Eastern’s 2026 Pass Through the Pillars event saw hundreds of incoming Eagles, each accompanied by the enthusiastic cheers of students, faculty and staff, pass through the historic Herculean Pillars and up EWU’s Hello Walk to Showalter Hall.
The annual tradition, hosted by the Alumni Association in partnership with Orientation & Family Programs, symbolizes the beginning of the new students’ academic journey. The Sept. 22 event included a barbecue luncheon, lawn games and perfect weather.
“This was probably the coolest school event I’ve ever done in my entire school life,” said Kyra Krueger, an 18-year-old from Orting, Washington.
Krueger plans to major in biochemistry and minor in forensics with a goal of becoming a forensic scientist. As a high-achieving STEM student – and first female president of her high school STEM Club – Krueger ultimately picked Eastern for its hands-on forensics program and partnership with the Washington State Patrol Laboratory Division.
Keyla Hernandez, 18, of Grandview, Washington, agreed that Pass Through the Pillars was a nice way to start her educational journey. “I love how Eastern is really big on tradition, so I thought it was really cool to walk through the pillars,” she said.
Hernandez, who has an interest in becoming a physical therapist, plans to earn her undergraduate degree in exercise science: “So far, I really like the labs and the exercises.”
Students received a traditional welcome from Kelsey Hatch-Brecek, director of alumni relations at EWU. During her remarks, Hatch-Brecek told the story of how the pillars had been built after a 1912 fire destroyed the Eastern’s Administration Building. Alumni joined together to raise money for a rebuild, then used granite from the original structure to create what they called the Gates of Knowledge, today known as the Herculean Pillars.
“For the last 110 years, these pillars have stood tall as a reminder that the spirit of Eastern cannot be defeated,” Hatch-Brecek said.
Cesar Portillo, vice president of people and culture at EWU, also spoke at the event. He encouraged new students to get to know their community. “Meet your professors, ask questions, find your people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help, because your Eastern Eagle experience starts today,” Portillo said. “But what you make of it is entirely up to you.”
Jocelyne Neri, EWU’s incoming Associated Students of EWU president, spoke next. She recalled arriving at the university two years ago, where she soon learned that “being an Eagle is something truly special. It opens doors to meaningful and lasting connections, new experiences, and the chance to discover who you really are.”
Malachi Richmond, a 19-year-old who spent his early years in Sacramento, California before his family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, a decade ago, said he came to Eastern to play on the men’s basketball team.
EWU’s combination of academics and support for student-athletes appealed to Richmond, who plans to study psychology. “It was between a couple of schools, but it really came down to the culture of Eastern, the coaching staff and the opportunity they were giving me,” Richmond said.
He added that he hopes to play professional basketball and use his psychology degree to help other athletes with the mental side of sports.
Richmond said it was fun to see students of so many different backgrounds at Pass Through the Pillars. “It’s a beautiful thing to see the diversity and the uniqueness of the campus.
Jacob Sanders, an 18-year-old from the Tri Cities who plans to study marketing, embraced the opportunity to participate in Pass through the Pillars and is looking into playing intramural tennis and joining a marketing club.
“I definitely do want to get involved,” Sanders said. “There are lots of things I’m going to be signing up for.”
PASS THROUGH THE PILLARS 2026 PHOTO GALLERY
