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Amy Giustino ’95

October 7, 2016 Trevor Durham

Amy Giustino, ’95, can trace the roots of her philanthropy to childhood and an important lesson from her parents: Be generous, even if you don’t have much to give.

“We grew up with the understanding that you should bless others as you have been blessed,” Giustino says.

That mindset took a clearer form during her junior year at WSU, when she started a student assistant job at the WSU Foundation. She watched former president Sam Smith lead Campaign WSU and was inspired by the generous spirit of Cougar alumni to become a part of that process. » More …

WSU Foundation Outstanding Service Awards presented, Sept. 30

October 5, 2016 Trevor Durham

The Washington State University Foundation Trustees honored seven individuals in recognition of their outstanding volunteer service and commitment to advancing the work of Washington State University and the WSU Foundation during the Foundation’s annual awards luncheon in Pullman, September 30.

Receiving the WSU Foundation’s Outstanding Service Awards were Mike and Kathy Hambelton of Wenatchee, Washington; David McGoldrick of Anderson Island, Washington; and Jim and Lee Ruck of Everett, Washington. Faculty & Staff Outstanding Service Awards were presented to Dr. James N. (Jim) Petersen of Moscow, Idaho; and Gay Selby of Kelso, Washington.

“The engagement and dedicated service demonstrated by each of this year’s Outstanding Service … » More …

WSU Foundation honors President Emeritus Sam Smith

October 5, 2016 Trevor Durham

The Washington State University Foundation honored emeritus professor of plant pathology and eighth president of Washington State University Samuel H. Smith (1985-2000) as recipient of the 2016 Weldon B. Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award. The award was presented during the Foundation’s annual Recognition Gala, September 30.

“From leading WSU’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign to creating campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver, Dr. Smith transformed the statewide presence and stature of Washington State University during his presidency,” said current WSU president Kirk H. Schulz. “He continues to champion access to higher education for our state’s citizens—helping tens of thousands earn their degrees through his ongoing advocacy and … » More …

Recruit suite named for Steve Gleason – “an inspiration”

August 4, 2016 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 …

Meet: Joey Redmon

July 28, 2016 Trevor Durham

Joanna “Joey” Redmon, a graduate student in pharmacy at Washington State University, truly “gets” the significance of searching for opportunities and engaging in her own education. “My greatest learning experience,” she said, “has been how to find opportunities that will lead me to my goals.”

“College can be intimidating,” Joey said. “It’s a challenge to navigate and locate relevant opportunities. For me, it started with the WSU Honors College where I learned how to integrate into the WSU community and participate in many rewarding experiences. I want to share that understanding with other students.”

Joey’s path to Washington State University took some navigating. She’d started … » More …

Meet: Megan Slaker

July 28, 2016 Trevor Durham

Megan Slaker grew up in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and always lived within a two hours’ drive of her parents’ house. Even as a child, she remembers feeling incredibly homesick when she went off to summer camp, and again in high school, when she spent a month in Germany as an exchange student. “Moving half way across the country for graduate school,” Megan says, “was one of the scariest things I’ve done. But it’s proven to be one of the best decisions I made.”

It was during middle school when Megan first became interested in human behavior; specifically what caused some individuals to use or … » More …

Mary Alice’s Guiding Influence

May 27, 2016 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”

May 27, 2016 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 …

Senior Scholarships: A Cougar Tradition

May 27, 2016 Trevor Durham

A career in athletic training in the performing arts is the dream job envisioned by Alexandra (Alee) Bryan, while Kayla Heim looks forward to her first day of work at Moss Adams, a public accounting firm. Fellow classmate Alexandra (Alex) Anderson hopes to pursue a doctorate in psychology and eventually work as a clinical psychologist or school psychologist.

They are determined to succeed….feeling confident and prepared….their lives enriched by the scholarships they received at WSU.

Alee, Kayla, and Alex are recipients of scholarships made possible through the generosity of their classmates—WSU seniors—whose monetary gifts to the Senior Scholarship Fund have been a Cougar tradition since … » More …

Simpson Strong-Tie gift supports WSU engineering research

April 5, 2016 Trevor Durham

An annual $100,000 donation for the next eight years from Simpson Strong-Tie will support Washington State University construction and engineering research in the new PACCAR Environmental Technology Building on the WSU Pullman campus.

The commitment establishes the Simpson Strong-Tie Research and Testing Laboratory and an excellence fund that will support research in areas such as concrete durability, repair and retrofit; tall timber buildings; deck safety; post-frame buildings and seismic retrofit. The fund will support fellowships for professors and graduate students and equipment purchases.

“We believe this partnership will drive our research innovations and lead to safer … » More …