Donors Contribute Nearly $43 Million to WSU in Fiscal Year 1998-99

PULLMAN, Wash. — More than 56,000 donors contributed nearly $43 million in private gifts
and grants to Washington State University during the 1998-1999 fiscal year.
The gifts support student scholarships and fellowships, faculty recruitment and retention,
and all of WSU’s campuses, statewide programs and academic units.
“Donors to WSU have once again built excellence in scholarship and service,” said
President Samuel Smith. “From scholarships to supporting the academic core of the university,
these gifts have a major impact on our ability to offer both excellence and opportunity to our
students.”
The $42,986,989 surpassed the WSU Foundation’s $37.5 million goal for the year.
Established in 1979, the foundation accepts and manages private gifts on behalf of the
university.
WSU Foundation volunteers and staff credited WSU’s highly regarded academic programs,
committed alumni and friends, and a number of donors making decisions about estate gifts for
the successful year.
“The results prove that because of the recent capital campaign, WSU is moving toward a
new level of giving,” said Jack Creighton, retired president and chief executive officer of
Weyerhaeuser and chair of the WSU Foundation. “WSU’s alumni and friends understand the
importance of private support, and it shows in their involvement and generosity.”
Contributions to the College of Veterinary Medicine were nearly triple the college’s $2.5
million goal, totaling $6,582,147. Call-A-Coug, WSU’s telemarketing and outreach program, also
posted a record year, with donors contributing nearly $2.3 million. Gifts facilitated through the
office of gift and estate planning accounted for nearly $11 million of the total, with 22 donors
establishing life income charitable trusts or annuities, 16 donors making outright gifts of $2.5
million, and 28 gifts from the estates of alumni and friends.
Gifts to WSU included:
— A $1 million gift from Lou and Ruth Allen of Atherton, Calif. to establish the Lou and Ruth
Allen Pass It On Fund. The endowment will provide scholarships for students who demonstrate
the Allens’ belief in the “Pass It On Principle,” whereby “you get the most for yourself when you
learn to share what you receive with others.” Both Allens graduated from WSU in the 1940s.
— Two gifts in trust to the College of Veterinary Medicine from donors who included gifting
to the college as part of their business exit strategies: a $1.3 million charitable remainder unitrust
from Bea Kent of Tacoma for the companion animal fund, scholarships and the animal disease
biotechnology facility; and a $1.5 million charitable unitrust from veterinarian and alumnus Rocky
Crate to establish an endowed chair in wild sheep disease research.
— A $250,000 gift from Bruce and Jolene McCaw to fund scholarships and playground
equipment at the WSU Vancouver Child Development Program.
— Two gifts from former WSU student athletes: $100,000 from Craig Ehlo and his wife, Jani,
for men’s basketball and baseball scholarships; and $200,000 from Ryan Leaf for scholarships
and the proposed indoor practice facility.
— A $104,000 gift annuity from Roberta Cline Frasier Anderson, former chair of WSU’s child
development department, for scholarships in animal science and sociology.
During the fiscal year, which ended June 30, the state of Washington also provided $700,000
in state funds to match private contributions for distinguished professorships and graduate
fellowships. As a result of private contributions, WSU has 96 distinguished professorships and
86 graduate fellowships.
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