Recognition Societies

Named for the Northwest native perennial evergreen and the traditional name of the Eastern yearbook, Kinnikinick Society honors donors for their loyalty, recognizing support of three or more consecutive years, no matter the amount.

Alumni G.O.L.D. Society recognizes and celebrates new graduates and alumni who give back to EWU within the first 10 years of graduation. A gift or pledge of any amount starts Alumni G.O.L.D. members – “Graduates of the Last Decade” – on a lifelong philanthropic journey. Visit ewu.edu/give/alumni-gold.
Three levels of Alumni G.O.L.D. recognition:

• Associate members have contributed one-time or cumulative gifts of $150-$499.
• Fellow members have contributed or pledged one-time or cumulative gifts of $500-$999.
• Leader members have contributed or pledged one-time or cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more.

In honor of Eastern’s year of founding, 1882 Society recognizes donors who contribute one-time or cumulative gifts totaling $1,000 or more in a calendar year.

The Legacy Society recognizes individuals and families who, through their estate plans, have established a planned gift of any size to the Eastern Washington University Foundation. Planned gifts take many forms, such as including EWU Foundation in your will or trust, designation as a beneficiary in a retirement plan or insurance policy or one of several charitable life income plans.

Visit ewulegacy.org.

Named in honor of the presidents who guided the university to its present eminence, President’s Society members have contributed one-time or lifetime gifts of $25,000-$99,999.

William Sutton organized the first public school in Cheney, serving as the Cheney Normal School principal and professor of math and history. William J. Sutton Society recognizes donors who have contributed one-time or lifetime gifts of $100,000–$249,999. 

Mary Monroe, an influential advocate for women in professional careers, was the first woman appointed to chair the Board of Trustees. Mary Monroe Society members have contributed one-time or lifetime gifts of $250,000-$499,999.

Clarence Daniel Martin fulfilled his dream of a four-year college in Cheney after he was elected governor of Washington in 1933. Clarence Daniel Martin Society members have contributed one-time or lifetime gifts of $500,000-$999,999.

Transportation industrialist Benjamin Cheney contributed $10,000 to fulfill the vision of area citizens who had long desired an institute for higher learning. Benjamin P. Cheney Society members have contributed one-time or cumulative gifts of $1 million-$2,999,999.

Cheney Normal School’s first president, Noah Showalter, had a passion for training teachers, oversaw transformation of the Cheney campus, and led efforts to rebuild the school after the devastating 1912 fire, including construction of the building that bears his name – our historic Showalter Hall. Noah D. Showalter Society recognizes donors who have given one-time or lifetime gifts of $3 million or more.