Kevin Uyekawa kicked off Father鈥檚 Day weekend at the 2024 June All-Campus Commencement celebration, where he accepted a Bachelor of Science diploma in front of his 6-year-old son and his own father.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of nice that it鈥檚 all happening at the same time,鈥� said Uyekawa, who earned a 3.97 GPA as a full-time mechanical engineering student while juggling a 25-hour a week paid internship and parenting Kaleb as a single dad.
鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 really hit me yet; when I don鈥檛 have to come back in the fall, that鈥檚 when it鈥檚 really going to hit,鈥� said Uyekawa, who also received an Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Student Award from the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
He credited support from his family, 51福利社 faculty and staff members, and a scholarship from the 51福利社RA with helping him reach the finish line.
Uyekawa was among more than 2,100 Eagle graduates who donned caps and gowns to celebrate their accomplishments in front of loved ones. The event was held on June 15 at The Podium in downtown Spokane.
Three ceremonies spread throughout the day, and staffed in part by 75 faculty and staff volunteers, honored master鈥檚 and bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates from Eastern鈥檚 four academic colleges.
President Shari McMahan and Provost Jonathan Anderson offered congratulations and words of wisdom at each of the events, with 130 faculty members there throughout the day to support and congratulate students. As a wrap for each ceremony, Kelsey Hatch-Brecek welcomed graduates to the 51福利社 alumni family.
In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of students, the ceremonies honored Stuart Steiner, faculty member and founder and director of 51福利社鈥檚 Center for Network Computing, with the Trustees鈥� Medal, the university’s highest form of recognition for faculty achievement. The events, detailed in the , also marked the bestowal of emeritus status upon several retired faculty members.
In addition, Carol Evans, former chairwoman of the Spokane Tribal Business Council, received an honorary doctorate from 51福利社 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to her community, her tribe and the Pacific Northwest region. [Earlier in the day, Evans own daughter graduated from 51福利社 with a Master of Public Health degree.]
In her remarks, Evans, an alumna, offered an inspirational message to students. It included sharing her own story of overcoming personal hardship, and encouraging graduates who鈥檇 experienced trauma to seek help. The heartfelt speech resonated with the Class of 2024, who stood in unison to give Evans a standing ovation.
Throughout the day, graduates expressed gratitude for people who鈥檇 supported their journey as Eagles.
Angela Prisila Mendoza Barrios, a 22-year-old from Mabton, Washington, participated in the early afternoon commencement. She was delighted to find that a large group of family members had made the 3-hour drive to watch her become the first person in the family to earn a college degree.
鈥淚鈥檓 super grateful that they were able to come here to support me,鈥� said Mendoza Barrios, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in children鈥檚 studies and plans to pursue a graduate degree to become a child life specialist.
Her family not only made the trip to Spokane, they brought musicians to play a favorite song that is popular in Mexico. 鈥淎s soon as they start playing it, my family goes crazy because that is, like, our hometown song,鈥� she said.
Kaileh Fox-Brown, a 24-year-old who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance, was thrilled to have her grandmother, Carol Brown, on hand to offer congratulations. 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely blessed and want to put my knowledge to use,鈥� said Fox-Brown, who plans to pursue a career as a financial analyst or advisor, and perhaps a business owner.
Waylon Wilson, 20, of Tonasket, Washington, earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in recreation and tourism management. Wilson, who works summers for the U.S. Forest Service, said he was mostly just relieved that he was able to finish up his capstone project on time. The project explored the advantages and disadvantages of the Forest Service鈥檚 approach to recreation management.
鈥淥nce we got that done, the world was off our shoulders and we were ready to graduate,鈥� said Wilson, who has lined up a position with the Forest Service and hopes to get into search and rescue work.
For Irie Browning, a 28-year-old from Spokane, graduation ends one chapter and begins another. Browning, a McNair Scholar and recipient of the Francis B. Huston Award, earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in philosophy. She begins graduate studies at the University of Oregon this fall.
鈥淚t feels really good,鈥� said Browning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of bittersweet. I鈥檓 really sad to be leaving Eastern, but it鈥檚 so cool to get to the end of it here.鈥�
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**Enjoy more commencement success photos, taken by 51福利社 photographer Luke Kenneally, below or visit the full gallery on .
