The University District

UDPDA Public Records Information

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

To submit a public records request to the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) please utilize this form. Alternatively, requests can be emailed to Public Records Officer, info@spokaneudistrict.org, or sent via U.S. mail to UDPDA, 120 N Pine St, Ste 252, Spokane WA 99202.

The UDPDA provides access to public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (RCW 42.56) and the UDPDA Public Records Policy. Per RCW 42.56.520 please allow five business days to respond to a records request.

All records maintained by the UDPDA are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and copies of those records can be provided upon paying copying costs. In most cases, you do not have to explain why you want the records. However, specific information may be necessary to process your request. The UDPDA may require further information to establish if disclosure would violate certain provisions of law.

The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the UDPDA can be. The UDPDA provides access to existing public records in its possession but is not required to collect information or organize data to create a record not existing at the time of the request. Keep in mind that a question or request for information only is not a request for a record.

2026 University District Board and Committee Dates

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Advance agendas will be posted approximately 3-4 days before the meeting. Contact info@spokaneudistrict.org if you need a Zoom link for the meetings.

In 2026, the University District Development Association (UDDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, March 4, May 6, June 3 (retreat), September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, March 4, May 6, September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the UDDA/UDPDA Executive Action Committee (EAC) will meet on the following dates at 11:30 AM via Zoom: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, August 18, September 22, and December 8. Please email info@spokaneudistrict.org for the virtual link.

University District U-Forward Monthly E-Newsletter Issues

Fri, 25 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Below are links to our most recent monthly U-Forward e-newsletters:

2026 - January

2025 - January, February, March, August, September

2024 - No issue November and December, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, no issue May or June, April 2024, March 2024, February 2024, January 2024

2023 - No issue December, November 2023, October 2023, September 2023, August 2023, no July issue, June 2023, May 2023, April 2023, March 2023, February 2023, January 2023

2022 - No December issue, November 2022, October 2022, September 2022, August 2022, July 2022, June 2022, May 2022 ,April 2022 (first issue)

EWU hosts Evening with Jess Walter Feb 11

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800

EWU and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences invite you to attend An Evening with Jess Walter, Wednesday, February 11, from 5-7 PM. Program begins at 5:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

EWU Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane WA 99202

TEDx Spokane Jan 31

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Roots: FOUNDATIONAL. FORMATIONAL. FUNDAMENTAL. Roots can be: thin and thick, wide and narrow, shallow and deep, new and old. We all have Roots. Everyone, from a young age, has experiences, circumstances, and situations that have shaped our lives. Roots continue to grow, forming a base for what we believe and how we act.

We learn. We love. We forgive. We connect. We protect. Every now and then, it’s important to reflect on these roots. This year, we’ll look at the foundation and what we may take for granted. We will look at the formation of our habits. And we will catch a glimpse of potential influences that will be fundamental.

Location: Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Gonzaga University

Date: January 31, 2026 9 AM - 4 PM

# of Talks: 14 talks + 3 videos + 2 performances

What’s New:

We moved to winter, we believe people are inside and looking for outside inspiration!

We have a wonderful new location, the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, a beautiful new facility with form and function that we believe will enhance the TEDx Spokane experience.

We are returning to a full-day conference event with two major sessions and we will invite more opportunities for our attendees to meet the speakers, connect with other audience members on the ideas being shared, and be inspired to create greater change in our community.

Our request:

As we eagerly anticipate our 13th event on Jan. 31, 2026 TEDx Spokane wants to thank you for your continued support and membership in the TEDx Spokane family! NWX Talks, the non-profit that brings TEDx Spokane to Spokane, is looking for you; a cash sponsor, in-kind partner, volunteer, coach, and of course Speaker/performer recommendations. Please reach out to join our community. We appreciate all of you who believe in the TED mission, “To Discover and spread ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding, and drive meaningful change”. TED is a non-profit that believes powerful ideas, powerfully presented, move us: to feel something, to think differently, to take action.Thank you for being our ROOTED community.

Location: Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Gonzaga University

Date: January 31, 2026 9 AM - 4 PM

# of Talks: 14 talks + 3 videos + 2 performances

What’s New:

We moved to winter, we believe people are inside and looking for outside inspiration!

We have a wonderful new location, the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, a beautiful new facility with form and function that we believe will enhance the TEDx Spokane experience.

Our request:

Thank you for being our ROOTED community.

Tickets

Sponsorship

Donations

Speaker Nominations

Volunteering (Event, Technical, Coaching, Board)

Whitworth Honors Rev. Mary Jane Miles and Installs Professor Megan Hershey as the Amy M. Ryan Endowed Chair at Spring Convocation

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Whitworth University invites the community to attend Spring Convocation on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. in Cowles Auditorium.

President Scott McQuilkin will offer a welcome and will then be joined by Provost & Executive Vice President John Pell to install Megan Hershey, Ph.D., professor of political science, as the university’s Amy M. Ryan Endowed Professor.

