Washington State University in a World That Demands Excellence
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Washington State University In a world that demands Excellence Washington State University Foundation Annual Report 2008–2009 Table2 Message from theof president Contents of Washington State University 3 Message from the Washington State University Foundation 4 Excellence in Action 10 Financial Report 14 Foundation Leadership 16 Honor Roll of Donors 18 Laureates 20 Benefactors 24 President’s Associates 34 Legacy Associates 35 In Remembrance 36 Corporations, Foundations, and Associations 39 Memorial Gifts Excellence 39 Honorary Gifts 40 Endowments WSU FoUndAtIon h 2008-2009 h 1 Dear Friends, lease accept my personal thanks to each of you—our generous donors and corporate and foundation partners—for contributing to enhancing excellence at Washington State University during fiscal year 2008–2009. PLast year was challenging for all of us, particularly so for higher education in the state of Washington. As difficult as the recent economic downturn has been, I am confident that WSU is emerging stronger than ever before. This is due to the expertise of our faculty, the enthusiasm of our students, the dedication of our staff, and, of course, the tremendous support of our alumni and friends. Through your generosity, you give deserving students the opportunity to receive a quality education at WSU. You empower our talented faculty to pursue solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. You help to improve the quality of life for people in our state, nation, and world. Philanthropic gifts from our many alumni, friends, and corporate and foundation partners are increasingly important as WSU advances into the new decade. With your on-going generous support of our students, faculty, and research, and our academic, outreach, and athletics programs, we will be in a much stronger position to realize the tremendous potential of Washington State University. Once again, thank you. Sincerely, Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. President, Washington State University 2 h WSU FoUndation h 20 08 -20 09 Excellence Dear Supporters of Washington State University, n behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Washington State University and of the Washington State University Foundation, we express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated supporters. With more than $106 million in fund-raising activity during fiscal year 2008–2009, you demonstrated your dedication to continued excellenceO at WSU. This remarkable commitment and tremendous support from more than 62,000 donors enabled the WSU Foundation to surpass $100 million in annual fund-raising activity for just the second time in its 35-year history. WSU’s ability to provide a quality educational experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to enable cutting-edge research at a public land-grant research institution is made possible in large part by support from donors like you. Thank you for your exceptional leadership, commitment, and for your continuing support in the years to come. Sincerely, Brenda Wilson-Hale Vice President, University Development Chief Executive Officer, WSU Foundation Robert F. Felton ’67 President, WSU Foundation WSU FoUndation h 2008-2009 h 3 Excellence 4 h WSU FoUndation h 20 08 -20 09 ExcellenceSolutions in for Tomorrow hat does it take for a university to set the standard? It must support “Research to develop clean technologies and to address the daunting and the finest programs, leading faculty, and top-notch students. exciting energy challenges of the twenty-first century is a top priority, and Dr. Wang is recognized as a cutting-edge innovator in this area,” says With their landmark $17.5 million gift, Gene and Linda Voiland are Candis Claiborn, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture. Wensuring that the School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering is able to set the standard—by means of Wang’s leadership will advance the attracting the strongest faculty, developing development of new catalysts for robust research programs, and providing the “Were it not for the Voilands’ transformational energy systems, promising best possible training to the next generation of collaborations across multiple research generous commitment, we engineers. platforms and boosting the quality of would not have someone of dr. instruction available to undergraduate As their bold vision becomes a reality, the Wang’s caliber to lead WSU in the and graduate students. His research Voilands watch as the school, now named uniquely engages fundamental and applied for them, readies to meet the nation’s energy development of creative solutions methodologies in clean energy conversion challenges. “Satisfactory, renewable fuels to the world’s energy needs.” and explores the structure and function of technology does not currently exist, so we must —Dr. James Petersen, director, Gene and Linda transition metal oxide and bimetallic catalysts. invest to ensure that this research happens,” Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and