Volunteer News
Celebrating the Best of the Best
Story by Lisa Raleigh
One of the highlights of the year for the entire WSU volunteer community is the awards celebration during the Annual Fall Meeting.
Every year, WSU is thrilled to express its gratitude for the passionate, dedicated, hard-working, and inspirational volunteers who advance the university’s philanthropic engagement through their efforts. Their leadership and advocacy for WSU set the standard for excellence in service and generosity.
This year’s Annual Fall Meeting took place on the Pullman campus in October, for the first time since 2019. Each honoree was nominated by a peer, who typically wrote pages and pages of enthusiastic prose about their nominee’s contributions.
You can watch a video of the entire awards ceremony here.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_SVbK8CjKA]
The 2021 volunteer award recipients are:
The Weldon B. Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award—Duane and Terri Brelsford
Dr. Weldon B. “Hoot” Gibson was the founding chair of Washington State University Foundation. This award, named in his honor, represents the highest distinction bestowed upon a WSU Foundation volunteer.
The 2021 Gibson honorees are Duane and Terri Brelsford, who have supported WSU and the greater Pullman community for decades. Their passionate advocacy has furthered the dreams of students, faculty, and programs across the entire WSU system.
Duane has led the WSU Foundation Board as President and shared his expertise through leaderships roles on additional advisory boards and committees. As both donors and leaders, the Brelsfords have made transformational investments in the Brelsford WSU Visitor Center, Cougar Athletics, and innumerable projects and scholarships. And, in 2024, they will gift the Town Centre Building, home to the WSU Foundation offices, to the university and the Foundation.
Duane and Terri’s generosity has expanded horizons and fostered opportunities at WSU that will endure far into the future.
Watch a video tribute to the Brelsfords.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUJxW58p1ZM]
William F. “Biff” Brotherton Cougar Spirit Award—Clive and Shari Freidenrich
The William F. “Biff” Brotherton Award honors those who embody the enduring passion of one of WSU’s most spirited Cougars. Biff was an avid supporter of Cougar Athletics and WSU through both his contributions and volunteer service. In 2011, his family created this award to honor like-minded Cougs.
This year’s recipients, Clive and Shari Freidenrich, have been generous advocates for WSU students and Cougar Athletics for more than four decades.
Guided by their belief in the value of intercollegiate athletics—and their enthusiasm as proud alumni—the Freidenrichs have supported student-athlete scholarships, contributed to the Martin Stadium Renovation, established the Clive and Shari Freidenrich Endowed Athletic Scholarship, and achieved Champions Circle status within the Cougar Athletic Fund. As dedicated as they are energetic, they have volunteered on the WSU Alumni Association and Foundation Boards for more than 30 years.
Watch a video tribute to the Freidenrichs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoKlf4xfGxw]
Outstanding Service Award Honorees
Joan Berry
An educator and counselor, Joan has contributed her time, experience, and valuable insights to several WSU colleges, organizations, and committees. Currently, she serves on the College of Education Advisory Board and last year participated in the Trustee Engagement Task Force for the WSU Foundation. In addition, for seven years, Joan was a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, where her outspokenness consistently sparked broader discussions and—and wiser decisions. In addition to her time and expertise, Joan and her husband George are Laureate-level donors, with $3 million in gifts to their alma mater. Eleven programs and colleges have benefited from their support, and five different funds bear their name in the Voiland College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Education.
Laurie Johnson and Dawn Smith
With positive energy and joyful smiles, alumnae Laurie Johnson and Dawn Smith have opened doors to opportunities for fellow Cougs through their extraordinary generosity. Their endless enthusiasm and transformational support have benefited WSU across numerous colleges, campuses, and programs. Both have served on the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board, while Laurie has also volunteered for the WSU Foundation and numerous committees. Now Silver Benefactors, they have invested in a wide variety of programs over the past three decades, including Athletics, Sciences, WSU Vancouver, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine, scholarships, equity and diversity, and the Alumni Association.
Rich McKinney
Respected across the WSU community for commitment and dedication, Rich’s legacy of generosity and integrity has touched and inspired fellow Cougs far and wide. Rich regularly travels across the country to support the university, and he is a passionate advocate for public service, going to great lengths to help Cougs in their pursuit of global excellence, while guiding and inspiring students who have a vision for service and leadership. And he has generously established three funds in the Honors College and College of Business supporting public service and study abroad. As a respected and esteemed adviser to the WSU Foundation, his astute insights and thoughtful contributions have made a lasting impact.
Faculty/Staff Outstanding Service Award Honorees
Bryan Slinker
Dr. Bryan Slinker is renowned for his thoughtful leadership, unwavering commitment to WSU’s land-grant mission, and invaluable contributions to veterinary faculty, staff, and students. A College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus himself, he has also served the college as professor, department chair, and dean, and the university as interim provost. Thanks to his leadership in teaching, research, and fundraising—particularly through the creation of the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health—WSU is now a premier location for immunology and infectious disease research across the world. His innumerable accomplishments and humility magnify his support for educational excellence, compassionate service, and respect for others.
John Tomkowiak
Dr. John Tomkowiak is recognized for his pioneering leadership and immeasurable contribution to medical education at WSU. As founding dean of the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, John established the school with a vision to advance healthcare for underserved and rural communities across Washington state and beyond. In a monumental 18 months, he formed the College of Medicine and seated a class of 60 medical students, and then, in 2021, WSU graduated its inaugural class of medical doctors. A thoughtful mentor and innovative leader, John has transformed the lives of students, colleagues, the future of WSU, and the well-being of the communities it serves.
Congratulations to all of our honorees! The entire Cougar family appreciates everything you accomplish across Washington State University.