Paying it Forward: The Andrew Kositsky Scholarship

When you’re 15 years old, a college campus—even one as welcoming and beautiful as Western—can be intimidating. 

But when Andrew Kositsky (’04) walked onto campus, he immediately started to feel at home. The students—some five years his senior—were very welcoming. The faculty was warm and helpful, the challenging classes fed his curiosity, and the financial support he received was critical to keeping him in school.

Kositsky had come to WWU from Ferndale High School, and though it was only a town away, WWU was a big and different world to enter. 

“I didn’t feel challenged at Ferndale High School, so I went to Whatcom Community College and entered WWU at 15,” said Kositsky. “I’m so glad I did. Doing it this way allowed me to pursue my interests.” 

And what interested Kositsky was everything from swing dance to calculus. 

“I felt unfettered academically. I took twelve math classes and really enjoyed the teachers and community at Western. I was focused.” 

After Western, he attended the California Institute of Technology. Shortly after graduation from CalTech, he received an internship at ExxonMobil, and has remained with the company ever since.

Looking back on his career, he is grateful to Western for welcoming him in as a younger-than-typical student and the faculty who gave him a strong start. He gives back to Western through the Andrew P. Kositsky Scholarship. Unable to use the FAFSA at 15, he relied on scholarships and other forms of financial support, and he wanted to pay that support forward.

“Ideally, this is a scholarship for people like me who came to Western earlier than usual and need that extra financial support. I also want to support women in STEM. I see every day how many men versus women there are in science, and I would like to be a part of narrowing that gap.”

“I am filled with immense gratitude for the invaluable gift of the Andrew P. Kositsky Scholarship,” said biology major and scholarship recipient Lilly Hulett. “This gift will play a pivotal role in helping me achieve my goals and aspirations, eventually leading me to a position where I can give back through acts of philanthropy to support others in their journey.”

Kositsky encourages other alumni to give back to Western if they have the capacity to do so. 

“I want the opportunity I had to be available to others.”

To support student scholarships, please visit our giving page.

By Frances Badgett