says Gene Voiland. Researchers in the school Bioengineerng “Gene and Linda care deeply about the are conducting some of the nation’s most academic programs at WSU,” says James progressive energy research, positioning the Petersen, director and professor at the school. program to serve as a vanguard institution for clean energy innovations. “Their support is enabling the type of growth that boosts our programs to national and international prominence in ways that strengthen the The recent hiring of the first Voiland Distinguished Professor, Yong Wang, student experience.” is also attracting attention from industry leaders throughout the world. WSU FoUndation h 2008-2009 h 5 6 h WSU FoUndation h 20 08 -20 09 ExcellenceInnovative in Communication n fiscal year 2009, Washington State University elevated one of communication industries navigate looming technological and its signature strengths from school to college status—a change economic hurdles. that reflects the University’s commitment to meeting the escalating “We invite donors, alumni, and industry professionals to partner with us international demand for professionally educated and responsible to leverage the capacity of the new Murrow College of Communication communicators.I With its new status, the Edward R. Murrow College to advance our most famous graduate’s principles of Communication, under the leadership of its of courage, integrity, innovation, and professional founding dean, Lawrence Pintak, is building upon excellence,” says Dean Pintak. Murrow’s legacy of ethics, responsibility, and “If we are not constantly professionalism to position the college as a partner Moving into the future, generous private support adapting to new realities, and leader for the industries it serves. and the continued commitment of the University’s we are not doing our job.” leadership will successfully transform the “The ability to anticipate industry trends and adjust —Dr. Lawrence Pintak college’s digital infrastructure, expand its health to the changing communication landscape is communication program to global prominence, critical,” says Dr. Pintak. “If we are not constantly and inject a global worldview across the college adapting to new realities, we are not doing our job.” through additional world-class faculty and state-of- With the transition from school to college comes the increased ability of the-art equipment. These steps will ensure the college’s ability to offer an the Murrow College to educate a digitally and culturally literate workforce adaptive academic program prepared to address future concerns in the for tomorrow. As a result, the college has enhanced capacity to prepare communication field, cementing the college’s role as a vital resource for graduates for the changing media landscape, to develop research that the many industries it serves. will improve the health and well-being of our society, and to help the WSU FoUndation h 2008-2009 h 7 8 h WSU FoUndation h 20 08 -20 09 ExcellenceEmpowering in Lives s a child, Senia Farias remembers being told she could never can achieve it.” After showing her family that she could attend WSU with attend college—by teachers, family, and friends. Then, during the generous support of the University’s friends and donors, they were her junior year at Royal City High School, she visited Washington State behind her 100 percent. University and became determined to make it happen. A By the time Senia, now a junior, graduates with “I knew I couldn’t pay for college. But I wanted a degree in Spanish and a minor in international something better for my life and to set a good example business, her entire education will have been for my four younger siblings,” Senia says. “I fell in love “I learned that if you really, covered by a combination of merit- and need- with WSU—it’s big enough for me to grow but small really want something, based scholarships. enough that there is a sense of community. I decided you can achieve it.” “My parents are so proud—they tell everyone what to keep dreaming and to work as hard as I could.” —Senia Farias I’m doing here,” Senia says. Discussions at home Senia nurtured her dream to become the first person also have changed; Senia’s parents now encourage in her family not only to graduate from high school their younger children to be active in school and but also to attend college. At Royal City, she focused the community. on her studies, became class officer, played basketball and soccer, and “I’m grateful for my education, but it isn’t just about me,” Senia says. She volunteered in her community. “My friends thought I was crazy to work visits Latino high school students around the state to talk with them about so hard when I wouldn’t be able to go to college anyway, and my parents, the scholarship opportunities at WSU. “I tell them that they can have who speak only Spanish, didn’t really understand what I was trying to do.” goals, and that if they work hard, there are these amazing people out there An exceptional young scholar, Senia ranked fifth in her high school who are willing to believe in them and help them to achieve their dreams.” graduating class.