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.”

A Heart for Heritage – Wings Spring 2024

When Dick and Pat Twiss made the Yakima Valley their home 57 years ago, they brought with them a passion for making a difference in the lives of those around them. Dick, now a retired cardiologist, dedicated 45 years to delivering essential medical care that not only extended the lives of his patients but also enhanced their overall well-being. His expertise was literally lifesaving, fostering longer and healthier lives for countless patients.

However, the Twisses’ impact goes beyond the medical realm. Together, their shared commitment to elevating the quality of life in their community led them to support many civic endeavors and eventually to Heritage University, where they became a transformative force. Their dedication has unlocked doors of opportunity through education for countless individuals. While maybe not lifesaving in the same way as a heart surgeon, the lives they have touched have been transformed in meaningful ways.

Dick and Pat Twiss have orchestrated a narrative of community enrichment. Their story is a testament to the profound influence that compassion and commitment can have on both the individual and the community at large, creating a legacy that resonates with the transformative power of education and the ripple effect of philanthropy.

The Twiss’ Heritage story began shortly after the university began in the early 1980s. A colleague told Dick about “a couple of nuns” from the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary who had started a college in rural Toppenish, Washington, just a few miles south of Yakima.

“I was educated for 12 years in The Dalles by the Sisters of the Holy Names,” said Dick, who grew up in the small Oregon town. “I was familiar with sisters’ work in primary and secondary education and was curious about what they were doing in Toppenish. I asked my colleague to introduce me to the sisters so I could learn more.”

Pat and Dick Twiss

Dick and Pat traveled down to the fledgling campus and met with Sister Kathleen Ross, Heritage’s founding president. At the time, Heritage had only been operating for four years. It was little more than a few classrooms in a former elementary school and a library created from books handed down from its predecessor school, Fort Wright College. As they toured the school and met with Ross, they also talked to a few of the students, and faculty and staff.

“We were impressed by the work being done and by the students we spoke to,” said Dick. “They were all so dedicated, and the students were eager to learn. Sr. Kathleen and her staff were creating an environment and teaching style unlike anything else. It was specifically designed so that the students they were working with would be successful. For the most part, these students were low-income, minorities and the first in their families to go to college, and they had no other options available to them to earn a degree.”

That first meeting sparked a nearly four-decade-long relationship that helped build the institution as it stands today. Their financial support has funded student scholarships, including an endowed scholarship in their name dedicated to helping students studying to enter the medical field, helped student clubs travel to national competitions, and helped build a thriving campus. They even expanded the footprint of the university when they purchased the old Toppenish Grange, which sat across the roadfrom the college, and gifted the property to Heritage. That old building was used for many years as an art room and meeting hall before the property was converted to house an early learning center.

As impressive as their generosity towards Heritage is, their commitment goes much deeper than their financial support. Dick spent a total of 21 years on the board of directors, once from 1990-2002 and a second time from 2007- 2016, and he was the Board Chairman from 2007-2009. He’s been part of the leadership team at almost every significant milestone in the university’s history: every multi-million-dollar capital campaign, the construction of nearly every building on the campus, the development of some of the university’s most successful academic programs, and the transition of leadership when Ross announced her retirement and the subsequent national search and hiring of Heritage’s second president, Dr. John Bassett.

Dick and Pat have also been fixtures at many of Heritage’s key events. They cheered on their favorite team at the polo fundraising events that took place during the university’s early years. They’ve attended every Scholarship Dinner. They were there for the openings of ten campus buildings, including the Arts and Sciences Center, Petrie Hall, Kathleen Ross snjm Building, the Martha B. Yallup Health Sciences Building and Violet Lumley Rau Center. They were part of the crowd of supporters who celebrated Ross when she retired and welcomed both Bassett, and current president Dr. Andrew Sund, at their inaugurations. And they have been among the scores of families and friends who cheered for graduates as they walked across the stage to get their well-earned degrees at several commencements.

“What is truly remarkable about Dick and Pat is how great their hearts are for this university and our students,” said David Wise, vice president for Advancement. “Every time there is a need, they are among the first to step forward and say, ‘How can we help.’ Together, they’ve made more individual gifts to Heritage than any other donor. There isn’t a student at Heritage, past, present or future, whose education hasn’t been touched by Dick and Pat.”

For the couple, what first excited them about Heritage, and what has kept them such ardent supporters over the years, is the impact the institution has both on the lives of the individuals who are attending the college, as well as on the community in which it serves.

“You can so clearly see the need here,” said Dick. “The need for a university to provide education to those who are unable to go anywhere else to learn, and the need for supporting scholarship so that these students can afford to go to college.

