When Victor Popov emigrated from Russia with his wife, eight children, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren in 1994, he arrived in Spokane knowing very little English. On June 16, 2001, he graduated from Eastern with a B.A. in finance. His son Pavel graduated the same day with a B.A. in computer science, and daughter Svetlana is working on a degree in management information systems. Another son starts classes at Eastern this fall.

"This is our family university now," Victor says. "Imagine an old Russian immigrant like me coming to the United States, learning English and starting all over again. I have this degree and now I am not afraid to take any job I might be offered in the American finance industry."

"There are great opportunities for us in this blessed country, and we are thankful so much to our Lord, to the American government and to our teachers and friends."