Jon and Karen Heimbigner

"We are proud to support EWU Athletics by giving directly through our IRA. We lower our taxable income, while supporting our favorite teams. It's a win for everyone!" - Jon ('70) and Karen Heimbigner ('69)

Jon and Karen Heimbigner believe in the transformative nature of an EWU education and the power of athletic competition to build community region-wide.

The Heimbigners are a multi-generation EWU family, beginning with Jon's father, who earned his teaching degree while farming and raising his family in Odessa. Two of their three children, a daughter-in-law and Jon's youngest brother all earned degrees from EWU. The Eastern tradition continues today with their grandchildren.

Though they attended Eastern at the same time in the late 1960s, Jon and Karen didn't meet until after college. Karen earned a bachelor's in home economics at Eastern, and then later pursued a teaching certificate and other advanced teaching credentials to support an outstanding career as a highly regarded teacher and leader in her profession. Jon earned a bachelor's degree in finance, minor in economics at Eastern, then immediately pursued his next goal—earning all five certifications from the American Institute of Banking. Combined with his competitive nature, Jon's education opened the door to a long and successful career in the banking industry and beyond.

Jon credits his higher education, and especially his EWU experience with growing a shy farm kid into an engaged professional and community leader.

Throughout his life and into his senior years, Jon has excelled as an athlete, competing in track and field, basketball, tennis and softball. His passion for excellence and competition also spurred his involvement in the community. Since the early 1970s, Jon and Karen have made community service an integral part of their lives, serving as volunteer leaders, coaches and mentors with several regional sports organizations.

As alumni and fans, the Heimbigners remain deeply involved with EWU as long-time football tailgaters and season ticket holders for football, basketball and volleyball. In 2012, they received the EWU Alumni Association's highest recognition, the Lifetime Achievement Award, for their professional achievements and lifelong community service.

Their generous contributions support scholarships for student athletes, who exhibit outstanding character and rank as academic leaders in the Big Sky Conference.