“Education is truly life-changing for these students and their families, and we can see the impact they are making in our schools and businesses and health centers after they graduate.”

Pat added, “There are lots of colleges out there, bigger colleges, who do a fine job educating young people. But they have so many more resources available to them. We feel like, through Heritage, we are really able to make a difference.”

“We are very proud of the university,” said Dick. “It gives us great pleasure knowing that we’ve been a part of their success.”

2023 A Year in Review

It was a very busy and productive year at Heritage in 2023. The university celebrated many impressive accomplishments, including expanded degree programs, a new regional location, record-breaking fundraising, strengthened partnerships, and students achieving greatness. Here are a few highlights.

Tri-Cities Expansion!

Heritage expanded its reach in the Tri-Cities area by opening a new regional location in Kennewick. Students can now complete all four years of study in one of six majors – accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, psychology, or social work – without leaving the Tri-Cities area. Or, they can complete their first two years in Kennewick and then attend classes at the main campus in Toppenish to complete their studies in any of Heritage’s degree programs. It welcomed its first cohort of freshmen for the fall 2023 semester.

The university maintains its relationship with Columbia Basin College (CBC), and students graduating from CBC continue to seamlessly transfer to Heritage to complete their bachelor’s degrees on the college’s campus.

New Graduate Programs!

Heritage developed two new master’s degree programs, the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs.

The MSW program was developed through the support of a five-year, $5.5 million federal grant awarded to Educational Service District 105, which included provisions for the university’s program development. This fall, the program received pre-candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation, opening it up to begin recruiting for a fall 2024 start.

A five-year, $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education supported the development and launch of the mental health program. It received approval from the university’s accreditation board and is currently recruiting its first cohort of students who will start in the fall.

Breaking Records!

In June, the 37th annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner broke all previous records, bringing in $872,559 for student scholarships. The event was held at the Toppenish campus and live- streamed so that those who could not attend in person could still participate in real-time.

Strengthened Collaboration!
Heritage and Children’s Hospital of Seattle cemented their partnership surrounding nursing education and shared goals to increase diversity within the profession and improve healthcare in rural communities. The partnership brings hospital nursing staff to Heritage to serve as adjunct faculty members and allows Heritage students to complete a 4-week pediatric clinical rotation at the hospital.

Together, Heritage and Children’s launched a multi-million-dollar campaign to create endowments to support the program in perpetuity. In fall 2023, Jim and Gaye Piggot, who are deeply invested in supporting healthcare and education, announced a $4 million gift to be divided between the two organizations, establishing the Gaye and Jim Pigott Nursing Endowment at Seattle Children’s and the Gaye and Jim Pigott Endowed Chair of Nursing at Heritage.

For the Children!

Heritage opened the new Early Learning Center (ELC) at its Toppenish Campus in March. Construction of the $4.1 million state-of-the-art facility started in spring the year before. It was funded by an anonymous donor.

The new ELC has five classrooms and is larger than the previous facility, allowing it to increase enrollment from 74 to 90 students. Its location, just east of the university’s main campus parking lot, makes it easier and safer for parents to pick up and drop off their children.

The ELC programs are designed to offer experiences that enhance and enrich each child’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical and creative development. It serves children from 12 months through pre-kindergarten.

Addressing Food Insecurity!

Heritage opened Eagles Market, a program to address food insecurity among students and their familes. The food pantry is supplied with frozen, refrigerated and non-perishable food items by Opportunities Industrializaiton Center (OIC) in Yakima. It is open for students to stop by and pick up free, nutritious food Monday through Friday. It was made possible by a contribution by Kwik Lok Corporation in Yakima and through a gift from an anonymous donor.

News Briefs – Wings Spring 2024

College of Education professor receives national award for dissertation

HU Assistant Professor Amy Nuñez, Ph.D., received third place in the Kurt M. Landgraf Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) and the Educational Testing Service. The award is given annually to spotlight top doctoral students and to showcase Hispanic students’ excellence. The goal is to encourage more Hispanic students to pursue doctoral degrees and to enhance the quality of the dissertations these students write.

Nuñez received her award for her dissertation, I Wish They Knew We Existed: The Academic Experiences of Latinx College Students in Mixed-Status Families. She completed her work as part of her doctoral studies at Indiana University-Bloomington, where she earned a Ph.D. in Education Policy. She presented her dissertation at the AAHHE conference in March when she received her award.

Theatrical troupe set to perform professor’s script on a national tour

Professor Winona Wynn received an award from The National Endowment for the Arts to write a script about the life of Sacagawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman who helped Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition to cross the western United States.

