EWU Events Honor Veterans

This Veterans Day, EWU is honoring current and former service members by hosting a panel discussion featuring business and public-sector executives who leveraged their military careers into leadership roles. There will also be a special weeklong display, hosted by Eastern’s JFK Library, celebrating the Washington National Guard.

With 570 military-connected students currently attending Eastern, these events provide a great opportunity for the campus community to honor veterans and learn more about their contributions.

The Veterans in Business Leadership Panel will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, in the PUB NCR. Moderated by Anthony Whipple, director of the EWU Veterans Resource Center, the forum will address topics ranging from translating military experience into business and building a professional network, to finding opportunities and dealing with setbacks – and many relevant subjects in between. Those who can’t attend in person can access the discussion via this Zoom link.

The following local leaders will serve as panelists:

Matt Albright, executive director of operations and service lines for Providence

Matt Albright

Albright served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a medical officer, ending his career at Fairchild Air Force Base as the Biomedical Sciences Corps executive. With 31 years of health care leadership experience, Albright oversees specialty programs across the central division of Providence, which covers Washington, Montana, Oregon, Texas and New Mexico.

Richard Halbig, owner of the Green Bluff Candy Co.

Halbig is a U.S. Navy veteran and former naval aviator. He started his career in Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, followed by flight school and an assignment to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island flying EA-6B Prowlers. In 2019, he started his home-based business making caramel and chocolate on Green Bluff.

Kitara Johnson, executive director of Gabriel’s Challenge

Johnson is a U.S. Army veteran and former sergeant with a 90% service-connected disability rating. Johnson is a nationally recognized speaker, as well as the founder and executive director of Gabriel’s Challenge Community Coalition in Spokane. She brings a personal understanding of the challenges veterans face as they navigate education, employment, family and civilian life.

Dave Lucas, court administrator for the city of Cheney

Lucas is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who served nearly 22 years in the United States, Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa. His community service includes the Inland Northwest Boy Scouts of America Council Executive Board, coaching high school cross-country and serving as the Spokane Veterans Stand Down chair.

Sponsored by the EWU Veterans Resource Center and the College of Professional Programs, the free event will feature cookies and coffee, prize drawings for student attendees, and convenient online registration. For accommodations, email arode@ewu.edu.

The JFK exhibit runs Nov. 7-13. It highlights the National Guard’s dual mission of supporting disaster relief and combat operations.