PULLMAN, Wash. — The generosity of private donors to Washington State University resulted in more than $43 million in contributions in the last fiscal year, the fourth largest total ever in the WSU Foundation’s 23-year history. Donors contributed $43,240,586 in gifts and grants for fiscal year 2001-2002, which ended June 30.
For the first time, the number of President’s Associates – individuals and organizations contributing $1,000 or more annually – has exceeded 4,200 members, an increase of more than 10 percent.
“This tremendous response from the President’s Associates, who make up the heart of WSU’s annual support, is truly gratifying. This vote of confidence from the Cougar family mirrors the high level of enthusiasm being generated by faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends for achieving the university’s strategic goals,” said President V. Lane Rawlins. “WSU’s ability to continue our tradition of excellence depends on the generosity of our donors.”
This year, WSU added 64 endowed scholarships, particularly important in light of rising tuition and this year’s 30 percent increase in applications to WSU from high ability students (those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher). The university also added seven endowed graduate fellowships and five endowed professorships and chairs.
“These results are in large part due to the outstanding leadership of Washington State’s deans and the top-notch work being done by faculty to advance the educational and research mission of the university. The individuals and organizations that donate private support to WSU recognize that there is interesting and groundbreaking work going on at this institution that merits their investment,” said Rick Frisch, WSU Foundation president.
A total of 54,613 individuals and 2,484 organizations made gifts of cash, securities, real property or other goods and services to the university. Nearly 23,500 WSU alumni contributed to their alma mater in the last fiscal year.
“Washington State’s donors – whether friends or alumni – demonstrate a truly remarkable enthusiasm for advancing this institution,” noted Jacque Doane, WSU Foundation chair, “The Cougar family knows how important private support is in facilitating WSU’s mission of educating those who will become community leaders, teachers and business people in the state of Washington.”
More than 88 percent of donations supported academic programs, with athletics receiving just over 11 percent.