Sacagawea was performed by The Core Ensemble at a special invitation- only venue in Lakeworth, Florida. It was so well received that the company commissioned Wynn to write two additional scripts featuring Native American women to be included in a production that will go on tour across the United States this fall. Wynn completed a script about Wilma Mankiller, the first primary chief of the Cherokee Nation, and has a third script about Yankton Dakota writer, educator, translator, musician and political activist Zitkala-Ša, in progress.

The Core Ensemble performs works highlighting three historical figures in a presentation that blends compelling narrative with musical accompaniment. Each production includes educational programming to accompany the stories.

HU alumni challenge other graduates to Pay it Forward

A new endowed scholarship established by Heritage graduates will help future students rounding the corner toward graduation. Called Pay it Forward, the fund was started by two Heritage alumni to both give thanks for the help they received when they were undergraduates and to pass along those blessings to future generations of students. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, set up the endowment with the initial contribution and hope that other graduates will contribute to the fund and help it grow.

“Most of us Heritage alumni received some sort of financial support while we were in college. We envision other alumni contributing to this fund as a way to help students get an extra push on their final step in their educational journey.”

Scholarships from the fund are earmarked for junior and senior students.

Endowed scholarships have the potential to make the greatest impact on the greatest number of students over time. They are created through a significant initial investment, which is held in perpetuity and invested for long-term growth. Scholarships are awarded annually as directed by the university Board of Directors. Gifts to the university can be directed to the endowed scholarship, which will grow the principal and ultimately increase the number of students who benefit from the gift. To make your gift to Pay it Forward, visit heritage.edu/giving.

Nursing program gets shot in the arm with grant to expand outreach and support

Heritage University received a three-year, $1.4 million grant from the Biden-Harris Administration to launch an innovative program to address the critical shortage of nurses in our rural communities. The program is called Pathways to Opportunity and takes a two-pronged approach to addressing nursing education. First, it increases outreach into local high schools to guide students interested in a nursing career and helps them prepare for college. Second, it provides for dedicated case managers within the university’s nursing program who will help all Bachelor of Nursing students prepare for the licensing examination, and offers career guidance, advising, and mentorship. The goal of this approach is to ensure that incoming students are prepared for the rigors of college and that, when enrolled, they receive the wrap-around support that keeps them engaged and more likely to persist to graduation.

“This substantial investment from the Biden-Harris administration underscores the importance of addressing the critical shortage of nurses in rural communities and Heritage University’s role in helping to fill those gaps,” said Dr. Melissa Hill, Heritage provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.

Pathways to Opportunity will focus on Native American, Hispanic, low-income, and first- generation high school and college students. Outreach will target students in the eight high schools in communities surrounding the university’s Toppenish campus and the Yakama Tribal School.

Quarter million dollar gift directed to support DACA and DREAMER students

Heritage University received a $250,000 gift from the directors of the Bezos Family Foundation to support the institution’s DACA Emergency and DREAMER Funds. This transformative contribution reflects a commitment to supporting the immediate needs of undocumented students facing unforeseen challenges.

Each year, the Bezos Family Foundation’s Board of Directors chooses non-profit organizations that align with the Foundation’s mission. In selecting Heritage, the Foundation’s directors recognize the university’s work to provide equitable opportunities to children and youth in its communities.

“This gift underscores the understanding that the foundation directors have of challenges undocumented students face if they wish to pursue a college education. DACA and DREAMER students do not qualify for federal financial aid, often creating situations where the cost of attending college is insurmountable,” said Dr. Andrew Sund, Heritage president. “This gift helps level the playing field for students to pursue a college degree regardless of their immigration status.”

In Memoriam – Wings Spring 2024

Ed Rousculp

Heritage lost a beloved fixture to the campus community in January when Professor Emeritus of Education Edwin Rousculp passed away.

Rousculp was a Vietnam-era veteran who served four years in the Air Force before he entered college at Wright State University in Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Teaching, and taught middle school in Carlton, Ohio, before he and his wife, Susan, moved to the Yakima Valley. They settled in Toppenish, and he went to work at the Yakama Nation Tribal School.

His tenure at Heritage began in 1983 when he started teaching English in the evenings as an adjunct instructor while still teaching at the Tribal School. He took a brief hiatus from the university when he moved to Pullman, Washington to pursue his graduate studies at Washington State University (WSU). In 1993, he returned to Heritage as a full-time faculty member in the College of Education. Later that year, he was appointed Chair of the Teacher Education Program. He continued to serve in that role until 2005 when he transitioned into the position of Director of the Center for Intercultural Learning and Teaching, where he remained until his retirement in 2022.

