What began as a small luncheon executed mostly by volunteers has blossomed into one of the Tyee Club’s most meaningful events, where donors are celebrated for the lasting impact they make on the lives of Washington student-athletes.
The annual Donor Appreciation Scholarship Dinner, held in the Don James Center at Husky Stadium, brings together the student-athletes who benefit from endowed scholarships and the generous donors who support them. This fall, the event celebrated its 25th anniversary, featuring the devoted Husky mom who started the event during its first decade.
“Every donor here tonight has a special reason for being here,” said LaGayle Sosnowy, who with her husband, John, has endowed three scholarships for Husky Women’s Tennis. The family created the first endowed scholarship for the program, in honor of their daughter Kori, who played tennis for the UW from 1994 to 1998.
Whether donors were students, student-athletes, parents or fans, LaGayle explained, their philanthropy stems from gratitude and hope for the future. She encouraged the student-athletes in the room to pay it forward and consider establishing endowments someday.
An amazing 25 years of impact!
When the celebration of endowment donors began in 1998, the Tyee Club had 28 endowed scholarships. Today, that number has grown tenfold with 211 scholarships and 76 program endowments. The current market value of the Athletic Department’s endowments stands at $134 million.
Because the principle of each endowment remains intact, with the interest funding scholarships or programs every year, these funds exist in perpetuity to benefit generation after generation of Huskies.
To learn more about the impact you can make when you endow a scholarship or program, contact the Tyee Club at 206.543.2234 or [email protected].
