IMPACT REPORT 2024
CWU FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Table of Contents
Welcome 03 Fighting Hunger and Empowering Students 04 The Wildcat Promise 05 Building Brighter Financial Futures 06 Revolutionizing Disaster Detection 07 WASBE 08 #GiveCentral 09 Heart & Hustle 10-11 Industry Partnerships 12-13 Art Legacy Elevates CWU 14 foundry10 15 Facts and Figures 16-18 Boards 19
509-963-2160 foundation@cwu.edu CWU is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. For accommodation e-mail: DS@cwu.edu.
CWUFAA-FY24IR-KH-1024
3
Welcome
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR
As we reflect on the generosity of the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the continued support of the Wildcat family. Engagement with our alumni and contributions from donors in fiscal year 2024 have not only strengthened our university but are impacting communities near and far. Locally, your support provides scholarships and advice to deserving students, expands students’ access to basic needs, and enhances facilities, ensuring that we continue to offer an exceptional educational experience. Regionally, these gifts and connections empower us to collaborate with industry leaders, drive economic growth, and address critical challenges through innovative research and outreach initiatives. MAKENNA SMELSER (’28) “
Together, we are also making an impact on a national and global scale. The impact of your generosity is evident in the achievements of students and faculty whose work in various fields is advancing technologies and contributing to cultural and intellectual richness across our nation. Beyond the U.S., your support has allowed us to extend our reach even further, sending students abroad to further their research, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and preparing students to become leaders in an increasingly interconnected world. Together, we are building a future where knowledge, compassion, and innovation thrive. We look forward to continuing this journey and partnership with you, transforming lives and communities across the globe.
Wendy Iwaszuk (’97) Chair, Foundation Board wanted to get to know me as me and chose Central because of how personally connected I felt to the people there. The scholarship Central Washington University is a special place; everyone who gets to experience the school knows that. I have been welcomed with open arms since the day I stepped in. I knew when choosing a school that I wanted to be surrounded by a community that support I have received is greatly appreciated and is going to help me in an extreme way with funding my education.”
Paul Elstone Vice President, University Advancement Executive Director, CWU Foundation
Jada Rupley (’73) President,
Alumni Association
MARY JANE GARNER SCHOLARSHIP
Table of Contents
Welcome 03 Fighting Hunger and Empowering Students 04 The Wildcat Promise 05 Building Brighter Financial Futures 06 Revolutionizing Disaster Detection 07 WASBE 08 #GiveCentral 09 Heart & Hustle 10-11 Industry Partnerships 12-13 Art Legacy Elevates CWU 14 foundry10 15 Facts and Figures 16-18 Boards 19
509-963-2160 foundation@cwu.edu CWU is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. For accommodation e-mail: DS@cwu.edu.
CWUFAA-FY24IR-KH-1024
3
Welcome
As we reflect on the generosity of the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the continued support of the Wildcat family. Engagement with our alumni and contributions from donors in fiscal year 2024 have not only strengthened our university but are impacting communities near and far. Locally, your support provides scholarships and advice to deserving students, expands students’ access to basic needs, and enhances facilities, ensuring that we continue to offer an exceptional educational experience. Regionally, these gifts and connections empower us to collaborate with industry leaders, drive economic growth, and address critical challenges through innovative research and outreach initiatives.
Together, we are also making an impact on a national and global scale. The impact of your generosity is evident in the achievements of students and faculty whose work in various fields is advancing technologies and contributing to cultural and intellectual richness across our nation. Beyond the U.S., your support has allowed us to extend our reach even further, sending students abroad to further their research, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and preparing students to become leaders in an increasingly interconnected world. Together, we are building a future where knowledge, compassion, and innovation thrive. We look forward to continuing this journey and partnership with you, transforming lives and communities across the globe.
Paul Elstone Vice President, University Advancement Executive Director, CWU Foundation
Wendy Iwaszuk (’97) Chair, Foundation Board
Jada Rupley (’73) President,
Alumni Association
“
Fighting Hunger and Empowering Students The Wildcat Pantry is a free resource for CWU students to utilize that helps to remove barriers to essential needs, providing access to free food, clothing, hygiene, and household items. Starting with eight bookshelf locations, the pantries immediately saw daily use by students. The high traffic paired with results from the first-ever statewide postsecondary basic needs survey* showing 47.2% of Central students being food insecure, provided evidence there was a dire need for expansion of the Wildcat Pantry. With the support of donors, the community, and the university, the program has been able to expand and address food insecurity at Central by providing more students with the resources they need to ensure personal, academic, and professional success.
The pantry is super important for students who don’t make enough income and are unable to buy basic living necessities.” Student Shopper
$45,100 Amount raised for the Wildcat Pantry (formerly PUSH)
$95,623 Amount raised for basic needs
8,015 Total pantry visits for the 2023/2024 academic year 39,462 Pounds of food and essentials dispersed
“
Once we found out how many students were hungry, we were really surprised. It’s the university’s mission to educate people, and it is hard to learn when you’re really hungry or have to work two jobs, so if we can alleviate a little bit of that, we are happy to do it.”
