Six new members join Heritage University’s board of directors

New HU Board Members (clockwise from top left) Connie Fallon, Allison Parker, Derek Red Arrow, Elmer Ward, Maria Verduzco and Raul Sital.

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Heritage University adds six new members to its board of directors

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University has announced the addition of six new members to its board of directors. The six are leaders in their respective fields and join 24 other directors who generously volunteer their time and resources to ensure the University’s success.

Connie Falon, CEO of Compass Financial Network LLC, has been involved with Heritage University for the past 20 years in volunteering for different projects and is proud to join the board of directors. Connie’s expertise in the world of investing and finance will be an added value to the University.

Allison Parker joined the board of directors in January 2024. Allison Parker is a seasoned social impact strategist with nearly 25 years of experience, focusing on channeling flexible, long-term capital to under-resourced communities. As the principal of Peake Impact, she advises individuals and foundations in strategy, impact investing, and complex asset gifts. Prior to founding Peake Impact, she spent over 16 years at Seattle Foundation, where she most recently served as Managing Director of Philanthropy Strategies, leading a team responsible for creating new funds and launching a donor-advised impact investing program. Her career began as a staffer to U.S. Senator Patty Murray, specializing in federal funding, where she first encountered Heritage University.

Derek Red Arrow is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and serves as Litigation of Counsel for the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton and its Native American affairs unit. Red Arrow advises tribal governments, enterprises, nonprofits and businesses on matters involving treaty rights, land-back projects, inter-tribal trade, taxation, and other aspects of Federal Indian Law. Prior to joining his current firm, he co-founded the American Indian Law practice group at a Yakima-based firm, served as a staff attorney for the Yakama Nation, and clerked for Chief Judge Brian M. Morris of the U.S. District Court for Montana. He has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in Native American Law, he has received the NCAIED National 40 Under 40 award for his leadership and contributions to Indian Country and named a “Successful Indigenous Role Model” for Nez Perce Tribe’s Lapwai School District.

Raul Sital is the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Supports for the Pasco School District, a role he has held for three impactful years. His leadership in this capacity has contributed to the effective functioning of the district’s operations and support systems. While at Pasco School District, Sital has also served as a teacher at McLoughlin Middle School, a program teacher and manager at Discovery Middle School, and as Principal of New Horizons High School and Pasco High School. He earned his teaching credential at Central Washington University, and holds a Master’s in Teaching and Learning degree from Heritage University. He is passionate about education because he believes in providing the opportunity for every child to reach their dreams and goals.

Dr. Maria Verduzco is the Clinical Medical Director for the Yakima Valley Farm Workers clinic in Yakima, Wash. Dr. Verduzco was born and raised in Yakima. She earned a BA in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and went on to obtain her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Verduzco completed her residency at the Central Washington Family Medicine Residency program in Yakima. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and has dedicated her career to enhancing patient health, especially within underserved communities.

Elmer Ward is an Associate Judge of the Yakama Nation Court. Ward has worked in Native law for his entire legal career in a variety of roles for several tribes. Ward received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, and a Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law. He has served as a board member for People for People, the Yakima Valley College Board of Trustees and the Providence Foundation Board.

Heritage University President Andrew Sund, Ph.D. is grateful for the valuable perspectives and skills these individuals will bring to guide and strengthen our organization. “In our efforts to recruit board members for Heritage University, we prioritize representation from diverse sectors of the economy and education. This approach ensures a well-rounded and effective governance structure that supports our mission and strengthens our operations,” said Dr. Sund. “By engaging leaders from various fields, we are better equipped to address the needs of our community and drive forward our vision for educational excellence.”

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or at Mance_D@heritage.edu.

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Heritage University Welcomes Largest Group of New Students Since 2017

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Heritage University Welcomes Largest Group of New Students Since 2017

Toppenish, WA – Heritage University has welcomed its largest group of new students since 2017. A total of 347 students have started their educational journey at Heritage this fall, marking a significant milestone for the university and the community it serves.

This remarkable achievement comes despite the challenges faced by students and families this year, particularly with the delayed release of funding through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The university’s Financial Aid Department played a crucial role in overcoming these hurdles, working tirelessly to help students secure the necessary funding to pursue their education. In addition, the university’s generous donors stepped in to fill any financial gaps, ensuring that no student was left behind due to financial constraints.

