Dear friends,
As the year draws to a close, I want to express my deep gratitude for all you do to support the Carson College of Business.
Our strength comes from the power of our community—not only our faculty, staff, and students, but the 38,000-plus alumni and friends who share our vision for providing a first-class business education and contributing to a diverse and vibrant Pacific Northwest economy.
We want every business student at WSU to build lifelong friendships and professional networks. As we deliver those “aha!” learning moments, we’re also working to foster students’ relationships with faculty and advisors who take time to listen and provide the feedback and encouragement that set them up for success.
In so many ways, Carson alumni and friends of the college pay these experiences forward—by being guest speakers in classes, mentoring students, serving on advisory boards, and contributing financially to scholarships and college programs. Every day, I see the powerful legacy our supporters’ gifts create for our students and faculty. The impact of those gifts is multiplied when our graduates build businesses and serve their communities.
Our students are optimistic, full of purpose, and eager to learn and leave their mark in business. They have dreams for themselves, their families, and a better world. Whenever I spend time with our students, I am reenergized by their commitment to their education and the Cougar community.
In this issue of eDividend, we showcase examples of the Carson College’s transformative educational experience made possible through the support of alumni and friends.
Just this month, a $3.5 million gift from an anonymous donor established the Carson College of Business Endowed Program for Student Success in Accounting. The program will help accounting students with communication and leadership skills development, career consulting, and networking opportunities.
And it’s not just accounting students who are benefiting from your support for our pioneering efforts in business education across WSU. The college’s Professional Sales Program—which is open to all majors—recently expanded to meet the needs of industry through the generous support from program sponsors. I’m also pleased to highlight the Center for Entrepreneurship’s work with WSU athletes through a class that explores athletes’ earning opportunities related to name, image, and likeness. Our alumni are guest speakers in the class on topics like corporate sponsorships, personal finance, and branding.
In this issue, you’ll also meet recent graduates Kathryn, Kristen, and Michael Saba—triplets who extended their time at WSU to earn triple majors in entrepreneurship, finance, and management. Thanks to scholarships provided by donors, the siblings were able to graduate debt-free.
If you aren’t already engaged with the Carson College, I invite you to join our work. Your year-end gift to the Carson College Fund is a critical resource that allows the college to continue serving any business student willing and able to do the work. Together, we are opening the doors of opportunity for our students and developing tomorrow’s business leaders.
From all of us at the Carson College, I wish you a happy holiday season.
Go Cougs!
Chip Hunter, Dean