In memory of Leroy “Lee” and Yoshie Blakeslee, their daughters, Ann Blakeslee and Lisa Little, have established this fund to support graduate students in Agricultural or Applied Economics who have an interest in conducting quantitative economic analyses of problems in the agricultural sector of the economy.
Lee’s years growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York inspired his educational choices. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his PhD from Iowa State University, both in Agricultural Economics. He then joined the faculty at Washington State University where he spent his entire career. During his tenure at WSU, Lee earned respect as a researcher and teacher with a focus on Econometrics and Quantitative Economic Analysis, as Department Chair, and as a dedicated mentor to a multitude of PhD candidates. Two of his best pieces of work received national awards for Quality of Research Discovery. Yoshie was a long-time employee of WSU’s Civil & Environmental Engineering department where she supported undergraduate students as an academic advisor and a friend. The Blakeslees had an enduring fondness for Pullman, Cougar athletics, and the many personal connections that grew out of their time at WSU.
Award Requirements: This fund shall be used to award one scholarship per year to a graduate student with an interest in conducting quantitative economic analyses of problems in the agricultural sector of the economy. May be renewed annually based on need and merit.