Alumni
August 5, 2022
A toast to Yvette Gunther, a centenarian alumna with rich UW memories
Once self-described as shy, the sociable Yvette Gunther, '45, now enjoys dance classes and public speaking. She recounts her time at the UW during World War II.
July 22, 2022
Ada Limón, ’98, named 24th U.S. Poet Laureate
The 1998 drama graduate received the nation's highest honor in poetry.
July 21, 2022
A tribute to John Hartl, ’67, Seattle’s greatest movie critic
Famed movie critic John Hartl had a thoughtful eye, an unusually high IQ and an encyclopedic knowledge of film.
May 30, 2022
Clear sailing ahead
A new nonprofit called the Husky Sailing Foundation aims to create a more stable future for a sports club that dates back to 1948.
High-water mark
Linda Fagan will continue to put her UW master’s degree in marine affairs to good use in her new role leading the U.S. Coast Guard.
Dreaming of America
Wes Hurley has built a community of allies from his time at the UW, and it’s paying off.
‘Star Wars’ to the stars
NASA is going back to the moon and planning to land humans on Mars, thanks in part to Orion manager Howard Hu, ’91, ’94
The heart of health care
Through public health crisis, nursing leader Pam Cipriano, ’81, has delivered doses of hope and advocacy. The 2022 Alumna Summa Laude Dignata award recognizes her service.
May 29, 2022
Stolen beauty
The story of the shocking theft, destruction and replacement of George Tsutakawa’s sculptural gates at the Washington Park Arboretum.
Earth and space
Gary Lai, the lead architect of Blue Origin’s New Shepard program, heads to the heavens.
For the next generation
After 26 years leading Densho, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and sharing Japanese American history, executive director Tom Ikeda, ’76, ’79, ’83, is retiring
May 25, 2022
Champion of opportunities
Michael Verchot receives the 2022 UWAA Distinguished Service Award for his work on behalf of the UW Consulting and Business Development Center.
Commemorating Ken Sirotnik
Ken Sirotnik's legacy remains strong nearly two decades after his death. The UWAA honors him with the 2022 Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award.
Husky Walk of Fame
Jean Smart joins the growing list of UW legends whose names are engraved on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Community champion
For his dedication to the UW and Chicano/a/Latino/a communities, Erasmo Gamboa receives the 2022 Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award.
May 18, 2022
Heartfelt effort
After the tragic and sudden loss of his friend, Adam Lang found a way to honor Daniel Phelps's memory.
May 17, 2022
One who dared
A gifted actor and director—and one of "The Five Who Dared"—Harvy Blanks made history.
May 16, 2022
UW’s new regent, Leonard Forsman, ’87, looks ahead
Leonard Forsman, '87, is the UW's new regent. He tells Viewpoint his goals and priorities for his six-year term.
May 3, 2022
Honoring Frank Irigon
Frank Irigon, noted social and civil rights activist, will be honored with the 2022 Charles E. Odegaard award.
March 11, 2022
Remembering Desmond Tutu
Twenty years ago, the human rights leader delivered a message of hope to Seattle.
Win a trip to Browntown
George Tramountanas, '93, turned personal tragedy to big-screen comedy in his new feature film about a unique incentive for weight loss.
March 5, 2022
‘You Deserve the World’
Ally Ang is a 2021 graduate of the UW Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing, with a focus on poetry.
For the Love of iPhone
Software developer Tom Love’s innovative programming language became the backbone of every Mac, iPhone and iPad.
The voice of Yakima Valley
While working on her doctorate, Monica De La Torre, ’16, studied the Yakima Valley's Radio Cadena. She shares their stories in “Feminista Frequencies."
March 4, 2022
Autism in the spotlight
Actor Mickey Rowe's book chronicles his journey from a legally blind self-described outcast to the hero of his own story.
Caring for custodians
Evalynn Fae Taganna Romano, ’10, ’21, leads an effort recognize an often overlooked group in the pandemic: campus custodians.
A real character
Versatility has been Jean Smart’s strength since her UW days. Now, the Emmy-winning actor’s star is shining brighter than ever.
Native leader joins Regents
As a UW regent, Leonard Forsman plans to help represent Indigenous people.
March 1, 2022
Preserving crafts in India
Judy Frater, '87, put her UW museology degree to good use by seeking out and empowering local Indian artisans.
February 14, 2022
The power of representation
An El Paso native's journey to UW leads to a key position as the White House Deputy Cabinet Secretary — and a piece of political power.
January 31, 2022
From puck steals to book deals
Player-turned-agent Ryan Minkoff’s second book, “Nora’s Hockey Dream,” pays homage to his sister and all the girls who love hockey.
