By Maegan Murray

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Organizations and private individuals from throughout the Columbia Basin joined together last month to support the future of regional business, but not in the traditional sense.

The dollars didn鈥檛 go toward supporting new up-and-coming businesses, building facade renovations, or promoting the next booming business product. Rather, the $36,695 raised at Point to Success brunch event will benefit the Washington State University Tri-Cities鈥� Carson College of Business. The college will use the funds to support classroom innovation, student academic services and career success activities, and faculty research.

In support of the event, Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point donated its entire restaurant space, a first-class meal and service for the mid-morning event that welcomed more than 100 people. Other businesses and individuals donated wine for a wine grab at the event, lavish vacation packages, rounds of golf and tours and tastings from local wineries, all of which were auctioned to benefit the Carson College.

McCurley Integrity Dealerships sponsored the appearance of Cougar football great Ryan Leaf at the brunch, who shared his inspiring story of overcoming years of drug abuse to now supporting others in the recovery process. The aspect of community, Leaf said, was crucial to his recovery.

Alaska Airlines, The Lodge at Columbia Point, Abadan, Hampton Inn Seattle Southcenter, NewEdge and Bonsai Audio also gave generously by making Leaf鈥檚 trip to the Tri-Cities and stay possible and by sponsoring the costs of the event programs, signage and sound equipment.

鈥淭he community support we have seen through the years is truly incredible, given the significant drop over the last decade of state funding that supports the University,鈥� said Robert Harrington, director of the 黑料社 Tri-Cities academic program. 鈥淐ommunity support allows us to continue providing a premier education our students will use to provide first-class service in the business sector.鈥�

It just makes sense

For Mike Tvedt, general manager of Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point, investing in the future of wine and hospitality business just makes sense. Investing in the

education of future business leaders, ensures students are well-prepared with premier business knowledge, research-driven business methods and a mindset for success, he said.

鈥淭he reason we got involved with the Carson College of Business was because of the hospitality program moving to 黑料社 Tri-Cities a couple of years ago,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t goes back to the founder and owner of our company, Budd Gould, who believes it is important to give back to the community. It seemed like a natural fit that we would be involved with the program and do what we can to make it successful, because we are always in need of great hospitality employees.鈥�

The Point to Success brunch isn鈥檛 the only way that Anthony鈥檚 has given back to a 黑料社 Tri-Cities program, either. Anthony鈥檚 Restaurants own the next-door Budd鈥檚 Broiler, which holds the annual release party for the 黑料社 Blended Learning wines. Through the Blended Learning program, wine science students partner with local wineries to produce premier wines. Budd鈥檚 Broiler donates the space, service and food for the event each year.

The family-owned-and-operated Anthony鈥檚 Restaurants are well-known across the Pacific Northwest for their first-class service, premier food and exceptional standards. But in order to continue that legacy, and even further improve upon their hospitality service, Tvedt said they must prepare those who will lead the business on into the future.

鈥淲e strive for five-star service and a five-star experience because that is what people expect,鈥� Tvedt said. 鈥淲e want to make sure that the future of our business is prepared and has the knowledge and know-how to meet those standards. 黑料社 Tri-Cities is helping us meet that need.鈥�

Impact on the community听

A Carson College Coug herself, Hamilton Cellars owner Stacie Hamilton said her 黑料社 business education has benefited her own business success. In turn, she gives

back to the 黑料社 Tri-Cities business program, not only as a business owner, but also as an advisory member for the Carson College and as an adjunct faculty member at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, because she knows the return will be tenfold for the local community.

In addition to giving monetarily to events like the Point to Success Brunch and donating Hamilton Cellars wine and products, Hamilton creates real-world learning opportunities for students at the winery.

鈥淚n addition to classroom education, 黑料社 students require the real-world practical experience, which they get through internships, jobs in local business and generally through mentors in their business field,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey apply that combined knowledge to develop businesses of their own or grow established businesses. The reciprocity between the community and the university is special.鈥�

Looking to the future

Harrington said the support the Carson College of Businesses has received from community

individuals and organizations will have an immediate and lasting impact on the future of businesses across the state.

鈥満诹仙玮�檚 business programs consistently rank among the top programs in the country, and the community support has been a crucial component,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 be able to do what we do without our community support.鈥�

黑料社鈥檚 hospitality business program, specifically, ranks eighth in the nation among all programs, nationwide. Harrington said the Tri-Cities-based program, being in the heart of Washington wine country, has the potential to grow immensely and be a huge treasure for the regional business community.

鈥淲e strive for excellence across the board, and it shows in our graduates,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e aim to produce the best business graduates so that our community and their businesses may benefit.鈥�

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University Tri-Cities will host a brunch fundraiser on Jan. 27 at Anthony鈥檚 at Columbia Point in Richland, Wash., that will support the Carson College of Business.

The Point to Success Brunch will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature 黑料社 football great Ryan Leaf who will present 鈥淟ying to Myself: The Ryan Leaf Story 鈥� My journey from the very top to the very bottom and back and what it takes to stay there.鈥� The event will also include a wine grab, live and silent auctions featuring prizes ranging from a stay at a penthouse condo for eight in Mexico, to a round of golf with Leaf, to two nights for four on a Lake Union houseboat, in addition to an excellent meal presented by Anthony鈥檚.

鈥淎ll proceeds from the event make a direct and immediate impact on the success of business education and students at the 黑料社 Tri-Cities campus,鈥� said Robert Harrington, academic director of the Carson College of Business at 黑料社 Tri-Cities. 鈥淭his investment in quality business education in the Tri-Cities allows us to support innovations in the classroom, services and activities for student and academic career success and faculty development of research that provides business insights.鈥�

Tickets cost $100 per person and may be purchased at .

For more information, contact Darcie Bagott at darcie.bagott@wsu.edu or 509-335-6387.

 

Contacts:

Darcie Bagott, 509-335-6387, darcie.bagott@wsu.edu

Robert Harrington, 黑料社 Tri-Cities academic director for Carson College of Business, 509-372-7487, rharrington@wsu.edu

Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu