Longtime board member and advocate Sonja Dodge passed away on May 8, 2026. She was 89.

Dodge joined the Heritage University Board of Directors in 2006 and served in several leadership roles during her eight-year tenure, including on the Executive Committee and Advancement Committee. She worked alongside fellow board members and university leaders to strengthen Heritage’s mission and expand opportunities for students across the region. Her leadership and service helped shape the university during a period of significant growth and transformation.

During her tenure on the board, Heritage completed the $27 million Heritage for the Future Campaign, opened the Arts and Sciences Center, and expanded academic offerings, including Criminal Justice, Native American Studies, and graduate education programs. The university also increased scholarship support, broadened access for first-generation, Hispanic, and Native American students, and strengthened its impact throughout Central Washington.

In addition to her service at Heritage, Dodge was an active community volunteer. Among the many organizations that benefited from her leadership are: Yakima County Medical Auxiliary, Junior League, Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Yakima School District, and the Comprehensive Mental Health Foundation.

Dodge’s dedication to educational opportunity and community service reflected the values at the heart of Heritage University. Her legacy lives on through the students and families whose lives were changed by the opportunities she helped create.

In lieu of flowers, Dodge’s family included Heritage University on the list of non- profits for memorial contributions in her memory.