Heritage University President Andrew Sund, Ph.D. expressed deep gratitude for the collective efforts that contributed to this success. “The dedication of our staff and the generosity of our donors have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Dr. Sund. “Despite the obstacles, we have been able to provide the necessary resources to our students, ensuring that they have the support they need to succeed. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our Heritage community to make education accessible to all.”

As the university continues to grow and expand its programs, this incoming class of 347 students foreshadows a bright future for Heritage University and the surrounding community. With an emphasis on culturally responsive education and serving students that are the first in their families to attend college Heritage remains committed to its mission of serving diverse communities and providing educational opportunities for all.

For more information, please contact Davidson Mance, Media Relations Coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@Heritage.edu.

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Seattle University School of Law expands access to legal education at Heritage University

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Seattle University School of Law to expand access to legal education in central Washington with ‘Hybrid Hub’ at Heritage University

Toppenish, Wash. – Aspiring lawyers in central Washington will have a new way to earn a law degree while remaining in their communities thanks to a partnership between Seattle University School of Law and Heritage University to establish a “Hybrid Hub.” The hybrid hub addresses the critical need for legal professionals in underserved regions known as ‘legal deserts’ where there are not enough lawyers to meet community demand. This partnership will allow local students with aspirations to pursue legal careers, especially those with work and family commitments, to complete law school without leaving the Yakima Valley.

The Hybrid Hubs initiative builds on the success of Seattle U Law’s Flex JD program, which offers an innovative, part-time, hybrid-online legal education. By opening a hybrid hub at Heritage, central Washington students will have a pathway to study law, pass the bar exam, and practice law locally. The hub at Heritage allows students to study in an academic setting by utilizing study spaces and other campus resources, such as internet and library access. Students will also enjoy intellectual life and in-person networking events to build community among fellow Flex JD students, Seattle U Law alumni, the local legal community, and other aspiring law students.

The establishment of the hybrid hub at Heritage capitalizes on the achievements of the Law School Admission Counsel (LSAC) Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program, an innovative partnership between the law schools at Seattle University, the University of Washington and Gonzaga University and Heritage with the goal of boosting the numbers of people of color serving as lawyers in central Washington.

Under the leadership of Heritage University President Dr. Andrew Sund, HU has expanded its academic programs to include the LSAC PLUS, which puts legal education within reach of students in the Yakima Valley while also increasing student enrollment and strengthening community partnerships. “I am honored to have helped central Washington students envision themselves serving communities as lawyers,” said Sund. “We welcome the hybrid hub as a catalyst for cultivating homegrown legal talent and expertise.”

“The opening of this new Hybrid Hub at Heritage University marks a significant milestone in Seattle University School of Law’s ongoing efforts to make legal education more accessible and to cultivate a new generation of diverse legal professionals in underserved areas. This need is urgent in Central Washington, and we are excited to work with Heritage University because of its ongoing commitment to educating people in this region,” said Seattle U Law Dean Anthony E. Varona.

Seattle U Law and Heritage University will sign a memorandum of understanding to establish the hybrid hub during a ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at 5 p.m. in the Barnhill Fireside Room, located in the Gaye and Jim Pigott Commons at Heritage University. For more information and for help coordinating interviews, contact David Sandler at (206) 291-6271 or sandlerdavid@seattleu.edu or Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@Heritage.edu.

About Seattle University School of Law
Seattle University School of Law is a mission-driven, diverse, and civically engaged law school based in the heart of Seattle, offering a comprehensive legal education that goes beyond the classroom. Our students become lawyers and leaders with the practical skills, the knowledge, and the drive to make a real difference for their clients and their communities. Our practice-based curriculum features a renowned Legal Writing Program, a highly ranked clinical program, the Pacific Northwest’s only hybrid-online part-time program, and hundreds of learning opportunities around the globe. Seattle University’s Jesuit tradition infuses our students’ legal education with a sense of purpose and a drive to action to cultivate leaders in law who serve justice.

About Heritage University
Heritage University is an accredited, private institution offering a wide variety of academic programs and degrees. At Heritage, we believe that a college education should be accessible to anyone with the talent and drive to pursue a degree — regardless of economics, culture or geographic locations.

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Heritage University to Host El Grito de Independencia Celebration in Commemoration of Mexican Independence Day

El Grito 2024 Flyers English and Spanish

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Heritage University to Host El Grito de Independencia Celebration in Commemoration of Mexican Independence Day

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University is delighted to announce its upcoming El Grito de Independencia celebration, scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This lively event will be held at the picturesque Toppenish campus, commemorating Mexican Independence Day.

