Ginny Woodhouse of Boeing (center) is surrounded by recipients of the Boeing Scholarships at a recent lunch on campus.

Giving is a personal choice and the reasons for supporting Western Washington University vary.  Your investment in Western is a sound one and supports outstanding faculty and students. Western again ranks second among public master’s-granting universities in the West, according to the 2008 U.S. News & World Report college rankings. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine also ranks WWU high among the top 100 public colleges and universities in the nation that "combine outstanding value with a first-class education."  In the February 2007 issue, Western was ranked 48th on its list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges in the United States.

More than 651 strong, Western faculty focus their efforts on all aspects of the undergraduate experience.  And students come to Western because of our unabashed commitment to a quality liberal arts undergraduate education.  They are among the most well-prepared college students in our state, and once on campus, commit themselves to academic excellence, community service and physical well-being.

Ways to impact Western are numerous.  Cash gifts meet both the University’s immediate and long-term needs. Gifts received via the Phonathon, special mail projects and the President’s Club are utilized by the designated departments to support scholarships, equipment needs and faculty enrichment. These annual gifts provide much-needed flexibility and provide resources that cannot be met through the state budget.

President’s Club members lead the way in annual giving, supporting countless area of campus. These gifts of $1,000 or above have a significant impact on the University, and President’s Club members have the opportunity to become active in the life of Western through a number of special events. For more information on the President’s Club and the list of benefits, click here.

Other cash gifts, the majority which is realized through estate or planned gifts, are typically placed in endowments for long-term growth. These endowments work in perpetuity, providing an annual stream of funding from interest earnings. In some instances, certain planned gifts can benefit both the university and the donor, providing tax relief and annual income.

Events throughout the year highlight Western programs to local communities. The annual Bellingham and Seattle Business Forums showcase business leaders sharing their insights into what makes them and their companies successful.  Best selling author and Managing Director at TCG Advisors, Geoffrey Moore addressed the Bellingham Forum in 2006 and Kerry Killinger, Chairman and CEO of Washington Mutual, was the keynote for the 2007 Seattle Business Forum. Scholarship lunches, the annual President’s Club dinners in Seattle and Bellingham and the thought-provoking President's Distinguished Lecture Series and Turning Points Lecture series are also highlights.

A Western Washington University education pays dividends for a lifetime. And those that help make it possible through their generous sharing of resources are playing an important role in our success. As Western continues to be recognized for undergraduate excellence, exceptional attention to students by faculty and the availability of state-of-the-art technology, gifts from alumni, parents and friends play an ever-increasingly important role. Your gifts make a difference and the entire campus community is grateful for your confidence and commitment.