final thoughts From Lisa Poplawski, director of Alumni Advancement This year, my son, Colton, entered his junior year in high school. Having now completed the right-of-passage experience of earning a driver’s license and driving on his own, this year will be filled with more events that will shape his future: upperclassman leadership opportunities at school, first wave of college preparatory tests and college visits. Since I am first-generation student/alum, he is my long-awaited opportunity to create a family legacy at Eastern. Although I will beam with serious mama pride wherever he goes (especially if on a fat scholarship), I’ve made it crystal clear to him that he will be disowned (at a minimum!) should he go to the University of Montana. At Eastern, we speak often about our first-generation students and the opportunities that exist for them to start something big, an opportunity to change the future of their family forever. However, many of our alumni are part of many generations of students who have graced this campus throughout its history. These families truly embody the phrase “Eagle 4 Life.” In this photo, I am pictured with ’68 Larry Miller and ’15 Jake Miller, who are holding a photo of Larry’s mother, Marguerite Kahl Miller, who began their Eastern family legacy at Cheney Normal School in 1931. Jake, the punter for Eastern’s football team and his sister, Holly (not pictured) represent the fourth generation of the Miller legacy. Other members of the Miller family legacy include: ’86 Michael D. Miller, ’91 Douglas C. Miller, ’94 William L. Miller, ’95 Dionne Bell-Miller and ’11 Shaun Blakeman. As EWU enters the busiest months for college applications, I want to thank our family legacies who continue to entrust Eastern with their next generation and thank those who are our recruitment ambassadors throughout our regions. Much has been written about rising tuition costs, but make no mistake, Eastern continues to be the best higher education value in the state of Washington. We are proud to maintain small class sizes, a wonderful campus environment, exciting study and research opportunities, and incredible access to faculty and staff who are devoted to student success. To celebrate EWU’s family legacies, please email me at lpoplawski@ewu.edu a photo featuring your generations of EWU alums that we can share through our social networks. As an added bonus, I will send “Eagle 4 Life” T-shirts to the family exhibiting the most Eastern pride. Speaking of bonuses, did you know about the special benefit to alumni families? Your children and grandchildren are eligible for numerous Alumni Association scholarships. This year, 34 scholarships of $1,000 were awarded with monies invested through the EWU Alumni Scholarship Endowment and license plate funds. Apply online at www.ewu.edu/admissions. Just one more thing: if you are planning a campus visit to EWU with your prospective student, please let me know you are coming so you can stop by my office for a hug and a hello. Larry Miller, Jake Miller and Lisa Poplawski
46
E ASTERN: fall 2014