El Grito de Independencia pays homage to the historical “Cry of Dolores,” a pivotal moment in Mexican history that ignited the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish rule. The re-enactment of this event will take place at 7:30 p.m. A distinguished representative from the Mexican Consulate in Seattle will lead the El Grito ceremony.

Promising an array of vibrant Mexican-style activities and games, El Grito will be an engaging affair for all attendees. The event will be animated by the dynamic and lively performances of Los De La Z and folklore dance group Grupo La Esperanza and the participation of Yakima Aztec Dancers. Families can look forward to many attractions, including traditional Loteria games, engaging kid crafts, food and beverages, captivating traditional dance performances, live music, and an informative resource fair.

The celebration will be open to the public, and admission is entirely free, reflecting Heritage University’s commitment to community engagement and cultural festival.

For individuals and businesses interested in becoming vendors at El Grito de Independencia, there are still limited vendor opportunities available. To register as a vendor, contact Jennifer Renteria-Lopez via email at renteria-lopez_j@heritage.edu or phone at (509) 517-2040.

For media inquiries contact: Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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Heritage University’s Master’s in Social Work program granted candidacy status

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Heritage University’s Master’s in Social Work program granted candidacy status

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University announced that its Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been granted candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This significant milestone marks the completion of Benchmark 1 and moves the MSW program towards accreditation, expected in 2026. This achievement ensures that all students who commence their studies at Heritage will graduate from an accredited program retroactively once accreditation is achieved.

Achieving candidacy status is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the MSW program faculty and staff. Last November, faculty submitted a comprehensive 225-page document detailing the program’s adherence to accreditation standards and outlining the curriculum. Following a virtual site visit by CSWE this past January which identified only four areas requiring further clarification, faculty promptly addressing those points. The CSWE Board of Accreditation reviewed the document, site visit results and responses in June, and voted to grant candidacy status. This approval allows the program to move forward to Benchmark 2 while admitting its first cohort of students.

The MSW program must complete two additional benchmarks. The second benchmark will be submitted in November 2025, followed by the final benchmark in 2026. Corey Hodge, vice president of Student Affairs and the chair of the Social Work department at Heritage is pleased with the progress of the accreditation process and says its success will allow the university to offer a uniquely designed program to serve the rural communities of our region. “We emphasize culturally responsive service, particularly focusing on indigenous, Latinx, and agricultural populations. Our curriculum is tailored to address the specific needs of our communities, exemplified by courses such as “Culturally Tailored Interventions” offered in the specialized practice year,” said Hodge. “We have a strong team in place and are confident in completing the accreditation process on schedule.”

The inaugural cohort of the MSW program will begin classes in August 2024. Heritage will begin accepting applications for the fall of 2025 in November. Hodge says starting the program after Benchmark 1 approval will allow faculty to collect crucial data on program outcomes which will ensure the university remains on the right track and well-prepared for the final benchmark submissions.

For more information, please contact Corey Hodge at (509) 865-0411 or hodge_c@heritage.edu. For help with arranging interviews, please contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-7084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

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Boundless Determination – Wings Summer 2024

A student dressed in a cap and gown with a big smile at a graduation ceremony surrounded by other graduates

Scenes from the Heritage University Class of 2024 Commencement, May 11, 2024

An entire class of graduates overcome unprecedented challenges to earn their college degrees.

The road to graduation is never easy. There are always challenges, unexpected obstacles, and a few hard-earned lessons that pop up along the way. But, for this year’s graduating class of Heritage Eagles, the road to graduation was more than a little bumpy. This is the class that started their academic journey in the midst of a pandemic. Their first two years of college were spent almost entirely online. They had to be more disciplined and creative to study independently, often in less-than-ideal environments where distractions were high and access to the resources they needed limited. There was no campus life. No meeting with their cohort for small group learning over lattes and snack cakes.

A collage of students attending a graduation ceremony

Scenes from the Heritage University Class of 2024 Commencement, May 11, 2024

Still, they persisted, with knife blade focus on their goals and an understanding that earning their degrees would be life-changing and worth the hard work and sacrifice.

On Saturday, May 11, 198 students celebrated with family and friends and Heritage faculty and staff at the university’s 42nd Commencement. Their accomplishments were made sweeter by the monumental challenges they overcame to make them happen.

