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WSU’s second annual day of giving kicks off Feb. 29

February 25, 2016 Trevor Durham

CougsGive-FacebookWall Washington State University welcomes the WSU community across the state and around the globe to participate in #CougsGive, the university’s second annual day of giving, beginning Monday, Feb. 29.

“We challenge Cougs everywhere to take the leap this Leap Day with a gift to make a real difference for the people and communities this remarkable university serves,” said Tyrell Warren-Burnett, director of annual giving for the WSU Foundation and organizer of #CougsGive.

Visit http://cougsgive.wsu.edu for more information or to make a gift.

During … » More …

Tragedy to Changing Lives

February 18, 2016 Trevor Durham

WSU alumnae Laura (McGinley) King and Janice Blair met for the first time at a recent church meeting in Seattle, where they discovered they have a special connection through Washington State University. One of the scholarships Laura received while attending WSU was the Mollola King Blair Endowed Scholarship.

Mollola lost her life at age 18 in a car crash caused by a 16-year old driver impaired by drugs and alcohol. Her parents, Randy and Janice Blair (’69 Ed), along other family and friends, created the scholarship to honor Mollola’s life. The primary requirement of this scholarship is a commitment to sobriety in hopes to prevent … » More …

Seeing a need; filling a niche at WSU

February 11, 2016 Trevor Durham

WSU President’s Associates Gayle (’74) and Alan Weiss

WSU President’s Associates Gayle and Alan Weiss are taking the lead to help students in the School of Hospitality Business Management (SHBM) become well-informed and knowledgeable in the proper and safe handling of foods for special needs guests. Their annual gifts to WSU support Food Allergy Safe Certification training offered to SHBM majors.

Gayle (’74) and Alan know firsthand the risks and dangers of food allergies, food intolerances, and food sensitivities. Fifteen years ago, Gayle and her brother-in-law (Alan’s brother) were diagnosed with Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance) along with other food sensitivities. Having to eat a strict gluten-free diet for life—no wheat, rye, barley, or … » More …

Sharing their knowledge, expanding their reach

February 11, 2016 Trevor Durham

WSU sophomore Keesha Matz, and seniors Luis Cortez and Raven Conyers, with WSU Assistant Vice Provost Mary Sánchez Lanier

WSU seniors Raven Conyers and Luis Cortez and sophomore Keesha Matz received awards for outstanding presentations at the recent Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Seattle.

All three were able to attend ABRCMS thanks to financial support from the Scott and Linda Carson Undergraduate Research Endowed Excellence Fund. Established in 2013, the endowment is administered by the Office of Undergraduate Research, part of WSU Undergraduate Education. The Carsons have supported student activities at WSU for many years. Last fall, they were publicly honored by the WSU Foundation as Platinum Laureates for their exceptional investments in scholarships and student services. Scott (’72) serves … » More …

Meet: Marissa Chukwu

February 11, 2016 Trevor Durham

Marissa Chukwu (’18, Bio.) always dreamed of attending college to study the medical sciences and become a doctor, eventually gaining the experience to one day establish a hospital in her home country of Nigeria.

First, though, she needed to conquer a substantial hurdle: the rising cost of higher education. “I always had that problem of figuring out how to finance my way through college,” she says.

Her mother was divorced and unable to help Marissa financially. But that obstacle disappeared when Marissa enrolled at WSU and received a generous scholarship to help pay her expenses.

“My mum has always been so supportive of me and the fact … » More …

Meet: Yuliya Baranovskaya

February 11, 2016 Trevor Durham

Scholarships have empowered Yuliya Baranovskaya in her studies at WSU Tri-Cities, where she has earned a place on the President’s Honor Roll each semester since her freshman year. Now a junior, Yuliya is grateful for the opportunities that keep her educational goals on track as she balances a multitude of responsibilities.

“For me, attending college is not a choice, but a must,” she says. “Working two jobs and being a full-time student was my choice, backed by necessity. In a situation like this, any extra help for tuition and school expenses is welcomed. Scholarships increased my ability to put extra time into school, which is … » More …

WSU’s largest endowed scholarship benefits future teachers

December 1, 2015 Trevor Durham

Washington State University announced today the creation of its largest endowed scholarship fund, made possible through a $16.5 million estate gift from San Francisco Bay area developer, philanthropist and alumnus Roscoe “Rock” Logan and his wife, Jane.

teacher_WSU Vancouver “Rock and Jane were committed to advancing education opportunities for young people so they can be successful in school, in their careers and in life,” said WSU Interim President Daniel Bernardo. “Their transformative investment in and care for the futures of WSU students – and in … » More …

Evolution of an idea: from the lab to the marketplace

October 30, 2015 Trevor Durham

His conversations with the owners of orchards and berry fields led to the idea. An idea challenging traditional thinking. An idea addressing consumer demand.

Amit Dhingra, Ph.D., took his idea into the laboratory in the Department of Horticulture at Washington State University. The idea moved forward, fueled by the skills and creativity of a team of undergraduate students and graduate researchers working side-by-side with Dhingra, a specialist in plant genomics and biotechnology.

Their discoveries in the lab led to a product and a process to enhance propagation and speed the development of root stock sold to nurseries. A product and a process that utilizes a … » More …

Meet Our Donors: Gladys Jennings (’48)

October 30, 2015 Trevor Durham

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

October 30, 2015 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 …