Ben (’79) and Nancy Remak
4,585 Pounds of food and essentials donated
Alumni Association by the numbers 111,207 Alumni making an impact around the world
*For more information on the survey, please visit wsac.wa.gov
5
The Wildcat Promise First-year students often have a gap of several thousand dollars between the total cost of attendance and their federal aid and student loans making it hard for them to access higher education. The Wildcat Promise Scholarship fills this gap for four years, providing a necessary safety net for students to complete their degrees.
LAW AND JUSTICE MAJOR PSYCHOLOGY MINOR
Wildcat Promise in FY24
By investing in the Wildcat Promise, donors are supporting a substantial scholarship that shapes the future of students and, in turn, the communities they will go on to serve, creating a ripple effect of positive change. In FY24, President Wohlpart announced a fundraising goal of $10 million for Wildcat Promise. Over $3 million has already been raised, amplifying the university’s investment and showcasing the collective impact that gifts of all sizes have on funding this substantial scholarship. MARGARITA CONTRERAS (’27)
Awarded to 102 student recipients in
$462,441
FY24, funded by donors and the university
“
The Wildcat Promise has been absolutely pivotal and instrumental, particularly for students who have been admitted to CWU but have not made the final commitment. We offer the Wildcat Promise and that has been the game-changer, and it has had a significant impact on a student’s decision to attend CWU. This really helped to fill the gap between the student’s contribution and their financial aid awards.” Dr. Margaret Ortega Vice President, Division of Student Engagement and Success The Wildcat Promise will have a significant impact on my educational journey and dreams. I am so thankful for having such a great support system from the donors, and this scholarship will help me be the first in my family to graduate college. Thank you for believing in my potential and I look forward to the day when I can give back to the community and help future students as you have helped me.”
Total raised in
FY24 from university and donors $2,708,092
“
Gifts and pledges range from $10 to $1 Million
Wildcat Promise Scholarship
“
Fighting Hunger and Empowering Students The Wildcat Pantry is a free resource for CWU students to utilize that helps to remove barriers to essential needs, providing access to free food, clothing, hygiene, and household items. Starting with eight bookshelf locations, the pantries immediately saw daily use by students. The high traffic paired with results from the first-ever statewide postsecondary basic needs survey* showing 47.2% of Central students being food insecure, provided evidence there was a dire need for expansion of the Wildcat Pantry. With the support of donors, the community, and the university, the program has been able to expand and address food insecurity at Central by providing more students with the resources they need to ensure personal, academic, and professional success.
The pantry is super important for students who don’t make enough income and are unable to buy basic living necessities.” Student Shopper
$45,100 Amount raised for the Wildcat Pantry (formerly PUSH)
$95,623 Amount raised for basic needs
8,015 Total pantry visits for the 2023/2024 academic year 39,462 Pounds of food and essentials dispersed
“
Once we found out how many students were hungry, we were really surprised. It’s the university’s mission to educate people, and it is hard to learn when you’re really hungry or have to work two jobs, so if we can alleviate a little bit of that, we are happy to do it.”
Ben (’79) and Nancy Remak
4,585 Pounds of food and essentials donated
Alumni Association by the numbers 111,207 Alumni making an impact around the world
*For more information on the survey, please visit wsac.wa.gov
5
The Wildcat Promise First-year students often have a gap of several thousand dollars between the total cost of attendance and their federal aid and student loans making it hard for them to access higher education. The Wildcat Promise Scholarship fills this gap for four years, providing a necessary safety net for students to complete their degrees.
Wildcat Promise in FY24
By investing in the Wildcat Promise, donors are supporting a substantial scholarship that shapes the future of students and, in turn, the communities they will go on to serve, creating a ripple effect of positive change. In FY24, President Wohlpart announced a fundraising goal of $10 million for Wildcat Promise. Over $3 million has already been raised, amplifying the university’s investment and showcasing the collective impact that gifts of all sizes have on funding this substantial scholarship.
Awarded to 102 student recipients in
$462,441
FY24, funded by donors and the university
Total raised in
FY24 from university and donors $2,708,092
“
The Wildcat Promise has been absolutely pivotal and instrumental, particularly for students who have been admitted to CWU but have not made the final commitment. We offer the Wildcat Promise and that has been the game-changer, and it has had a significant impact on a student’s decision to attend CWU. This really helped to fill the gap between the student’s contribution and their financial aid awards.” Dr. Margaret Ortega Vice President, Division of Student Engagement and Success
Gifts and pledges range from $10 to $1 Million
Building Brighter Financial Futures
“
The need to provide broader access to fundamental financial literacy concepts—such as budgeting, credit and debt, and investing—to individuals in high school, college, and into the workforce is growing across Washington State. In partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation and Schwab Advisor Services, CWU will help to serve this demand through a multi- year grant to support CWU’s Center for Financial Planning & Well-Being (CFPW). CFPW delivers education, research, and support programs that contribute to financial awareness and wellbeing of individuals while providing a degree pathway for the next generation of financial planning advisors.
