ewubeat Eastern Community Feeds the Need The fourth annual Eastern Washington University community food drive, held in August, generated more than two tons of food and $14,000 for the Cheney Food Bank, Cheney Outreach and Spokane’s 2nd Harvest. Of the total cash donations, more than $6,400 will go to the Cheney Food Bank, and along with the food donations, will go a long way toward stocking the shelves to meet the high demand. Cheney Food Bank director John Matthews says the money raised represents half of his yearly budget. Another $4,620 will go to the backpack for food program for Communities in Schools of Spokane County. This will provided 28 children with a weekend backpack filled with food, and is part of a nationwide effort to reduce the dropout rate and help children in need. Donations generated during the food drive will also benefit 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest and Cheney Outreach, which received $1,000 and 80 backpacks filled with school supplies for children this fall. Chair Nadine Arévalo, (EWU first lady) and co-chair Kathleen Warren credited the success of the food drive to the great community spirit during these difficult economic times. Pass Through the Pillars Tradition Continues Members of another freshman class marked their first steps on campus with a walk through the traditional entry point to campus, the Herculean Pillars, and up the brick pathway that leads to historic Showalter Hall. Faculty, staff and alumni lined the pathway cheering on the students as they began their Eastern journey on Sept. 19, 2011. The Pass through the Pillars event was just one of many welcoming activities held on the Eastern campus for the 2011 freshman class. EWU is expecting more than 1,500 freshmen this year, putting it right on par with the previous year’s class - which was one of the largest ever. The entire student body is approaching nearly 11,000. The Alumni Association and students created the gateway in 1915. Comprised of two prominent stone pillars, it was designed to send a message of hope and renewal in the aftermath of the Cheney Normal School fire of 1912. Stone and granite from the original school were used to build the monument. 6 EASTERN previous page next page