“Ed’s commitment to education, unwavering support for our students, and positive impact on colleagues resonate deeply within our hearts. He embodied kindness, patience, generosity, and gentleness, qualities that made him not only an exceptional colleague but a true friend to many,” said Dr. Andrew Sund, Heritage University president. “We are collectively mourning the loss of a remarkable individual. His dedication and passion for Heritage University’s mission have forged a legacy that will endure for years to come.”

Ted Strong

Former Heritage University board member and Yakama Nation tribal elder Taninsh Ted Strong died on January 30. He was 76.

Strong served on the Heritage board from 2003 to 2012 and was a member of the Executive Committee and the Tribal Relations Committee. In 2022, he was among the Heritage’s Honoring Our Elders award recipients.

In addition to his Heritage service, Strong was a leader among the Yakama Nation and an advocate for treaty rights, salmon recovery, water rights and environmental management. He served as the executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, was a chief judge for the Yakama Nation Tribal Courts, and was director of the Yakama Housing Authority. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Corporate Responsibility for Yakima Chief Hops.

Virginia Beavert

A renowned linguist, author and educator, Dr. Virginia Beavert Tuxámshish passed away in February at the age of 102.

Beavert dedicated her life to revitalizing and preserving indigenous languages, particularly Ichishkiin, also called Sahaptin, which is the traditional language of the Yakama people. She was one of the first instructors in Heritage University’s Ichishkiin language program and was instrumental in building the program into what it is today. In addition, she was the co-author of the Ichishkíin Sínwit Yakama / Yakima Sahaptin Dictionary and author of The Gift of Knowledge/Ttnúwit Átawish Nch’inch’imamí: Reflections on Sahaptin Ways.

In 2015, Beavert was recognized by Heritage as one of the first four recipients of the Honoring Our Elders award.

“Her wisdom, passion, and commitment were instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich linguistic diversity that is an integral part of Native American heritage,” said President Sund.

Falling in Love – Wings Spring 2024

You go to college to earn a degree. But sometimes, you also meet the person with whom you want to share your life.

That’s what happened to Heritage alumni Brandon Berk and Anitramarina Reyna, Heber Molina and Carmen Mejia, and Jorge Borunda and Mireya Vazquez.

Today, after attending Heritage, they all have degrees, are working in their chosen fields, and are each happily married to the love of their lives.

BRANDON AND ANITRAMARINA BERK

The first time Anitramarina Reyna met theman who would become her husband, she feltslightly taken aback.

“If you’ve met Brandon, you know he has astrong, confident handshake – and he’d already perfected his teacher’s voice,” Anitramarina said. “I felt immediately intimidated by this tall, confident guy.”

“I’m just good at hiding my introverted side,” Brandon said.

They were young – both high school seniors at a formal ceremony for the Act Six college scholarships they were receiving, both about to head to Heritage, he as a math major, she pursuing a nursing degree.

Whatever reticence Anitramarina first felt didn’t last. The two soon struck up a close friendship. Both were outgoing and dedicated to their studies, and they found it easy to spend time together.

“We basically lived at Heritage,” Anitramarina said. “We’d get there at 7:00 in the morning and stay through 11:00 at night. “We were always studying, but of course, there was some goofing off to alleviate stress. We’d have lunch, walk, play board games in the Barnhill Fireside Room.”

One winter, during a snowstorm, the two drove to campus early to get there before classes began. Once they arrived, they learned classes were canceled.“We decided to stay,” said Anitramarina. “It was just the two of us, studying in a room in Petrie Hall, with a YouTube video of a fireplace to distract us from the big snowfall outside.”

“Rumor had it,” Anitramarina said, that she may have had a crush on Brandon, even though they were technically just friends. But nothing came of it until 2020, after Anitramarina graduated from Heritage and Brandon, who earned his bachelor’s degree the year before, graduated from Whitworth University with a Master in Teaching.

Once they began dating, their days were full of hiking, kayaking and, soon, regular gatherings with both families.

They got married in the Yakima Valley in August 2023.

Today, they live in Cle Elum, where they both work for the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District. Brandon is a high school math teacher, and Anitramarina is a nurse in the school district. They have two cats, Roo and Mei.

They say the years they spent as “just friends” were a wonderful foundation for their marriage.

“We were best friends at Heritage before we even began pursuing a relationship,” said Anitramarina. “That was huge.”

Their future plans involve moving back to the Yakima Valley, buying a house, and starting a family.

Professionally, Anitramarina wants to continue to make a difference in children’s lives. Brandon imagines a future that includes adjunct teaching at Heritage.

“I’d love to give back to the university that helped shape me,” Brandon said. “And introduced me to the woman who would become my wife.”