Scenes from the Heritage University Class of 2024 Commencement, May 11, 2024

This year’s undergraduate address was made by Andrew Martin (B.A., American Indian Studies). Areli Leion (M.I.T., Elementary Education) presented the graduate address. Jim Pigott was scheduled to present the Commencement Address, but an unexpected illness forced him to cancel. Instead, President Andrew Sund spoke, honoring Pigott’s years of dedication to Heritage University and its students.

During the event, 13 students were recognized for their academic and leadership accomplishments. The twelve students who graduated with perfect 4.0 GPAs received the Board of Directors Academic Excellence Award: Karina Delgado, Isai Diaz, Bryawna Fletcher, Kelsey Flores, Jhow Garcia, Briana Garza, Sandy Gonzalez Perez, Marisol Johnson, Amairani Martinez, Tar Mo, Dianne Nunamaker and Sky Silva. Delgado also recieved the President’s Student Award of Distinction, which is presented to an undergraduate with a distinguished record of academic excellence and service to the university. She earned a B.A. in Psychology while studying at the Tri-Cities regional site.

Additionally, Heritage recognized Jennifer Johann (B.A.Ed., Elementary Education, 2004 and M.Ed., Professional Development, 2007) as the Violet Lumley Rau Alumna of the Year.

Scenes from the Heritage University Class of 2024 Commencement, May 11, 2024

During a particularly moving portion of the program, Sund awarded Professor Emeritus of Education Ed Rousculp a posthumous honorary doctorate degree. Rousculp passed away in January following a long illness. His career at Heritage spanned more than 30 years. He started as an adjunct instructor, then became the chair of the College of Teacher Education. In 2005 he transitioned to the Director of the Center for Intercultural Learning and Teaching where he stayed until his retirement in 2022. The degree was presented to his wife, Susan Rousculp, and their three sons, Josh, Tom and Sam Rousculp.

Graduating students holding certificates while on stage

The “A” Team” A dozen students graduated with a perfect 4.0 which means they earned a perfect score in every one of their classes

Sharing Heritage – Wings Summer 2024

A powwow participant wearing a Native American headdress seen from behind

When the Grand Entry procession of veterans and dancers at Heritage’s All Nations Student Social Powwow made its way into the arena to open the day’s festivities, it was a moment of great significance. It was a welcome back to Heritage alumni; to dancers, drummers and singers; and to friends who faithfully attended the annual event before COVID, and whose presence at the university was deeply missed. It was a celebration of the hard work of the students who planned, promoted and executed the event. And it was another milestone in a collective return to normalcy after the pandemic’s interruption to all our lives.

The powwow was held on the Heritage campus in April under a vivid blue spring sky. The event was entirely organized by students in Heritage University American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) and the Heritage University Native American Club (HUNAC). Vendors selling everything from t-shirts and handmade Native American crafts to frybread tacos and beverages outlined the enormous tent that served as the arena. Organizers estimated a crowd of about 500 people, including dancers, drummers and vendors, in attendance.

“The powwow is a great way to highlight the rich culture of Native people and share it with the community,” said Kansas Arnoux, HUNAC president. “We were honored to invite the community to celebrate with us and to experience a bit of the cultural traditions that we hold close to our hearts.”

AIBL of HU President Latrishia Scabbyrobe agreed with Arnoux. “The powwow promotes mental health and wellness for our community by building a connection and an appreciation of our past through song and dance,” she said.

A collage of powwow participants dressed in Native American designed outfits

Scenes from the All-Nations Student Social Powwow at Heritage University, held April 20, 2024

The first All Nations Student Powwow was held at Heritage in the fall of 2017. It was initially started by a handful of students in AIBL. Jacob Billy (B.A., Environmental Science, 2017) was one of the students involved in planning that first event. He’s been the head of the Grand Entry at every event since, including this one. Billy traveled from Warm Springs, Oregon to lead this year’s entry.

This year’s event differed from previous years in that it was a social event rather than a competitive one. Instead of a single head drum, drum groups signed up and the first five received a stipend. Likewise, dancers received stipends to sign up in their categories, which included Tiny Tots (5 years and under), Golden Age (55+), Juniors and Adults. For the women/girls, there were Fancy, Jingle and Traditional dances. For the men/boys, there were Fancy, Grass and Traditional dances. Additionally, there were two intertribal dances, where all in attendance, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, were invited to dance together, as well as a Rabbit Dance and a youth hand drum competition.

