Eastern University is turning 100, and is pulling out all the stops for a year-long centennial celebration! Under the banner “a time to rise,” Eastern has planned spectacular events to honor our past and inspire future dreams.

The festivities launch on March 13. The College of Arts and Humanities will host a vibrant Spotlight Symposium, showcasing the creative brilliance of our community with performances ranging from manifestos and dance to spoken word, theatre, music and poetry. 

Next up, an uplifting worship service on March 15 at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, bringing together alumni, students, faculty and friends. A joyous reception will follow, allowing attendees to reconnect and reminisce.

March 19 our campus will come alive with the Founders Day Chapel and Fellowship Celebration in McInnis Auditorium. This special event pays homage to the visionaries who founded Eastern University, and guests can explore the Eastern Timeline exhibit to reflect on our history.

The crown jewel of our centennial celebrations will be the Centennial Gala on March 21 at the elegant St. Davids Golf Club in Wayne, PA. The enchanting evening will feature a cocktail hour, sumptuous dinner and dancing under the stars. All proceeds will benefit The Eastern Fund, supporting the university’s mission and future endeavors.

Throughout the year, Eastern will host Life Together gatherings for alumni in cities across the country, offering chances for alumni to reconnect and celebrate their shared bond with Eastern University.

As part of our centennial, we’re launching an Oral History Project to capture and preserve the personal stories and memories of our alumni, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Eastern University’s legacy is remembered for generations to come.

Eastern University’s centennial celebration is not just a milestone; it’s a vibrant testament to our enduring commitment to faith, education and community. Join in this joyous celebration!

Adrenaline enthusiasts often find their thrills on mountains, but there’s a unique sport that brings that excitement to the desert: Sandboarding. This heart-pounding activity, akin to snowboarding, replaces snowy slopes with vast, sun-scorched dunes, transforming landscapes into thrilling playgrounds. 

Sandboarding involves riders strapping onto specially designed boards and gliding down immense sand dunes. The sport demands not only balance and skill but also a touch of daring. Riders can carve intricate turns, perform gravity-defying jumps and race their friends down the slopes, creating a spectacle of speed and skill. The sand’s natural resistance adds an extra layer of challenge, requiring boards to be waxed frequently to achieve maximum speed (Sand-Boarding).

Desert regions and coastal areas with extensive dunes serve as prime locations for sandboarding. Iconic spots include the towering dunes of Huacachina in Peru, the famous Swakopmund dune in Namibia, Australia’s majestic sand hills and the expansive dunes of the United Arab Emirates (Wikipedia). In the U.S., sandboarding enthusiasts can head to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area or the vast sand hills of California’s Mojave Desert for an epic ride (Sand-Boarding).

Sandboarding’s origins trace back to ancient Egypt, where early adventurers reportedly slid down dunes using wooden planks (Sand-Boarding). The sport’s modern incarnation gained traction in the late 20th century, emerging as an alternative for snowboarding aficionados in warmer climates.

Riders have the freedom to choose between different types of boards. Some prefer snowboard-style boards with bindings, which offer more control, while others opt for sandboard-style boards for a more freestyle experience. The dune’s height and steepness play a critical role in the ride’s speed and difficulty, demanding that riders adjust their techniques accordingly. Safety gear, including helmets and knee pads, is essential to prevent injuries from inevitable falls. Moreover, waxing the board’s underside reduces friction, enhancing speed and maneuverability (Sand-Boarding).

Sandboarding is more than just a sport – it’s an adventurous embrace of nature’s rugged beauty. The challenge of navigating shifting sands, combined with the thrill of high-speed descents, offers an unparalleled experience. Whether exploring this sport for the first time or mastering advanced techniques, sandboarding promises an electrifying ride that leaves an indelible mark on every adventurer. So grab a board, hit the dunes, and prepare to surf the sands.

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