This grant will allow us to expand the benefits our center provides across the state and will immediately start changing lives. We can get our personal finance course to more high schools and offer financial coaching to more students and community members which will have a profound impact on current and future Wildcats. Central is paving the way for financial literacy in Washington, and the beauty of financial literacy is it has the power to have generational impact.” Dr. Steele Campbell CWU Assistant Professor of Personal Financial Planning
Alumni Association by the numbers
87,854 Alumni making an impact across WA State
7
Revolutionizing Disaster Detection CWU has long served as the primary GNSS analysis center for earthquake and tsunami early warning systems, sharing their solutions globally in real-time. Support from John LaBrecque and Shirley Winkler will enable CWU to expand the monitoring and detection support they developed into the Oceania region of the Pacific Ocean,
ACCOUNTING MAJOR
PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING MAJOR
which has some of the world’s biggest earthquake faults and evidence of catastrophic tsunamis. This support will allow for the use of advanced satellite systems to track environmental changes in order to better understand and quickly detect disasters, like tsunamis, aiming to improve warning systems and save lives. CASEY PARK (’25) Fundraising for this project is ongoing, and John and Shirley hope that their gift will encourage others to support the important work being done to further the data collection and sharing capabilities of CWU that will have a profound impact on the world.
“
Currently, most of the world’s tsunami early warning systems use some combination of seismic monitoring, deep-ocean buoys, or tide gauges, which can take up to an hour to provide the information needed to confidently issue warnings. It’s been shown that GNSS [Global Navigation Satellite Systems] monitoring can significantly improve the speed and reliability of tsunami inundation warnings to within five minutes of an earthquake for regions with dense GNSS networks. This is a dramatic life-saving improvement, especially for those coastal communities nearest to the earthquake.” John LaBrecque, Donor
“
I am feeling so grateful that I can enjoy more peace of mind going into my senior year and not be consumed by the stresses of money and expenses. My family and I are completely touched by the generosity of your family, and this money has been a huge, timely blessing for us. I have loved my experience at Central and I hope that I have the means or time to give back in the future.”
Learn more about how CWU is providing regional and global agencies with crucial data for disaster forecasting at www.panga.org.
Julie and Randy Back Personal Financial Planning Scholarship
Building Brighter Financial Futures
“
The need to provide broader access to fundamental financial literacy concepts—such as budgeting, credit and debt, and investing—to individuals in high school, college, and into the workforce is growing across Washington State. In partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation and Schwab Advisor Services, CWU will help to serve this demand through a multi- year grant to support CWU’s Center for Financial Planning & Well-Being (CFPW). CFPW delivers education, research, and support programs that contribute to financial awareness and wellbeing of individuals while providing a degree pathway for the next generation of financial planning advisors.
This grant will allow us to expand the benefits our center provides across the state and will immediately start changing lives. We can get our personal finance course to more high schools and offer financial coaching to more students and community members which will have a profound impact on current and future Wildcats. Central is paving the way for financial literacy in Washington, and the beauty of financial literacy is it has the power to have generational impact.” Dr. Steele Campbell CWU Assistant Professor of Personal Financial Planning
Alumni Association by the numbers
87,854 Alumni making an impact across WA State
7
Revolutionizing Disaster Detection CWU has long served as the primary GNSS analysis center for earthquake and tsunami early warning systems, sharing their solutions globally in real-time. Support from John LaBrecque and Shirley Winkler will enable CWU to expand the monitoring and detection support they developed into the Oceania region of the Pacific Ocean,
which has some of the world’s biggest earthquake faults and evidence of catastrophic tsunamis. This support will allow for the use of advanced satellite systems to track environmental changes in order to better understand and quickly detect disasters, like tsunamis, aiming to improve warning systems and save lives. Fundraising for this project is ongoing, and John and Shirley hope that their gift will encourage others to support the important work being done to further the data collection and sharing capabilities of CWU that will have a profound impact on the world.
“
Currently, most of the world’s tsunami early warning systems use some combination of seismic monitoring, deep-ocean buoys, or tide gauges, which can take up to an hour to provide the information needed to confidently issue warnings. It’s been shown that GNSS [Global Navigation Satellite Systems] monitoring can significantly improve the speed and reliability of tsunami inundation warnings to within five minutes of an earthquake for regions with dense GNSS networks. This is a dramatic life-saving improvement, especially for those coastal communities nearest to the earthquake.” John LaBrecque, Donor
Learn more about how CWU is providing regional and global agencies with crucial data for disaster forecasting at www.panga.org.
