Wwp Gives $1 Million To Colleges, Universities

Ten Eastern Washington and Idaho universities and colleges are trying to figure out how to spend a $1 million gift from Washington Water Power.

The private utilities company announced the donation Friday, along with a new scholarship program for high school seniors.

“This is the largest gift we’ve ever given at one time, in lump sum, to colleges and universities in our area,” said Paul Redmond, the company’s chairman.

Redmond said the company wants to encourage stronger links between business and education to produce a better work force.

“We believe there can be a partnership between education and the community,” he said.

“We don’t need to do it because we’re having trouble finding people, although sometimes we have to go outside our community and import them.”

James Hottois, president of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, said he will talk to the school’s foundation board before making plans for the “remarkable” windfall.

The money might be used for badly needed construction or to establish an endowment, he said.

“I think the most important thing we can do is attract good students to teaching, and our scholarships would do that,” he said.

Washington Water Power also announced six $1,500 annual scholarships for seniors planning to attend an Eastern Washington college or university.

The $1 million will be divided among the following institutions: Community Colleges of Spokane, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education, Lewis-Clark State College, North Idaho College, Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, University of Idaho, Washington State University and Whitworth College.

, DataTimes