The first freshman class at Washington State University Tri-Cities got another financial boost Tuesday when CH2M Hill Hanford Group announced a $100,000 donation to the freshman scholarship program.
The money will help provide $6,000 to each member of the first freshman class at the university -- $3,000 for their first year and $3,000 during their senior year for maintaining full-time status and completing their bachelor's degrees at WSU Tri-Cities.
That makes another 16 or so students who get the chance at a college education, said John Fulton, president and chief executive officer of CH2M Hill.
He made the announcement during the Freshman Scholarship Luncheon on the university campus, before an audience of students, their families and others who have donated to the fund.
"There is no way we could do what we do without community support and involvement," said Vicky Carwein, university chancellor.
The university had planned to enroll 50 students for the first class, each of which would receive the $6,000 offer. The number quickly jumped to more than 100.
"When we saw the applications coming in we knew we'd have to double our fundraising efforts," she said.
The community stepped up to the challenge.
"Nobody blinked an eye," Carwein said.
With Tuesday's donation, the fund is about $40,000 short of its more than $500,000 goal, she said.
About 30 individuals and businesses who made contributions to the fund were also recognized at the luncheon.
The money is vital to WSU Tri-Cities students, Carwein said. Many are working to put themselves through school, as well as being first-generation college students.
Sheri Stewart, a freshman psychology major from Kennewick, said she works full-time along with attending classes. So far she's got straight A's, she said.
"If I didn't have (the scholarship) I wouldn't be going to college," Stewart said.
Fulton said when his company found out about the influx of freshmen, it decided to give the money as part of CH2M Hill's ongoing commitment to support the school.
The company is the largest single donor to the university, having given $2.1 million. That includes $60,000 donated to the freshman scholarship fund last May.
"The kids needed it," Fulton said, adding that "you never know" what positive impacts they'll make in the future.
About 60 freshman students attended the luncheon, of more than 100 enrolled for the spring semester.
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