December 4, 2021
UW in the cards
‘Down the Ave,’ a card game developed by business students, is full of UW and Seattle references.
Closing the distance
For a teacher in a time of COVID-19, the challenge is to bring the world to students.
Junior Coffey, 1942-2021
Junior Coffey, who passed away recently, overcame traumatic experiences to become a Husky football star and racehorse trainer.
Imogen exposed
Imogen Cunningham was an innovative and influential fine art photographer. A retrospective features nearly 200 of her works.
The midcentury view
A new book finally shines a spotlight on Paul Hayden Kirk, ’37, who set the standard for Northwest modernist architecture.
Legal relief
Longtime prisoners who received life and long sentences as minors benefit from a UW program that sends students and lawyers to help.
Hall of Famers
Twelve former student-athletes from five sports receive the highest honor in UW Athletics.
Portraits of justice
Alfredo Arreguin has painted the official portraits for three justices on the Washington State Supreme Court. At 86, the master of Mexican-American art remains a source of colorful ideas and vivid canvases.
November 19, 2021
Nursing leader’s legacy
One of Seattle’s few Black nurses in the 1940s, Rachel Suggs Pitts helped create a network of support for her colleagues and nursing students.
Changing the law
Enoka Herat works with law enforcement leaders and the families of people who have died from police violence to change practices in Washington.
Rising above hate
A Japanese American UW grad turned businessman, Harry Kawabe was a humanitarian who built economies in two U.S. cities and dedicated his life to building community.
From pain to poetry
Poet Jane Wong isn’t afraid to lay her emotions bare as she explores ways beyond the written page to reach audiences.
October 30, 2021
A life in service
Dave Stone, ’68, is recognized for his lifetime of service—military, public and volunteer—with the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award.
October 21, 2021
Personalizing care
Margaret Towolawi, ’10, adopts a new model for health care that promotes closer doctor-patient relationships.
September 11, 2021
Art and exploration
“Fly Your Own Thing,” a celebration of the late Alden Mason, ’42, ’47, is on exhibit at the Bellevue Arts Museum.
September 8, 2021
Visual music
Through the interplay of light with her creations, artist Barbara Earl Thomas creates ‘ordinary magic.’ Her extraordinary work explores childhood, race and religion.
September 4, 2021
Meals & memories
Two decades after Tom Stockley and his wife, Peggy, perished in a plane crash, their daughters curate a new book of his eating pleasures.
Anderson honored
James G. Anderson, '66, will receive the 2021 Dreyfus Prize in the Chemical Sciences.
Jewell on faculty
Former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, ’78, was appointed to the Edward V. Fritzky Endowed Chair in Leadership for the 2021-2022 school year.
A life in design
Nin Truong brings creativity and sustainability to the world of public art, skateboarding and apparel.
August 31, 2021
Global vision
Stan Barer, recipient of the 2021 Gates Volunteer Service Award, used his UW Law degree to help make the world a better place.
A name that stuck
Cassandra Amesley, ’77, ’81, made ‘Red Square’ catch on and etched her name in Husky history.
Higher purpose
After his NFL career, Mark Pattison kept pursuing athletic feats. He recently climbed Mount Everest to complete the Seven Summits challenge, raising more than $56,000 for charity.
9.11.01: I was there
Two alumni who escaped the horror of Ground Zero bravely share their stories of trauma and hope.
August 12, 2021
Seizing the moment
Whether we’re together in person or using technology to bridge the distance, the UW Alumni Association is about making connections.
June 10, 2021
A dog-gone great idea
Bill Perkins' nonprofit organization employs people in prisons to train service dogs for veterans.
A Coast Guard first
Linda Fagan, '00, was nominated to become the highest-ranking woman in Coast Guard history.
Forward momentum
Erin O'Connell, '96, is back at the UW as the Deputy Athletics Director and the Senior Woman Administrator.
Less can be more
Compared to changes that add, those that subtract are harder to think of. The removal of a bridge in the Bay Area illustrates how sometimes, less is more.
June 7, 2021
Curiosity and clay
From the start, Seattle artist George Rodriguez explored identity, culture and community in his work.
Promoting preservation
Elizabeth Bell was honored for more than 42 years of “tireless effort in preserving the city and promoting understanding of the heritage” of Antigua, Guatemala.
Calling the shots
For Golf Channel analyst Paige Mackenzie, ’06, the only thing more thrilling than scoring a hole-in-one is calling the golf play-by-play at the Olympic Games.