Scenes from the All-Nations Student Social Powwow at Heritage University, held April 20, 2024

The powwow also celebrated other cultures. A Nigerian drum group opened the event prior to the grand entry and The Hunters, a family of musicians that include Heritage Professor Dr. Yessenia Hunter and student A Hunter, had a Fandango performance prior to the powwow’s closing round dance.

“Heritage has a special and valued relationship with the Yakama Nation. Our past, present and future are inextricably tied to the Indigenous people of this area. The powwow is an important event for the University and our students and we are all thrilled by its return,” said President Andrew Sund. “We look forward to watching this event grow.”

Body of Work – Wings Summer 2024

English major Millie Land loves a good romance. Stories with strong women, smart women living wonderfully rich lives. Stories of women finding love, adventure and happiness. They are the women whose wit and spirit carry them through adversity with grace and whose beauty turns heads whenever they walk into a room. In books, their appearance is described in detail— raven-haired or with golden locks, tall or petite, skin the color of caramel, ebony or alabaster. Their figures may be slender, athletic or curvy, but one thing they never, ever are is fat.

A smiling young blond woman pictured in a mirror frame

Millie Land

“In our modern-day Western society we hold a very narrow standard of beauty when it comes to body composition. Thinness is revered, sometimes to the point where unhealthy bodies are held up as the standard we all must strive to achieve,” said Land. “Fatphobia in media, literature and social media is prevalent, and this portrayal diminishes individuals whose bodies do not conform to these impossible standards.”

What started as a study for Land to take on during her first research experience through the Leadership Alliance at Johns Hopkins has turned into a passion project. She’s spent the past four years returning to her analysis, often called to it without the pull of a class assignment. Land was so drawn to her research that by the time she enrolled in the course where she would compile her senior thesis, she had already completed enough analysis to move right into her writing.

THE MAKING OF AN ACADEMIC

Land wasn’t a traditional college student when she came to Heritage. She graduated from Selah High School in 2014 and wanted to be a veterinary technician. She started in a vet tech program at a community college and worked at a veterinary clinic when a puppy’s tragedy during a routine procedure showed her the dark side of caring for animals.

“I knew it wasn’t for me,” she said. “I couldn’t stand the heartbreak.”

Land left the program and her job. For the next six years, she worked as a home health aid and tried to figure out what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

“I knew I wanted to do something that I really loved. That I was passionate about,” said Land. “I’ve always loved reading and writing and decided I would find a way to make a career out of that.”

Land enrolled at Heritage and declared her major in English. At the time, she thought she would get a degree and a job in something like copywriting, marketing, or teaching, although she wasn’t sure that the K-12 setting was right for her. Then, she took an ethnic literature class and met Dr. Winona Wynn, the director of the Mellon Mays and Leadership Alliance programs.

“Dr. Wynn started talking to me about the programs and the opportunities I had after Heritage. She introduced me to the idea of getting my Ph.D. and becoming a college professor,” she said. “She made it all seem so obtainable.”

That summer, Land became a Leadership Alliance Fellow. She found herself at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. The experience required her to pick a research topic for that summer’s focus.

“I knew I wanted to do some kind of analysis on body diversity and representation in the media,” said Land. “It is something that is very personal to me. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life and never saw anyone in the books I read or the programs that I watched that I could relate to.”

THE BRIDGERTON EFFECT

At the time of Land’s summer research experience, the historical romance series Bridgerton, based on a book series by Julia Quinn, was one of the most-watched programs on Netflix. Millions of people binge-watched the program, wondering with great anticipation who the mysterious Lady Whistledown could be. Among the cast of glamorous characters was Penelope.

“Penelope was the only character who was like me. She was plus-sized and was dismissed by all the others. They only saw her as the poor soul destined to live life as a spinster. Nobody saw her cunningness or expected that she was amassing this empire for herself.

“I decided my study would focus on this series, mostly through critical analysis of the books.” It was a decision that would shape the trajectory of her academic career.

When Land returned from her ten weeks in Baltimore, she was changed. Her experience had shined a light on what she always felt was a truth in literature and the media, but now she was armed with the skills to bring that truth to light with academic analysis and evidence.

“People have always been fascinated by the human body. But our modern-day vision is much different than what was historically revered. Before the 19th Century, depictions of beauty in the human form, particularly that of women, were once much more aligned with what most women look like. They were more voluptuous and rounder, with soft bellies, protruding breasts and full thighs. Thinness has only been the beauty standard since the mid-1800s.

