Back Story

First Among Eagles: Eastern’s early days as a State Normal School were decidedly difficult. In spite of spirited local support, fire, funding and organizational woes all contributed to a decided sense of impermanence. That changed with the arrival of Noah David Showalter in 1911. Showalter brought to his leadership impeccable academic credentials (WSU, Stanford and Columbia University) and a single-minded devotion to the advancement of public education. As principal and later president of the school, he recruited highly qualified faculty members, expanded enrollment, professionalized the curriculum and oversaw construction of the building (below) that now bears his name. Perhaps most importantly, he took steps to ensure graduates teaching in rural schools stayed connected to the institution, a move that eventually established Eastern as a truly regional college. By the time he left to become the state’s Superintendent of Instruction — 100 years ago this spring — Showalter was widely recognized as the “father” of Eastern Washington University.