Saunders, Philip New Development Team at WSU Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. — Vic Saunders and Ann Philip recently joined the development team at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Saunders, the director of Campus and Regional Development, is responsible for major gift fundraising ($25,000 and up) for all programs at the Richland campus, as well as Mid-Columbia regional fundraising for the WSU Foundation. He came to the Tri-Cities from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where he worked 10 years as the director of Development for the College of Agriculture and as executive director of its Alumni Association. Saunders is a member of the current Leadership Tri-Cities class. He can be reached at 509-372-7207 or vsaunders@tricity.wsu.edu.
 
Philip is the development and events coordinator for WSU Tri-Cities and the WSU Foundation. She collaborates with administrators, faculty, staff, volunteers and community members to identify, cultivate and solicit annual gifts for WSU Tri-Cities. She also oversees planning of development events in the region. Philip was executive director of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce to 1992 to 2002, and spent three years at the University of Wisconsin’s Platteville campus as the director of Alumni Services and executive director of the Alumni Association. She can be reached at 509-372-7394 or aphilip@tricity.wsu.edu
 
Saunders and Philip are leading the Freshman Scholarship Campaign, seeking the community’s help to ensure the success of the inaugural freshman class.

A year ago, community leaders and Chancellor Vicky L. Carwein announced a bold $6,000 scholarship as part of the recruitment of freshmen to the Richland campus. Each full-time freshman received a $3,000 scholarship during the first year, plus a mirror $3,000 to finance the senior year at WSU Tri-Cities. That’s $1,500 per semester, for four semesters.
 
When the scholarship program was launched, WSU Tri-Cities was planning for 50 freshmen. Instead, the campus has 109 full-time freshmen. The overwhelming interest in the four-year degree programs means more than double the original number of scholarships and mentors are needed.
 
“Through the generosity of the community, we met our original goal of funding for 50,” Carwein said.  “We want to finish our fundraising for the entire freshman scholarship program by Dec. 31.”
 
Challenges to support higher education with a freshman scholarship have been issued to local real estate, legal, medical and financial services professionals. A $6,000 gift provides a scholarship named after a business, organization or someone special to the donor.
 
To make a tax-deductible gift to the WSU Tri-Cities freshman scholarship campaign, contact Saunders, Philip  or the chancellor’s office at 509-372-7258 or chancellor@tricity.wsu.edu.

Ann Philip

Vic Saunders