EWU News

Category: Giving Stories

Alumna Teaches Kids About Community

July 20, 2026

Kids set up boxes of cereal domino-style in their school.

Julie Stannard’s creative cereal project benefitted nine local food assistance programs, including the EWU Food Pantry.

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Claire Schneck’s Legacy of Opportunity

July 14, 2026

Claire Schneck with EWU's Jason Durfee and Courtney Gray.

The alumna established several endowed funds to support student scholarships and applied learning for Eastern Washington University students.

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EWU Alumna Helps Launch Novelis STEM Scholarship

July 7, 2026

Megan Durfey, Delaney Putnam and Jocelyn Cracroft of Novalis, pictured left to right, with Professor Melissa Graham, MESA director in 2025.

The Novelis Aluminum STEM Scholarship provides five annual scholarships for students in chemistry, engineering and MESA programs.

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Scholarship Gives High Achiever a Boost

June 25, 2026

Photo of Mikala Thomason sitting in a chair at JFK Library.

Makayla Thomason says the scholarship award was a welcome pat on the back heading into the home stretch.

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Scholarship Helps Future Policymaker Thrive

Maria Sarmiento is pictured standing outside of JFK Library.

The award made it possible for Maria Sarmiento to pursue a Washington Legislative Internship in Olympia.

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Hardworking Mother of Four Earns Education Degree

June 12, 2026

Clemons and her children sitting on the Hello Walk and looking at the pillars recently.

As Jessica Clemons prepares to graduate, she reflects on why Eastern Washington University was an ideal place to earn her bachelor’s degree.

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EWU Students Create Kits to Improve Literacy

Smiling student holds up a book about a lama needing a haricut.

Members of the Eastern Reading Council hope to get new parents reading to their babies to improve kindergarten readiness.

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EWU Hosts Middle School Students for Day of Hands-On Learning

June 10, 2026

Three middle school students with a district representative.

The Eastern team partnered with Spokane Public Schools’ Native Education Program for this memorable science-theme visit.

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The Last Mile Scholarship: How EWU Helps Students Cross the Finish Line

May 29, 2026 by Emilia Klewin

A crowd of college graduates in gowns in mortar boards hold signs that say "EWU alumni."

There’s a certain kind of student story you almost never see in the news. It’s not the dramatic “I started with nothing, now I’m valedictorian” headline, and it’s not the movie-ready moment of tossing graduation caps into the sky. Honestly, it’s quieter than all that. It’s about the student who is so close to graduating,

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‘Swoop In’ Fundraiser Inspires EWU Math Chair to Honor Family, Colleagues

May 26, 2026

‘Swoop In’ Fundraiser Inspires EWU Math Chair to Honor Family, Colleagues

For Carlos Castillo-Garsow, who made generous gifts to name multiple buildings, the signs are a great way to honor family members and colleagues who’ve made a positive impact.

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