Eagle Excellence

EWU recently celebrated its 2025 Alumni Award winners.
As always, the stories of our inspiring honorees made it an occasion to remember. Photos by Young Kwak and Luke Kenneally.

Benjamin P. Cheney Lifetime Achievement

When it comes to Greg Deckard ’86, the 2025 Benjamin P. Cheney Lifetime Achievement Award winner, it is pretty much impossible not to be a little bit in awe of his long roster of success: his distinguished work in the banking industry; his lifelong commitment to community service; and, of course, his generosity to his alma mater. Deckard has been a passionate advocate for community banking throughout his 40-year career. As CEO and chairman of State Bank Northwest for the past 24 years, his leadership has played a key role in building and sustaining the continued prosperity of our state and region.

Deckard’s professional influence extends well outside of the bounds of the PNW, however, thanks to his service with the Independent Community Bankers of America, his testimony on key banking issues before Congress, and his time as chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America Board of Directors. His fervent support for Eastern, meanwhile, spans decades, including his 11 years of service on the EWU Foundation Board, 13 years with the School of Business Advisory Board, and his longstanding support for Eagle basketball’s 6th Man Club. His generous financial support, totaling over $110,000 from him and State Bank Northwest, has helped the university fund everything from athletic facilities to business scholarships.

Beyond banking and university service, Deckard has held leadership positions with the Union Gospel Mission of Spokane, Sacred Heart/Providence Hospital Foundation, and the Spokane Country Club.

“Greg has been a leader in his own bank and a leader in community banking within the state and nationally for decades,” one of his admiring colleagues said. “He has provided a lifetime of service to his community, his profession and to EWU — a true role model for other Eagle alumni to follow.”

Gov. Clarence D. Martin Educator of the Year

Over his almost three decades of service, Shawn Carney ’97, ’98, our Governor Clarence D. Martin Educator of Year Award winner, has made “immeasurable contributions” to Spokane’s Rogers High School, having, as one of his nominating letters put it, a “profound impact on his students, colleagues, and the broader educational community.”

Carney doesn’t just teach physics. In his classroom, every lesson represents a broader opportunity to ignite curiosity and build confidence, particularly in students who might never have envisioned themselves in STEM careers. Year after year, his understanding of, and compassion for, the challenges many Rogers students face infuses his teaching with greater purpose and relevance. In short, every lesson opens doors.

This same level of compassion and concern extends to his fellow teachers. As Science Department lead, Carney cultivated a culture of excellence through collaboration and genuine respect. His guidance honors individual teaching styles while elevating effectiveness throughout the department. As an instructional coach, this gift for mentorship truly shines. For 15 years, educators at all stages of their careers have trusted Carney with challenges ranging from classroom management to technology integration.

Beyond academics, Carney coaches wrestling and golf, arguably the two most dissimilar sports imaginable. But Carney has long used both to help his young athletes do more than just succeed on the mat and greens; he helps students absorb the far more consequential lessons of perseverance and dignity.

“He is one of the most passionate and kind educators and coaches I have ever worked with,” wrote another of Carney’s admiring colleagues. It’s a combination of passion and kindness that defines Carney’s approach to both coaching and teaching — demanding excellence while providing the support his students need to achieve it.

Tawanka Service

During her time as an Eagle undergraduate, Ana Munguia ’13, our Tawanka Service award winner, already stood out for her passionate commitment to service, student advocacy and cross-cultural relationship building. Now, as the community connections manager for the Pasco School District, she’s making an even greater difference for students in the Tri-Cities.

At EWU she showed off her remarkable leadership skills when, in 2009, she founded Eastern’s chapter of the Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority. With Munguia’s guidance, the sisters of Lambda Theta Alpha actively served the university community by “adopting” streets in Cheney, supporting local Relay for Life events, and organizing fundraising drives for St. Jude’s Research Hospital.

These days, Munguia’s work for the Pasco School District is building on the commitment to community she established as an EWU student. Every day, her colleagues say, Munguia works to empower students and foster opportunities for their personal growth, providing guidance and mentorship that impacts both students’ career readiness and self-assurance.

Munguia’s community involvement extends beyond her professional obligations. From 2014 to 2017, she contributed to the Hispanic Academic Achievers Program, a scholarship committee promoting higher education opportunities for Hispanic youth. In addition, she has served as the vice president for membership in our state’s chapter of the Public Relations Association, where she led recruitment efforts and helped organize two annual conferences for public relations professionals.

Through her journey from campus leader to community connector, Munguia has been a shining example of how EWU alumni can continue to make meaningful service impacts long after commencement.

Sandy Williams Trailblazer

Angela Jones, our Sandy Williams Trailblazer honoree, has forged a laudable career dedicated to transforming educational landscapes for underrepresented students across Washington state.

Jones began in Yakima’s Wapato School District, where, as a substitute teacher, she first recognized — and worked to alleviate — the unique challenges faced by Black and Brown students as they strove to break the cycles of poverty that too often affected them and their families. This commitment to equity eventually propelled her through successive leadership positions at Spokane Public Schools, Washington State University, and EWU, where she served for a time as a member of the university’s executive leadership team.

Today, as director of the Washington Initiative for the Gates Foundation, Jones leads efforts to create clear pathways for post-high-school success for students. Her team focuses specifically on communities facing the highest barriers, providing crucial support systems where resources are often scarce.