“Today, when a fat woman is represented in literature, movies, television, and social media, she is often portrayed as lazy and unworthy of love or appreciation. She is the fat, funny friend or the villain. Or, if she is a central character, her story is about losing weight. She can find love and happiness only after she gets the weight off.”

The effects of this lack of representation are chilling, she said, particularly when considering youth and young adult literature.

“If children only see fat people represented in a negative light, or valued only when they lose weight, their perception of people with larger bodies is skewed. They are taught that fat people are unworthy of success or love and must accept the way society treats them until they fit the standard beauty model. Moreover, it gives those who are not fat permission to belittle and bully those who are and damages the mental health of larger youth who are told again and again that they are unworthy and invisible.”

THE CONTROVERSY OF SIZE

The study of the portrayal of plus-size characters in literature and popular media is a surprisingly controversial research area. Some point to an obesity epidemic in America and the adverse health effects of being overweight as a reason why fat people should be excluded from the media. Others scoff at the idea of the study of weight stigma being a legitimate academic pursuit. However, Land points out that the pitfalls of turning a blind eye to the issue are substantial.

“The lack of body diversity representation in our media is taking its toll on our youth. It can contribute to the psychological development of eating disorders and takes a toll on mental health.

We are seeing children as young as eight years old dieting because they think they are too fat.

“The pushback that comes when a fat person is in the public light is ridiculous. Including fat people in our narratives isn’t glorifying obesity. It is including a significant percentage of our world’s population and inviting us all to the table to share the full range of human experiences.”

The good news is that there has been some positive movement in recent years to build inclusivity around body size in the media. Larger artists like Lizzo top the Billboards. Shows like This is Us have plus-size characters in leading roles that don’t focus on their weight loss journey. Even Bridgerton, the series that started Land’s research, is bringing its fat character into a leading romantic role. Still, there is a lot more work to be done.

“Fat people are here. We have careers and families. We live rich and rewarding lives. We experience success and failure, love and heartbreak. Our stories are not diminished because of our body size,” said Lund. “The media has the power to change societal standards by addressing representation in all forms. I hope that as we become a more inclusive society, we see more writers and creators expanding their ideas of diversity to include people of size. Only then will we start to see some real positive change.”

This spring, Land’s research while at Heritage came to a head. She submitted her senior thesis. “I got an A!” she said.

She is now working with her professors to fine- tune her thesis so that it will be used as part of her graduate school submissions. She is planning on applying for Ph.D. programs this fall. Additionally, she is looking at several options for publishing her work in scholarly journals.

“I see my research progressing in so many ways once I move on to graduate. I can focus just on literature, or I can focus on popular culture, media studies, cultural studies, art, and even activism,” she said. “That’s the beautiful thing about English studies; it is multifaceted. It allows us to see the world through others’ eyes and experiences through diverse perspectives. I am aiming to progress the conversation and write about the past and present to bring to light those different experiences and bring a voice to those who are underrepresented, such as those in fat bodies.”

The Answered Prayers of My Grandmothers – Wings Summer 2024

Focus on indigenous tradition leads student to Heritage University’s American Indian Studies major —
and a plan to teach the next generation.

Lateet Olney, a freshman majoring in American Indian Studies, remembers the prayers, the singing, the dances. Most of all, she remembers the reverence of her family’s traditions. Growing up on the Yakama reservation in a big family, she was raised as a member of the Native American Church in a very spiritual home. At her father’s knee, she learned about the “red road” — the name Indigenous people use to refer to living life with a deep respect for oneself, for elders and young ones, for creation and the Creator: a state of being in harmony with the universe.

“These are the traditions your grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother lived,” her father told her.

Young woman in front of a Native American tepee holding a large check representing a scholarship award.

Lateet Olney holds a poster-sized check that represents her scholarship award

From the time of Olney’s earliest memories, people from various tribes would gather at her parents’ home. She remembers the most devout and active among them were her uncle and aunt — PeterJoe and Audrey — and how they guided her toward the “powwow trail” as she approached adulthood. As she journeyed from one powwow to another throughout the Pacific Northwest and the American Southwest, Olney became completely immersed in Indigenous culture.

As she learned more about the celebrations and spiritual customs of her own and other tribes, she saw how honoring and practicing those traditions kept them alive and meaningful. She saw the way they were purposely passed on to the young people.

