When Eastern Washington University alumna Delaney Putnam returned to campus last May, she came back not just as a visitor but as a working scientist helping to create new opportunities for future STEM students.

Putnam graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She soon landed a lab technologist position with Novelis, a producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and the world’s largest aluminum recycler, at the company’s Spokane Valley plant. More recently, she’s been busy bringing Novelis and EWU closer together through a new partnership that will support students through a multi-year scholarship program.

The Novelis Aluminum STEM Scholarship will provide five $1,400 scholarships to students in EWU’s chemistry, engineering and MESA programs.

Putnam said she got the idea for the scholarship after noticing several Novelis employees, herself included, are EWU alumni.

“We have three or four people on the team from EWU,” Putnam said. “I saw what other Novelis locations were doing for their local schools, and it just clicked—since we have this EWU connection, it made perfect sense to support Eastern.”

She brought the idea to her team, where it quickly gained momentum. With Putnam leading the charge, Novelis employees visited the campus, toured the Interdisciplinary Science Center and the newly renovated Science Building, and chatted with faculty to learn more about EWU’s STEM programs and how the university prepares students through applied learning.

For Putnam, the visit brought back memories of her own hands-on learning experiences, which she now puts into practice every day. At Novelis, she analyzes aluminum samples for impurities, helping ensure the material’s quality before it gets shipped out to major manufacturers, including Coca-Cola, BMW and Jaguar.

During her return to campus, Putnam rolled up her sleeves and joined students in a working lab — this time in the Geosciences 462 class taught by recent Trustee Medal of Honor recipient Carmen Nezat, a professor of geosciences and environmental science.

Students in the lab typically tackle a real-world industry challenge, such as breaking down aluminum samples to find impurities. Watching students work through familiar industry challenges reinforced Putnam’s belief in the value of experiential learning.

“It’s hard to put into words how important [hands-on opportunities] are — they really help you be ready for what comes after graduation,” Putnam says.

Putnam also says she’s excited to watch Eastern’s polytechnic programs continue to grow and hopes students will have even more opportunities for hands-on learning in the future.

For Novelis, this scholarship is about supporting today’s students and building up future talent in STEM fields and the communities where its employees live and work. Megan Durfey, an accounting professional at Novelis, sees these programs as a way to keep the industry strong while giving students a clear path from the classroom to a career.

“Novelis has always wanted to back STEM initiatives,” Durfey said. “There just aren’t enough people entering these fields, so we ask ourselves — how do we encourage and support the next wave of talent?”

She also pointed out that partnerships between local organizations and universities help students see their career possibilities. “Companies have to show up for local universities and high schools so students can see what these paths actually lead to,” Durfey adds.

Putnam feels proud to give something back to the place where it all started. “It was great to come back and make a difference,” she says. “Dr. Nezat was a big part of my experience, and I’m thrilled to support her students.”

Putnam’s involvement with EWU doesn’t end with the Novelis scholarship; she’s now serving on Eastern’s advisory board for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

After experiencing the value of applied learning herself, Putnam encourages EWU STEM students to embrace the challenges that come with learning and growing: “There are so many hurdles in college, but those hurdles will set you up well for industries like ours.”

**Story written by Emilia Klewin.

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When students have the financial resources to pursue real-world, hands-on learning experiences, they can focus on building the knowledge, skills and connections they need for career success. Support EWU’s $100 million Build Our Future campaign to make these valuable opportunities possible. Your gift can provide scholarships and other resources that help students afford college, stay enrolled, gain meaningful professional experience and prepare for their futures.

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For Jessica Clemons, earning her education degree from Eastern Washington University has meant balancing college with work, student teaching and raising four children. Thanks to scholarships, supportive faculty and hands-on learning opportunities, she overcame obstacles, stayed enrolled at EWU and made the Dean’s List every quarter.

Now, Clemons is wrapping up her student teaching placement in a first-grade classroom at University Elementary School in Spokane Valley and preparing for a career as an elementary teacher.

