CWU To Celebrate Scholarships On April 24

March 29, 2005

Contact: Catherine Scarlett (509-963-3083/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: scarletc@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University Foundation will host its 7th annual "Building Bridges" scholarship reception Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m. in the Samuelson Union Building Ballroom.

Dr. Paul Baker, foundation executive director, and other university administrators will welcome guests and acknowledge appreciation to the donors who have established scholarship funds to benefit current and future CWU students.

"Without our donors, many students would not be able to realize their dreams," Baker says. "It's this partnering that creates a bridge from one generation to the next."

The annual "Bridge Builder" award, which recognizes those who have impacted the CWU scholarship program through their leadership, example and generosity, will be presented to Spencer Hatton, of Yakima, in recognition of the Bronwen A. Hatton Memorial Scholarship.

Named in honor or Hatton's late wife, the scholarship benefits students pursuing a special education teaching degree at Central.

Also to be recognized at this year's reception are many new scholarships that have been created during the 2004-05 year, including the John Austin Kern Endowed Scholarship, created last July by a generous gift from Ellensburg residents Bentley and Albina Kern, to benefit athletes participating in the varsity football program; Burt Christianson Memorial Scholarship; Ryan Patrick Dacy Scholarship; Amy Marie Castner Scholarship; and Gray Family Scholarship.

In addition, new annual awards include the D&M Coffee Scholarship, U.S. Bank William O. Douglas Honors College Scholarship and Gene and Charlotte Balint Scholarship.

Those interested in attending the reception are asked to register by calling the CWU development office at (509) 963-2160.

For further information on the Building Bridges reception, about creating scholarship opportunities for CWU students, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-3083, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.