Hershey began teaching at Whitworth in 2011. Her research is centered on civil society in East Africa. She has co-led Whitworth’s semester-long Tanzania Study Program. During her tenure in the Amy M. Ryan endowed professorship, Hershey plans to travel to Kenya to meet with leaders of recent Gen Z protests and explore the gender dynamics of the movement, as well as the ways faith threads through the protesters’ efforts.

Following the installation, the president and provost will present the Distinguished Ministry Leadership Award to the Rev. Mary Jane Miles, D.Min. Miles serves two churches as an ordained Presbyterian minister and is serving her second term on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. She has ministered on the Navajo Reservation at Tuba City, Ariz., as well as the Tohono O’odham Reservation at Sells, Ariz. Miles has worked tirelessly to serve the elderly and families with Save the Children, the Nez Perce Tribe’s Senior Citizens Program, the Southern California Indian Center and the reservation library, and has also been a counselor at the Lapwai clinic.

Professor Emeritus of History Dale Soden will present on “World War II and Whitworth College,” followed by the convocation address, “Angels in the Architecture,” presented by Pell.

For those who cannot attend convocation in person, the event will be livestreamed here

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.

WSU pharmacy faculty to deliver nationwide telehealth care through collaboration with Praventa Health

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Washington State University pharmacy faculty are bringing their expertise to Medicare patients across the country through a new collaboration with Praventa Health. More than a dozen faculty members from the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will serve in Praventa Health’s telehealth platform, providing counseling and comprehensive medication management for patients who often struggle to access consistent health care.

Through this partnership, WSU pharmacist faculty will be on the front lines of care, speaking with Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. They will focus on managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions where proper medication use, and adherence are essential for quality of life. By working directly with patients and alongside other health care providers, WSU pharmacist faculty will ensure that individuals not only have access to their medications but also ensure that those medications are appropriate, effective, and affordable.

“Our faculty are some of the most knowledgeable and compassionate professionals in pharmacy,” said Interim Dean Julie Akers. “This collaboration allows them to share their expertise with thousands of patients who would otherwise have limited or no access to this level of care. It reflects our deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations while advancing the role of the pharmacist in today’s health care system.”

WSU pharmacist faculty will ensure that individuals not only have access to their medications but also ensure that those medications are appropriate, effective, and affordable.

The collaboration represents a significant step in addressing the nation’s health care gaps. Many Medicare patients live in areas without nearby providers, or face barriers such as transportation, cost, or mobility challenges. By connecting directly with WSU pharmacist faculty through telehealth, patients will receive timely, professional guidance from experienced clinicians who specialize in optimizing medication use and improving long-term outcomes.

Praventa Health leaders noted the unique impact of bringing academic pharmacist faculty into a national telehealth program.

“Washington State University faculty brings decades of clinical knowledge and teaching experience,” said Praventa Health Chief Clinical Officer, Stacy Ramirez. “Their ability to communicate complex information clearly and empathetically makes them ideal providers for patients who need trusted guidance. In addition to educating patients, they play a critical role in identifying gaps in care during their comprehensive medication management process, ensuring no issues go unnoticed. Together, we are expanding access to care while improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary costs for the health care system.”

In addition to immediate patient benefits, the collaboration will strengthen WSU’s role in preparing the next generation of pharmacists. Over time, the program will become a clinical learning site where pharmacy students can gain firsthand experience in telehealth practice, working alongside faculty mentors and interprofessional care teams. Training will also include the use of artificial intelligence tools that support medication adherence follow-up, giving both faculty and students access to cutting-edge technologies that enhance patient care.

For WSU, the partnership underscores a long-standing mission of public service and a commitment to innovation in health care delivery. Faculty participation in Praventa Health’s platform illustrates how academic expertise can directly impact patients nationwide while shaping the evolving future of pharmacy education.

“This partnership is a perfect example of how WSU is leading with innovation and compassion,” said Akers. “By combining our faculty’s clinical expertise with modern telehealth technology, we are making care accessible to people who need it most, and in doing so, training future pharmacists to meet patients wherever they are.”

EWU’s Get Lit! secures grant funding from Spokane Arts

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Each spring Get Lit! brings written-word enthusiasts together in Spokane for three days of events celebrating nationally prominent writers.

Now, in its 28th year, Get Lit! has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Spokane Arts, a local nonprofit funding agency. It is the highest amount Spokane Arts is giving to any organization this year, and Get Lit! was the only program to earn its full requested amount.

Kate Peterson, an alumna of Eastern’s MFA program and the director of Get Lit! Programs, said the funding will help to preserve and expand the festival’s capabilities, both this year and next. “This grant will help take some of the immense financial pressure off of the festival and will allow us to celebrate some of the changes we made this year.”