When she crosses the stage on June 12, she will graduate with honors, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in environmental sustainability education. Clemons managed to balance her studies, a part-time job with EWU’s Transition to Teaching Program and an intermittent side gig for a friend who owns a contract mail center, all while raising her children: Harrison, 5; Charlotte, 7; Paxton, 9; and Brynlee, 12.

“It has been quite the couple of years, but I’m on the homestretch now,” she says.

Clemons, who lives in Spokane Valley and has children attending four different schools, credits part of her success to her brother, parents and friends — people who pitched in to provide rides for the kids — and to supportive faculty and scholarship donors at Eastern.

Small classes taught by engaged faculty — coupled with well-timed scholarships — helped Clemons overcome obstacles and take advantage of applied learning opportunities. Her professors not only believed in her but also allowed her children to attend class when scheduling conflicts arose. During Clemons’ capstone course, Professor Kathryn Baldwin welcomed her daughter, Brynlee, who created and presented a poster about what she learned from her mom’s project.

The support from EWU faculty has been pivotal for her. Two years ago, an exhausted Clemons was on the verge of transferring to an online college to finish her degree when Michael Winer, a math professor who initially served as her advisor, noticed she wasn’t registered for the upcoming quarter. He called her and helped her work through several challenges so she could continue at Eastern. To this day, she says, Winer still plays a positive role in her education.

Within the School of Education, professors Suzie Henning and Baldwin provided additional encouragement, pointing her toward scholarships, stipends and a 10-hour-a-week student employment position supporting students in the Transition to Teaching Program.

Financial support played an equally important role, especially during tough times. This past December, a roommate unexpectedly moved out, leaving Clemons to foot the entire rent bill. Fortunately, EWU’s Student Emergency Fund helped cover the gap while she picked up extra side jobs to build her own emergency fund.

Leading into winter quarter, Clemons received the Clawson-Youngs Award in Environmental Studies, allowing her to pursue an environmental science education minor.

“I feel like if I didn’t have those scholarships, there’s no way I could have said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to take on a minor in my last two quarters at Eastern.’”

For her minor and capstone, Clemons used research from EWU’s Prairie Restoration Project along with data from her own independent study to create unit plans for K–5 educators. Clemons aligned the project components with Washington’s Common Core State Standards, Disciplinary Core Ideas and Next Generation Science Standards.

She also received an honorarium through the University of Washington to build a literacy library linked to the environmental science units she was creating. The library, which includes about 50 age-appropriate books covering everything from environmental science and prairie habitats to Native American history, aligns with the Prairie Restoration lesson plans.

“It has been crazy for me. All these little doors that have opened have been just phenomenal.”

Baldwin, who oversaw Clemons’ capstone project, complimented her work ethic.

“What impressed me the most about Jessica is her motivation,” Baldwin says. “She always chooses to go above and beyond in all aspects of her degree program.”

As for the importance of Eastern supporters who provide scholarships, Baldwin says those donors open doors for students like Clemons to work toward additional credentials, such as minors and K–12 add-on endorsements, that expand their career options and help them make the most of their education.

Clemons appreciates every scholarship award, recalling that after receiving the Fox Family Education Scholarship, she had the opportunity to meet Tom Fox, the EWU alumnus who started the fund, and thank him in person.

“He’s phenomenal. He genuinely cares so much about those going into education,” Clemons says.

Most recently, Clemons received the Last Mile Scholarship. Funded by the Krumble Foundation, the scholarship helps students nearing graduation overcome barriers to complete their final degree requirements.

“That was a huge blessing,” she says, “because now I am full-time student teaching — and it’s not a paid position — so the Last Mile was really there to get me through the last little bit.”

After graduation, Clemons hopes to work as a full-time elementary teacher in the Central Valley School District, where three of her own children attend school. Initially, she planned to teach older students, but a year of working with first graders helped her discover a passion for elementary education.

“I love these little kids,” she says, adding that first-graders have particularly sweet dispositions.

Throughout her time at Eastern, Clemons chronicled the journey with family photos, taken on the Hello Walk outside Showalter Hall. The latest photos feature this super-achieving mom wearing a graduation cap, pictured alongside her four children.

“It means so much more to me now that I’ve done what I’ve done to have been able to do it with all of my kids,” she says.

