When you choose a gift for a special person in your life, you want to pick just the right one. A gift that will delight when it’s opened and make an impact for years to come.
Recently, we received a postcard from a 1947 graduate whose father gave her a WSU Alumni Association Life Membership for graduation over 70 years ago. She told us that she thinks of her dad every time she receives something from the WSUAA. There aren’t many gifts that can prompt that kind of gratitude nearly three-quarters of a century later.
Many of our members choose this gift for the Coug (or Cougs) in their lives. Mike Politeo ’79, a Platinum Life Member and devoted Coug, wanted to provide a meaningful graduation gift to his oldest son, Spencer ’10. Mike recalls, “When we presented him with his Life Membership in the Alumni Association, he was ecstatic. Spence loved it.”
Steve Huhta ’73 saw a similar opportunity when trying to pick the perfect birthday present for his son, Karl ’09. Because Karl’s birthday falls during the holiday season, the gift needed to stand out. In addition, since Karl works for WSU Athletics, Steve wanted the gift to radiate Cougar Spirit. As a Platinum Life Member himself, Steve decided to give his son his own Platinum Life Membership. Now their names are both engraved on the Platinum Life Member Wall of Honor in the Lewis Alumni Centre in Pullman.
Whether it’s a graduation, birthday, or holiday gift, we hear so many stories of how much the gift of membership means to Cougs. Kristin Vog ’89 received annual gift memberships from her father, Wally, for years. “When I graduated, I told him I wanted to stay connected to WSU.” Kristin said her dad saw a WSUAA ad in Washington State Magazine (true story) and decided membership would be a great way to help his daughter stay in touch with the University. “That year, and every year after, my annual membership card showed up in the mail. It was just something he did for me. This year, I decided to become a Life Member, but I’m so thankful for my father’s gift of helping me stay close to my alma mater.”
If you would like to give the gift of membership for any occasion, please let us know. We will be glad to help you make someone’s day, year, or life. Call us at 1-800-ALUM-WSU or purchase online at alumni.wsu.edu/gift.