Spotlight Student: Shannon Gaston

Editor’s Note: Spotlight Students are nominated by staff and faculty at WSU Spokane and were recognized during commencement for their dedication, commitment, sacrifice and/or ability to overcome great odds to succeed as a student. They are selected by a committee ahead of commencement. WSU Spokane will feature a Spotlight Student each day through May 13.

In November of 2015, a devastating wind storm blew out power to most of Spokane.

Shannon Gaston played an important role in helping students who were impacted.

As the Campus Pantry Coordinator, Gaston (above and left) – who graduated last week from WSU Spokane’s Nutrition and Exercise Physiology program – was responsible for making sure the campus pantry was well-stocked. The campus pantry is a food service on campus that serves anybody in need of assistance. During the wind storm, many students, staff and faculty were without power for an extended period of time (and thus, without the ability to keep food cold).

Gaston has volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank and the Union Gospel Mission during her time at WSU. She’s been recognized on the President’s Honor Roll each year since 2012.

Gaston said her post-graduation plans are to enter the Coordinated Program for Dietetics in the fall. She plans on taking her Registered Dietitian exam after finishing her master’s program and will look for jobs as a clinical dietitian in a hospital setting or work in community nutrition education.