alumni lifetime achievement award
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.