Ewu Backers Can Show Off Support New Vanity Plates Cost Extra But Most Money Goes To Scholarships

For a university steeped in the tradition of commuting to school, the state’s newest licensing gimmick makes sense.

Supporters of Eastern Washington University can declare their allegiance to the school by purchasing a set of EWU license plates, and show them off on their daily drive.

The cost is an extra $30 a year on top of regular license fees, but $28 of that goes into a scholarship fund for academic programs.

“It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate school spirit,” said Isabelle Green, director of alumni relations at Eastern. “They show pride in an institution that’s served the Spokane area well and faithfully for years.”

Green said she expects alumni, students and staff to start buying the plates in big numbers. About 20,000 EWU alumni live in Spokane County.

EWU announced the availability of the plates earlier this week, about the same time state transportation officials raised the speed limit to 70 mph, a double bonus for the college’s commuters.

The plate features EWU’s Eagle logo, with EWU initials on the left-hand side. Eastern Eagles is written across the bottom.

The Legislature approved the university plates in 1994 as an extension of its vanity license plate program.

The University of Washington and Washington State University began offering college plates last year. Nearly 2,000 of those have been issued.

EWU requested their version of the college plates a year ago, Green said, but the department delayed starting the program for EWU and the state’s other four-year regional universities until now.

The plates may be ordered through normal vehicle licensing outlets.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo