Alumni
June 1, 2014
'Time to flex'
Cristobal J. Alex is out to change the political landscape of the United States as the head of the Latino Victory Project.
A boost behind bars
When Laura Pavlou visits Gig Harbor’s Washington Corrections Center for Women, she sees hope and vitality. Behind the steel gates of the maximum-security prison, it is her mission to nurture potential.
March 1, 2014
Nurse, philanthropist and more
Ekene “Kennie” Amaefule is a former Nurse of the Year at Harborview Medical Center who has single-handedly improved health care, education, social services and access to clean water in her native village of Imo State, Nigeria.
'Silence is a coping mechanism'
Teresa Tamura captures poignant stories of hardship from a World War II relocation center in her book "Minidoka: An American Concentration Camp."
December 1, 2013
Witness to history
For his service during World War II, Charles Matthaei was named the 2013 UW Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award recipient.
Undaunted
June 6, 1966 marked a memorable date in what, retrospectively, was to begin an improbable journey to the University of Washington.
Sea salt savant
Sea salt is typically made in coastal areas where the climate stays warm and dry most of the year, but Brady Ryan, ’10, doesn’t like to do things conventionally. In 2012, he started San Juan Island Sea Salt, harvesting sea salt in the Pacific Northwest using techniques he began learning at UW.
Platinum grad
For Ryan Lewis, ’09, the whirlwind of fame is only a few years removed from days ensconced in Suzzallo Library and the Parnassus cafe in the basement of the Art Building.
September 1, 2013
Info revolutionary
At the forefront of those spreading the information revolution to developing countries stands an American nonprofit called Internews. And at the head of Internews stands a friendly, straightforward Maine resident, Jeanne Bourgault, ’86, ’90.
Brewster Denny, 1924-2013
Brewster C. Denny, who died June 22 at age 88, held several key roles in the federal government before honoring the call from UW President Charles Odegaard to return home to Seattle to create an academic program in public affairs.
June 1, 2013
Moving mission
Catching up with Patrick Gallaher, ’95, founder of the School of Pharmacy’s Memorial Day weekend Border-to-Border relay race that for the past 18 years has raised money for cancer research in honor of his late father.
Bill Gates Sr.'s impact
Even at 87, the 2013 Alumnus Sigma Laude Dignatus recipient continues to serve his alma mater while leading the fight for social justice.
Fighting suicide
The multidisciplinary training Michael Phillips received at the UW made him an ideal person to pioneer research on the nature of suicide in China.
March 1, 2013
Flair for food
The blog Molly Wizenberg started for fun in the year she spent finishing her M.A. in cultural anthropology has propelled a career as an acclaimed food writer and owner of a bustling restaurant and, most recently, a cocktail bar.
Journalist and optimist
Catching up with Robert Merry, ’68, political journalist, former CEO of Congressional Quarterly and author of "Where They Stand: The American Presidents in the Eyes of Voters and Historians."
Top cop
Jim Pugel, ’81, keeps mementos from the sometimes-grueling adventures he completes each year with his former University of Washington crew teammates.
December 1, 2012
Drama king
Since he graduated from the UW in 1976, most of Ruben Van Kempen's days—and plenty of his nights—have been spent as the Director of Theatre at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. He recently earned a spot in the Educational Theatre Association’s National Hall of Fame.
Call to duty
Herb M. Bridge, ’47, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral retired, is the first recipient of the UW’s newly established Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award.
Martian man
When NASA’s Curiosity rover successfully touched down on Martian soil, it was a hair-raising experience, both literally and figuratively for Bobak Ferdowsi, ’01, NASA flight director.
Poetry priestess
Catching up with Kathleen Flenniken, ’88, a civil engineer turned poet. Recently she was appointed Washington State Poet Laureate for 2012–2014.