“Our festival programming in 2026 will be a series of events that not only entertain, but inspire and educate,” Peterson said. “The goal of Get Lit! is to engage audiences in discussions and activities that help them more fully appreciate, and perhaps more actively participate in, the regional literary arts scene.

Get Lit! was last awarded the Spokane Arts Grant in 2021, support that helped fund that year’s fully virtual, pandemic-challenged festival.

This year’s headlining authors will be announced in the coming weeks but include celebrated novelist and EWU alumnus Jess Walter, as well as EWU alumna poet Maya Jewell Zeller. Over the years, Get Lit! has also hosted acclaimed writers such as Kurt Vonnegut, Joyce Carol Oates and Anne Lamott, as well as renowned contemporary writers such as Hanif Abdurraqib, Brit Bennet, Tommy Orange and Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr.

Feedback from attendees of Get Lit!’s previous festivals praise the great craft classes and affordable tickets, as well as the diversity and quality of the events offered. Many also mentioned how special it felt to have so many acclaimed writers right here in Spokane. “Having freedom of speech and creative expression shouldn’t be something we take for granted,” Peterson said, urging literary lovers of all walks of life to “fight for it” and inspire each other to read, write, create and protect one another.

“It has been our mission for 28 years, both in festival programming and educational outreach, to empower the arts, celebrate diversity, and inspire creativity,” Peterson said. She and her team at Get Lit! hope to continue to celebrate that tradition in 2026 and beyond.

Get Lit! runs from April 17-19. A full schedule with information on the more than 50 authors expected to attend the festival will be posted by March 1 on the Get Lit website.

Gonzaga to receive $1M federal research grant

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Gonzaga University is receiving $1 million in federal funding to support advanced science and engineering research. The funding, included in a federal spending bill, will support Gonzaga’s Center for Materials Research in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. KHQ reported the grant is part of a broader investment supporting science projects at four Washington universities.

According to The Spokesman-Review, Gonzaga and Washington State University will receive a combined $3 million to expand research infrastructure and capacity.

“These investments help universities expand hands-on research opportunities while supporting workforce development,” The Spokesman-Review reported.

Jennifer Shepherd, interim dean of Gonzaga’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, said the funding will allow the University to complete remaining equipment purchases needed to fully build out the Center for Materials Research.

“This will help position Gonzaga as a regional leader in materials testing across all length scales,” Shepherd said. “The equipment will support sponsored research and partnerships with industry, government and academic collaborators.”

Shepherd added that the investment will directly benefit students: “This equipment will be used in Gonzaga courses and research labs, giving students hands-on access to state-of-the-art instruments and practical experience with technologies used by professionals in the field.”

Jeff Haney new WSU senior vice provost for health sciences

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

(photo by Cori Kogan, WSU)

Dr. Jeff Haney has been selected as the new senior vice provost for health sciences, effective Feb. 23, 2026. Haney currently serves as the vice dean for clinical affairs and the chair for the Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. His selection follows a comprehensive internal search.

In this new leadership role, Haney will lead the development of a system-wide strategic roadmap for health sciences. This initiative will strengthen health professions programs and support services, and advance WSU’s commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of Washington communities.

He will partner closely with academic deans to cultivate a student-centered culture that prioritizes effective teaching and builds strong connections among students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Haney will also build upon WSU Health Sciences’ strong research portfolio by exploring opportunities to grow the enterprise, strengthening both WSU’s R1 status and the impact of discovery on communities across the state.

In addition, he will maintain a dual role as the vice dean for clinical affairs, underscoring the institution’s commitment to growing the clinical enterprise of WSU’s health science programs.

Dr. Haney…has a deep commitment to developing students into professionals that not only meet the needs of, but grow the future of healthcare in the United States.
Chris Riley-Tillman
Provost and Executive Vice President
Washington State University

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Haney to this inaugural role,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Chris Riley-Tillman. “Dr. Haney brings an extensive background as an educator, clinician, and leader. He has a deep commitment to developing students into professionals that not only meet the needs of, but grow the future of healthcare in the United States.”

A proud Coug, Haney earned his BA in Biology from WSU Pullman before completing medical school at the University of Washington. After residency, he served as faculty and program director for the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program, a partnership between Sutter Health and the University of California San Francisco. Since joining the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in 2017 as clinical education director, Haney has played a key role in shaping the college’s educational foundation since welcoming its first cohort of students.

“It is an honor to serve in this new role. Our landâ€‘grant mission — rooted in access, service, and practical solutions — aligns deeply with my commitment to advancing health education, research, and clinical partnerships that measurably improve lives,” said Haney. “I am energized by the opportunity to continue to work alongside faculty, staff, students, and community partners to expand interprofessional collaboration, strengthen health equity, and ensure that our teaching, discovery, and care serve the people of Washington and beyond.” Provost Rileyâ€‘Tillman and Dean Record will collaborate closely with Haney throughout the spring semester to transition his departmental chair responsibilities, ensuring a smooth handoff and continued support for the Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences.