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Honoring the journey through a gift to WSU

Trevor Durham

Washington State University alumna Jenny (Chapman) Rose embodies the tenacious Cougar spirit that ignites her passion as a teacher, role model to her three sons, and an activist for K-12 education. Although Jenny recently concluded eight years of service as president of the Spokane Education Association (SEA), her engagement in matters that impact public schools is stronger than ever.

Spirit and passion are the driving forces in Jenny’s life. Her personal and professional achievements have arisen from the experiences she enjoyed during her four years at WSU. She joined Chi Omega sorority her freshman year, participated in campus activities, never missed a home football or … » More …

Scholarship preserves legacy of service, commitment

Trevor Durham
Kathleen Irwin thumbnail photo

Kathleen Irwin celebrated her 102nd birthday in January, at a party at Rockwood Retirement Center in Spokane, where she resides. She wore a Cougar Football-themed cardigan and crimson and gray earrings to mark the occasion, and to convey her unwavering loyalty to Washington State University.

Inside Kathleen’s apartment, a treasured keepsake hangs in a frame on a wall. The memento notes the year 1994, when Kathleen and her husband, Claude, were recognized and honored as Benefactors of WSU for their generous commitment to students through the Claude and Kathleen Irwin Regents Scholarship.

For the past 20 years, the scholarship has assisted full-time students who excel … » More …

Recruit suite named for Steve Gleason – “an inspiration”

Trevor Durham
Steve Gleason, left, WSU football coach Mike Leach and alumnus Glenn Osterhout at WSU Wednesday.

The recruiting room inside the Cougar Football Complex at Washington State University has been named the Steve Gleason Recruit Suite in honor of the WSU Athletic Hall of Famer who played football and baseball 1995-99 and in the NFL 2000-07 for the New Orleans Saints.

“Pullman has been a big part of my development,” said Gleason, who was at WSU for the naming Wednesday. “I have amazing memories from my time here and I am excited I could be here in person today. Thanks again for including me. Go Cougs!”

The naming opportunity arrived courtesy of Cougar alumnus Glenn Osterhout’s donation of $250,000. With his … » More …

Mary Alice’s Guiding Influence

Trevor Durham

When Charles Vaughn and his sons, Joe and CJ, established a scholarship in the College of Education at WSU, they created an enduring source of inspiration and encouragement for aspiring elementary teachers.

Mary Alice’s Scholarship Fund: Ensuring Teaching Excellence for the Future is a loving tribute to a wife and mother who was an exceptional teacher in all respects. Honoring the late Mary Alice Hall-Vaughn, the scholarship is awarded to certified elementary education majors who embody the personal qualities and professional commitment that Mary Alice possessed.

“I want to help dedicated students who have a passion for teaching as my wife did,” Charles says, with … » More …

Young alum embodies “Cougs helping Cougs”

Trevor Durham

The well-known saying, “Cougs helping Cougs,” is thoroughly embedded in the philanthropic spirit of Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture alumnus Andrew Pilloud (’11).

Each year since earning his degree in computer engineering, Andrew follows the lead of EECS alumni who generously invest in the student experience at WSU. He knows firsthand the impact made by fellow Cougars in supporting equipment purchases and laboratory upgrades. While participating in student organizations such as WSU Amateur Radio Club and Linux Users Group, Andrew worked on projects using equipment made possible by private support. He enjoyed the opportunity to test his problem-solving skills in the laboratory and spent … » More …

Meet Our Donors: Gladys Jennings (’48)

Trevor Durham
Gladys Jennings (’48)

She is gracious and kind, respected and admired, and above all, determined to make a difference. Gladys Jennings (’48) warmly acknowledges family, friends, and colleagues who helped celebrate her 90th birthday. Grateful for the experiences she enjoyed at WSU, Gladys asks that celebratory gestures be directed as gifts to the Agriculture and Home Economics Scholarship Fund or the Alberta Hill Academic Excellence Award at WSU.

Gladys resides in Mill Creek, Washington with her husband, Clifford. She retired from WSU in 2008, capping a career in higher education that spanned six decades. Her request to birthday well-wishers is a nod to uncompromised excellence in teaching and … » More …

Meet Our Donors: Bill & Joy Goodenough

Trevor Durham

By the time Ryan Evans graduated from WSU with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2012, he was well on his way to a successful, international career thanks to the help of generous donors. Aside from his studies, Ryan participated in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers WSU RC Baja Club, which he eventually led as president. Through his club activities, Ryan had access to hands-on, practical experiences not otherwise available in the classroom. He learned valuable life skills such cooperation, communication, and budgeting, and had the opportunity to flex his creativity and showcase his work. The experiences enabled Ryan to leapfrog into his career. … » More …

Meet Our Donors: Mike (’06) and Laura (’06) King

Trevor Durham
During their years at WSU, Mike (‘06 Bus. Admin.) and Laura King (’06 Hum. Nutr., ’11 PharmD) experienced firsthand the life-changing generosity of alumni and friends. Today, they enjoy the satisfaction that comes from giving back to the University that brought them together and gave them a good start in their careers. “I have seen that Cougs always want to help other Cougs,” says Mike, who joined a commercial real estate firm in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, immediately after graduating from WSU. The firm was owned by a WSU alumnus he met at a Cougar football game. » More ...

Meet Our Donors: Steve (’84) and Carolyn Conforti

Trevor Durham

Dave Kerslake (‘14) gained much-needed balance in his life after receiving the Stephen and Carolyn Conforti Endowed Scholarship in Accounting at Washington State University.

His financial responsibilities became more manageable and the burden was eased on his family in supporting his college career. “I am now able to attain a master’s degree from WSU with very minimal financial impact in comparison to other universities’ programs,” Dave says.

Foremost, the scholarship reassures his parents that their investment in his education may one day pay off. Dave graduated magna cum laude in May 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and immediately entered WSU’s graduate school. He … » More …

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