Eagles Give Newsletter: Spring 2026
Dear Fellow Eagles and Friends,
Giving Joy Day 2026 was a memorable way to celebrate Eastern’s 144th birthday and its single greatest scholarship fundraising event of the year! Our thanks go out to everyone who made this day a success!
Over the course of the two-day giving fest, our Eagle community came together to raise a total of $403,795 to support Eastern’s hardworking students.
This year’s Kickoff at the Catalyst was marked by another fun game show – Password – starring deans and representatives of Eastern’s four colleges and hosted by the College of Health Sciences and Public Health’s own Brian Donahue, with the help of Swoop.
Eagle donors embraced our new Giving Joy Day donation page, contributing to matches and challenges that increased the impact of their donations. For instance, “Midnight Madness” rewarded the last five donations made just before midnight on April 2 and April 3, giving those donors $144 each to put toward a fund of their choosing.
EWU employees and board members “Swooped In” for a fundraiser that temporarily named their favorite campus landmarks – including buildings, benches and water fountains. Those generous gifts raised $14,000 for the Student Emergency Fund, which helps Eagles experiencing an unforeseen hardship.
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic support of our students – and for Giving Joy!
Linda Safford
Senior Director, Annual Giving | University Advancement | Eastern Washington University
Building the Future
Math Professor ‘Swoops In’ to Make a Difference
A Giving Joy Day fundraiser that temporarily named everything from water fountains and coffee makers to flag poles and buildings gave an Eastern mathematician a chance to honor his parents while supporting a great cause.
Eagle Impact
Scholarship Honors Compassionate Educator
Eastern alumnus John Delbridge took on the tough role of teaching at-risk teenagers, helping some to turn their lives around. A new scholarship in his name paves the way for future educators to make a difference for kids.
EWU’s Art and Design Programs are Merging
Design is moving from its Spokane Catalyst digs to create a new learning center inside Isle Hall – a hip retro-building on the Cheney campus. Donors have established funds to support programs, activities and student scholarships.
Meet Sam Caruso, a Budding Fisheries Expert
Whether you choose to give to scholarships, the Student Emergency Fund, or applied learning in a laboratory, you are helping to build a future for hardworking students like Sam.
Working toward a career as a fisheries expert, Sam says scholarships are helping him gain vital experience. (Learn more about Sam on our Giving Stories page.)
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