WASBE
“
For decades, CWU’s music program has been well-known across the state and region. This year they had the opportunity to earn international recognition when the CWU Wind Ensemble traveled to South Korea to showcase their talent at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Conference. One of only two schools from the United States invited to the conference, 49 students represented CWU and gained a unique learning experience unlike anything they have experienced before.
The trip has honestly changed my life quite a bit. One thing I decided once we returned to the US was that when I become a jazz band director, I want to take my band to a foreign country and blow people away the same way we did. It was an incredible experience. It made me want to get my life together to achieve the same kind of success that Dr. Feagin has achieved.” Josh DeQuiroz (’26) Music Education and Performance Major Jazz Studies Certificate
“
Receiving an invitation to WASBE is among the highest achievements in the wind band community. For a small university band from a rural town to be considered among the best in the world is such an amazing honor. But for us to perform as well as we did on the world stage was truly incredible. I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished.”
Wind Ensemble Support
Dr. T. André Feagin CWU Director of Bands
218 Donors
These experiences give students the chance to see the world in a new way. When students are given the opportunity for an abroad experience, it helps them grow into more well-rounded, worldly individuals and sparks creativity and fresh ideas that advance their education.
$10,000 Donated by the CWU Foundation Pillars Fund
Alumni Association by the numbers 4,000+ Alumni, friends and donors engaged at local and regional events.
$66,217 Total Raised
9
Top Projects by Dollar 1. Wildcat Promise 2. CWU Wind Ensemble 3. PE and School Health 4. Theatre: Fund a Show 5. Wildcat Pantry Top Projects by of Donations 1. Theatre: Fund a Show
Each year we call on the Wildcat family to come together and help build a brighter future during our annual day of giving, #GiveCentral. The collective generosity of this day not only enriches the university but also amplifies its ability to make a positive, lasting impact on communities. During the 24-hour event, 63 different projects were supported that ranged from bringing chickens to the Wildcat Farm on the CWU campus to students gaining international education experiences through the World Languages study abroad fund. HISTORY SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHING MAJOR
2. Wildcat Pantry 3. Wildcat Promise 4. Mock Trial
5. Wildcat Farm–Bring Chickens to the Farm $111,168 Raised
82
“
Reflecting on this year’s #GiveCentral, we can celebrate unprecedented success with the most projects ever represented, showcasing every college and major area across the university. As we aim to grow this important day each year, we’re excited to harness the strength of the Wildcat community to amplify Central’s impact and make this a true celebration of our shared commitment to excellence.” Kaitlyn Gottlieb CWU Director of Annual Giving
ntral
GiveCe
s
ambas helped ALEXANDER CORDON (’26) sador make this ha spread ppen the wo rd
$39,500 Unlocked Matching Gifts 165 392 Donors
“
I recognize that I, like many other first- generation students, have the power and force to break cycles for the livelihood of ourselves and our future families. When I say thank you for this scholarship, I mean it with the voice of my family, myself, and the family I will have in the future. The opportunity to have been awarded this scholarship means everything to me. It shows me that the good people of the world have entrusted me with the fruits of their labor to better my future.”
Alumni Donors
63 Projects
Harold and Martha Barto Scholarship Virginia Funkley Ward Education Scholarship
WASBE
“
For decades, CWU’s music program has been well-known across the state and region. This year they had the opportunity to earn international recognition when the CWU Wind Ensemble traveled to South Korea to showcase their talent at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Conference. One of only two schools from the United States invited to the conference, 49 students represented CWU and gained a unique learning experience unlike anything they have experienced before.
The trip has honestly changed my life quite a bit. One thing I decided once we returned to the US was that when I become a jazz band director, I want to take my band to a foreign country and blow people away the same way we did. It was an incredible experience. It made me want to get my life together to achieve the same kind of success that Dr. Feagin has achieved.” Josh DeQuiroz (’26) Music Education and Performance Major Jazz Studies Certificate
“
Receiving an invitation to WASBE is among the highest achievements in the wind band community. For a small university band from a rural town to be considered among the best in the world is such an amazing honor. But for us to perform as well as we did on the world stage was truly incredible. I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished.”
Wind Ensemble Support
Dr. T. André Feagin CWU Director of Bands
218 Donors
These experiences give students the chance to see the world in a new way. When students are given the opportunity for an abroad experience, it helps them grow into more well-rounded, worldly individuals and sparks creativity and fresh ideas that advance their education.
$10,000 Donated by the CWU Foundation Pillars Fund
Alumni Association by the numbers 4,000+ Alumni, friends and donors engaged at local and regional events.