Help Build Futures Through Applied Learning

When students like Clemons have the financial resources to pursue hands-on learning experiences, they can focus on building the knowledge, skills and connections they need for career success. Support EWU’s $100 million Build Our Future campaign to make these valuable opportunities possible. Your gift can provide scholarships and other resources that help students afford college, stay enrolled, gain meaningful professional experience and prepare for their futures.

Students from four Spokane middle schools recently visited Eastern Washington University for a day of hands-on science and career exploration.

About 40 students from Pauline Flett, Yasuhara, Shaw, and Glover middle schools participated in the May 6 event. The students, who are all part of Spokane Public Schools’ Native Education Program, transplanted plants at the seed garden, toured the Prairie Restoration Project, and stopped by the Science Building’s geographic information system (GIS) and scanning electron microscope labs.

“We’re teaching them about restoration ecology, GIS, and microscopy as a career path that they can follow if they are interested,” says Becky Brown, a professor of biology. “We are also teaching them about the native prairie communities that are here.”

The EWU Prairie Restoration Project, funded in part by EWU donors contributing to the Prairie Restoration Fund, was a top destination for the visitors. The campus visit was supported by a Faculty Supplemental Budget Grant to Professors Becky Brown, Carmen Nezat, and Stacy Warren, and staffed by about 20 EWU student volunteers, including education majors.

Ype Kingma, a 34-year-old junior biology student who works in the campus greenhouse, enjoyed sharing his knowledge of plants with the youth at the seed garden.

“If you can spark a little interest with anybody, that’s rewarding,” Kingma says. “These kids are smart. They have the potential to do anything they want.”

William Dennison, facilities manager and marketing coordinator for the Spokane Tribe of Indians’ Tribal Food Sovereignty site in Wellpinit, Washington, helps students learn about the historical importance of the land to his tribe.

Dennison notes that spending the day at Eastern encourages middle schoolers to realize they can pursue a university degree that aligns with tribal values regarding land, plants, history and language.

“When they first show up, they are not sure what to expect,” Dennison says. “Then, as time goes on, you just see at the end of the day they’ve got great big bright smiles. Some of them just learn so much before they leave.”

Dennison looks forward to continuing the relationship with EWU, saying, “This is just such a wonderful opportunity for the youth to be able to do this, learn, and tour the campus. Maybe one day, they might be future Eagles who want to come back.”

The experience left a positive impression on the visiting students, giving them a chance to connect with both nature and future opportunities.

Ezmae Houtchens, a seventh-grade student at Flett Middle School, enjoyed being outdoors and learning about nature. “I think it’s just really interesting. It helps us learn about the future in the ecosystem as a whole and what we can do to fix it over time,” Houtchens says.

Cartier Johnson, an eighth-grade student at Glover Middle School, already has Eastern on his list of potential colleges. He enjoys science, holds an interest in chemistry, and felt the visit brought him closer to nature.

“Honestly, I feel like I just like being outside,” Johnson says. “When you are out here long enough, you start to really appreciate the beauty of nature. Even if you know about a couple of plants, there are always thousands of plants out there that are going to be peeking out at you.”

The event proved mutually beneficial. Working with the middle schoolers provided EWU’s undergraduate and graduate students, some who are education majors and will work with young students as a career, with a valuable opportunity to connect with the public regarding science and ecological restoration.

“Our students are getting exposure to doing science outreach,” Professor Brown says. “Their students are getting exposure to being at a university and seeing different career paths.”

Colin Kalivas, ’25, somehow knew he would be an EWU Eagle.

A Spokane native, Kalivas grew up going to Eastern Washington University football games with his dad and says he always felt drawn to the school. That connection eventually brought him to Cheney, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, formed valuable friendships and gained professional experience that launched his current career in sales.

Before his final quarter at EWU, Kalivas landed a full-time internship at Spokane Valley-based telecommunications equipment maker EasyStreet Systems. The company’s co-founder, Pete Chase, was looking for a college student or recent graduate with a small amount of sales experience, a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn. Kalivas turned out to be the perfect fit.

