Dear Alumni and Friends, The beginning of the 2009-10 school year in many ways marks the beginning of a new era for Eastern. As you know, this past year has not been one to celebrate. From a personal battle with cancer to a professional battle with unprecedented budget conditions, there has been a lot of soul searching for myself and for Eastern. After aggressive treatment and a lengthy recovery, followed by months of difficult budget planning, I not only have a new perspective on life but I am more aware of the need to manage change. This isn’t the time to feel sorry for ourselves. Instead, the Eastern community must unite and move forward while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. This fall, enrollment is once again strong, as we are approaching record numbers. We have more transfer students. We have more graduate students. Simply put, the demand for educational services is rising and we cannot rest. There are too many good things happening. In early September, the campus celebrated the grand reopening of the renovated Hargreaves Hall. The glorious Hargreaves Reading Room gives the University a top flight location to host events and showcase EWU’s rich and proud history. Soon, renovation work will start on the main academic building. When it is finished, Patterson Hall will provide students and faculty with a state-of-the art learning environment. I cannot emphasize enough how important your support is as the University looks to move past the difficulties of the past year. I invite you back to campus to attend a football game or an event. Take a walk around and enjoy the fall colors or see some of the new buildings. The bright and energetic faces of our students will leave you with a feeling of rejuvenation and optimism. Sure, there will be more difficult budget decisions as we continue to reassess how we do business. But EWU will not abandon its core mission of educating students so they may find success in our communities. Thank you for taking the time to read my message, and I hope you enjoy the magazine. FALL 2009 Front Up EASTERN THE MAGAZINE for Eastern Washington University Alumni and Friends Editor – Kandi Carper ‘05 Graphic Design – Ryan Gaard ‘02 Copy Editors – David Rey, Teresa Conway, Lindsey Bekemeyer Contributing Writers – Kandi Carper ’05, Ryan Lancaster ’09, David Rey, Teresa Conway, Dave Meany, Deb Blake Photography – John Demke ’98, David Rey, 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 and 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