$66,217 Total Raised
9
Top Projects by Dollar 1. Wildcat Promise 2. CWU Wind Ensemble 3. PE and School Health 4. Theatre: Fund a Show 5. Wildcat Pantry Top Projects by of Donations 1. Theatre: Fund a Show
Each year we call on the Wildcat family to come together and help build a brighter future during our annual day of giving, #GiveCentral. The collective generosity of this day not only enriches the university but also amplifies its ability to make a positive, lasting impact on communities. During the 24-hour event, 63 different projects were supported that ranged from bringing chickens to the Wildcat Farm on the CWU campus to students gaining international education experiences through the World Languages study abroad fund.
2. Wildcat Pantry 3. Wildcat Promise 4. Mock Trial
5. Wildcat Farm–Bring Chickens to the Farm $111,168 Raised
82
“
Reflecting on this year’s #GiveCentral, we can celebrate unprecedented success with the most projects ever represented, showcasing every college and major area across the university. As we aim to grow this important day each year, we’re excited to harness the strength of the Wildcat community to amplify Central’s impact and make this a true celebration of our shared commitment to excellence.” Kaitlyn Gottlieb CWU Director of Annual Giving
ntral
GiveCe
s
sador
ambas helped this ha spread
make
ppen
rd
the wo
$39,500 Unlocked Matching Gifts 165 392 Donors
Alumni Donors
63 Projects
Heart & Hustle Former CWU baseball player and Distinguished Alumni Awardee Jeff McShane (’85) has established the Heart & Hustle Scholarship at Central to support student- athletes who exhibit standout behaviors, both in athletics and academics. “The criteria for the Heart and Hustle Scholarship are intended to reflect my experiences at Central and the attributes that have benefited me in my career,” said McShane.
“This year’s recipients clearly meet and exceed the criteria for the scholarship, and I am humbled to contribute to their positive experience at Central and to their future pursuits.” This scholarship encourages humility and hard work, helping athletes grow into well- rounded leaders ready to succeed both on and off the field. As these student-athletes graduate and carry these values into their future, the impact of this contribution will keep making a difference, creating a lasting legacy of leadership and inspiration in the communities they become part of. “ I always get brought back to that cold, windy dugout in Ellensburg and our coach telling us to “keep the faith” and to keep working…and the profound effect that experience had on my journey.” Jeff McShane
Alumni Association by the numbers
2,355 New alumni in 2023
11
Heart & Hustle athletes are…
LEADERS They can be counted on, take responsibility, bounce back from challenges, stay humble, and work well as both a teammate and a student. They shine in whatever role they’re in. INSPIRATIONAL They keep going strong when faced with difficulties and setbacks, and through their actions, motivate others to do the same.
KYE JONES (’25)
KARSYN DECKER (’26)
RUGBY PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
SOFTBALL ECONOMICS MAJOR
“
Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honor that has already had a meaningful impact on my journey as a student-athlete. It not only eases the financial burden of balancing my academic and athletic goals but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work and perseverance. With this support, I am more motivated than ever to excel both in the classroom and on the rugby field, ensuring that I make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. The recognition and financial aid provided by this scholarship will empower me to continue striving toward my ambitions with confidence and resilience, knowing that my efforts are supported and appreciated.”
“
I am beyond grateful for being awarded the Heart and Hustle Scholarship. Being recognized for loving the sport I play and how I play it is one of the best feelings. I think most athletes will agree. This scholarship will impact my future by not only helping me with my senior year expenses but by showing me that hard work really does pay off. I can’t think of a better motivator for my senior year than the gift of this scholarship. A big thank you to Jeff McShane and all his support for Central Athletics. As always, Go Cats!”
Industry Partnerships CWU is partnering with industry and community leaders to strengthen its academic programs through impactful collaborations and generous contributions. These efforts enhance student success and program development while promoting community well-being by connecting education with practical application. By cultivating these connections, CWU creates a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for future challenges and nurtures a skilled workforce that has far-reaching benefits for society.
“
INVESTING IN IMPACT
Mortenson’s generosity will support our students in enhancing high-impact practices both in and outside of the classroom. Our students engage in internships that allow them to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. Inside of the classroom they participate in capstone projects, collaborative projects, student engagement activities, and writing-intensive courses, to name a few. We look forward to continued collaboration with them.” Sathyanarayanan Rajendran, Dean College of Education and Professional Studies
Mortenson, a national leader of innovative projects across the country, contributed $50,000 to support CWU’s Safety and Health Management students and program–a gift that extends beyond naming a classroom, taking students into the field for invaluable hands-on experiences.
“
Mortenson is honored to support the CWU Safety and Health Management program with this contribution. As a CWU alum, it is important to me that the program remains strong, and that the next generation of safety professionals is guaranteed a future of education and learning.” Nick Cordell (’16, ’21) Mortenson Safety Director
COUNCIL COMMITMENT STRENGTHENS FOUNDATIONS
Alumni Association by the numbers 1,473 Alumni and students building a global online community in WildcatsConnect
In partnership with the Construction Management department, the Construction Management Industrial Advisory Council raised $40,000 to establish a new professorship role, further showing how industry involvement strengthens the program by filling a need.
