Geosciences’ Student is Grateful for Scholarships

Marilyn Smith’s path to Eastern Washington University wasn’t the traditional one.

After serving in the Air Force and building a career as a sleep lab technologist, she realized something was missing.

She had always been fascinated by the natural world—how the earth shifts, how landscapes form, how technology can help us better understand and work with nature. That curiosity led her to pursue a degree in Geoscience at Eastern Washington, with the goal of a career in geotech—an exciting field that blends geology and technology, potentially even working with volcanoes.

“I wanted something that challenged me, something that let me work with nature to find real solutions,” she says. “Geotech is exactly that.”

Eastern Washington University turned out to be the perfect fit. Not only was it close to home, but its Geoscience program offered exactly the kind of hands-on learning Smith craved. “I just came from crushing rocks,” she said. “It’s all part of the hands-on learning experience.

“Every class is hands-on,” she explains. “I’m in the lab, in the field, collecting samples, testing them—it’s not just textbook learning. When you’re out there, doing the work, it sticks with you in a way that reading alone never could.”

That practical experience, combined with passionate instructors and strong faculty support, has been invaluable in preparing her for the future.

The faculty here do more than teach, she says, they open doors. “The networking, the research opportunities, the extra experiences—it’s all been so important.”

Of course, going back to school while juggling work and family responsibilities isn’t easy. Smith works two jobs: one with the U.S. Geological Survey, where she helps preserve geological data for projects like Montana’s Stillwater Mine, and another at a hospital as a sleep lab technician. On top of that, she’s an off-and-on member of the Geoscience Club and also volunteers with Spokane River Keepers for local river cleanups.

With such a full plate, scholarships have been a game-changer for this hardworking student.

“They’ve made all the difference,” Smith says. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to go to school full-time. It’s allowed me to focus on learning while still supporting my family.”

Smith knows that her journey wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of donors who support scholarships at Eastern.

“To the people who make these scholarships possible—thank you,” she says. “Eastern is investing in me, even though I’m not a traditional student, even though this is my second career. That means the world.”

Your donation to the General Scholarship Fund helps students like Marilyn Smith turn their dreams into reality. Visit EWU / Give to make a gift that helps Build a Future for Eastern students.