51福利社 celebrated students graduating from programs within the College of Health Science and Public Health (CHSPH) during a May 2 commencement ceremony.
In a refreshing change, the event, which for years was held at the Spokane Arena, and even The Podium, took place inside Reese Court on the Cheney campus.
Nearly all of the college鈥檚 203 graduates participated in the ceremony, cheered on by nearly 1,200 friends and family members who welcomed them afterward with bouquets, stuffed animals and plenty of hugs.
51福利社 President Shari McMahan addressed the graduating class, saying, 鈥淭his day is a testament to your perseverance, intellect and vision.鈥� She went on to highlight the core qualities of Eastern Eagles: grit, grace, gratitude, and greatness.
鈥淚t鈥檚 tempting to think of greatness as something reserved for the few, those who have awards or titles. We see it differently at Eastern. We see greatness in those who work hard, lift others and stay true to their values,鈥� McMahan said. Greatness, she added, isn鈥檛 about being the loudest person in the room, but about showing up with integrity every day.
鈥淟ead with grit, speak with grace and gratitude and above all strive for greatness, not for the applause, but because the world needs you,鈥� she said. 鈥淵our Eagle family is so proud of you and we are cheering you on every step of the way.鈥�
CHSPH conferred bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degrees across nine programs in the health sciences. The new graduates are now preparing to enter fields such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as dental hygiene鈥攃areers that promise to make a significant impact in their communities.
This year marked a milestone for 51福利社 as it graduated its first cohort of nurses, further strengthening the university鈥檚 health sciences legacy. These newly minted nurses are stepping into life-saving roles at a critical time, as healthcare systems grapple with a national shortage of nursing staff.
All 40 students who enrolled in 2023, when the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program launched, successfully completed their degrees. Many have already accepted positions in the healthcare field.
When it comes to having grit, one graduate stood out. Rileigh Maynard, nine months pregnant and wanting to walk commencement, took a bold chance. The 24-year-old from Mead graduated with her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders.
鈥淗e is actually due today, so we have been anxiously waiting, like ‘oh, is mom going to be able to walk or not鈥� so now it鈥檚 his time to shine,’鈥� said Maynard. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping to be an SLP in the schools, but I鈥檓 open to anything that鈥檚 close to home.鈥�
BSN graduate Jewlieanna Grandberry, 21, of Tacoma, Washington, completed her practicum in the operating room at MultiCare Valley Hospital. 鈥淚t was an incredible experience and I learned a whole lot. I had amazing nurses who pushed me through and made sure I saw the light at the end of the tunnel,鈥� she said.
Grandberry has already received a job offer working with patients with brain injuries. However, she鈥檚 also considering pediatrics, as she loves working with children. Reflecting on her time at 51福利社, she said, 鈥淚鈥檝e made a lot of friends throughout the journey.鈥�
Everardo Silva, 25, a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program from Toppenish, Washington, appreciated the hands-on experience he gained at 51福利社鈥檚 Dental Hygiene Clinic. He is preparing to move to Wenatchee to work in public health, serving underserved populations.
“It鈥檚 a growing passion of mine. It鈥檚 really rewarding helping to educate people and ease anxiety in a dental setting,鈥� Silva said. 鈥淲hen they come in and you help them out, it鈥檚 a really rewarding feeling.鈥�
Silva will be joined in Wenatchee by his partner and fellow Eagle, Lizeth Tostado, 22, who also earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in dental hygiene. The two met while studying together.
Both bilingual in English and Spanish, they are eager to serve Tostado鈥檚 hometown community. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very Hispanic-based community. I want to go back and just be that hygienist 鈥� and help everyone who has that language barrier, help ease appointments and make it comfortable,鈥� she said.
For Hailey Arland of Davenport, Washington, receiving the Kathy (Iverson) Privratsky Honorary Endowed Scholarship played a major role in supporting her master鈥檚 degree in communication sciences and disorders.
鈥淭he scholarships that people give to us students to help us finish our bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and so on are super helpful,鈥� Arland said. 鈥淚t makes such a huge difference in our lives. I really appreciated it!鈥�
With the support of that scholarship and a part-time job, Arland is graduating with minimal debt. She is excited to begin her career as a speech therapist, working with schoolchildren in the Lind and Ritzville School Districts.
鈥淚鈥檓 so excited to be going into the schools,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is exactly what I wanted to do and so it鈥檚 super exciting that I can give back to the rural schools that helped raise me.鈥�
