Heritage University’s 38th annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner raises $803,590 and counting for student scholarships

Heritage University’s 38th annual Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner, held this past weekend, brought in $803,590, with the amount expected to grow. The premier fundraiser for student scholarships at Heritage was also live streamed for those who wished to attend remotely.

For the third year in a row, Bounty of the Valley featured hosts Alex Vera and Gerardo Ruelas, two Heritage alumni from the Yakima Valley who have gone on to successful careers with Costco Wholesale at the company’s headquarters in Issaquah, Wash.

Heritage University alumna Lillie Wesley, who recently graduated from Heritage inMay with a B.S. in biology, served as the student speaker. Wesley is enrolled Yakama who was born and raised in the Yakima Valley. She graduated from Toppenish High School in 2019 and started her college career at Heritage the following fall semester. Her fascination with how the human body works and desire to help address the medical needs of those living on the Yakama reservation goes back to her earliest years. She decided to major in biology to give her a foundational education for graduate studies that would prepare her for a medical career. Wesley completed research experiences every summer during her undergraduate studies. She worked with Yakama Nation youth at the tribal school on a forest survey, completed an air quality study with the EPA, researched beet leaf virus with the USDA, researched spider webs in Costa Rica, and studied muscular degeneration from ALS and spinal bulbar muscular atrophy at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She is working at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences as part of their summer program, and she plans to enroll in an EMT certification program. She wants to work as an EMT for a few years before exploring specialized studies in the medical field.

Heritage University President Andrew Sund, Ph.D., expresses profound gratitude to the supporters and sponsors of Bounty of the Valley, whose continued investment in student scholarships makes a significant impact. “Most of our students come from economic backgrounds that make higher education unaffordable,” said Dr. Sund. “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.”

A recording of the Bounty of the Valley live stream can be viewed by clicking on the button below, or by visiting Heritage.edu/Bounty. Donations to student scholarships can be made on the same page by clicking on the “Raise Your Paddle” button.

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