Distinguished Service Award
Established in 2012, the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award (DAVA) is given to a living UW alumnus veteran who made a positive impact on the local, national or international community, the 天美影视传媒 or the veteran community. Nominations are open to the public.
This year’s honoree
Gregg Blodgett, 鈥�76, is a retired finance executive and dedicated volunteer leader. Blodgett served as president of the UWAA during a pivotal period when the association was formalizing its operating agreement with the University. Under his leadership, the nonprofit organization established a positive and productive partnership with the public institution, laying the groundwork for a collaborative relationship that continues today.
Nominations for the 2026-27 DSA are OPEN
Brad McDavid
Louise Little, 鈥�81
Desert Scholarship Patrons Committee
Michael Verchot, 鈥�95
鈥� Over the past decade, Colleen Fukui-Sketchley has played a major role in making some of the UW Alumni Association鈥檚 most important initiatives a reality 鈥� actions that have benefited hundreds of thousands of residents of the Evergreen State. As president of the UWAA Board of Trustees during the 2010-2011 academic year, she oversaw the creation of UW Impact, the alumni association鈥檚 legislative advocacy program, and played a key role in hiring its first full-time director. More than that, Fukui-Sketchley served as the face of the UWAA, holding a press conference that announced UW Impact and explaining what a vital role it would play in supporting the University and higher education throughout in the state.
听president emeritus, South Seattle College; former president, UWAA 鈥� During Oertli鈥檚 10 years as president of South Seattle College, he played a key role in dramatically expanding the 13th Year Promise Scholarship, which provided one year of tuition-free college and support services to Seattle public school students. The program was so successful that it became part of Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan鈥檚 platform and now is available to graduates of all of Seattle鈥檚 public high schools, providing a new path to success.
2019. Connie Kravas,听senior vice president, University Advancement 鈥� Throughout her nearly 20-year UW career, Connie has been a tireless supporter of the UWAA and her work has been transformational for the organization. She is a vocal champion of the Alumni Association鈥檚 mission, vision and values and has worked hand-in-hand with UWAA leadership to ensure the success and health of the organization.
2018. Ralina Joseph,听associate professor, UW Department of Communication 鈥� As faculty facilitator for the Interrupting Privilege workshop series, Joseph was essential in bringing UW students and alumni together to explore race and equity together.
2017.听Eddie Pasatiempo, 鈥�76,听
2016. Greg Sheridan,听senior associate vice president, University Advancement
2015. Susan Wilson Williams, 鈥�73
2014. Jon Bridgman,听UW professor emeritus
2013. Bryan Pearce听(posthumous award) 鈥撎�
2012. Frazer Cook, 鈥�65
2011. Trish Bostrom, 鈥�72听鈥撎�
2010. Lex and Diane Gamble, 鈥�59听鈥撎�
2009. Kay Larson, 鈥�54听鈥撎�
2008. Rob Weller, 鈥�72听鈥撎�
2007. Dawn Williams, 鈥�88听鈥撎�
2006. Marie Olmstead, 鈥�58听鈥撎�
2005. John Behnke, 鈥�50听鈥撎�
2004. Larry Matsuda, 鈥�67, 鈥�73, 鈥�78听鈥撎�
2003. Vivian Lee, 鈥�58
2002. Geoff, 鈥�65, & Judy, 鈥�62 Vernon,听(posthumous award)
2001. Don Kraft, 鈥�48听鈥撎�
2000. Cory Carlson, 鈥�81听鈥撎�
1999. Multicultural Alumni Partnership听鈥撎�
1998. 天美影视传媒 Alumnae Board听鈥撎�
1997. Carver Gayton, 鈥�60, 鈥�72, 鈥�76听鈥撎�
1996. Nancy J. Nash, 鈥�51听鈥撎�
1995. Professor Jon M. Bridgman听鈥撎�
1994. Akio Hirao, MBA 鈥�65
1993. Bruce A. Walker, 鈥�56
1992. Arthur W. Buerk, 鈥�58
1991. University Book Store
1990. Tracy King, 鈥�53
1989. Betty Barclay, 鈥�49, and James G. McCurdy, 鈥�45
1988. Diana, 鈥�52, & George, 鈥�51, Holland
1987. Gerald A. Erickson, 鈥�65, 鈥�67, 鈥�71, 鈥�78
1986. Robert G. Moch, 鈥�36
1985. New York Alumni Club
1984. R. Keith Douglas, 鈥�49
1983. E. Kenneth Solid, 鈥�50
1981. UW Husky Marching Band
1980. Donald and Marilyn Covey, 鈥�53
1979. Robert D. Hannah
1978. Helen E. Hoagland
1977. Richard S. Sprague, 鈥�53
1976. Ernest M. Conrad, 鈥�40听鈥撎�
1975. UW Alumnae Club
1974. R. Mort Frayn, 鈥�29
1972. Roscoe C. 鈥淭orchy鈥� Torrance, 鈥�23
1971. Los Angeles Alumni Club
1970. Robert J. Behnke, 鈥�43听鈥撎�
The Distinguished Service Award is presented at the annual UW Recognition Reception in June to an individual or group who has had a significant impact on the UW Alumni Association. The selection criteria for this award are one or more of the following:
- Candidate individual or group has made a major contribution or a combination of efforts having great impact on the alumni association.
- Candidate individual or group has provided a variety of services or held long devotion to the alumni association and the University (i.e., membership, ad hoc, committee service, special assignments).
- Candidate individual or group has made a highly unusual contribution to the alumni association or general body of University alumni (i.e., service in one position for many years, development of a new program relevant to the UWAA or the University, or a single project of great importance to the growth of the alumni association).
Please fill out this form to submit a nomination for consideration. In an effort to adhere to sustainable campus guidelines, the UW Alumni Association will no longer be accepting paper copies of DSA nominations. Nominations must be received by Dec. 31, 2025.
Questions? Please contact Virginia Lerer at vlerer@uw.edu.
DSA Nomination Form
Please fill out this form to submit a nomination for consideration. In an effort to adhere to sustainable campus guidelines, the UW Alumni Association will no longer be accepting paper copies of DSA nominations. Nominations must be received by Dec. 31, 2026.
Questions? Please contact Virginia Lerer at vlerer@uw.edu.