As a senior in high school, Colin was set to walk onto the University of Alabama football team. In a few short months, this all changed. Some may call it fate, others a stroke of luck for WSU. But ultimately, the Cougs ended up with Colin in a WSU jersey. While football was a huge part of Colin’s experience at WSU, it was definitely not the only extracurricular activity he was involved in. Colin was also the FarmHouse Fraternity’s Philanthropy Chair, Pledge Educator, and Social Chairman; a student fellow in the WSU College of Business Mu Iota Sigma Fellowship Program; a volunteer web developer for Cable 8 Productions; and a member of Business Leaders of Today.

Colin White (third from the left) with two students who received scholarships from his WSU Honors College endowment and former WSU Honors College Dean, Libby Walker (far right).
Colin White (third from the left) with two students who received scholarships from his WSU Honors College endowment and former WSU Honors College Dean, Libby Walker (far right).

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Spokane, Washington and graduated from Central Valley High School.

Where do you currently work?
I work for IBM as a project manager. I supervise the teams that go in for each of our clients and assist with software installation or any other area they need expertise or assistance in.

Why do you give to WSU?
I had extremely positive experiences with faculty and the administration when I was in school at WSU. I received financial aid and loans that actually helped me afford school. Looking back now and being lucky enough to be in the financial position that I am in, I want to be able to provide that same sense of financial relief for other Cougs.”

What was your favorite memory of WSU?
In my senior year (the year after I left the football team) the Cougs made it to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. At the last minute, my father gave me a couple hundred bucks to pay for my flight to the game. I was supposed to meet some of my fraternity brothers down there and crash in their room. On the way down the whole plane was full of Cougs, everyone was singing the fight song, I got to meet some random Cougs who were probably in their 30s and we chatted the whole way down there. When we landed in Texas I tried to get ahold of my buddies. This was before cell phones were really big, so I didn’t have a cell phone, and no one answered theirs. So I had no idea what to do.

The alums I met on the plane heard me on the phone and wanted to make sure I was okay and offered for me to stay with them. I told them they really didn’t have to do that but they insisted. They told me, “We don’t have an extra bed, but we’ll get you some blankets and you can crash on the floor. At least you’ll have a roof over your head, and we’ll go to dinner and get some drinks.” That’s exactly what we did. They paid for my dinner and drinks, and I crashed at their hotel.

My friends finally called me back and I met up with them the next day at the game. The alums I stayed with told me someday when you graduate you’ll understand why we do stuff like this in the Cougar family, and they were right. I now understand why we take care of our own.”