People

March 1, 2013

Power of storytelling

A W.B. Yeats quote greets soldiers as they enter the classroom of Shawn Wong at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on a frosty, fall morning: “Write about yourself when you are most like yourself.”


Virtual guardian

Tadayoshi Kohno’s efforts to stop hackers are the stuff of science fiction movies.


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.


September 1, 2012

Reporter's mission

For the past 15 years, Alex Quade has served viewers as a fearless, ethical television war reporter and documentary filmmaker covering U.S. conflicts all over the globe.


Passion for nature

In their new book, nature artist Tony Angell and UW professor of wildlife science John Marzluff disabuse the notion that the family of birds known as corvids—crows, jays, magpies—possess mere “bird brains.”


Highest honors

Two alumni were among 13 people receiving the highest honor given to an American civilian—the Presidential Medal of Freedom.


Stat star

Awards and honors aren’t what it’s about for the School of Public Health’s Daniela Witten, assistant professor in the nation’s No. 1 rated Biostatistics Department. She’s in it for the work.


Defeating disease

Dr. Bill Foege, ’61, is a global health leader, affiliate professor of epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health, and recipient of a 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom.


Secret service

After 15 years, a late UW grad is honored publicly for her work with the CIA.


June 1, 2012

Norbert Untersteiner, 1926-2012

Norbert Untersteiner, a UW professor and legendary polar scientist who was considered the founder of modern sea ice physics, died March 14. He was 86.


Thomas James Pressly, 1919-2012

Thomas James Pressly, who taught history at the UW for almost 40 years, died April 3. He was 93.


Jeanne Quint Benoliel, 1919-2012

Jeanne Quint Benoliel, a longtime member of the UW School of Nursing faculty who was named a “living legend” by the American Academy of Nursing, died Jan. 23. She was 92.


Football and film

From winning a Rose Bowl to an Oscar for documentary filmmaking, being a team player is the secret to success for Ed Cunningham, ’91.


Uncompromising vision

One of America’s most celebrated architects, Steven Holl knows something about charting his own path.


Top teachers

The 2012 recipients of this University of Washington’s prestigious teaching awards may be from fields ranging from social work to surgery, but one thing they have in common is their ability to inspire students.