Eastern celebrates grads

SPOKANE – Eastern Washington University hosted the 131st class commencement during three separate occasions last Saturday at the newly built Podium building in the Spokane SportsPlex.

This was the first time that Eastern Eagles hosted the commencement at this facility. Last year, it was at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in two separate times.

The first one was at 9 a.m. for master and doctoral degree recipients. The second one was at 1:30 p.m. for bachelor degrees from Colleges of Health, Science and Public Health and Colleges of Professional Programs. The 5 p.m. one was for bachelor degrees from Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Science and Colleges of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Eastern Washington University President, Shari McMahan, PhD, greeted and address the Eagle class of 2024. She said, “The learning doesn’t stop here. Life is a journey of learning.” She added that they should get involved in their community and be active.

Assistant Professor, Stuart Steiner, PhD, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department, received the Trustee’s Medal. This medal is the university’s highest form of recognition for faculty achievement.

Steiner recently secured a $1 million Google grant award for Cybersecurity clinic. He is the founder and director of Eastern Washington University’s Net work Computing and Cybersecurity, a nation ally prominent Cybersecurity program that has placed Eastern students at the forefront of international efforts to create preventive measures from digital attacks.

Last year, Steiner led an Eastern team to compete in the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity where they won the 2023 National Title of the cyber games in Tampa.

Afterwards, the university gave an honorary doctorate degree from the university to Carol Evans, former Chairwoman of the Spokane Tribe Business Council due to her outstanding contributions to her community, her tribe and the Pacific Northwest region.

As an alumna of Eastern, Evans graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.

She spoke to the class of 2024 graduates and express that they should spread their wings and reach greater heights in their life. She also explained how generations of her family meant a lot to her and her history. Evans is a member of the Spokane Tribe.

After the class walked the stage to grab their degree, McMahan approached the podium. She then instructed, “Recipients, you may place your hand on your tassel on your right, and you may move your tassel from right to the left. Congratulations.”