Each year, CWU seeks opportunities to enhance the educational experience for its students, opportunities for its faculty and staff, and its presence in the global marketplace. Donors help the University relieve financial burden of students, and support vital student-life activities that make CWU extraordinary.

Donors.  Gifts large and small play an important role at the CWU. Gifts contribute to the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and academic programs, and every gift has a story. CWU is honored to feature the following accounts from the CWU family of donors.

Dennis Heldane (’77):
After earning a B.A. in Music Education at CWU, Dennis Haldane has gone on to energize Washington State with his musical talent. Born in Southeast Alaska, Dennis, a member of the Tsimshian tribe, grew up in a fishing family. Whether in Seattle or Alaska, fishing was his life for 18 years.

Evan at a young age, Haldane was a talented trumpet player. “Dennis could hit those high notes. You either have it or you don’t,” said Norman Wallen, CWU music professor and friend of Haldane.

Nathan Hale High School’s music teacher, John Moawad, who would later come to teach at CWU, inducted Haldane into the school’s Jazz Band. Under Moawad’s leadership, Dennis later used his gifts to join the Drum and Bugle Corps, “a marching band on steroids,” as Wallen coined it.  Not surprisingly, Haldane went on to attend college at CWU, where he drew inspiration from professors Robert “Beep” Panerio and John Moawad.  For Haldane, education and music were orchestrated as one. 

Dedicated and diligent, Dennis plays trumpet – mostly lead – with many music groups throughout the Seattle area.  Although jazz is his specialty, he also performs with Latin, blues and opera groups, demonstrating his chops as a well-versed musician.  Music and education have had a profound impact on Haldane’s life.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t use my education that I received from Central. I owe a lot to CWU and its faculty,” says Haldane. 

To share his passion for education and music, Dennis has made provisions in his will for a bequest to support the John Moawad Scholarship and the Robert M. Panerio, Sr. Trumpet Scholarship at CWU.

Mary Deaton (’72): I gave a scholarship in honor of my beloved mother, Vera Franklin Deaton, who passed away at age 94. She was the first person in the family to attend college and went to Central Washington State Normal School. She was, and always will be, my role model, and she helped make it possible for me to attend college at CWU as well. My scholarship fund honors her by helping current students remain in school to pursue their educational goals.

Student Impact.  Your gifts in action. Meet students who are direct beneficiaries of your philanthropic support.

Jocelyn Robinette: Thank you ever-so-much for the generous scholarship I received over this summer. Because of your kindness, I was able to complete 15 credits over the nine week session, which put me on track with my graduation plan. THANK YOU!
I have left my office to become a full time student. It is because of people like you who make it possible for me to work harder at my teaching degree and still be a mom! Thank you again! This scholarship meant so much to me !

Ardie Fesuluai:  I am deeply grateful for the scholarship I received this fall quarter. My family was shocked when we found an unpaid fee on my finances and we were even more shocked to see how much the unpaid amount was. We knew instantly that we could not afford to pay it off before the winter quarter, because of our unfortunate financial status at the time. Thankfully, after writing a letter stating our situation, we were able to find help from the CWU Foundation. I feel grateful and blessed to be awarded this scholarship for $2,000. My family and I are so appreciative to the CWU Foundation. In receiving this scholarship, I feel obligated to take full advantage of the services provided to me by CWU. Thank you, again, and words cannot express my gratitude for the help provided to me .

Alex LaVanway: I cannot thank you enough for the gift you have given me and my family. My son has grown out of his condition and my wife is in better health. My family is happy.

The Foundation has gone the extra mile on my behalf. You gift to us has given my wife and family peace of mind. CWU has given me so many wonderful opportunities and so much support. Because of your generosity, I look forward to the time where I can give back to the University and help others as you have helped me .