13
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT MAJOR
The advisory council is now working towards a larger goal to establish a long-term position for the program which will help the program’s overall effectiveness. This fundraising effort is being made possible by members of the council reaching across their networks to support the growth and development of the program.
In recent years, community behavioral health organizations have experienced a significant workforce shortage and have been challenged to meet the increasing demand for mental health services in local communities. Reestablishing the program will help address the shortage and benefit the region when students graduate and join the workforce. Comprehensive Healthcare’s support will not only revive this crucial program, but also bolster its success by providing funding for dedicated faculty. This partnership opportunity strengthens a shared commitment to building mental health resources that will benefit local communities.
“ KEIRA MOORE (’27)
When our advisory board learned that an opportunity existed to create an endowed professorship to support and strengthen the CWU Construction Management program, we stepped up and launched a fundraising campaign to prove that the Pacific Northwest architecture, engineering,
“
and construction community would wholeheartedly back the program.” You have no idea how grateful I am, and I will never forget the people who supported me when I had close to nothing. My interest in construction started at a young age, and after graduation I would like to continue Mike Yellam (’10) “ living in this community that I know and love. What is important to me is having a career that is fulfilling and gives me purpose.” REBUILDING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
We’re confident in this partnership that develops a pipeline to significantly impact the workforce shortage we’ve seen over the years in community behavioral healthcare. We’re proud to be able to offer this gift to reestablish the CWU MHC graduate program which will make a significant impact on the lives of local residents by preparing more counselors to deliver high-quality mental health care in the community within a couple of years.”
Jodi Daly, PhD Comprehensive Healthcare Chief Executive Officer CWU Foundation Board Member
Amid a growing need for mental health support, Comprehensive Healthcare has paved the way to reestablish the Mental Health Counseling (MHC) graduate program at Central.
Wildcat Promise Recipient
Industry Partnerships CWU is partnering with industry and community leaders to strengthen its academic programs through impactful collaborations and generous contributions. These efforts enhance student success and program development while promoting community well-being by connecting education with practical application. By cultivating these connections, CWU creates a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for future challenges and nurtures a skilled workforce that has far-reaching benefits for society.
“
INVESTING IN IMPACT
Mortenson’s generosity will support our students in enhancing high-impact practices both in and outside of the classroom. Our students engage in internships that allow them to apply the knowledge they learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. Inside of the classroom they participate in capstone projects, collaborative projects, student engagement activities, and writing-intensive courses, to name a few. We look forward to continued collaboration with them.” Sathyanarayanan Rajendran, Dean College of Education and Professional Studies
Mortenson, a national leader of innovative projects across the country, contributed $50,000 to support CWU’s Safety and Health Management students and program–a gift that extends beyond naming a classroom, taking students into the field for invaluable hands-on experiences.
“
Mortenson is honored to support the CWU Safety and Health Management program with this contribution. As a CWU alum, it is important to me that the program remains strong, and that the next generation of safety professionals is guaranteed a future of education and learning.” Nick Cordell (’16, ’21) Mortenson Safety Director
COUNCIL COMMITMENT STRENGTHENS FOUNDATIONS
Alumni Association by the numbers 1,473 Alumni and students building a global online community in WildcatsConnect
In partnership with the Construction Management department, the Construction Management Industrial Advisory Council raised $40,000 to establish a new professorship role, further showing how industry involvement strengthens the program by filling a need.
13
The advisory council is now working towards a larger goal to establish a long-term position for the program which will help the program’s overall effectiveness. This fundraising effort is being made possible by members of the council reaching across their networks to support the growth and development of the program.
In recent years, community behavioral health organizations have experienced a significant workforce shortage and have been challenged to meet the increasing demand for mental health services in local communities. Reestablishing the program will help address the shortage and benefit the region when students graduate and join the workforce. Comprehensive Healthcare’s support will not only revive this crucial program, but also bolster its success by providing funding for dedicated faculty. This partnership opportunity strengthens a shared commitment to building mental health resources that will benefit local communities.
“
When our advisory board learned that an opportunity existed to create an endowed professorship to support and strengthen the CWU Construction Management program, we stepped up and launched a fundraising campaign to prove that the Pacific Northwest architecture, engineering,
“
and construction community would wholeheartedly back the program.”
We’re confident in this partnership that develops a pipeline to significantly impact the workforce shortage we’ve seen over the years in community behavioral healthcare. We’re proud to be able to offer this gift to reestablish the CWU MHC graduate program which will make a significant impact on the lives of local residents by preparing more counselors to deliver high-quality mental health care in the community within a couple of years.”
