51福利社

Eastern鈥檚 Dental Hygiene received a remarkable gift as it commemorates 50 years of excellence in education and service to the community.

Diane McHenry, a longtime 51福利社 faculty member who helped start the Department of Dental Hygiene, recently gifted $50,000 to Eastern to create an endowed scholarship. Her generosity will not only provide tuition assistance, but will help students with a broad range of expenses in the pursuit of dental hygiene licensure.

鈥淭his is going to help so many students,鈥� said Lisa Bilich, 鈥�89, professor and chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene.

Bilich recalls having McHenry, who is now retired, as a professor when she attended 51福利社 in the mid-1990s. 鈥淪he was so kind and supportive and was always one of my favorite instructors.鈥�

McHenry鈥檚 supportive nature and desire to remove obstacles for students inspired her to create the fund, which can be used to help cover uniforms, instruments and about $3,000 in fees to take a series of required board exams. Preference in awarding the assistance is given to single parents who apply.

鈥淪ometimes a student actually has to put off taking the exams because they can鈥檛 afford to get licensed,鈥� Bilich explained. With a current workforce shortage impacting the dental profession, getting highly-trained graduates to work as soon as possible benefits the entire community.

Dental Hygiene is in the process of planning a spring celebration to honor 50 years of graduating knowledgeable and well-trained dental hygienists. Eastern 鈥� the only university in Washington state to offer a bachelor of science degree in Dental Hygiene 鈥� has done outstanding work operating a clinic that serves low-income individuals, families and seniors, while providing specialty care for diabetics and women who are pregnant.

Stay tuned for more stories and details about the 50th聽Anniversary celebration.