Eastern\u2019s Dental Hygiene received a remarkable gift as it commemorates 50 years of excellence in education and service to the community.<\/p>\n
Diane McHenry, a longtime EWU faculty member who helped start the Department of Dental Hygiene, recently gifted $50,000 to Eastern to create an endowed scholarship. Her generosity will not only provide tuition assistance, but will help students with a broad range of expenses in the pursuit of dental hygiene licensure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to help so many students,\u201d said Lisa Bilich, \u201989, professor and chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene.<\/p>\n
Bilich recalls having McHenry, who is now retired, as a professor when she attended EWU in the mid-1990s. \u201cShe was so kind and supportive and was always one of my favorite instructors.\u201d<\/p>\n
McHenry\u2019s supportive nature and desire to remove obstacles for students inspired her to create the fund, which can be used to help cover uniforms, instruments and about $3,000 in fees to take a series of required board exams. Preference in awarding the assistance is given to single parents who apply.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes a student actually has to put off taking the exams because they can\u2019t afford to get licensed,\u201d Bilich explained. With a current workforce shortage impacting the dental profession, getting highly-trained graduates to work as soon as possible benefits the entire community.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Dental Hygiene is in the process of planning a spring celebration to honor 50 years of graduating knowledgeable and well-trained dental hygienists. Eastern \u2013 the only university in Washington state to offer a bachelor of science degree in Dental Hygiene \u2013 has done outstanding work operating a clinic that serves low-income individuals, families and seniors, while providing specialty care for diabetics and women who are pregnant.<\/p>\n
Stay tuned for more stories and details about the 50th\u00a0Anniversary celebration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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