HEBER AND CARMEN MOLINA

They had the same Intro to Sociology course, saw each other around campus, and ultimately worked on student events together. However, Instagram, Snapchat and texting were the initial basis of Heber Molina and Carmen Mejia’s relationship.

What began with sharing comments and thoughts on virtual platforms soon became real, with much of it playing out on the Heritage campus. Heber was a criminal justice major, and Carmen was a social work major. Both have since earned their master’s degrees.

“Besides studying, we’d meet for lunch and sometimes watch movies together. Sometimes, toward the end of the day, we’d play flag football,” Carmen said.

The Heritage campus, where they felt so at home, seemed like the perfect setting for two invitations Heber would make to Carmen. The first came when the Student Government Association (SGA) was hosting a masquerade ball. Heber devised a scavenger hunt to ask Carmen to go with him to the event.

“With the help of some friends, he wrote clues for me to find around campus where we spent a lot of time,” Carmen said. “The last clue led to the library. Heber was waiting for me with flowers and an invitation to the ball.

“When I say Heber is detailed and thoughtful? You see what I mean.”

A couple of years later, Heber outdid himself. Carmen’s sorority organized a scholarship event called “Big Man on Campus.” As a raffle ticket emcee, Carmen called a number Heber “just happened” to have.

“I walked up to the stage and proposed to her in front of the whole crowd, including friends and family,” Heber said.

The couple married in 2018.

Student-focused events were a huge part of their Heritage life. Both the TRIO and Enactus programs gave them the opportunity to travel together. They’ve followed up those trips with some of their own—to the Olympic Peninsula rainforest and the Southwest, usually camping so they can bring their three dogs—Zeus, Atlas, and Kleo—who are family to them. They envision more travel to Mexico and the tropics.

Heber works for Highline Public Schools as a recruitment and retention program manager. Carmen is a student advisor at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Having recently purchased their first home in the greater Seattle area, they talked about their dreams for their future.

“We want to raise a family, maybe have our own business, maybe buy land to build our dream home.

“But more than anything,” said Heber, “we plan to continue to love each other.”

JORGE AND MIREYA BORUNDA

Jorge and Mireya Borunda are “opposites” personality-wise, but their values are cut from the same cloth.

They met at Heritage in 2009. Jorge was a computer science major. Mireya majored in business administration. Both were active in Enactus (formerly

Students in Free Enterprise [SIFE]) and recipients of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. Sharing meaningful experiences helped them become friends quickly.

“We were introduced by Leonard Black, who was a business professor and in charge of SIFE,” Mireya said. “He counseled me about school, about our relationship, about life. He is still like family to us.”

In 2010, Jorge asked Mireya to listen to the student address he was asked to give at his commencement. In it, Jorge talked about his experience of being a DREAMer.

“We were both DREAMers,” Mireya said, referring to the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) legislation that was introduced in 2010 as a way to give undocumented young people who were brought into the country as minors a pathway to citizenship.

“We both made it through college via private scholarships, and we kept our full-time jobs throughout our studies. We worked really hard.

“What Jorge talked about in his speech really resonated with me and my story. We both had to navigate the same struggle. That speech was a highlight of our time at Heritage.”

By commencement, Jorge had been accepted into his master’s program at the University of Washington. He and Mireya traveled extensively as they fought for the DREAMers Act, which brought them even closer. While the Act never passed, they were able to get some protection by getting DACA status.

Romance had crossed both their minds over the years. But Jorge felt there were so many things on their plate that anything beyond friendship would be challenging.

Ultimately, laughed Mireya: “I needed to make it more formal.”

Before Jorge headed to Seattle, she asked him over coffee if he wanted to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

“I played hard to get,” Jorge smiled. “But after we finished our coffees, I said yes.”

They dated for two years, as Jorge traveled between Seattle and Yakima. In 2012, they decided to get married right after Mireya’s graduation.

Today, the couple lives in Renton, Washington, where Jorge is a functional analyst in Costco’s data and analytics department. Mireya is the manager of Molina Healthcare’s healthcare broker team, advocating for the community and ensuring that Medicare agents follow appropriate guidelines.

“I think people are surprised we connect the way we do, but our life goals are very clear,” Mireya said. “We both value family first, and we always remember where we came from.”

Remembering their struggles, particularly during the second half of college, led the couple to work with Heritage’s advancement team to create a sustainable endowment to support students in their last two years at the university.

“We had so many projects and exams, and we kept our jobs so we could make ends meet,” Mireya said. “We want the endowment to help other students who are up against the same things we were.”

“We feel very strongly that it’s important to do what we can to help others, to pay it forward,” Jorge said.