Kenneth Hammond Wins Distinguished Alumnus Award
New Alumni Association Board Members:

Lawrence Bork
Randy Williamson
Sunny Ybarra

From the EWUAA
Admissions Host Thank You

Kenneth Hammond Wins Distinguished Alumnus Award

A 1956 graduate of Eastern Washington University, whose degree took him to a life time of service in the field of teaching, Dr. Kenneth Hammond has been named the 2001 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Given out annually by the EWU Alumni Association, the award recognizes a life of service and dedication by the nominee to career and community.

Hammond's love for teaching began when he was asked by his then instructor of historical geology at EWU to student teach a few classes. According to that instructor, Professor James E. Brooks, president emeritus at Central Washington University (CWU), "Student Hammond delivered some lectures, did exceptionally well, and became hooked on teaching."

"I can say sincerely that the system at Eastern was easy to navigate and it was a friendly place," recalls Hammond. "I have continued to appreciate the generally high level of competence as well as the conscientious and caring nature of the faculty and staff with whom I had contact. I found inspiring teachers, accomplished scholars, unselfish public servants and superior role models. I benefited from what they gave so unselfishly."

Hammond's teaching career began in Camas, Wash., where he taught sophomore biology, senior-level speech and eighth grade reading and spelling. He then returned to Eastern for a master's in natural resources. Filling in for a professor on leave, Hammond got a taste of university-level teaching and decided to pursue his Ph.D. in geography at the University of Washington.

After a two-year stint with a staff and research arm of the state Legislature, he taught for a year at CWU, then went to the University of Michigan, where he received a Ph.D. in conservation.

Returning to Washington state, he began a 35-year teaching career at CWU, where he became one of the most popular and respected faculty members. He received a Distinguished University Professor award from Central, served on 35 master's committees, received 16 grants and contracts (one of them the largest ever received at CWU) and has an impressive list of publications to his credit.

Hammond lives in Ellensburg, Wash., with his wife of 47 years, Britta Jo, who was also an Eastern student in the 1950s and has worked in education for more than 20 years. They have three children – David, Janis and Stuart – and seven grandchildren.

New Alumni Association Board Members

Lawrence Bork (BS 1988)
Bork was raised in Olympia, but enjoyed spending time in eastern Washington. He has fond memories of EWU and says, "The four years of college were the greatest years of my life." He especially enjoyed making good friends, finding out what campus life was all about, and playing intramural sports.

Bork is a claims adjuster for Allstate Insurance Co. in Seattle, helping people who have been injured in severe auto accidents. In his spare time he enjoys volunteering with church youth groups.

Bork decided to serve on the board because, "My time at EWU was so great I felt I should give some time back to the school." He is working on arranging regional alumni events. He is looking forward to meeting new people and to having a lot of fun serving on the board.

Randy Williamson (BA 1982, MA 1987)
A chartering member of Delta Chi Fraternity; (first national fraternity at EWU in the 1980s) Williamson helped to "trail blaze the route for other fraternities and sororities." He enjoyed athletics, which gave him a sense of pride in EWU. "Attending EWU was one of the most positive experiences in my life," says Williamson.

He works as a program analyst with the Tri-County Workforce Development Council in Yakima, managing federal contracts to provide job training to low-income and disadvantaged people. He volunteers with United Way, the YWCA, and local school districts.

As a board member, he hopes to increase alumni involvement and the awareness of EWU in Washington State. "I want to give back to Eastern and help to positively promote it," he says.

Sunny Ybarra (Attended EWU, 97-00)
Ybarra studied at EWU for a master's degree in clinical psychology after receiving a BA from the University of Washington. He did his practicum at Eastern's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). He enjoyed working with other EWU students and cherishes his practicum experience at EWU.

Ybarra now works as a counselor at Gonzaga Preparatory High School in Spokane, where he is also a varsity football coach. He volunteers on the school's diversity committee and is working to create a Diversity Director position at the school.

As an EWU alumni board member he hopes to maintain and promote student and alumni interests while supporting the interests of the Chicano Education Program's alumni board (of which he is also a member) and their efforts at EWU.

From the EWUAA

There are many ways that each of us can show pride in our alma mater, but clearly this state offers one of the best. We can all wear our pride on our vehicle by owning EWU license plates. With all the good news surrounding Eastern these days, this is an excellent opportunity to put your alma mater on display all around the state.

Sales of EWU license plates have a two-fold purpose. Not only do you show your pride, but funds generated through sales of these plates is applied toward scholarships, thus providing educational opportunities for many prospective Eastern students.

I am sure that many of you have seen the Eastern license plate, but this year the plate is going to look a little different.

The new plate now features the official EWU logo. Many of us have come to see this logo as a symbol of this great new EWU era. What a great way to show your pride.

Living on the west side of the state, I have personally found displaying my Eagle pride on a license plate to be a rewarding experience. I also really like seeing other EWU plates on the road as I'm driving.

I invite you to take pride in your alma mater and join us in making Eastern more visible throughout the state.

- Ray Johnson,
President, EWUAA

Admission Host Thank You

The Admissions Office would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our supporters who graciously hosted our "Sneak Preview" Information Nights this past fall and spring.

Our success is complemented by your continuous support!

• Brad Banta (BAB 1988), Coeur d'Alene Inn, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
• Mark Johnston (BA 2000), Washington State Capitol, Olympia, Wash.
• Doug Kelley (BA 1983), Avista Corporation, Spokane, Wash.
• Valerie Kirkwood (BA 1981), Big Bend CC, Moses Lake, Wash.
• Tim Lewis (BA 1977), Eddie Bauer University, Redmond, Wash.
• Kevin & Sue Linn (BS 1988), Washington State Capitol, Olympia, Wash.
• Donna Magruder (BA 1982), Battelle Pacific Northwest, Richland, Wash.
• Gail & Eric Spolar (BA 1982), Fisher's Landing Transit Center (CTRAN), Vancouver, Wash.
• Dan Tonkovich (BA 1981), City of Vancouver, Vancouver, Wash.
• Laurel Zovko (BAE 1997) Microsoft, Redmond, Wash.