Dear Alumni and Friends I am sure that you, like me, are having a hard time believing the calendar actually says 2010. But here we are, and I am very happy to say the new decade brings many promising opportunities for Eastern Washington University. In fact, with the holidays now behind us, this is a good time to reflect on all that has happened over the past year and what this new year might bring. As I review the state of the university, I feel it has fared very well after the challenges and uncertainties of the state budget crisis. Eastern is on solid ground because of the willingness of the university to reduce spending and make significant administrative and staff reductions. Through it all, our enrollment numbers remain strong. For the winter quarter, EWU will welcome more than 10,100 students. This represents 380 more full-time equivalent students than the same period last year. Our main goal has been to continue to provide a quality educational experience during this period of reduced funding. We have done this by making sure classes are available in critical, high-demand areas and by the willingness of our faculty to take on more students in their classes. Additionally, EWU is in the final steps of consolidating our colleges from six to four, as a way to become more efficient. Still, many challenges lie ahead as the economy continues a slow recovery. I am sure you are well aware Washington’s governor is proposing more cuts to balance the current budget. Unfortunately, unless alternative funding is generated, a big chunk of these reductions - $146 million – would come from the state need grant for student financial aid. This would hit EWU harder than any other public university in the state. We estimate that approximately 30 percent of our students could be impacted. Without that financial assistance, many could be forced to leave school. Not only would these students be denied the opportunity to receive a quality education, but Eastern would also have to consider downsizing even further because we would have fewer students to serve. I am optimistic a solution will emerge that will allow EWU to continue to flourish during these difficult times. You can be an important advocate by encouraging your legislative leaders to support higher education. As a college graduate, you understand the value of higher education and how it will help future generations prosper. As you read the pages of this magazine, you can understand why Eastern means so much to current and former students, faculty and staff. EWU is truly a unique place that has so much to offer. Thank you for taking the time to read my message, and have a great start to 2010. WINTER 2010 Front Up EASTERN THE MAGAZINE for Eastern Washington University Alumni and Friends Editor – Kandi Carper ‘05 Copy Editor – David Rey Graphic Design – Ryan Gaard ‘02 Contributing Writers – Kandi Carper ’05, David Rey, Dave Meany, Brad Northrup ‘03, ‘06, Dave Cook Photography – John Demke ’98, Eric Galey ‘84, Larry Conboy Editorial Board – Doug Kelley ’83, Jack Lucas ’77, Pia Hallenberg Christensen ’98, Kory Kelly ’98, Gina Mauro ’90 Vice President for University Advancement – Michael Westfall Director of Alumni Advancement – Lisa Poplawski ‘94 and ‘01 EWU Alumni Association President – Fran Bierig (Tsuchiyama) ‘76 EWU Foundation Chair – Steve Dahlstrom ‘94 Contact Us Address Changes Alumni Correspondence Class Notes Submissions E-mail: Phone: Website: Write: Fax: ewualum@ewu.edu 509.359.4550 or 888.EWU.ALUM http://alumni.ewu.edu Office of Alumni Advancement 506 F Street, Cheney, WA 99004-2402 509.359.4551 EASTERN Magazine Letters, Comments, Queries E-mail: Phone: Write: Fax: easternmagazine@ewu.edu 509.359.6422 Eastern Magazine, 300 Showalter Hall, Cheney, WA 99004-2445 509.359.4701 Supporting EWU For information about making a gift to Eastern, please contact the Office of Alumni Advancement E-mail: Website: Phone: Write: Fax: ewualum@ewu.edu www.ewu.edu/supportewu 509.359.4550 Office of Alumni Advancement 506 F Street, Cheney, WA 99004-2402 509.359.4551 EASTERN, a magazine for alumni and friends of Eastern Washington University, is published in fall, winter and spring by University Marketing & Communications and mailed free in the U.S. to alumni of record. Previous issues of Eastern magazine may be viewed at www.ewu.edu/easternmagazine. Dr. Rodolfo Arévalo President Eastern Washington University 2 EASTERN Magazine previous page next page