In an economy that has seen private support and alumni giving decline at many universities across the nation, Washington State University bucked the trend in 2002-03, ending the year with a 14.2 percent increase in private support over the last fiscal year. The university reached its second highest mark in the WSU Foundation’s 24-year history with $48,839,329 in gifts and private grants during fiscal year 2002-03, which ended June 30.
For the second time in as many years, the number of President’s Associates – individuals and organizations contributing $1,000 or more annually – has set a participation record with more than 4,500 members in 2002-03, an increase of more than 7 percent.
“The marked increase in support from the President’s Associates, as well as all donors to WSU in 2002-2003, is truly gratifying,” said President V. Lane Rawlins. “It demonstrates the high level of confidence and enthusiasm our donors have for the world-class research and personal education being generated at WSU every day by our faculty, staff and students.
“WSU’s ability to continue our tradition of excellence depends on the generosity of our donors,” Rawlins said.
WSU added 15 endowed scholarships. The university also added six endowed graduate fellowships and four endowed professorships and chairs. The WSU Foundation’s endowment finished the year at $177.1 million.
“The addition of endowed graduate fellowships, professorships and chairs further raises the bar of teaching and research excellence university-wide and demonstrates that Cougars are responding to WSU’s outstanding vision, direction and momentum.” said Rick Frisch, WSU Foundation president. “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.”
A total of 53,303 individuals and 2,361 organizations made gifts of cash, securities, real property or other goods and services to the university. Alumni participation remained steady at just over 19 percent, with 23,234 alumni making gifts to their alma mater.
“The WSU family knows the importance private support has in facilitating the university’s mission of educating those who will become community leaders, teachers and business people in the state of Washington,” said Mark Suwyn, WSU Foundation co-chair. “Their faithful participation is a testament to the enthusiasm being generated at Washington State University.”
