Scholarships Fuel a Future in Fisheries Science

Sam Caruso grew up in Spokane, where time on the river shaped both a passion for the outdoors and a future in science. He is now a first-year student in the Master of Science in Biology program at Eastern Washington University, studying the population dynamics of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the lower Pend Oreille River.

EWU’s applied learning opportunities are helping him develop expertise that can someday lead to work reintroducing salmon to the Spokane River and its tributaries.

Caruso is developing technical fisheries skills by designing and conducting field research while working alongside partners like the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and regional state and federal agencies.

Those experiences are paired with leadership, as he serves as the vice president of EWU’s American Fisheries Society student chapter, connecting undergraduate students to fieldwork and various professional opportunities. When he’s not on the river, Caruso invests his personal time organizing fundraising events to benefit the club.

Caruso appreciates the scholarship support that is making his journey possible, saying those donors are providing educational opportunities for students who might not otherwise have the means to attend college. “I would like to personally thank anyone who has supported scholarships for Eastern students,” he says.

Caruso is grateful for the community that has supported him at every step of his journey—from family mentors like his grandfather, who taught him how to fly fish, to the generous donors who provided scholarships. He plans to give back through science, stewardship, and service to the rivers that first inspired his dream.

Visit our Giving Joy Day website to meet some of EWU’s scholarship recipients and learn about ways you can help build a future for students.