February 6, 2017 WSU Tri-Cities partners with Anthony’s to raise $33,550 for Carson College of Business programming
By Maegan Murray
Washington State University Tri-Cities’ recent Point to Success Brunch raised $33,550 for the Carson College of Business’ degree programs, which will go directly toward supporting student success on the Tri-Cities campus.
“We are incredibly grateful for the funds we received, which help us to achieve excellence by having resources beyond state funding,” said Donna Paul, WSU Tri-Cities Carson College of Business academic director. “Dollars raised at the event are directly invested in business education at WSU Tri-Cities, providing resources for student academic and career success, faculty research and teaching effectiveness.”
In addition to a gourmet meal, which was entirely donated by Anthony’s at Columbia Point, those in attendance also participated in a silent auction, a wine grab and heard presentations by and conversed with a range of prominent local and regional community members. Some of those individuals included WSU and NFL football great Jack 
Thompson; WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Keith Moo-Young; WSU Board of Regents chair Lura Powell; WSU Carson College of Business Dean Chip Hunter; Nancy Swanger, WSU director of the School of Hospitality Business Management; and Superior Court Judge Bruce Spanner.
“The feedback from the attendees and WSU administration is that the event was a huge success,” said Gary Spanner, WSU Tri-Cities advisory board chair for the Carson College of Business. “Going in, nobody knew what to expect of a Saturday brunch in the dead of winter, but it turned out to be a fun, novel, and effective fundraising approach. And importantly, all of the funds raised stay in the Tri-Cities to support the Carson College at WSU Tri-Cities. Anthony’s wants to make it an annual event, so we’re looking forward to holding the next one.”
In addition to serving as a fundraiser, Paul said the event served to raise awareness about the importance of growing community partnerships that are crucial to both student and faculty success. It also provided an opportunity to showcase how WSU Tri-Cities is educating its business students with hands-on, career-based opportunities as a result of those same community partnerships.
At WSU Tri-Cities’ Carson College of Business, students can earn baccalaureate degrees in hospitality and wine business management, business administration and a master’s in business administration. Paul said area companies realize the value of educating the upcoming workforce and partner regularly with the university for success workshops, opportunities in internships and other professional experiences.
“People often think of the Tri-Cities as a technocracy, and while they should, business is an essential part of the success of technology businesses, as well as agriculture businesses and health care organizations, to name a few,” Spanner said. “By supporting excellence at the Carson College at WSU Tri-Cities, we’re supporting excellence in the future of the entire Tri-Cities. A very large percentage of local graduates stay in the Tri-Cities to pursue their careers.”
Spanner said they are also grateful that Anthony’s donated so many of their resources toward the event.
“The advisory board of the Carson College of Business at WSU Tri-Cities was floored when Anthony’s restaurant offered to host this brunch at no charge,” he said. “The wait staff even donated their time for the event, and we are deeply grateful for that.”
To donate to the WSU Tri-Cities Carson College of Business and other university programs, visit https://tricities.wsu.edu/give/.
For more information about degree programs offered through WSU Tri-Cities’ Carson College of Business, and to apply, visit https://tricities.wsu.edu/business/.