CWU Honors Dr. Pappas For Longtime Support

April 8, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - To honor his 28 years of service to Central Washington University, the CWU Foundation will honor Dr. James Pappas, professor of education, with this year's Bridge Builder Award. The CWU Foundation annually recognizes a donor with this award to acknowledge a person or people who have made an impact on the university's scholarship program through their generosity and leadership. Pappas will receive the award during the tenth annual Building Bridges Scholarship reception Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

"We're thrilled to honor Jim Pappas with this award for his continued support and commitment to students over the years," says Jen Gray, CWU assistant vice president for development. "I often hear from alumni about how Dr. Pappas helped them when they felt they had nowhere else to turn. His thoughtfulness has touched many lives."

Throughout his years at Central, Pappas served as dean of academic services, dean of admissions and records, interim university president, and as an administrator and faculty member. In 2003, Pappas was recognized with the CWU Distinguished Professor Award for Public Service. In 2006, he established the Jim and Denise Pappas Study Abroad Endowment in honor of his late wife, Denise, who died in May 2006. The scholarship provides financial assistance for students wishing to study abroad.

Central's Building Bridges Scholarship reception also recognizes scholarship recipients at Central and gives them an opportunity to meet the donors that make their scholarships possible. For more information on the Building Bridges reception please contact Kim Thomas at 509-963-2762.

Media Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu.

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.