On a freezing November weekend in 1992, Washington State University upset the University of Washington in what Cougs everywhere still remember as the Snow Bowl. For Mark (’93) and Sheryl Ossello (’93), then seniors, the victory felt like more than a rivalry win. It marked the close of four transformative years in Pullman—years shaped by friendships, new traditions, and a shared sense of belonging that has never quite faded.
“That whole weekend was pretty good,” Mark Ossello recalls. “Winning the game, having friends in town—it felt like the cherry on top of being there.”
Decades later, that sense of connection still guides the why of the Ossellos’ giving to WSU. Even now, Mark says, returning to Pullman feels familiar. “When you take that left off the highway,” he says, “it’s like you’re driving home to this community where you grew up.”
Rooted in gratitude and a feeling of home
That feeling of home is at the heart of the Ossellos’ giving. They give out of gratitude for the education they received and the opportunities that followed, and because they believe WSU plays a vital role in shaping individuals and communities throughout Washington state.
Both Mark and Sheryl arrived on the Pullman campus with an appreciation for higher education and what it could make possible. Mark transferred to Washington State after a year at a small private college, drawn to the scale, energy, and variety of Washington’s land-grant university.
Mark found a particularly strong connection within the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture’s construction management program, where a small cohort of students moved through coursework together. “You spend a fair amount of time together,” he says. “You’re not just a number. It creates a different kind of bonding.”
That experience shaped both his career and his perspective on giving back. After graduating, Mark built a successful career in construction and real estate development. He recalls WSU’s construction management program preparing students to step directly into the workforce—an outcome he believes is essential. “People who graduate from that program get good jobs,” he says. “When you graduate, you’re ready to go start your life in the work world.”
Supporting Cougs facing real-world challenges
For Sheryl, her student experience shaped a similar outlook. Following graduation, she built a career as a mortgage officer, helping families navigate one of the most consequential financial decisions of their lives. That work, along with her undergraduate experience, deepened her awareness of how access and support can shape a person’s future.
While she and Mark were fortunate to have their educations funded by their parents, Sheryl witnessed many of her peers struggling to balance work and school. “I saw a lot of kids struggling to pay rent, to pay tuition—having to work extra jobs,” she says. “Because we were blessed with the ability not to have to worry about that side, we like being able to give back and hopefully help others graduate without a huge amount of debt.”
Over the past three decades, that belief has translated into sustained support for scholarships and initiatives designed to enhance and transform the student experience. The Ossellos have established multiple scholarships, including the Sheryl & Mark Ossello Endowed Scholarship in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and the Mark and Sheryl Ossello Football Scholarship Endowment, helping students pursue their education with greater financial stability.
Athletics have also long been a source of pride and connection, particularly for Mark. For the Ossellos, Cougar sports represent shared experiences that build community and deepen ties to the university. Supporting facilities and the student-athlete experience, Mark says, is about giving our student-athletes the best chance to succeed while increasing energy for WSU.
Investing in health and community well-being
Health care education is another priority, one that Sheryl has helped lead. As longtime Spokane residents, the Ossellos see WSU’s presence in the city as critical not just for the institution, but for the region it serves.
“We have a doctor shortage,” Sheryl says plainly. “WSU’s medical school helps alleviate that, especially in rural areas. The mission makes sense to us.”
Their support for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine reflects that belief. From scholarships to initiatives such as the Mobile Simulation Lab and investments in the WSU Spokane medicine building, the Ossellos view medical education as a direct investment in community well-being. “Supporting the med school in Spokane,” Sheryl says, “is really about supporting our community to thrive.”
Together, Mark and Sheryl’s generosity reflects a broad, values-driven commitment to Washington State University that spans academics, athletics, and health care, united by a belief in opportunity and impact.
“Mark and Sheryl give because they believe deeply in this university and in the people it serves,” said Mike Connell, vice president for Advancement at Washington State University. “Their generosity—both in philanthropy and leadership—strengthens Washington State today and helps ensure its impact for generations to come.”
That leadership extends beyond giving. The Ossellos are widely known as ambassadors for WSU, hosting gatherings, making connections, and encouraging fellow Cougs to get involved. That commitment includes service on WSU boards, with Sheryl currently serving on the WSU Foundation Board of Directors.
“The success of the university can’t be on the shoulders of a few,” Mark says. “It needs to be more grassroots. You need to share the load.”
When asked what success looks like, they point first to students and to the communities they will one day serve. “We’re giving back to those who helped us get to where we are,” Mark says. “WSU is one of those.”
More than three decades after that frigid November weekend in Pullman, WSU still feels like home each time Mark and Sheryl turn off the highway into Pullman. Giving back is their way of making sure the next generation of Cougs feels the same—the belonging, the friendships, the global community, and a future worth investing in.