Jim DeWalt & Colleen Harbick

Before the 2008 recession hit, Jim DeWalt, 1973 alumnus and president and CEO of Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest (A.I.), had been thinking about the most impactful way to give back to his alma mater. Colleen Harbick, a single mother of three, a school bus driver and a first-generation EWU student pursuing a degree in business accounting, is thankful Jim chose to give back.

It was 2008. The recession had begun. Businesses and markets were struggling. Many of Eastern’s scholarship endowments were underwater, which meant they could not be awarded to students until the economy improved. The nation’s economic downturn was affecting EWU’s daily operations, driving up the cost of tuition. A college degree was suddenly out of reach for many students. Overcoming the challenges would require constant innovation and the generosity of people and companies that were willing to help.

Before the recession hit, Jim DeWalt, 1973 alumnus and president and CEO of Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest (A.I.), had been thinking about the most impactful way to give back to his alma mater. “I started the Associated Industries Bright Promise Scholarship for lots of reasons, but probably started with, ‘If I won the lottery, what would I do?'” he said. “Well, just so you know how shallow I truly am, I would buy at least one really cool, go-faster car, and party, which would take care of the first two days. So I asked myself what I could really do if money was not an issue. Just a side note: Money is always an issue. I thought of my experiences at Eastern as well as a lot of other folks I know who had/have similar money-school issues. With the help of Rex Fuller (then EWU dean of the College of Business and Public Administration), Bill Robinson of Robinson Research, Keith VanderZanden and Barbara Fives of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, and Robert Gootee at Moda Health, the scholarship took form, becoming operational in 2008, the beginning of the recession, so great timing,” Jim said.

Jim had already learned valuable lessons about timing and money. In the late ’60s, he planned to go to the University of Washington, but first, he had to work long enough to pay his way. That notion was interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the armed forces. While in the service, he saved a little money. Some high school friends enrolled at Eastern and encouraged him to apply.

“I truly enjoyed the experience,” Jim said. “I pursued double political science and English majors to avoid any mathematics requirement and to attend law school. I had wonderful opportunities for employment to pay for tuition, room, and board, I was involved with student government, and I met wonderful professors, administrators, and students who became lifelong friends.”

One memory Jim describes typifies the Eastern experience and forever cemented his gratitude to the university. “One of my professors, Bud Cass, came knocking on my door one Sunday morning to talk to me about what I was going to do with my education,” Jim said. When he told Cass he would attend law school, the professor advised him not to be a lawyer, and to get into a graduate program at the University of Washington, which he could help him accomplish. “I finally attended UW and had an internship with Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman, all because this professor took an individual interest in me and made the extra effort. It changed my life. I truly believe this would not have happened at any university but Eastern.”

Now Jim is helping change lives. The A.I. Bright Promise Program was designed to invest in, educate and develop a strong local workforce that will help ensure the continued growth and success of the Inland Northwest. To date, the scholarship has awarded $225,000 in scholarships to 52 students who have either graduated or are enrolled in college, logging 10,290 total credit hours and achieving a 3.56 average cumulative GPA.

Colleen Harbick is a single mother of three, a school bus driver and a first-generation EWU student pursuing a degree in business accounting. There have been moments when financial pressures, staying up until midnight to do her homework, and missing her family made her think of leaving Eastern to get a full-time job. Fortunately, her Bright Promise Scholarship is providing desperately needed relief and encouragement to strive for her dream career.

“Receiving the scholarship means a lot to me, as I am trying to support my family with a part-time job while attending school,” Colleen said. “Making ends meet with a goal to get an education has been tough. I have worked for years at low-paying jobs. I want a career that supports my family. Knowing that there are people out there who are generously helping others get through college and find success is special. After graduation, when I am employed and able to give back, I would love to be able to help others achieve their goals of a college education.”

Jim is pleased to hear Colleen’s story. “Our scholarship recipients’ high average GPA attests to the direct effect of sufficient funding allowing students to concentrate on their educational experience,”he said. “I would advise students like Colleen to enjoy the whole student experience – the whole shebang – because what you are doing and the decision you made to continue with your education is a life-changer.”