Eagle 1 News: September 2026

September 24, 2026

Eagle 1 News banner with one room schoolhouse.

Eagle Family and Friends,

Our students have moved in and classes have started! Even though my cancer diagnosis has me behind the scenes right now, I’m still feeling the energy from our students, faculty and staff. The meetings feel lighter, the pictures from campus are joyful, and the momentum across Eastern is clear.

To begin the year, my executive leadership team stepped in to welcome faculty and staff back at our annual Convocation. While I joined via Zoom, the team celebrated the incredible accomplishments of the past year and shared our vision for the year ahead. With nearly $250 million in investments underway or planned, along with new programs and initiatives on the horizon, Eastern is moving forward with purpose.

Students walk under Welcome Eagles banner

Following Convocation, we headed straight to the Herculean Pillars to welcome our newest Eagles to campus. The Eastern community lined the walkway to Showalter Hall to exchange high-fives, sing the fight song and show our students what being part of the Eagle family is all about: belonging, encouragement and support on the path to success.

Now, as we settle into the rhythm of the academic year, our eyes are set on Homecoming. We’re looking forward to the traditions that bring our community together, and to a packed Roos Field as we take on Northern Colorado on Oct. 10. We’ll also celebrate two important milestones for Eastern’s future that weekend: cutting the ribbon on our renovated Science Building and ceremonially breaking ground on Phase II of the stadium renovations.

There is so much to look forward to, and I’m grateful to remain connected to it all.

As always, it’s a great day to be an Eagle!

Shari McMahan, PhD
President
Eastern Washington University