A Message from Don Lionetti

First of all, I want to thank Chris Burdett for his service as chair of the Carson College of Business National Board of Advisors (NBoA). Chris’s passion and dedication for WSU and his role as chairman were critical as we welcomed a new dean for the college and a new WSU president. I am hopeful that I can be equally impactful.

In the year or so that I have known Dean Chip Hunter, I have been truly impressed that his first order of business wasn’t to dictate a new vision but to first gather input from his faculty and staff, board members, business leaders, and students.

Understanding the evolution of the college was key to being able to deliver and implement his vision. After a year of research, Chip’s charter is to “become the business school for tomorrow’s land-grant university and the top choice for business education in the Pacific Northwest.” Lofty goals indeed, but we have the ability to meet them and achieve this dream. It will be a collective effort, and we will need all the oars in the water to help pull our boat to the realization of this mission.

This is where our friends, supporters, and you—our alumni—come in. Please consider donating to the Dean’s Excellence Fund for the Carson College, becoming a President’s Associate, endowing a scholarship fund, helping jump-start innovation, committing to a legacy gift, or engaging in other support opportunities. Many companies provide a matching gift program to double your impact. Director of Development Jeff Pilcher and his team can guide you to the best giving opportunity to match your passions.

We also encourage business professionals to join our NBoA unit boards. Serving on these boards is a way to interact with students and make a difference at WSU. To learn more, please visit go.wsu.edu/ccbnboa.

For over 10 years, I have served on and chaired the Marketing Advisory Board, and I look forward to drawing from my experiences from this board and my business experience at Microsoft and Xerox to lead our NBoA into our next era. The most rewarding experience of my life has been to be part of WSU, initially as a student, and now later in life by serving on this board and donating my time, talent, and treasure. I hope this message inspires you to engage with us!

I also encourage you to contact me at 425-830-7727 or donlion@microsoft.com, should you have any questions, ideas, or advice about the Carson College or our National Board of Advisors.

– Don Lionetti | ’87 Marketing