Walking across the EWU campus, gazing across the new mall, looking at renovated facilities, and weaving between the many, many students everywhere, I couldn't help but wonder how my experience as a 1974 Eastern graduate could possibly relate to the Eastern of today. When I entered as a freshman, we were the "Eastern Savages." Before I graduated, we became the Eastern Eagles. My diploma identifies me as a graduate of Eastern Washington State College. Today's graduates bear the seal of Eastern Washington University. Have my fellow grads and I been passed by? Not on your life!

As EWUAA president, I get to see first-hand how EWU weaves my experiences into the vivid tapestry of our history. What became obvious to me is that Eastern is experiencing this "Golden Era" because of, and not in spite of, the different experiences we all had as students here at Eastern. Our history, like a proud coat of arms, bears the tales of those who came before as a banner to those who would identify us from afar. The graduates of "Cheney Normal School" look at today's Eastern and see the nation-leading education program they have handed down to us. During our recent "Golden Grads Reunion" this past April, the alums inspired and amazed us with the exploits of their days of glory. We listened in disbelief to hear that freshmen in the 1950s were required to wear beanies until Homecoming. (In my days on campus, this kind of requirement simply "would not fly.") Today people often talk about the large number of current Eastern students who are themselves parents. They aren't the first. For our alums who attended Eastern after returning from WWII, "Trailerville" has a special meaning, as they recall the rows of trailers which housed returning veterans and their families. And we were swept along as the gathered golden alums broke into a favorite song of school rivalry: "Don't send my boy to Bellingham, a dying mother said, don't send my boy to PLU, I'd rather see him dead. But send my boy to Eastern, it's better than Cornell, And rather than to Whitworth, I'd see my boy in– hell-o ladies, hello ladies, the Sutton Madhatters are here!"

Now is the time that Eastern's history reclaims us. The stately alumni of "Cheney State Normal School" march side by side along the dignified graduates of "Eastern Washington State College" who in turn share the path with the vibrant alums of today's Eastern Washington University Eagles. Our experiences as students at Eastern add color and depth to the history that proclaims our current "Golden Age". We older alums share stories about the high points, the low points, and the humorous times we had as students. In fact, since I've become EWUAA president, some of my former classmates have threatened to share some of my stories - with pictures! We welcome our EWU graduating class of 2000 as our newest alumni. As students they have already expressed a surprising and invigorating interest in hearing "what Eastern used to be like." Share that legacy!

We will be devoting a portion of Perspective each issue to sharing your stories. On the opposite page we are featuring memories of Sutton Hall throughout the years. For our Fall issue, we would like to hear your stories and memories of Homecoming at Eastern. So take a few minutes, send us a note, an e-mail or give us a call.

Respectfully,

W.C. "Cam" Buffington
Class of 1974
EWUAA President