Philanthropists, business leaders, and WSU supporters Michael and Virginia Jessemey McCarty received the WSU Alumni Association Alumni Achievement Award in September. Virginia graduated in 1974 with a broadcasting degree, and Michael earned his degree in recreation in 1975. He recently retired as chief executive officer of the Association of Washington Cities. She is the owner of McCarty & Associates marketing firm, which she founded in 1986.
Michael has been manager of the Thurston Conservation District, administrator for the City of Shelton, past president of the Washington City Management Association, and board member for the National League of Cities. He was appointed by former Gov. Chris Gregoire to a select committee on the state budget and was invited to be part of a state delegation that met with President Barack Obama and his cabinet.
Virginia is founder and owner of Events at 16 Maples. She has worked for WSU Athletics sports information, Sunkist Inc., and Swimming World magazine. She is a founding member of the Centennial Guild to support Mason General Hospital in Shelton.
Lifetime members of the Alumni Association, they created the Jessemey/McCarty Family Scholarship in WSU’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. Virginia is also a member of the professional advisory board for the Murrow College.