That summer, he worked at EasyStreet during the day and at the Davenport Grand Hotel in the evenings. He continued to work full-time at EasyStreet during the fall while also taking a full course load at Eastern.

Kalivas’ internship involved conducting market research and assisting in generating sales leads. He also helped to redesign the company’s marketing materials, manage its social media accounts and overhaul its website. He says one of the biggest highlights was traveling with Chase to Denver for a trade show, which proved instrumental to both his personal and professional development.

“I got to learn from Pete but also figure out on my own how to talk to future customers, build relationships and get meetings scheduled,” Kalivas says.

When Kalivas graduated in December, EasyStreet offered him a full-time job as an account manager. Tammy Lange, the company’s vice president of sales, says Kalivas’ initiative, creative input and willingness to help wherever needed made him stand out immediately.

“As a small company, we have to wear a lot of different hats, and Colin has done a really good job of moving things forward without constant supervision,” Lange says. “He’s had no problem stepping up and being willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, and it’s been pretty impressive to watch for our whole team.”

For EasyStreet, the internship demonstrated the value of giving college students opportunities to learn and contribute in a professional environment. Lange says the company places a high value on internships because college students are typically eager to learn and contribute fresh ideas.

“If you can give a young person a positive learning environment, and they’re willing to jump in and do the work, an internship can give them important job experience,” Lange says. “It’s also good for our company, and we’re hoping for the local community as well.”

For Kalivas, the internship helped him gain professional skills, real-world experience and important mentors — all of which helped bolster his education and early career in ways that will impact the rest of his life.

“Applied learning is huge,” he says. “The key to having a good understanding of what you’re learning in college is to apply it as soon as you learn the information while it’s fresh in your brain, and then when you’re looking for a job, the biggest thing is experience, which is what makes internships so important.”

Kalivas also advises current college students to get as involved on campus as they can.

“Make the most of your time on campus and take advantage of every opportunity, because you’re not just paying for an education,” he says. “It can be as simple as making more friends, because those connections are going to be so huge later on, not just in your professional success but in your life as a whole.”

Help Build Futures Through Applied Learning

Kalivas’ success story shows what can happen when students have opportunities to pursue internships and other hands-on learning experiences. Support EWU’s $100 million Build Our Future campaign to make these valuable opportunities possible. Your gift can provide scholarships and other resources that help students afford college, stay enrolled, gain meaningful professional experience and launch their careers.

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For Eastern Washington University senior Mia Blomgren, learning doesn’t stop when class ends. Thanks to scholarship support, internships, student leadership and community work, the 21-year-old from Edwall, Washington, has found opportunities to gain real-world experience and build professional skills she’ll carry into her career.

Blomgren, a communications major with a public relations emphasis, works at a local coffee stand and as an assistant at a yoga studio. Balancing work with classes and studying, she recently completed an internship at Numerica Credit Union.

For the past three years, Blomgren has also served on the board of the Eastern Washington University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Through her involvement with PRSSA, she has strengthened her leadership and communication skills while building connections across campus and in the community. As the holidays approached, she organized a community-service project that collected handmade cards featuring positive messages for residents at the Cheney Care Center.

“I joined [PRSSA] when I was a sophomore, and I was looking for ways to get more involved on campus and create a community here,” Blomgren says. “It’s been really great for me to just create connections, not only on campus, but also off campus.”

Financial support played a pivotal role in helping Blomgren gain professional experience while completing her degree. Last spring, a stipend provided through the Krumble Foundation allowed her to accept an unpaid internship with the EWU Advancement unit. During this experience, she honed her communication, interviewing and storytelling skills, which helped prepare her for her position at Numerica.

The Numerica internship aligns with her long-term goal of working in corporate responsibility after graduation. Blomgren says both Eastern and Numerica helped her with “learning to communicate effectively with larger teams.”

Through her work with PRSSA and EWU Advancement, Blomgren has seen firsthand how scholarships can make a difference for students. She has heard, written about and shared stories from fellow students who couldn’t have finished college—or participated in internships—without donor support.

“I just want to express my thanks. I really deeply appreciate it,” Blomgren says.

