It was, in part, this emphasis that drew me to accept the presidency of this fine institution. Violet Lumley Rau, Martha Yallup and Kathleen Ross started this university, they did so with the intent of building an institution of higher learning where the cultures of the people of the Yakima Valley were not just embraced but were integrated into the university’s mission and its academics. From its humble beginning 35 years ago, Heritage University and the Yakama Nation have been intricately woven together.
