News

CHENEY, Wash. - Members of another strong freshman class at Eastern Washington University will mark their first steps on campus with a walk through the traditional entry point to campus, the Herculean Pillars, at 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 19, at the corner of College Avenue and Fifth Street.

The "Pass through the Pillars" event is just one of many welcoming activities on the Eastern campus for the 2011 freshman class.

Moments before the procession, the students will gather for their class picture. Then they will walk through the pillars and up the brick pathway that leads to historic Showalter Hall. Faculty, staff and alumni will line the pathway cheering on the students as they begin their Eastern journey.

The event will take place after the annual Welcome Back Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the PUB Multipurpose Room.

EWU is expecting more than 1,500 freshmen this year, putting it right on par with the previous year's class - which was one of the largest ever. The entire student body is expected to total well over 10,000 for the second consecutive year. Final numbers will not be available until early October. Classes start on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

The Alumni Association and students created the gateway in 1915. Comprised of two prominent stone pillars, it was designed to send a message of hope and renewal in the aftermath of the Cheney Normal School fire of 1912. Stone and granite from the original school were used to build the monument.

####