On March 1st, two WSU alumni families launched a generous donation challenge for WSU athletic programs, with one of the two families consisting of SigEp National Housing Director and active WA Alpha alumni Ken Christianson and his wife Sue.
The challenge consists of every donation toward a new Indoor Practice Facility (IPF) and a Champions Complex being matched dollar for dollar by Ken and Sue Christianson and Scott and Lisa Taylor.
The challenge lasts until August 31st and has a goal of $6 million in donations.
The Indoor Practice Facility aims to give student-athletes a place to practice their craft year-round while escaping the harsh weather conditions that the Palouse is known for, and will be open to all athletic programs that need it, ranging from Women’s Soccer to Football.
The Champions Complex allows student-athletes to have a place off of the field where they can focus on their academics, mental health, and professional development. It will include access to academic advisors, counselors, and tutoring resources.
“WSU is in a big need for enhanced facilities for student-athletes,” said Ken, “Athletics are spread around on campus, and these facilities would nucleate athletic activities to one location for student-athletes.”
The Christianson’s focus remains with the Champions Complex. They believe providing student-athletes with resources to focus on academics, mental health, counseling, and life after college is essential.
This donation challenge has received applause from numerous WSU affiliates, including WSU President Kirk Schultz and head Football coach Nick Rolovich.
Ken Christianson ’74 has always remained actively involved with both WSU and Washington Alpha. He has volunteered for over 20 years with the SigEp Alumni Volunteer Corporation, serving as AVC President for his chapter, Vice President of Communications and Fundraising, and Vice President of Property Management.
When Washington Alpha closed in 2003, Ken was the driving force behind the rebirth of the chapter, taking aggressive action to lead a capital campaign for housing and scholarships.
Ken continues to visit the Washington Alpha regularly and we are ever so grateful for his dedication, leadership, and involvement.
Ken’s involvement in the university lies extensively with the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences as that was the basis of his and his wife’s education and career. Simultaneously, Ken and Sue have supported WSU athletics over the years.
“Athletics is an important component within the university,” Ken said, “It connects alumni across different colleges and interest groups within the university, and we feel it is a very important component within the higher education process. It helps bring alumni back together and have a common flag to wave.”
Both families hope that their matching fund challenge will encourage alumni and students alike to participate in this historic opportunity to support our WSU athletes. An added bonus to meeting the challenge is that considerable savings in construction-related expenses will result from breaking ground simultaneously on both projects
The WSU community and the community of Pullman are grateful for the generosity of these two families and are excited to see what comes of the two facilities.
If you would like to donate to the construction of the IPF or Champions Complex, it can be done below: