Washington Policy Center (WPC), a public policy research think tank in Washington state, has awarded the Jennifer Dunn-Thomson Scholarship to Kendra Clark of Auburn.

The scholarship provides $5,000 from the fund for America’s Future to a female college student who exemplifies Jennifer’s leadership, commitment to public service and personal values.

Kendra graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in political science in June. At the UW she was a leader in the Pre-Law Society, interned for Congressman Dave Reichert in Washington, D.C., and participated in Washington Policy Center’s Doug and Janet True Internship Program.

In August, she will begin studies for her Juris Doctorate at American University’s Washington College of Law, in Washington, D.C.

“I am truly honored to be this year’s recipient of the Jennifer Dunn-Thomson Scholarship and to become a part of her legacy,” Kendra said. “Congresswoman Dunn was a model of character, integrity, and hard work that I admire and emulate in my own life. I can only dream of following such a strong woman’s footsteps and hope that one day I may have the same lasting impact.”

“We are proud to award the scholarship to a deserving young woman with a promising future,” said WPC President Dann Mead Smith. “Kendra will help keep Congresswoman Dunn-Thomson’s legacy alive for today’s generation of young leaders.”

Jennifer Dunn-Thomson, who passed away in September 2007, served as the Representative from Washington’s 8th Congressional District from 1993-2005. During her time in Congress, she served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, championed fiscal reform, and rose to become Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference.

At its 2005 Annual Dinner in Seattle, WPC honored Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn-Thomson with its annual Champion of Freedom Award, “For her contributions throughout her distinguished Congressional career advocating for her constituents and our entire state on the important policy issues facing our region. Honoring her strong leadership, support of free-market principles and being a friend to small businesses and taxpayers on the death tax repeal and other tax reforms.”

WPC awarded the 2011 scholarship to University of Washington graduate Samantha Bowman of Federal Way. Recently Samantha completed her Master’s of Science in Accounting and Finance degree at the London School of Economics.

WPC will begin accepting applications for the 2013 Jennifer Dunn-Thomson Scholarship in December.