Scholarship Stories

Xiola Sabastian, a returning student who plans to become a mental health professional, was recently notified that she is an EWURA 2025-2026 Golden Eagle Scholarship awardee. After filling out an application and letter – and feeling hopeful – receiving the scholarship offer was a pleasant surprise, says Sabastian, noting, “I was very thankful. It was … Read more

Bea Smith is an experienced designer working to advance her skills. Smith, who recently started a freelance design firm called RevWorxZ Designs (RWZ), enrolled at EWU to inspire her partner to complete a computer science degree and support her own goals as a business owner. “I was starting a freelance company and noticed that a … Read more

Annette Carpenter, 19, is driven to help people. Carpenter of Soap Lake, Washington hit the ground running when she arrived at EWU, in 2023, with two years of credits under her belt and ready to advance her education. Today, she is working toward a double major in psychology and Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies. “I … Read more

Sage Norton, a 30-year-old visual communication design senior at Eastern Washington University, was named as a recipient of the Golden Eagle Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year. Norton earned her Associate of Arts in graphic design from Spokane Falls Community College, before transferring to EWU to earn her bachelor’s degree. “I never thought I’d do … Read more

Kevin Uyekawa kicked off this year’s Father’s Day weekend at EWU’s June All-Campus Commencement celebration, where he proudly accepted a Bachelor of Science diploma in front of his father, John Kovar, and his own son, Kaleb. Kevin credits a supportive family with helping him reach the finish line. “It’s kind of nice that it’s all … Read more

Kevin Uyekawa, 41, will enter his senior year at Eastern this coming fall. The single father of a 5-year-old son is majoring in mechanical engineering while holding down a paid internship and logging a lot of miles in his car. Uyekawa can continue his education and pursue his goals – with a little more breathing … Read more

Irie Browning, 27, is passionate about life’s deeper meaning and how it is articulated in different cultures. With the help of the EWURA, she will continue pursuing that thirst for knowledge.  Browning, a junior, plans to earn a doctorate degree and become a philosophy professor. The retirees’ association recently awarded her a $3,105 Golden Eagle Scholarship to … Read more

Nan Whybark isn’t your typical returning student.  After raising five children and retiring from a 25-year career as a para-educator, Whybark moved to Davenport, Washington with plans to return to college and earn a degree in studio art from EWU.  “I’m an older student. I’ll be 70 in December,” says Whybark, who was thrilled to … Read more

Jordan Vasquez-Evans ’22 is headed for great things. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and entrepreneurship in June and, at the age of 20, is on a path to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from EWU. She was watching an Eagle basketball game when she received notice from the Financial Aid … Read more