WSU Regent Ron Sims delivers the keynote speech at the anniversary banquet.
PULLMAN, Wash. – In celebration of the Office of Multicultural Student Services’ 25th anniversary, a new endowment has been established to help ensure MSS’ high-touch services will keep up with Washington State University’s growing diverse student population.
WSU alumnus Robert Thompson ‘85 and his wife Keli made a $40,000 donation to kick off fundraising for the endowment. Proceeds from the 25th anniversary banquet held in October and additional donations and pledges have brought the amount raised to $72,000.
MSS also received $100,000 from Boeing to support the Team Mentoring Program and $5,000 from Nordstrom to support programming in the Academic Enrichment Center.
Much of the money raised during the banquet came from a silent auction and personal donations.
Much of the money raised during the banquet came from a silent auction and personal donations.
“We really appreciate the generosity of many of our alumni and friends as well as the tremendous support we received from local businesses, WSU departments and others who donated great items for the auction,” said J. Manuel Acevedo, director of MSS. “And for those who haven’t yet made a donation in recognition of our anniversary, it isn’t too late:” donations can be made online at http://mss.wsu.edu.
Acevedo said the anniversary activities held in October were a big success. The series culminated with the banquet, attended by several hundred students, faculty, staff and alumni in the CUB ballroom.
In the days following the banquet, many participants still were talking about the electrifying keynote speech delivered by Ron Sims, a WSU regent and former deputy secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development.
“We really couldn’t have asked for a better keynote speech,” said Acevedo. “His personalized messages of fighting inequality and promoting educational opportunities for all really hit home with the audience.”
Acevedo said the anniversary activities held in October were a big success. The series culminated with the banquet, attended by several hundred students, faculty, staff and alumni in the CUB ballroom.
In the days following the banquet, many participants still were talking about the electrifying keynote speech delivered by Ron Sims, a WSU regent and former deputy secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development.
“We really couldn’t have asked for a better keynote speech,” said Acevedo. “His personalized messages of fighting inequality and promoting educational opportunities for all really hit home with the audience.”
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Lucila Loera, WSU assistant vice
president for Student Affairs and Enrollment, received a Legacy Award during the program. |
Several WSU alumni, employees and programs were recognized with Legacy Awards, including:
• Mareth Flores de Francis (alumna)
• Brian Gunn (alumnus)
• Christiaan Brown (alumnus)
• David Iyall (alumnus)
• Steven Burkett (faculty emeritus)
• Lucila Loera (staff)
• Stephen Sneed (first MSS director)
• WSU programs SHAPING, CASHE, VIBES and Pah-Loots-Pu Pow Wow
• WSU Council of Multicultural Student Presidents
• WSU Association of Pacific and Asian Women
• Mareth Flores de Francis (alumna)
• Brian Gunn (alumnus)
• Christiaan Brown (alumnus)
• David Iyall (alumnus)
• Steven Burkett (faculty emeritus)
• Lucila Loera (staff)
• Stephen Sneed (first MSS director)
• WSU programs SHAPING, CASHE, VIBES and Pah-Loots-Pu Pow Wow
• WSU Council of Multicultural Student Presidents
• WSU Association of Pacific and Asian Women
“During this celebration, we have reached thousands of alumni, friends, students and members of the Cougar family,” said Acevedo. “Together we have reminisced about significant accomplishments, shared our visions for the future and recommitted to advancing the diversity legacy at our university.”