Mike Yellam (’10)
REBUILDING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Jodi Daly, PhD Comprehensive Healthcare Chief Executive Officer CWU Foundation Board Member
Amid a growing need for mental health support, Comprehensive Healthcare has paved the way to reestablish the Mental Health Counseling (MHC) graduate program at Central.
Art Legacy Elevates CWU
“
Dixie Parker Fairbanks left behind a legacy at CWU for her late husband Richard Fairbanks, a former Central Washington State College ceramics professor and renowned potter. The estate gift includes a collection of Richard’s pottery to be displayed at CWU, as well as artwork from Dixie, and the creation of a nearly one-million- dollar fund to support the proper conservation of the university art collection, student employment opportunities, collection management work, and the creation of the Fairbanks Gallery. This will allow for collaboration with CWU museum studies and anthropology students who can complete their internship requirement by inventorying the Richard Fairbanks work into the larger university collection, which will be a multi- year project. CWU is also in the early planning stages to replace the current Art + Design building (Randall Hall) with a new art education building that will be the home of the Fairbanks Gallery.
Richard Fairbanks was an important figure in the ceramics and art world. With Richard’s work being part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, having his art on campus elevates CWU’s prestige in the art world. Displaying his collection creates the potential to draw scholars and visitors from around the world to see and study this internationally distinguished collection. This funding will open the doors to many opportunities for students and provide them with the next level of programming. It will also allow for proper conservation and inventorying of both the Fairbanks and university collections, creating internship and job opportunities for students.” Gregg Schlanger Department of Art + Design Chair, CWU
Alumni Association by the numbers 215 Wildcats volunteered as mentors, on boards, and as classroom speakers
15
foundry10, Providing Essential Research Support Undergraduate research offers valuable benefits for both students and faculty, helping develop critical thinking, teamwork, and strong analytical skills. It encourages deeper thinking by pushing students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and make connections within their field. Faculty get the opportunity to work alongside students where they can gain fresh perspectives and create an environment of mutual learning and growth.
Student Experiential Research and Immersive Studies in the Arts Grants
4
3
Faculty- Student Research Groups
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR MATHEMATICS— MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION MAJOR
Educational research organization foundry10 has invested in these research opportunities at CWU to assist students and faculty in furthering the way they learn.
Undergraduate research is one of the most promising high-impact practices to enhance student engagement and success. The scope of our research grant program goes beyond traditional scientific research, and we support and advance student scholarship and creative activities such as creative writing, arts, performance, and entrepreneurship. Through those activities, students are able to enhance their academic curiosity, learn new approaches to express themselves, and challenge them to critically resolve real-world problems.” Yoshiko Takahashi Dean of Undergraduate Studies, CWU “ ISABELLE SILVERNAIL (’26)
2
Student Presentations
“
CONSECUTIVE GIVING MATTERS Since 1996, retired Emeritus faculty member Bob Jones (’71) and his wife, Marie, have shown their continuous support for Central year after year. Not only did Bob work for the library, but he was also part of the committee that established the Friends of the Library Fund with the CWU Foundation. When Bob retired from Central, he and Marie never wavered in their commitment to CWU and the libraries. The significance of what our library can offer because of consistent gifts, like the Jones’, has made a large impact on students and the resources available to them. Because of donors, some of my financial stress is lifted from my shoulders and I can focus more on what college should be about—my education. It is difficult to put into words the way that this donation will change my life. You are assisting me in my dream of becoming a teacher, and for that I will forever be grateful.”
William D. Floyd Scholarship
Art Legacy Elevates CWU
“
Dixie Parker Fairbanks left behind a legacy at CWU for her late husband Richard Fairbanks, a former Central Washington State College ceramics professor and renowned potter. The estate gift includes a collection of Richard’s pottery to be displayed at CWU, as well as artwork from Dixie, and the creation of a nearly one-million- dollar fund to support the proper conservation of the university art collection, student employment opportunities, collection management work, and the creation of the Fairbanks Gallery. This will allow for collaboration with CWU museum studies and anthropology students who can complete their internship requirement by inventorying the Richard Fairbanks work into the larger university collection, which will be a multi- year project. CWU is also in the early planning stages to replace the current Art + Design building (Randall Hall) with a new art education building that will be the home of the Fairbanks Gallery.
Richard Fairbanks was an important figure in the ceramics and art world. With Richard’s work being part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, having his art on campus elevates CWU’s prestige in the art world. Displaying his collection creates the potential to draw scholars and visitors from around the world to see and study this internationally distinguished collection. This funding will open the doors to many opportunities for students and provide them with the next level of programming. It will also allow for proper conservation and inventorying of both the Fairbanks and university collections, creating internship and job opportunities for students.” Gregg Schlanger Department of Art + Design Chair, CWU
Alumni Association by the numbers 215 Wildcats volunteered as mentors, on boards, and as classroom speakers
15
foundry10, Providing Essential Research Support Undergraduate research offers valuable benefits for both students and faculty, helping develop critical thinking, teamwork, and strong analytical skills. It encourages deeper thinking by pushing students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and make connections within their field. Faculty get the opportunity to work alongside students where they can gain fresh perspectives and create an environment of mutual learning and growth.
