Gift from Boeings Scott and Linda Carson Endows WSU Marketing Chair

November 4, 2005

By Communications staff, Washington State University

PULLMAN, Wash. — A gift of $500,000 by alumni Scott and Linda Carson has finalized the first endowed chair in the field of marketing at the Washington State University College of Business and Economics (CBE).

The Boeing/Scott and Linda Carson Endowed Chair in Marketing reflects the importance of sales and marketing in Scott’s new role as executive vice president of sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said CBE Dean Eric Spangenberg.

“I am proud of the world-class partnership between Boeing and WSU, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with Scott and Linda Carson to further improve the college’s ability to develop leaders and drive innovation,” Spangenberg said. “The vision and generosity of the Carson family has enriched the lives of students through the Carson Family Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Scott and Linda Carson Center for Professional Development which opened this fall. The new Boeing/Scott and Linda Carson Endowed Chair in Marketing will continue this tradition of excellence.”

The Carsons recently made an additional gift of $50,000 to boost the scholarship fund and to further equip the Carson Center.

The Carsons place a high value on education, which, in combination with experience and strategy, gives people the tools to excel in life, Linda said, “These are important tools because they move you to a step above the majority and make you more competitive in the work world and in life,” she said.

Scott credits Linda with the idea of funding the endowed chair. “We are happy to make a difference, and we believe in helping further education by assisting both students and faculty,” Linda said. “Professors who strive beyond their perceived limitations will be outstanding teachers. By learning more themselves, they will have more to share with their students.”

“We believe the new endowed chair position in marketing will be filled by that special kind of professor, and that he or she will have a positive educational impact on thousands of WSU students,” Scott said. “In addition, we strongly believe in teaching our own children the value of making a difference through philanthropy. We hope they will continue the tradition we have started.”

A WSU education is a family tradition for the Carsons. Scott studied business administration and Linda studied education in Pullman. Three of their five children have WSU degrees, another is a graduate of the University of Washington and their youngest will graduate from WSU in May. The Carson Scholarship Fund is in all of their names and was Scott and Linda’s Christmas gift to their family in 2002.

The Scott and Linda Carson Center for Professional Development is housed in Todd Hall, the academic home of the CBE. The Carson Center and its staff will help WSU students go beyond classroom lessons to gain the skills and knowledge that are necessary for personal and professional success. Dedicated in ceremonies on Oct. 14, the 1,750-square-foot center will be where students can get resume critiques, conduct job and company research, participate in mock interviews, hold business club meetings and attend workshops on interviewing strategies, workplace motivation, professional dress and other skills.

Scott has worked for Boeing since 1973. His positions have given him executive, organizational, financial and operations experience in a full range of aerospace fields, including commercial and military aviation and space systems. Previously, he was president of Connexion by Boeing, which brings in-flight internet connectivity to airline travelers.

He was chosen by Boeing in December 2004 to lead its commercial airplanes sales team. As executive vice president, he is responsible for sales of commercial airplanes and related services to airline customers and leasing companies around the world. Since taking over the sales organization, he has renewed the Boeing team’s focus on its airline customers, and, according to industry analysts and observers, the airline industry has noticed the difference.

Scott also serves on numerous WSU boards and oversees a number of programs, including the Boeing Scholars project.

The new endowed chair is the 14^th such position that is fully funded in the WSU business college. Endowed chairs and distinguished professorships are filled by top researchers and master teachers who have strong ties to the business world in their specialty area. The WSU business college was recently ranked among the top 10 business programs at public universities in the western United States, and several of its programs also hold top rankings in their fields.