June 4, 2021
Can’t hold him back
From radical youth to senior statesman, Larry Gossett is an activist for us all. The 2021 Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus award recognizes his lifetime of service.
Passion for the UW
Colleen Fukui-Sketchley’s commitment to serving the UW Alumni Association, the University of Washington and higher education has been nothing short of amazing.
June 3, 2021
‘A child’s eye view’
By the time of her death at the age of 104, Beverly Cleary’s books had sold more than 85 million copies.
June 1, 2021
The death dodger
Taking risks was second nature for Albert Scott Crossfield. That’s how he became the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound and laid the groundwork to go into space.
Speeding up the science
Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson lost their daughter to an uncommon form of cancer. Their philanthropy aims to expand research and bring hope to patients and their families.
May 22, 2021
Golden grads
This UWAA recognition honors alumni who have demonstrated sustained, long-term and meaningful engagement with the UW.
May 10, 2021
Remembering Bryan Monroe
Brian Monroe, ’87, headed a Pulitzer-prize winning newspaper team and being the first print journalist to interview the country’s first Black president-elect.
April 26, 2021
Bouncing back for the next physical challenge
A near-fatal paragliding accident in Central Washington didn’t keep Masako Hirata down for long.
April 17, 2021
Frontline photographer
Photographer David Ryder, ’06, ’11, was recently recognized as UW Bothell's Alumni of the Year recipient.
March 11, 2021
Rural nurses wanted
A program funded by Premera Blue Cross is placing nursing students in rural practices throughout Washington.
Helen Chu honored
University of Washington Medicine professor Dr. Helen Chu, ’12, “Washingtonian of the Year” by the Washington State Leadership Board.
Native knowledge
Native art is prominent in the life of Miranda Belarde-Lewis, an assistant professor in the University of Washington Information School.
March 9, 2021
Culture crew
Their commitment to equity brought three UW alumni to 4Culture—and it has remained the agency’s North Star in its pandemic response.
Standing tall
He went from the UW to professional basketball and back. But it’s in the special education classroom that Anthony Washington, ’16, ’19, is making a lasting difference.
March 4, 2021
Stories of home
The UW Alumni Association recently invited a group of Native storytellers for a virtual event to discuss the meaning of sense of place.
Private-eye inspiration
Instead, Thoft uses the P.I. skills she learned to write her award-winning detective novels featuring hard-nosed private eye Fina Ludlow.
March 3, 2021
Soul of Seattle
With the city changing rapidly, Ron Chew set out to write about one of its beloved communities. It’s a story only he could tell.
March 2, 2021
Never done learning
Ed Jones has since completed 11 UWPCE certificate programs, more than anyone else.
January 16, 2021
Catch up with Jake Locker
Husky football fans remember Jake Locker for his determined play during some down years for the program.
Hockey heights
Now an agent, Ryan Minkoff, ’15, became the first student-athlete from the Husky club hockey team to make it to the professional hockey ranks.
January 11, 2021
Books and conversation
To date, more than 1,600 readers have joined the UW Alumni Book Club, representing alumni from every college and school across all three campuses.
December 16, 2020
Nobel laureate’s UW ties
Harvey J. Alter, a UW resident in internal medicine from 1964-65, has received a Nobel Prize for his contributions to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus.
Emerging from pain
Britt East’s book “A Gay Man’s Guide to Life” provides realistic ways for gay men to deal with homophobia and live a good life.
Whitman revisited
In “Unsettled Ground: The Whitman Massacre and Its Shifting Legacy in The American West,” historian Cassandra Tate, ’86, ’88, ’95, revisits a conflict that left 13 settlers dead.
December 9, 2020
Healing words
Norman B. Rice’s timing couldn’t have been better for his new book, “Gaining Public Trust: A Profile of Civic Engagement.”
Holistic view
The first Filipino American to graduate from UW medical school, Fernando Vega helped open the path to alternative medicine in the U.S.
December 7, 2020
After prison
Ten stories that show how the UW can help people take advantage of second chances.
Taking control
In describing her mindset, Kelly Olson quotes a favorite author: “You have to own your story if you want to change the ending.”
Positive mindset
Powered by positive thinking, Theron Taylor went to the UW to earn a degree in psychology.
November 21, 2020
Be a bird’s buddy
More than 4 billion birds are moving through North America during fall migration. An expert shares some ways to aid in their journey.
October 13, 2020
Sweet science
Kennewick native Danielle Reed forages for genetic answers after her research finds that processed food is much too sweet for the average human tastebud.
September 30, 2020
Campus ambassador
Our sketchbook profiles Alice Lee, manager of the UW Visitors Center.