Ardis Hauser, Friend and Supporter of the WSU Honors College, Celebrates 100!

When Ralph Hauser (’53 Education) entered Washington State College on the GI Bill in 1949, he and his wife, Ardis, were impressed by the university, the educational value one receives as a student, and the WSU community of Cougars. It grew into the passion of two lifetimes.

Ralph built admirable careers as an industrial arts teacher, and later as a business owner, in Lacey, Wash. Ardis worked as a children’s librarian and school teacher. They became more engaged with the university through their children, Carl (’75 BS Computer Science) and Kathy (Emtman) (’77 Home Economics). The siblings enrolled in music camps as teenagers and then as undergraduates in the then WSU Honors Program. In 2014, Ralph passed away at age 92 in Pullman, where he and Ardis had lived for nearly 20 years. The town is also home to Carl, Kathy and their families.

Because of their love for education and desire to provide students with an enriched college experience, Ralph and Ardis became benefactors to WSU and established two Honors College scholarships on behalf of the family.

Ardis and Carl, a WSU professor and member of the Honors College Advisory Board, recently met with a Hauser Family scholarship recipient at Ardis’ home. This introduction was meaningful not only to student Consuelo Vega—who is thankful for the Hauser’s generosity — but also to Ardis and Carl. They were thrilled to personally connect and exchange stories with Consuelo, and they saw firsthand that their gift is really an investment in young, aspiring leaders. The return on that investment is high and long-lasting: confidence that comes from knowing their support enriches the academic journeys of scholarship recipients’ now, and will have a lastly impact on their personal and professional endeavors for years to come.

On May 11, 2017, Ardis, a longtime supporter and friend of the WSU Honors College, will celebrate her 100th birthday. On behalf of the entire WSU Cougar family, we wish Ardis a very Happy Birthday! May you have a year filled with laughter, love, joy and happiness. We appreciate you, Ardis, and thank you for the positive difference that Ralph, you, and your family made, and will make forever, on the lives of so many Honors students!

Happy Birthday Ardis, and Go Cougs!