CWU alum reflects on four generations of Wildcat pride

As a fourth-generation Central Washington University alum, Neil Hewitson’s story bridges the past and present in a family line that began with his great-great-aunt Rose, who attended what was then Central Washington Normal School in the 1920s.

Rose devoted her life to teaching students with special needs and her legacy is one of dedication and resilience, traits that seem to echo through Neil’s family tree.

Neil’s grandparents, Patricia and Waldo King both attended Central, graduating together in 1951. During his time on campus, Waldo helped found the Collegians jazz band in 1946 and left a lasting mark on the university’s music program.

“Since my grandfather passed away, my uncle Ted and some other people in the music departments have set up the Waldo King endowment to support one instrumental jazz and one vocal jazz student every year,” said Hewitson.

With roots planted deep at Central, when it came time for Neil to choose where he wanted to go to college, the answer was easy.

“With that kind of family heritage, it was kind of a no-brainer,” Hewitson said. “I also wanted to go to Central because I felt like it was more my speed, and it was in a good place to be split between Central Washington and Western Washington. My grandma Pat actually offered to pay for my first year of tuition as long as I went to CWU, because she was so sure that I would have as great an experience and love it just as much as she did. She was definitely correct in her assessment.”

After completing his degree, Hewitson sought adventure and variety in his career. He worked as a zip-line guide in Alaska, a speedboat valet on Lake Union, and spent four seasons working at Crystal Mountain’s ski resort, but then a serious accident changed his career trajectory.

Now, as the director of email marketing at ICF Technology, Neil has found stability and fulfillment.

“I thought I’d be here for a year, maybe a year and a half,” he says. “Now it’s been almost 14 years. It’s just a really good company to work for with great culture and good people.”

Even with his professional life firmly established, Neil’s connection to CWU remains strong. His memories of campus life are tinged with nostalgia—gathering with friends at The Tav, where he’d order a "Hungry Mother" and play pool, or hanging out at one of his other favorite spots, Wing Central.

As a member of the first class to live in the completely remodeled Kamola Hall, he not only had a nice place to stay; he was able to revel in the nostalgia of the Wildcats in his family that lived there before him.

“It was special to me because that’s where my grandmother stayed when she was going to school here in the ‘50s,” he remembers.  “It used to just be a girls dorm back then, and my grandfather would have to wait in the lobby for her to get ready and come down, and that is where they fell in love. She got to come see me there, and of course it was completely remodeled so she barely recognized it, but it was still just really cool.”

As time goes on, Neil has stayed connected with his Central friends, keeping a lively group text active on everything from sports to politics.

He recently attended his first CWU Alumni Association event in Tacoma, where he reconnected with the CWU community, opening the door to more future involvement with his alma mater. 

Reflecting on his experience, Neil advises students and alumni to embrace change.

“My major changed a few different times,” he says. “I know that going to school was the important part, not necessarily the degree I got.”

From theater to philosophy, Neil’s journey was one of exploration and openness. He encourages students to “soak it all up,” emphasizing that each day at CWU offers new opportunities for growth.