western after arriving here was... how active everyone is.
"Western is the only place a person can go from a mountain summit to class in an hour's time."
Brittany Grote
Sophomore
Hometown: Littleton, Colo.
Major: Environmental Studies & Business Administration
Favorite restaurant: 5 B's BBQ. It's local, affordable, and you always see people you know.
Areas of Campus involvement: Brittany is involved is Asian Pacific Islands Club and Native American Student Council in the Multicultural Center. She is also involved in the Sustainability Coalition, was an Orientation Leader, and is in the Womens Snowboarding club.
"We live in the real Disneyland, these are the happiest people on Earth - and they are not paid."
James Haag 
Junior
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colo.
Major: Geology
Minor: Chemistry
Involvement on campus: James is really involved with WSC's music program as he is in five different music groups. He is also an Academic Leadership Program Scholar, and is involved with KWSB, Western's radio station. He is considering becoming involved with Program Council and is looking forward to tutoring you in the Math Tutoring Center.
Western is the right fit for me because... Western gave me the chance to study what I want and have room for involvement in my other interests.
The one Western experience I will always remember will be... There was a basketball game and I was in Varsity Band. The Director calls out "Iron Man" and I was playing the guitar part, once I started the famous well known guitar part, the whole crowd turned around and cheered me on.
"Western is like a foyer, once you get in, there are endless doors leading to great opportunities and experiences."
Jess Hadford
Senior
Hometown: Nederland, Colo.
Major: Exercise and Sport Science & Psychology
Favorite restaurant in Gunnison/CB: The Gunnisack, they have the best burgers in town and the best dessert EVER!
Favorite things to do in Gunnison/Crested Butte: Ride my bike to the river or go out to the lake with friends.
Favorite spot on campus: The track, it’s where I can do what I love and clear my mind. (Jess is a Track runner for WSC).
The one Western experience I will always remember will be….living in the dorms my freshman year.
Josh King
Senior
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colo.
Major: Math
Minor: Education Licensure
Involvement on campus: Josh is the VP for the Baseball club, he is a math grader and tutor, and is an intramural participant.
Random Fact: Josh took a semester and studied abroad in Ireland.
The one Western experience I will always remember will be… My first home baseball game when like 200 people showed up to watch.
Favorite spot on campus: The Escalante Fitness Center. It’s a place to get away from it all, without going anywhere.
"This is the best place to spend your 4 years of college."
Alecia Lambert
Sophomore
Hometown: Hartland, Maine
Major: Biology - Ecology
Minor: Math
Involvement on campus: Tri-Beta (Biology Honor Society), Partners (mentoring young children), Music ensembles.
Random Fact: I donated over ten inches of hair to make wigs for young cancer patients.
Western is the right fit for me because… the class sizes and student body size allow me to recognize and develop relationships with both faculty and other students.
One thing that surprised me most about Western after arriving here was… that the environment was much different than i expected.
"I love Western for it's small size and gigantic opportunities."
Danielle Lauridsen
Junior
Hometown: Ft. Collins, Colo.
Major: Chemistry & Biology
Involvement on campus: Women’s snowboarding club, Chemistry club, Chemistry Tutor, and intramural sports.
Random Fact: I RODEO! I team rope and breakaway rope and won the breakaway this year for the whole State of Colorado!
Western is the right fit for me because… I am happy and satisfied with every part of my life here. It just feels right!
One thing that surprised me most about Western after arriving here was… the winter wasn’t that bad. Once it’s cold, it’s all the same.
"Western is so great. You can walk anywhere on campus in less than 10 minutes."
Shea Lewis
Junior
Hometown: Montrose, Colo.
Major: Art – Graphic Design Emphasis
Minor: Business Administration
Favorite spot on campus: Taylor lawn because there is always something going on and people to see.
Random Fact: I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 19.
Western is the right fit for me because…The classes are small and the professors know my name.
I chose Western because… It was within my budget and the Art Program is amazing.
"Western has a great campus with a lot to offer students. Classes are great and there are no teacher’s assistants here."
Laurel Sweeney
Junior
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colo.
Major: English
Emphasis: Secondary Education
Areas of campus involvement: President of Women's club soccer team and member of the English honors society.
Favorite restaurant in Gunnison or Crested Butte: The Secret Stash because it's funky and they make awesome and really unique pizzas.
Favorite spot on campus: Taylor lawn because it's beautiful and a great place to take a book or people watch.
"This is an awesome place to go to school!"
