alumni lifetime achievement award
May 29, 2023
Powerful prose
Her Northwest connections played a big part in Marilynne Robinson’s path to becoming one of the most important authors of our time.
May 30, 2022
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.
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.
May 15, 2020
Front and center
With compassion, innovation and empathy, public health leader Patty Hayes strives to make life better for all of us.
October 22, 2019
Plea for the planet
Tenacity led Jim Anderson, ’66, the 2019 Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus, to help save the ozone; he's not about to give up.
June 2, 2018
Mr. Smith’s journey
With core values formed by his Chehalis upbringing, Orin Smith went on to become a business leader who knew how to treat people right.
May 29, 2017
Man of the city
In his five decades of public service, Norman Rice has helped build a community we are all proud of.
June 1, 2016
Always in her element
Whether on a mountain, in a boardroom or on a boat, Sally Jewell is leading the way.
June 1, 2015
Norm Dicks, retired?
His 36-year career as a Democratic Congressman for Washington’s 6th District may have ended in 2012, but he’s still on the case protecting wildlife and fighting to bolster the economy in his native region.
June 1, 2014
Life guard
Art Levinson, the driving force behind several cancer-fighting drugs, is the 2014 Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus, the highest award bestowed upon UW alumni.
June 1, 2013
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.
June 1, 2012
Uncompromising vision
One of America’s most celebrated architects, Steven Holl knows something about charting his own path.
June 1, 2011
The natural
Jane Lubchenco’s ability to bring real-world approaches to scientific inquiry led her to become the first woman director of NOAA. The 1971 alumna is the recipient of the UW's highest alumni honor.
June 1, 2010
Nordstrom's way
Bruce Nordstrom has been a force in civic activities, a leader in charitable giving and devoted alum to the University of Washington.
June 1, 2009
The first bioengineer
Wayne Quinton not only designed a laundry list of life-saving medical devices, but became the first practitioner of an entirely new field: bioengineering.
December 1, 2008
Edwin O. Guthman, 1919-2008
Before earning the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Pulitzer Prize, Edwin O. Guthman earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.
September 1, 2008
Stories for 'kids like us'
When a little boy from Yakima asked the librarian for books about “kids like us,” she couldn’t think of any. So Beverly Cleary decided to write them herself.
June 1, 2007
Dan Evans, engineer of change
Fate and a fierce independent streak kept him out of the White House. But that may have been for the best, since it kept Dan Evans close to his home state — and his alma mater.
June 1, 2006
The right questions
It was a puzzle no one could solve: How does the nose detect and distinguish 10,000 different odors? But Linda Buck's curiosity—and tenacity—led her to the answer and ultimately to Stockholm.
June 1, 2005
Dream weaver
From Lever House to the White House, from Fallingwater to the Louvre, Jack Lenor Larsen’s fabrics have graced the world’s most inspiring spaces.
June 1, 2004
No obstacles
A farm girl from the Yakima Valley, Bonnie Dunbar used her love of science and dogged determination to become an astronaut — and the 2004 alumna of the year.
June 1, 2003
Rag to riches
From ragtime ditties to grand opera, alumnus of the year William Bolcom has mixed pop tunes with classical music to become one of America's greatest living composers.
June 1, 2002
The inside story
By perfecting ultrasound, Don Baker revolutionized the way doctors make their diagnoses, and put Seattle on the biotech map.
June 1, 2000
No stopping her
Enthralled by science, Rita Colwell broke through a decades-old glass ceiling to become the first woman to lead the National Science Foundation.
June 1, 1998
Off the bench
Minorities and women are often left out of the science talent pool, says the UW's alumna of the year. It's time for a different game plan.
June 1, 1997
Art and resilience
The 1997 UW Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus and pioneer in photorealism survived a spinal blood clot to paint again.
June 1, 1996
The ‘G’ Man
Fate, fortitude and frustration were part of the path to a Nobel Prize for Alumnus of the Year Martin Rodbell.
June 1, 1994
Calling the shots
William Foege, a 1961 graduate of the UW School of Medicine, has been named the 1994 UW Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus.
June 1, 1993
Chihuly’s world of glass
For his distinguished career in the arts, Dale Chihuly, '65, is the 1993 UW Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus.
June 1, 1992
Foley behind the headlines
Speaker of the House Thomas Foley has led a distinguished career. Here’s a personal look at the UW’s alumnus of the year.
June 1, 1991
Champion of education
The 1991 Alumna Summa Laude Dignata has been fighting for higher education since she graduated. Her latest mission: Hold together a college torn by strife.
June 1, 1990
Unlocking beauty
Renowned furniture artist and designer George Nakashima is the UW’s 1990 Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus.