Event raises $678,250 for student scholarships

Annual Heritage University event raises $678,250 for student scholarships

The Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner, the premier annual event in the Yakima Valley dedicated to raising scholarship funds for Heritage University students, brought in $678,250 this past weekend.

This year marked the 32nd anniversary of the event that celebrates the many talented men and women who are transforming their lives and our communities enabled by the gifts of the generous individuals who make it possible for them to earn their college degrees.

Heritage University students served as hosts for the 250 guests of the event, welcoming them as they arrived on campus, sharing their Heritage experiences and expressing their gratitude for their ongoing investment in the university. Heritage mathematics major Brandon Berk, who served as the student speaker during the event, was honored to represent the many students like him who have excelled because of the scholarships they have received. “I had thought of going to college but didn’t think I’d ever have the opportunity to attend because of money,” said Brandon during his speech. “I was very close to joining the military like others in my family, but then I received the Act Six scholarship, which has led to numerous opportunities including being published in a peer reviewed journal as an undergraduate; receiving internships at prestigious universities, including the University of Virginia and the University of Chicago; and working with mentors who are guiding him to his goal of earning a Ph.D. in Mathematics. Without Heritage and the Act Six scholarship, attending college would have been almost impossible,” he said.

Virginia S. Hislop, an organizer of the very first Bounty of the Valley event 32 years ago and who has attended every year since, was overjoyed by the turnout and generosity of longtime donors, new supporters and guests. “The scholarship monies raised at this event level the playing field for our students who are every bit as capable and talented as any student in the country, but who often do not have the same financial resources, “said Hislop. “By giving to our scholarship fund, our donors are making an investment in their community because our students go on to become the doctors, nurses, teachers and business leaders who will work here, in the Yakima Valley,” she said.

Since its inception 32 years ago, more than $5.7 million has been raised at the event, with every dollar going directly to student scholarships. Senior Director of Donor Development and organizer of the Bounty of the Valley, Dana Eliason, said it’s an amazing experience to watch our donor community and our students get together at this event year after year. “Our donors often experience a strong emotional response when they meet the students and hear their stories of accomplishments made possible by their generosity. It’s magical!” she said.

For more information or to make a donation to student scholarships, contact Dana Eliason at (509) 865-0441 or eliason_d@heritage.edu.

RADLab Digital Story

Heritage University, Whitman College students collaborate on RADLab digital story

During the month of June, ten students from Heritage University and and ten students from Whitman College (Walla Walla, Wash) will participate in a unique month-long digital story-telling initiative called the Rural American Digital (RAD) Lab. With guidance from Seattle-based tech start up PopUpJustice, the students will bring to light often-ignored or forgotten stories of the non-urban part of Washington state.

RADLab will run from June 2-29, with the first gathering at Heritage University. and kicks off with the students gathering at Heritage University to begin their work on stories. Members of both cohorts will be able to collaborate on those stories with faculty from both institutions. During the second and third weeks, the cohorts will communicate from their home campuses with the other through video-conferencing software. The students will gather at Whitman on the last day to present their stories.

PopUpJustice is working with the students to create the stories. The company provides services including consultation and project management on assignments relating to technology, equity and cultural competency audits, strategic planning, organizational and community development, among others. Founder Aurora Martin worked in the legal system for 20 years as a public interest lawyer; her experience includes starting as an intern and rising to executive director at Columbia Legal Services.

Alumni Day at the Mariners

Heritage University Day at the Mariners

The Heritage University Alumni Connections invites you to PLAY BALL, or at least watch the professionals do it. On Saturday, July 7, HU will hold Heritage Day with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle. Discounted Mariners tickets will be available to HU alumni and their friends and family, as well as students, faculty and staff.

The day begins with a pre-game reception at Jimmy’s on First inside the Silver Cloud Hotel right across the street from Safeco Field beginning at 11:00 a.m. This will be followed by the Mariners game at 1:10 p.m.

RSVP

You are highly encouraged to register for the free pre-game reception and buy tickets for the game today!

 

Project NANO Showcase

Project NANO Showcase highlights projects by middle school students

Middle schools in the Tri-Cities area recently got the chance to present nanotechnology-related projects during Project NANO Showcase at The REACH. The Showcase is an event sponsored by the special outreach partnership between Heritage University in Toppenish, Heritage University at CBC as well as the Kennewick, Richland and Pasco School Districts. Research posters presented by several teams at the May 23 event in Richland, Wash. covered many aspects of nanotechnology.

