Eastern Washington University facts for kids
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Former names
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Eastern Washington State College (1961–1977) Eastern Washington College of Education (1937–1961) State Normal School at Cheney (1889–1937) Benjamin P. Cheney Academy (1882–1889) |
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| Type | Public university |
| Established | April 3, 1882 |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
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Academic affiliations
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COP |
| Endowment | $32.1 million (2023) |
| Budget | $223.3 million (2022) |
| President | Shari McMahan |
| Provost | Jonathan Anderson |
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Academic staff
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802 |
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Administrative staff
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830 |
| Students | 10,915 (2022) |
| Location |
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Washington
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United States
47°29′29″N 117°34′59″W / 47.49139°N 117.58306°W |
| Campus | Fringe town, 300 acres (120 ha) |
| Other campuses | |
| Newspaper | The Easterner |
| Colors | Red and white |
| Nickname | Eagles |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I FCS – Big Sky |
| Mascot | Swoop |
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Washington State Normal School at Cheney
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Showalter Hall at Eastern Washington University, viewed northwest from 5th Street
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| NRHP reference No. | 92001287 |
| Added to NRHP | October 1, 1992 |
 Location in Washington (state)
Location in USA West
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Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a public university in the city of Cheney, Washington. This means it is supported by the state government. The university also shares a campus in the nearby city of Spokane with Washington State University.
Founded in 1882, EWU has four main colleges where students can study. These are the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; the College of Health Science & Public Health; the College of Professional Programs; and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.
Contents
History of the University
The university has a long history and has changed its name several times.
Early Days
The story of EWU begins in 1882. A man named Benjamin Pierce Cheney, who was on the board of directors for the Northern Pacific Railroad, donated $10,000 to start a school. The school was named the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy.
At first, it was a private school. But when Washington became a state in 1889, the school changed. In 1890, it became the State Normal School at Cheney. A "normal school" was a special type of college that trained people to become teachers. The first class of future teachers started their studies on October 13, 1890.
Surviving Fires and Growing
The campus faced major challenges early on. It was destroyed by fire not once, but twice! The first fire happened in 1891 while the main building was being expanded. Classes had to be moved to a building in downtown Cheney. A new building was finished in 1896.
Then, in 1912, a second fire destroyed the new building. The school's president, Noah D. Showalter, worked hard to get money from the state to rebuild. A new main building, designed by architect Julius Zittel, was opened in 1915. This building was later named Showalter Hall, and it is still a central part of the campus today.
The school continued to grow. It built its first dorms for students to live in and added a new library called Hargreaves Hall in 1940.
Becoming a University
As the school offered more types of classes and degrees, its name changed to reflect its growth.
- In 1937, it became Eastern Washington College of Education.
- In 1961, it was renamed Eastern Washington State College.
- Finally, in 1977, it got its current name: Eastern Washington University.
In 1992, the oldest part of the campus was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance to history.
In 2024, the university announced it was becoming a polytechnic university. This means it will focus more on hands-on learning and job skills to help students prepare for careers in high-demand fields.
Campus Locations
The main campus of EWU is in Cheney. It also has a branch campus in Spokane called the Riverpoint Campus, which it shares with Washington State University.
EWU also offers classes and degree programs in other Washington cities, including Bellevue, Everett, Seattle, Longview, and Vancouver.
What Can You Study at EWU?
EWU offers more than 100 different subjects to study. Students can earn bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and even a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
The university has many interesting research centers, including:
- Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis: This center studies information about the local region to help businesses and communities plan for the future.
- Fisheries Research Center: Here, scientists study salmon and other fish to help restore their populations in the wild.
- Center for Farm Health & Safety: This center works on research to keep farmers and their families healthy and safe.
Student Life on Campus
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 60% |
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| Hispanic | 19% |
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| Two or more races | 7% |
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| Unknown | 5% |
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| Black | 4% |
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| Asian | 2% |
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| American Indian/Alaska Native | 1% |
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| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 1% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 38% |
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| Affluent | 62% |
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Life at EWU is more than just classes. There are many fun things for students to do.
Pence Union Building (PUB)
The Pence Union Building, known as the PUB, is the main community center on campus. It's a place where students can hang out, eat, and attend events.
University Recreation Center (URC)
The URC is a huge, three-level gym that opened in 2008. It has an ice rink, a 30-foot-tall indoor climbing wall, a fitness center, and a 200-meter running track. It's a popular spot for students to exercise and have fun.
The Easterner
The Easterner is the university's student-run newspaper. It has been published since 1916, though it was called The State Normal School Journal back then. The newspaper is printed weekly and also has a website, allowing students to practice their journalism skills.
Clubs and Organizations
EWU has over 100 student clubs and organizations. These groups cover a wide range of interests, from academic clubs to sports and hobbies. EWU is also the only regional university in Washington with an active Greek system (fraternities and sororities) on campus.
EWU Eagles Athletics
Sports are a big part of life at EWU. The university's teams are called the Eastern Washington Eagles. They compete in the Big Sky Conference in Division I, the highest level of college sports.
The football team plays at Roos Field, which is famous for its bright red turf. It's nicknamed "The Inferno." The basketball teams play at Reese Court.
The Eagles have won three national championships:
- Football (2010)
- Wrestling (1977)
- Men's Cross Country (1982)
The campus has also hosted events for the FIRST Robotics Competition, where high school students build and compete with robots.
Notable Alumni
Many successful people have graduated from Eastern Washington University.
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