Olney prayed before each journey for greater knowledge, understanding and growth, and she received it. The powwows, the celebrations, the physical journey brought clarity to her personal journey.

HERITAGE PROGRAM FORMALIZES EDUCATION

Olney found the next step in her evolution in Heritage’s American Indian Studies program, a major in which history, linguistics, art, literature, and social studies all combine to inform students on the past and present of indigenous people.

The program was designed to promote a rich and layered understanding of the Native American experience, said Blake Slonecker, Chair of the Department of Humanities. “In the most basic sense, we are a native-serving institution, and we understand ourselves as being rooted in the place where we are, so the program is a natural outcome of this,” Slonecker said.

The program is small but has been steadily growing. Most students who enter the program are members of the Yakama Nation or members of the tribal community. Eleven percent of Heritage’s students are Native American.

A young woman wearing Native American designed clothing looking downward

Lateet Olney

“Because of this, it’s important that we create and offer a learning environment where students can explore what is essential to their identities,” Slonecker said.

As much as possible, the Heritage courses are taught by Indigenous instructors. Current Yakama instructors include Greg Sutterlict, Ph.D., Languages and Literature professor and Director of the Center for Language Revitalization & Preservation, who teaches the Yakama language Sahaptin, known as Ichishkiin. Vivian Harrison and Ida Shock, both Yakama, are art instructors. Arlen Washines, a Yakama elder, has taught history and traditional knowledge of the Yakama people at the University of Idaho and will teach a course on the subject at Heritage this fall. Elese Washines, enrolled Yakama, has taught tribal governance and sovereignty for several years.

Slonecker credits Maxine Janis, Ed.D., President’s Liaison for Native American Affairs, as instrumental in connecting Yakama instructors with the university — a much-needed aspect ofthe program. He also says having Yakama staff members in place in Advising and Admissions means the major is increasingly actively discussed with enrolling students.

“Having more staff members who are Yakama talking about the program means more students become interested in it,” Slonecker said. “Within a small community like ours, including within the Yakama Nation, word of mouth makes a difference.

“We’re actively working to bring more indigenous faculty on board as we also encourage more students to consider this major.”

WALKING IN “TWO WORLDS”

Olney sees Heritage’s American Indian Studies program as a way to help her people honor their ancestors and, at the same time, move forward. She said one important way that’s been done more effectively in recent years is via the nearby Mount Adams School District practices.

“Our grade schools are bringing in some of our Yakama ways, welcoming people in Ichishkiin, recognizing we are all on Yakama land, having powwows and traditional food feasts,” she said. “These were not part of my experience in grade school.”

She notes that the Yakama Nation Tribal School is only middle school and high school, not grade school, but said that what’s now included in the Mount Adams School District curriculum does represent progress. She notes that some Sahaptin is taught, but “our teachers are aging, so we need to figure that out. There are big shoes that need to be filled.

“There needs to be an understanding among more Yakama people about what and where we come from, our traditions, and how to walk in the two worlds together.”

Olney wants to be an educator or work in nonprofit management. Other paths for an American Indian Studies major include becoming an archivist, advocate or cultural resource manager, tribal administrator, researcher or journalist.

“The more we have students come into the program, graduate, and move into successful careers, the more we get on people’s radar,” Slonecker said.

FINDING THAT SENSE OF DIRECTION

Lateet Olney is an early riser who takes time to experience each morning as a ritual. She gets up and opens her curtains, goes to the kitchen sink and fills a glass with water. She sits and drinks, putting her focus on “good thoughts” about what she wants to do in the day ahead. Following her own quiet time, she walks into her 11-year-old daughter Madison’s bedroom to gently wake her.

“I tell her not to rush,” Olney said. “I never want her to rush. It’s important to start the day slowly.”

She wishes for her daughter the same things she wishes for herself and all her people.

“I wish for her a happy and healthy life,” Olney said. “That she can find joy. That she can find her own purpose.”

Olney thinks about the four pillars of her religion, though she hesitates to call it a “religion.”

“That’s because it’s a way of life,” she said. “Thinking about our Native American Church and the four main pillars — they are love, faith, hope and charity. When I think about those and the red road, I believe if you’re following them, you can find a sense of direction.”

As she learns more about her people’s traditions and beliefs, whether at a powwow or during her day at Heritage, she feels a sense of awe.