The projects and their presenters included:

Charged with Pollen
Marie Curie STEM Elementary

Our Guinea Pigs Are Gone! A Forensic Mystery
Captain Gray STEM Elementary

Nanoethics: Just Because We Can, Should We?
Barbara McClintock STEM Elementary

Diatomaceous Earth
Chief Joseph Middle School

Dr. Bob Kao of Heritage University said every research team performed at an outstanding level. Participating teachers received a Foldscope microscope and kit for their classes as well as a free three-month subscription to Journal of Visualized Experiments, which was funded by a recent science education grant from the nationally and internationally recognized Society for Developmental Biology.

Recognizing Yakama Nation Treaty Day

New Heritage University holiday to Recognize Yakama Nation Treaty Day

June 8, 2018 marks the 163rd anniversary of the signing of the Yakama Nation Treaty of 1855, the treaty that formed the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Heritage University is commemorating this day by declaring a new holiday which will close campus. This new holiday will pay special tribute to the Yakama Nation whose homelands the institution is situated upon. Please join us in honoring this day by attending the various festivities planned at the Yakama Nation Tribal Headquarters on Fort Road.

Excerpt from the Yakama Nation Treaty of 1855

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the treaty-ground, Camp Stevens, Wall-Wall Valley, this ninth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and Fifty-five, by and between Isaac I. Stevens, Governor and superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Territory of Washington, on the part of the United States, and the undersigned head chiefs, chief, head-men, and delegates of the Yakama Palouis, Pisquouse, Wenatchsahpam, Klikatat, Klingquit, Kow-was-say-ee, Li-was, Skin-pha, Wish-ham, Shyiks, Ocehchotes, Ka-milt-pha, and Se-ap-Cat, confederated tribes and bands of Indians, occupying lands hereinafter bounded and describes land lying in Washington Territory, who for the purposed of this treaty are to be considered as one nation, under the name of “Yakama,” with Kamiakun as its head chief, on behalf of and acting for said tribes and bans, and being duly authorized thereto by them.​

“College in the High School” for Yakima School District

Primary Provider of “College in the High School” for Yakima School District

Yakima School District (YSD) and Heritage University have administrators signed a memorandum of understanding that will make Heritage the primary provider of free college credits for College in the High School (CHS) classes for YSD’s A.C. Davis and Eisenhower students. YSD Superintendent Dr. Jack Irion and Heritage University President Dr. Andrew Sund signed the agreement at YSD’s administration office last month.

Chapter of the Year title at national AIBL conference

HU team captures Chapter of the Year title at national AIBL conference

The Heritage University American Indian Business Leaders team has captured the national title of Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row. Team members competed at AIBL’s 2018 Leadership Conference at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel in Chandler, Arizona late last month.

We congratulate the team for their outstanding performance!

People of the Big River 2018 field class

Participants wanted for People of the Big River 2018 field class

The Heritage University Environmental Science Program is now accepting students for the People of the Big River 2018 field class. The intense, two-week hands-on class takes students on a tour of the Inland Northwest and combines Western science with Native American Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and intergenerational cultural sharing. Students will meet with tribal leaders and elders as well as sciences and natural resources managers.

People of the Big River takes place July 7-22. If you are interested in participating, contact Jessica Black by clicking the button below.

Email Jessica Black

BSN Pinning ceremony

Pinning ceremony honors first graduating cohort of BSN program

Heritage University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program celebrated its first graduating cohort with a pinning ceremony last week. A pinning ceremony honors the students’ journey to becoming a nurse and marks the pivotal moment of their transition from student to full-fledged nurse.

The ceremony also featured a blessing titled “Blessing of the Hands and Hearts” as well as a lighting of lamps.

Pictures of the entire pinning ceremony are posted on the Heritage University Facebook page. Click the button below to see the images.

Pinning Ceremony Pictures

36th annual Commencement

Heritage University holds 36th annual Commencement ceremony

Heritage University celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s graduates during the 2018 Commencement at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Saturday. Three hundred twenty-five students received their degrees from Heritage this year.

Dr. Lori Alvord, the first Navajo woman to become a surgeon, served as commencement speaker. Student speakers included Jesica Alvarez as baccalaureate degree speaker, and Alfredia Thompson as master’s degree speaker. Colleen Sheahan, class of 2000, received the Violet Lumley Rau Outstanding Alumni Award.

 

Pictures from Commencement are posted on the Heritage University Facebook page. We’ve also created a music video featuring commencement. Watch it by clicking the link:  https://t.e2ma.net/click/h97ijb/ht3khf/5nn3wd