About
I am so pleased to write on behalf of the GWSS program to nominate Tyler Angell
for the Jeffers Chertok Memorial Scholarship. Tyler is just the kind of
exceptional student this award is set up to recognize.
Tyler Angell was already on the ground “running” via Running Start when I met him
as a new full-time student in fall 2023. His enthusiasm for all the ways he planned to
maximize his time at EWU was contagious. As a self-identified white, cisgender male
he expressed a desire to take courses in all the diversity programs to learn as much as
he could from these intersectional fields and find ways to advocate for social justice. He
is majoring in GWSS and wants to minor in as many diversity programs as he can.
And, unlike many students who have their enthusiasm depleted over the course of their
first year, Tyler’s has only grown.
One of the characteristics that sets Tyler apart is his leadership through generosity and
commitment to community building. I have had many students share examples with
me and have witnessed this myself. One student told me that Tyler gave them $170 out
of his own pocket when the student was facing eviction. He then helped that student
find resources to navigate his houselessness. Tyler is always showing up to support
other students’ projects. In just the last week, I’ve seen him at multiple presentations
during the Student Research & Creative Works Symposium and at an art student
demonstration on the campus mall.
When I told Tyler GWSS wanted to nominate him for the Chertok scholarship, he was
thrilled and appreciative. Then, in the very next paragraph, he suggested we also
nominate one of his peers because he is “continuously blown away by her work” and he
felt she is “well deserving of the award.” I have never had a student award nominee
suggest other students who would obviously be their competition. I’ve witnessed Tyler
offer similar praise and thoughtful appreciation of his classmates during class
discussions.
Addressing Tyler’s academic acuity, Dr. Mimi Marinucci shared the following: “Tyler is
a thoughtful student who is willing to ask difficult questions. He grasps theoretical
subtleties that are easy to overlook or ignore.” I experienced a beautiful expression of
this a few weeks ago. A local artist was addressing our class about how art has long
been integral to activism. She had us listen to Nina Simone’s rendition of her song
“Strange Fruit.” For many students, including Tyler, it was the first time they had
heard that powerful song and they were visibly moved. After a period of silence, Tyler
offered that, listening to Simone hold some notes for so long, he found himself holding
his breath, waiting for release. He said he felt that was Simone expressing how she was
waiting for release from the horror [of lynching], asking “when is it going to end?”
Dr. Jessi Willis also has the highest praise for Tyler’s scholar-activism: Tyler
is an exceptionally insightful and inquisitive student. His coursework
consistently exceeds expectations and reflects deep, critical thinking. Tyler is
innovative in the applications of social justice scholarship that attends to persistent
marginalized structural inequalities. For example, in the GWSS101 course, Tyler
took on scholarly examination of issues related to MMIW. His presentation on this
topic not only extended community learning on a vital intersectional feminist issue.
It demonstrated how voices situated with privilege must be used to disrupt
systemic practices of violence.
Tyler is not afraid to take on difficult topics. He consistently demonstrates
characteristics of a lifelong learner. His investment in addressing issues of
diversity, inclusion, and marginalization indicate a commitment to socially-lived
theorizing.
After only two quarters as a GWSS major, Tyler took on the leadership role of
reestablishing Generation Action, the student action group addressing issues of
bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. Again, this example highlights the Tyler’s
commitment to directly engage with contemporary issues vital to this moment and
specifically impacting our most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Along with GWSS’s endorsement of Tyler, Dr. Gloria Baynes (Africana Studies), Dr.
Max Hohner (English), and Kim Davis (Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) all
offered to write letters of support on very short notice. These letters speak to the
breadth of Tyler’s impact across departments/program and campus units. The letters
are included with this nomination. Also included are Tyler’s resume and an example of
his intersectional scholar-activism, a tabling flyer he created for a reproductive justice
tabling event.
Tyler offered this statement about this work revitalizing the Planned Parenthood
student organization: I want to create an organization and community that expands people’s
social and political networks, that creates for others the sense of empowerment and
belonging that I’ve found in the GWSS department. I’ve learned from my studies that we are
much more powerful together than we are alone, and collective grassroots action
for social justice and healing is my ultimate goal – Planned Parenthood Generation
Action is my current vehicle for that dream.
This kind of self-reflection and dedication is exceptional, and reflective of the
characteristics Jeffers Chertok modeled for students and the larger community. Tyler is
without question an exceptional feminist scholar-activist. He is already using his
education to benefit and teach in his wider peer learning community. We could not
more strongly recommend Tyler Angell for this award.
Thank you,
Dr. Judy Rohrer
Director
Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
