Giving Joy Day! April 3
Help EWU Build a Path for the Future!
On Giving Joy Day, we will celebrate Eastern Washington University’s 143rd birthday.
Since its founding in 1882, Eastern has shaped generations of leaders and professionals who make a positive impact in their communities.
Build Our Future, EWU’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, is about bringing Eastern supporters together to position our students, faculty and university to tackle societal challenges – today and into the future. Eastern students graduate ready to make a difference!
Please consider making a Giving Joy Day gift of $14.30, $143 or $1,430 – or any other amount you’d like – to support your favorite fund.
Help establish an Occupational Therapy Scholarship Fund
When asked what she loves about Occupational Therapy, Kensi Nelson can’t limit her praise to just one thing. “I love the versatility of OT,” she says. The fully immersive, community-based learning rotations have helped Kensi decide that she wants to specialize in pediatrics because she loves kids and “really connected with them.”
“Community involvement is woven into every aspect of the OT curriculum,” she says, “but it is hard to have a job outside the program.”
Hard, she explains, because students have very few hours available after class and fieldwork. “Finances are always a real stressor for grad students,” she acknowledged, “and there is no scholarship fund dedicated to OT students.”
That’s why, this Giving Joy Day, Kensi is asking donors to help establish a dedicated Occupational Therapy scholarship fund. Although she will graduate this spring, before a scholarship is fully funded, she hopes her story will benefit future OT students. “Helping people do more in life is how OT students give joy,” she says, and she hopes others will give, too.
To help establish an Occupational Therapy scholarship, please reach out to Kaarin Appel at kappel@ewu.edu.
How Can I Participate?
Give a Gift
On April 3, give a gift of any amount to any EWU fund that means the most to you.
Explore FundsPlan a Gift
Let us help you tailor your giving to meet your charitable, financial and estate planning objectives.
Learn MoreBecome a Social Media Ambassador
It’s a privilege and an important job – share the day with your social media followers.
Get InvolvedShare on Social Media
Share the message of #GivingJoyDay on your social media! Encourage your friends to make a gift and give joy.
Inspire Others
Challenge your friends, coworkers and business competitors to one-up you with random acts of kindness or dollars for EWU student success.
Download Some Eagle Spirit
Zoom Backgrounds
Download our fun collection of EWU-themed backgrounds!
Coloring
Pages
Entertain your little Eags (or yourself!) with these fun Swoop coloring pages from our friends at Tokyodachi!
How to be a Social Media Ambassador
Schedule #GivingJoyDay on your calendar for April 3 and plan to make a gift! Connect and follow us on social media.
The Impact of Gifts
Jessica Avalos [left] received the Proud Eagle Nursing Scholarship, which allowed her to move from part-time employment as a barista to working as a nursing technician while she finishes her degree.
“I really needed it,” she says appreciatively.
“The Spokane housing market is so expensive, but this scholarship helped me to remain in stable housing while I changed jobs to work in my field.”
Brooklyn Parkey [right] graduated from high school in Spokane and enrolled at EWU. When she learned that Eastern would open the School of Nursing in the fall of 2023, she was excited that she did not have to transfer schools, and could remain an Eagle. Upon learning that she had been awarded the Proud Eagle Nursing Scholarship, Brooklyn recalls being excited:
“With a scholarship, I can work less and focus more on my studies,” she says.
