Diana & Kenneth Manville

Diana and Kenneth Manville wanted to do something to honor their son’s memory. “Starting a scholarship fund is suitable because EWU is where Matthew found his true calling,” Diana said. “Many generous, caring people have contributed to the scholarship. Kenneth and I are proud to have these funds available to deserving students in the Mechanical Engineering Program.” One such student is Andrew Pearson.

Matthew Manville’s life was too short. He had 27 years to learn all he could, travel with family and friends, start an exciting career, and most importantly, positively impact others’ lives.

He played basketball, soccer, and volleyball. He golfed with his father and grandfather, and taught his friends how to play. He loved wakeboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, and sailing. At home with his parents, Kenneth and Diana, Matthew expressed his creative side while working with wood and metal in his dad’s shop, and helping his mom design a garden.

“We were very proud of Matthew,” Diana said. “He was a loving, kind, responsible, and intelligent young man. He brought great joy to our lives.”

After graduating from Cheney High School, Matthew enrolled at Eastern Washington University. He received two scholarships, and during his junior year, he set his sights on pursuing a career in airplane manufacturing.

“It was a natural fit for Matthew,” Diana said. “He had a special knack for math – necessary for the Mechanical Engineering Program – he loved working with his hands, and his dad enjoyed a successful career as a corporate pilot.”

While working near Spokane’s aerospace component manufacturer, Triumph Composite Systems, Matthew met employee Justin Von Hagel ’96, who graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering technology. Justin suggested Matthew apply for a paid internship. He became Triumph’s first paid intern and the first EWU student Justin mentored on the job.

Immediately after Matthew graduated from Eastern in 2006 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Triumph hired him as a full-time employee.

Matthew spread his wings in 2008 with a new job at Boeing in Seattle. “He had an exciting position, working on the 787 Dreamliner,” Diana said. “At 25, he was a lead manager over a small department comprised of older, more experienced men. They still incorporate Matthew’s ideas in their daily tasks.”

After Matthew passed away unexpectedly in 2011, Kenneth and Diana wanted to do something to honor his memory. “Starting a scholarship fund is suitable because EWU is where Matthew found his true calling,” Diana said. “Many generous, caring people have contributed to the scholarship. Kenneth and I are proud to have these funds available to deserving students in the Mechanical Engineering Program.”

One such student is Andrew Pearson. The avid outdoorsman from the Midwest served in the Marine Corps after high school, then moved to Spokane for nearby mountain climbing and mountain biking.

At work at Empire Aerospace in Hayden, Idaho, Andrew learned about commercial aircraft systems. “I gained a healthy respect for the aeronautical engineers who designed each system to work properly with other systems,” he said.

Based on friends’ recommendations, he decided to go to Eastern for a mechanical engineering degree.

The Matthew Manville Scholarship is helping Andrew achieve a goal of graduating with low debt while motivating him toward his dream career as an engineer in space travel or renewable energy fields.

“Sharing an interest in aircraft mechanics with Mr. Manville makes this scholarship special because his example gives me the courage to push through difficult classes,” Andrew said. “It gives me assurance that completing this degree and reaching my career goals is well within reach. Knowing that this money was donated by others who want me to succeed is very motivating.”

The scholarship Diana and Kenneth started has steadily increased with help from the Matthew Manville Annual Memorial Golf Tournament at the Fairways Golf Course near Four Lakes, Washington. “This is the third year for the tournament,” Diana said. “Many people come to have fun and spend the day remembering Matthew. Over $8,000 has been raised for the scholarship.”

Andrew is thankful for scholarship donors, and he intends to give back in the future. “Thanks to generous contributions from others and my military service, I have a job as a full-time student. I can think of no place I would rather be,” he said. “Helping current students is a tangible way to help future generations. Few alumni can say no one helped them get to where they are today. They might not be able to repay the same people who helped them, but they can pay it forward.”

It is comforting to know that Matthew’s legacy will continue to impact lives for years to come.