**Photo by Aaron Weer. 

Help Build Futures Through Applied Learning

When students have the financial resources to pursue internships and other hands-on learning experiences, they can focus on building the knowledge, skills and connections they need for career success. Support EWU’s $100 million Build Our Future campaign to make these valuable opportunities possible. Your gift can provide scholarships and other resources that help students afford college, stay enrolled, gain meaningful professional experience and prepare for their futures.

Nearly 15 years after leaving his increasingly dangerous hometown in Coalcomán, Michoacán, Mexico, Carlos Valdovinos is living his best life in Kirkland, Washington.

The 24-year-old, who earned a bachelor’s degree from EWU in 2022, has already established an ideal work-life balance as a dental hygienist working for Sammamish Family Dental.

“I feel like I have a really good life at work,” he says. “I also get to travel and spend time outdoors, which is what I like. And all that, I think, is thanks to the university and everyone that supported me.”

With fluency in both English and Spanish, this Eastern alumnus easily converses with Spanish-speaking clients and can interpret for the dentist when needed. His compassionate approach to care is a hit with clients of all ages, who request him as their hygienist.

“I feel like a lot of people want to be with me because I always focus on having the patient comfortable in the chair,” he says.

“I feel like I have a really good life at work,” he says. “I also get to travel and spend time outdoors, which is what I like. And all that, I think, is thanks to the university and everyone that supported me.”

With fluency in both English and Spanish, this Eastern alumnus easily converses with Spanish-speaking clients and can interpret for the dentist when needed. His compassionate approach to care is a hit with clients of all ages, who request him as their hygienist.

“I feel like a lot of people want to be with me because I always focus on having the patient comfortable in the chair,” he says.

“As soon as I saw what a dental hygienist does, and how big of an impact I could bring to a diverse patient population, I just fell in love with hygiene,” he said during an Eastern magazine interview back in 2022.

Valdovinos toured EWU and learned about the Department of Dental Hygiene. He liked the environment, diversity and overall positivity of the university — and Eastern’s admissions team connected him with door-opening scholarship support.

“I would have never been able to get my education if it had not been for the donors who helped me financially,” a grateful Valdovinos said at the time.

Eastern proved to be the perfect choice for the first-generation student, who had previously persevered through tough times.

Valdovinos immigrated to the United States at age 11, after his parents sent him to live with his older sister in Yakima. They made this heart-rending decision because cartel-instigated corruption, shakedowns, kidnappings and murders were becoming disturbingly common in his beautiful hometown.

“There was just violence all around us,” says Valdovinos, who recalls routinely seeing trucks loaded with men and guns coming down the road. His community, meanwhile, started experiencing multiple funerals for reasons people were afraid to talk about.

Throughout his four years at Eastern, news from home relayed the deaths and disappearances of friends and family members. He says he often felt like returning to Mexico to help.

Valdovinos credits Professor Lisa Bilich, and other dental hygiene faculty and staff, with helping him overcome such hardships to stay on track for graduation. He not only became the first in his family to earn a degree, but also inspired his younger sister to pursue her own path to college.

During an interview before Valdovinos’ graduation, Bilich said she was impressed with him from the beginning. As an English as a second language student, she said, he worked twice as hard as other students to master test-taking, while providing unwavering support for patients at the EWU clinic.

“He treats them with kindness and respect — every patient he has,” Bilich said, noting that he exemplified the importance of EWU’s holistic admissions.

While attending EWU, Valdovinos became friends with another dental hygiene student, Enrique Terán ’22. After graduating, the newly minted alumni moved to the Seattle-area to share housing expenses and get a jump-start on their careers. Terán is experiencing his own success doing hygiene and restorative work for a general dentistry clinic in Kirkland.

As a thriving professional, Valdovinos has earned certifications in laser treatment and saliva testing while temping on some of his days off at other clinics, where he practices restorative work. Eastern’s promise of opportunity was life-changing for him.

“I’m super happy that I chose dental hygiene at Eastern as a career path and university, because it was the perfect set to my career,” he says. “It allowed me to explore the career I wanted and be prepared for it.”

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