Killin Dinner: The 37th was the best yet

Featuring the introduction of new Eastern Washington University Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey, the 37th Annual Orland Killin Dinner/Dance/Auction on April 28 raised a record total in excess of $117,000.

Net proceeds from the event benefits the areas of greatest need in the department, including scholarships for Eagle student-athletes. Hickey gave a passionate plea for additional funding for scholarships prior to the live auction portion of the event. Besides a “paddle-raise” for scholarships, there were about a dozen live auction items and some 100 silent auction items.

The evening also included a tribute to outgoing long-time associate athletic director Pamela Parks, who is retiring at the end of June. The Hall of Fame coach was surprised by many of her former teammates who attended the event, and have joined forces to raise funds for an endowed scholarship in her honor.

The annual event is named in honor of the late Orland Killin, who, along with his wife Bernice, helped create the event. Killin was a man immensely dedicated to academics and the integrity of Eastern Washington University, serving as professor, faculty athletic representative and faculty president. He was an Eastern football letter winner in 1941-42.