You supported Gianna every step of the way

For Gianna Marchese BA’22 MBA’23, a frstgeneration college student, you made more of an impact than you might ever know.

Going into the last year of her MBA program at Willamette’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Gianna can see your support everywhere she looks.

“You’re in a classroom with people in many different situations financially, with their homelife or societal norms. Your support can mean so much to somebody. It makes me want to do the same for others when I’m able,” she says.

Gianna landed at Willamette in fall of 2019 as a sophomore. While still a first year at a university in Washington state, she knew she wanted to change schools.

She ended up getting in touch with the softball coach at Willamette, who connected her with admissions the same day. “They made me feel super welcomed,” she says.

At that point, Gianna knew Willamette was where she wanted to be.

“Willamette has shown me that being part of the community and being part of the campus life is really important,” she says. She’s worked on campus, is involved in Greek life, plays on the school’s softball team, has completed internships all while succeeding in school. She also serves as Vice President of Atkinson Marketing Association.

Gianna says the culture of community refects Willamette’s motto.

“It really encompasses how we are seriously in this together — being involved in so many things on campus, you feed of of others and that is what Willamette is designed for. The way the classes are set to be rather intimate and for us to succeed in the best way,” she says.

Following graduation from Atkinson, Gianna plans on moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in marketing in the flm industry. The skills you helped her develop at Willamette will carry her there.

“Donors do things to support people they don’t even know out of the kindness of their hearts and it speaks wonders to their character,” Gianna says. “And I want to say a big ‘thank you’ for that.”

Your support can mean so much to somebody. It makes me want to do the same for others when I’m able.