“When I’m learning, sometimes it has me speechless, whether I’m taking a thousand notes or quietly listening,” she said. “We are taught to be quiet. We are taught to never think we know it all but to take it all in, our history, our language, our art. When I get to learn, I reflect on all that I am.”

As Olney decided on her educational path, she said her main thought was, “I don’t want to be wrapped up in a work world that isn’t connected with who I am.

“What I chose with this program means learning everything I can so I can share it,” Olney said. “I want to keep our traditional way of life alive and live it every day and pass it on to our children, not just for them but for the generations after them.

“They’ve done it all for us to keep this prayerful way of life moving forward. In this way, I am the answered prayer of my grandmother and her grandmothers before her.”

Thanks a Million! – Wings Summer 2024

People holding up signs to read "Thank You!" and "$1,109,291"

Heritage University students and staff hold up signs revealing the amount raised during the 38th Annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner.

When it comes to fundraising, there are always two goals—the one you know you can reach and the one you dream of achieving. For Heritage’s Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner organizers, the dream number has been $1,000,000 for several years. This year, the dream came true.

People holding up numbers during the paddle raise portion of the Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner.

Guests of the Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner lift bid numbers during the paddle raise portion of the event.

After all final gifts came in through June, the total raised was $1,109,291! “It is incredible!” said David Wise, vice president for Advancement and Marketing. “A million dollars has been floating out there as a stretch goal for a few years.”

“Just think about what this means for our students. So often, we hear from them that they never thought they would be able to go to college. Then, they came to Heritage where people they never met gave the gifts that make their dream of earning a degree a reality. Time and again, they tell us that those gifts are more than the dollars they receive; they are validation that they are capable and a motivator that sees them through the challenges that inevitably come during their studies.”

Scholarship Dinner is the single largest fundraising event the university holds each year. Since its inception 38 years ago, the event has brought in more than $8 million to support student scholarships.

A collage of photos with people talking to each other and emcees addressing the crowd.

HU Chairman of the Board Bob Gerst speaks with a guest of the event; emcees Alex Vera and Gerardo Ruelas speak to the attendees from their podiums.

This year, the dinner occurred on Saturday, June 1, on Heritage’s main campus in Toppenish. Guests who attended the event in person mingled with students during the dinner reception in Heritage’s Eagles Café before making their way to Smith Family Hall for the program, which was live-streamed to audiences throughout the country. The total raised at the night’s end was an impressive $803,590. Organizers knew that the total would increase over the month as gifts from those who could not attend trickled in.

“There were a number of our most ardent supporters who had conflicts the night of the dinner and could not attend,” said Dana Eliason, senior director of development and the lead planner of the event. “It was surreal seeing the number rise closer and closer to that $1 million mark as the gifts from those who were not at the dinner continued to come it.”

Collage of pictures from the Bounty of the Valley; people holding up bid numbers; a student speaking; guests making a toast.

From left to right: a guest holds up a bid number; student Lillie Wesley shares her higher education story with attendees; and event goers raise their glasses in a toast.

“Most of our students come from economic backgrounds that make higher education unaffordable,” said Dr. Andrew Sund, Heritage president. “The unwavering community support our students receive is crucial for their ability to earn college degrees. For over 40 years, the extraordinary generosity of our donors has enabled more than 11,000 individuals to graduate from Heritage. These graduates have contributed to the community as educators, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and more throughout the Valley. We deeply appreciate their remarkable support.”

FARE THEE WELL, FRIEND

For the past 13 years, Scholarship Dinner has been the baby of Senior Director of Development Dana Eliason. She’s overseen everything from the selection of the artwork to approving gourmet menus to working her magic with donors and sponsors. Under her tutelage, Scholarship Dinner has grown from raising an impressive $150,000 event to an astonishing $1 million plus. It’s been a labor of love, but her time at Heritage is coming to an end.

Dana Eliason

Eliason is retiring and will leave her position at the university in July. While Scholarship Dinner is perhaps the work Eliason is most known for, her role at the university went much deeper. Over the years, She was part of the team that raised millions of dollars for the construction of seven new buildings on campus, the development of student support services, the development of academic programs, and, of course, student scholarships.

“Dana’s legacy at Heritage is one of dynamic inspiration, stylish presentation, active compassion and unwavering dedication,” said Bob Gerst, chair of the university’s Board of Directors. “She’s touched countless lives and leaves an indelible mark on our institution and our hearts.”