Student Experiential Research and Immersive Studies in the Arts Grants
4
3
Faculty- Student Research Groups
Educational research organization foundry10 has invested in these research opportunities at CWU to assist students and faculty in furthering the way they learn.
Undergraduate research is one of the most promising high-impact practices to enhance student engagement and success. The scope of our research grant program goes beyond traditional scientific research, and we support and advance student scholarship and creative activities such as creative writing, arts, performance, and entrepreneurship. Through those activities, students are able to enhance their academic curiosity, learn new approaches to express themselves, and challenge them to critically resolve real-world problems.” Yoshiko Takahashi Dean of Undergraduate Studies, CWU “
2
Student Presentations
CONSECUTIVE GIVING MATTERS Since 1996, retired Emeritus faculty member Bob Jones (’71) and his wife, Marie, have shown their continuous support for Central year after year. Not only did Bob work for the library, but he was also part of the committee that established the Friends of the Library Fund with the CWU Foundation. When Bob retired from Central, he and Marie never wavered in their commitment to CWU and the libraries. The significance of what our library can offer because of consistent gifts, like the Jones’, has made a large impact on students and the resources available to them.
Facts and Figures
$9,365,015 Total FY24 Fundraising (Includes new gifts, pledges, and bequest expectancies.)
$64,139,306 CWU Foundation Total Net Assets*
$42,375,026 CWU Foundation Total Endowed Funds*
$6,363,372 Support for Programs, Faculty, and Facilities
17
$2,997,827 Support for Scholarships
3,210 Total Donors
AVIATION MANAGEMENT MAJOR
660 Student Scholarship Recipients
820 Total Scholarships Awarded
BENJAMIN SERVATIUS (’25)
“
This scholarship has not only alleviated financial burdens but has also played a crucial role in my personal growth allowing me to focus on my studies and training. Following the flight instructor rating, I plan to teach at CWU and look forward to working with future students who are eager to fly, just like me.”
*Data as of June 30, 2024
McIntyre-Smith Scholarship
Facts and Figures
$9,365,015 Total FY24 Fundraising (Includes new gifts, pledges, and bequest expectancies.)
$64,139,306 CWU Foundation Total Net Assets*
$42,375,026 CWU Foundation Total Endowed Funds*
$6,363,372 Support for Programs, Faculty, and Facilities
17
$2,997,827 Support for Scholarships
3,210 Total Donors
660 Student Scholarship Recipients
820 Total Scholarships Awarded
*Data as of June 30, 2024
Facts and Figures
16 New Endowments
UNDERSTANDING CURRENT USE FUNDS VS. ENDOWMENTS
At Central Washington University, current use funds are essential for meeting immediate needs, such as providing annual scholarships for deserving students. In contrast, endowments serve as a foundational pillar, generating a steady stream of income that supports long-term initiatives in perpetuity. The interest from these funds ensures consistent resources for scholarships and key programs, securing the future of our students. While current use funds offer immediate impact, endowments allow donors to create lasting legacies, enhancing our ability to provide exceptional educational experiences and foster a vibrant campus community.
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Visit our website to learn more about the CWU Foundation Board and who is currently serving.
VISION We will be a significant, long-term partner of CWU and help the university become an institution of distinction by meaningfully growing economic resources and expanding donor relationships. MISSION In partnership with CWU and our donors, our mission is to transform the lives of current and future generations of students by developing and stewarding resources that provide access, opportunity, and hope.
To build a passionate Wildcat Nation. provided by these boards has not only impacted individual lives but also enhanced the university as a whole. Their efforts continue to drive the university’s mission forward. and ensuring a bright future for the university. The support and leadership Throughout FY24, the CWU Alumni and Foundation Boards have been instrumental in fostering opportunities for growth, strengthening connections,
Visit our website to learn more about the CWU Alumni Association
Board and who is currently serving.
VISION
MISSION
THANK YOU
The mission of the association is to support the Central Washington University community through cultivation, engagement and development of its alumni and friends.
Facts and Figures
16 New Endowments
UNDERSTANDING CURRENT USE FUNDS VS. ENDOWMENTS
At Central Washington University, current use funds are essential for meeting immediate needs, such as providing annual scholarships for deserving students. In contrast, endowments serve as a foundational pillar, generating a steady stream of income that supports long-term initiatives in perpetuity. The interest from these funds ensures consistent resources for scholarships and key programs, securing the future of our students. While current use funds offer immediate impact, endowments allow donors to create lasting legacies, enhancing our ability to provide exceptional educational experiences and foster a vibrant campus community.
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