WSU Regents’ resolution recognizes Boeing Company

PULLMAN, Wash – The Washington State University Board of Regents today unanimously passed a resolution acknowledging and appreciating the many contributions the Boeing Company has made to WSU over its century of aerospace leadership.

“WSU is proud to have the Boeing Company as a long-time partner and generous contributor to advance research and academic scholarship,” said Interim President Dan Bernardo who recommended the resolution honoring the company.

“Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company, and celebrating 100 years of operations. It is a great time to reflect on our collaborations over the decades and recognize the impact the company has had in higher education.”

WSU and Boeing have a long history. Boeing has invested in numerous WSU endowed professorships, fellowships, scholarships, learning centers and programs. In turn, Boeing, and the state of Washington, have benefitted from thousands of highly skilled and well-prepared WSU graduates who have become Boeing employees and a key part of the company’s success.

“Boeing has invested in WSU because the company is proud to support globally competitive learning through institutions like WSU,” said Craig Bomben, The Boeing Company’s Vice President-Flight Test and the company’s Executive Focal to WSU, who was on hand in Pullman to receive a copy of the resolution from the WSU Board of Regents.

Over the years, Boeing has invested in efforts such as the Boeing e-Connections, a scholarship program that provides WSU freshmen and sophomores with an introduction to entrepreneurship programming and a community of support. Additionally, the Boeing Scholars Program provides students with two-year scholarships as well as internship opportunities between their junior and senior years.

“During their senior year, WSU students from engineering, business, science and communications participate in an interdisciplinary course, and collaborate with Boeing scientists and engineers on a real-life aerospace industry project. The program brings disparate groups together, simulating the engineering work environment, similar to what WSU graduates will experience if they work in advanced manufacturing or any large, integrated company such as Boeing,” said Bomben.

Recently, the Boeing Company has invested in WSU and the Washington Stormwater Center located in Puyallup to develop stronger permeable pavement. Permeable pavement, made out of recycled carbon fiber composite material being used by Boeing, could be one of the more important tools in addressing the number one source of pollution in Puget Sound, untreated stormwater.

“Innovations often come from strategic partnerships and are an important outcome of our long relationship,” said Alex Pietsch, Associate Vice President for Corporate Relations. “Both Boeing and WSU view water as one of our state’s most precious resources and the opportunity to work together to keep Puget Sound clean is an example of shared goals being good for the communities WSU serves.”

WSU Regent Scott Carson was particularly proud to support the Board of Regent’s recognition of Boeing’s centennial. The former President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Carson graduated from WSU in 1972 with a degree in business administration. Since that time, he and his wife, Linda, and their family have been generous donors, volunteers, and advocates for the university, including serving as chair of the recently completed $1 billion dollar fundraising Campaign for Washington and the renaming of the WSU’s business college as the Carson College of Business in recognition of the Carson’s family support of WSU.

“I am immensely proud of both Boeing and WSU,” said Carson. “Today, we honor a long relationship that has benefitted thousands of students and advanced knowledge and discoveries. I look forward to what the next 100 years will mean for education, research, commerce, entrepreneurship, and the state of Washington.”

Media contact:

Robert Strenge, WSU News, 509-335-3583, rstrenge@wsu.edu

 

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