Damian Hawley grew up on the Colville Indian Reservation in central Washington, two hours south of Spokane. His reservation’s ancestral lands reached into Idaho, lending him in-state tuition at Idaho’s oldest, land-grant university.
Now an alumnus of the University of Idaho, Hawley earned his double major in business marketing and sales. However, what drew him to the College of Business and Economics was its PGA Golf Management Program.
“I didn’t really care what degrees were going to be offered,” Hawley said. “I was coming for the program itself, so everything that came with it was a bonus.”
Involved in PGA of America, an organization that governs professional instructors around the world, Hawley received offers to attend 18 other schools. Choosing schools wasn’t difficult because the closest school, aside from UI, was in Las Vegas. He wanted to stay close to his roots. Coming from Washington, Idaho was “in the backyard,” so it seemed like a no brainer, Hawley said.
After high school, Hawley went to Spokane Falls but dropped out without a clear career path. Six years later, he went back to the college to raise his GPA in order to attend UI.
“I don’t think I’ve been more stressed than I have been during my time at college,” Hawley said.
Hawley says he couldn’t have made it through school without the tremendous support of the Native American Center and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“Having the Native American Center has helped a lot of students because it gives them a place to hang out and not feel like they’re bothering anyone,” Hawley said. “It’s just a place to feel comfortable and that’s a really cool thing to see.”
After graduating, Hawley plans on managing golf courses that are tribally owned in Washington. In his free time, he’ll be hunting, fishing or golfing.
“With my Native American background, I would like to be in that avenue and helping those guys build their golf courses and their brand, as a whole.”
Emily Pearce can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce.
Cindy McCartney
Hi my name is Cindy McCartney and I am Damian Hawley's mother and I and seeking any news articles you can share with me during his time at the University of Idaho. I love your farewell story and hope you can send me more. I have had the Colville Tribal Tribune post a couple stories but I would sure like to see what you can share with me. I have been keeping a scrap book for him all through high school and would sure like to finish it up with his college efforts. I would greatly appreciate it.