Ryan Poynter

EWU student Ryan Poynter called hundreds of alumni, parents, employees and friends of Eastern from the Telefund Call Center to thank donors and ask for gifts. He understands the importance of alumni giving back to help students succeed. Last year, the 2015 alumnus called EWU’s Development Office to establish the Poynter Scholarship. When endowed at $25,000, it will provide scholarships for students who are single parents. “My sisters and I were raised by a single mom,” Poynter said. “Now that my wife Lauren and I are parents of a baby daughter, we realize the difficulties single moms and dads must have juggling school, work and children. It’s something we’re both passionate about, and we feel that our scholarship will lead to Poynter family pride.”