Her current position is just the latest in her three-decades-long quest to improve outcomes for students and other community members of color. These efforts are not just restricted to education. During the height of the pandemic, for example, she co-founded and launched the Black Future Co-Op Fund — a resource designed to support the recovery and sustainability of Black-led organizations and businesses across Washington.

Through all this, Jones’ commitment to Eastern has remained steadfast. In 2022, for example, she and her family made a transformative gift that led to the establishment of the JLR Multicultural Center at EWU. Today that center is a vital space where students receive the support they need to successfully complete their journeys to degree completion. “Dr. Jones’ contributions,” wrote one of her nominators, “exemplify the qualities sought for recipients of the Sandy Williams Trailblazer award. She is an educator, storyteller and author who aspires to leave impactful and sustainable change for students pursuing their education beyond high school.”

Lt. Col. Daniel M. Carter Military Service

As an elected representative, an educator and a businessperson in his hometown of Kennewick, state Sen. Matt Boehnke has amassed a long and distinguished list of contributions in service to our state and region. But at this year’s Alumni Awards Gala, EWU celebrated Boehnke, the Lt. Col. Daniel M. Carter Military Service Award winner, for a different form of service:  his 21-plus years as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he never failed to exemplify an exceptional dedication to duty.

His devotion to duty began as an Eagle. At Eastern, Boehnke was recognized as an ROTC-Distinguished Military Graduate before graduating in 1990 and receiving his active-duty commission. He spent the next two decades as both a proud U.S. Army aviator and a pioneer in military cyber operations, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

During his years of service, Boehnke quickly built a reputation as a natural leader. At the Fort Sill, Oklahoma-based aviation battalion where he served, Boehnke piloted the formidable CH-47D Chinook, a medium-lift assault helicopter crucial for tactical transport operations. His final post was at the Network Enterprise Technology Command, where he played a significant part in helping to establish the U.S. Army Cyber Command.

What distinguished Boehnke most among his peers wasn’t just his technical proficiency, but his leadership philosophy. In a nominating letter, one fellow service member described him as “dedicated, compassionate, and capable” – a leader who “consistently embodied selfless service by supporting his subordinates while readily shouldering more than his share of responsibilities.”

Boehnke’s commitment to service now extends far beyond his active-duty years. According to those who know him best, Boehnke has “devoted his entire adult life to the service of his country and the American people.”

Rising Eagle

After earning a health services bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration, Kori Jackson ’22, ’23 — our Rising Eagle award winner — could have pursued any number of opportunities. Instead, she chose to return to the Colville Reservation, where she has stepped forward with determination and vision to serve where she’s needed most.

When she started her new job as the business services manager and accountant for the Paschal Sherman Indian School, for example, Jackson was determined to do more than just crunch numbers. After seeing that her school, like so many across Washington state, was dealing with post-pandemic behavioral challenges, Jackson quickly set to work channeling her education and leadership experience from the Native American Student Association at EWU into creative solutions.

Because she recognized that the reservation’s kids needed a boost in inspiration and motivation, Jackson orchestrated back-to-school nights featuring speakers who could ignite young minds with possibility. She also began working directly with students — most notably girls participating in fast-pitch softball and volleyball —  becoming the sort of role model whose active presence demonstrated, for both girls and boys, the power of education and engagement.

In the larger tribal community, Jackson has also been invaluable. When families are in crisis, she helps find safe spaces. When basic needs go unmet, Jackson mobilizes resources. Such practical compassion earned her recognition from the Colville Tribal Tribune and others. But public recognition has never been Jackson’s motivation. Instead, she has focused on amplifying attention to urgent causes, working with tribal leaders and businesses to pursue solutions that honor both tradition and progress.

In true Eastern fashion, Jackson’s recent graduation from EWU marked not an ending but a beginning in her commitment to creating positive change. Her Rising Eagle journey has always been about more than just personal growth. It’s about lifting up others.

Eagle4Life Spirit

During his student days, Mike Mumford ’81, our Eagle4Life Spirit award winner, studied finance and economics while playing defensive back for the Eagle football team. Mumford was a solid defender and hard worker, but it was his commitment to fair play that illustrated the essence of his character.

During the spring practice window preceding Mumford’s senior year, a freshman walk-on showed up to compete for a place in the defensive backfield. Instead of seeing competition, Mumford took the young player under his wing, mentoring him and pushing him to succeed. After spring ball concluded, the next season’s starters were announced. That freshman was named to Mumford’s position, relegating him to the bench for his senior year.

What did Mumford do? Rather than harbor resentment, he continued to support, encourage and work with his replacement. That freshman, Mark Puyear, nominated Mumford for the Eagle4Life Award, and their friendship has endured for more than four decades.

This selfless spirit has always been a hallmark of Mumford’s relationship with Eastern. Now the senior vice president of wealth management at UBS in Spokane, where he’s worked since 1988, Mumford has long channeled his professional success back into his alma mater. You’ll find his name quietly supporting fundraisers. You’ll see “sponsored by UBS” signs at events because of his influence. You’ll spot him at games—both home and away—always proudly sporting Eastern gear. You’ll find him rallying fellow alumni to attend events, contribute to causes, or to simply gather to show their Eagle pride.

Mumford also serves on numerous committees and organizations, including the EWU Foundation Board, that are vital to the university’s future. He never seeks recognition for these efforts. His fulfillment comes not from accolades, but from goals attained.

There’s something else Mumford’s friend Puyear shared: “He is involved in many things, but what stands out is his ability to get things done. His fulfillment in this comes not from getting recognized, but in seeing the goal achieved.”