Gertrude Peoples was presented the 天美影视传媒鈥檚 Charles E. Odegaard Award and several student scholarship recipients were recognized at the 42nd Annual EOP Celebration, F锚te and Honors, Thursday, May 10, at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.
The dinner and scholarship fundraiser was hosted by the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D) and the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Thanks to the support of sponsors, donors and friends, $250,000 was raised to benefit student scholarships.
Peoples is a special assistant with the UW football program and the former director of UW鈥檚 Student-Athlete Academic Services. For over 40 years, she has worked to ensure that student-athletes of all ethnic backgrounds felt included on campus. Peoples began her career at UW in 1969 when she was hired by Dr. Samuel E. Kelly, UW鈥檚 first vice president of the Office of Minority Affairs, to be an academic counselor with EOP.
Her ability to connect with students and other UW departments during a time of social unrest led to her becoming an academic advisor to UW student-athletes in 1970. Peoples started the country鈥檚 first academic support office for college student-athletes and has worn several 鈥渉ats鈥� in the athletic department, serving as a mentor and advisor to countless student-athletes.
Established in 1973, the Odegaard Award honors a member of the community whose leadership sustains the former UW president鈥檚 distinguished work on behalf of diversity. It is the only University and community-based award, and is regarded as the highest achievement in diversity at the UW.
Seventeen student scholarship recipients were honored for their contributions on campus and in the community, while achieving academic excellence. Senior Denise Della was presented the 2012 President鈥檚 Achievement Award, while sophomore Erica Chavez Santos was presented the 2012 Wells Fargo Vice President鈥檚 Achievement Award.
Also recognized were junior Tyler Adamson (Samuel E. Kelly Scholar), sophomore Misha Averill (Robert T. and Nancy J. Knight Scholar), junior Zerina Curevac (Educational Opportunity Program Celebration Scholar), junior Elise Groves (QFC Scholar), senior Vicky Herrera (William P. and Ruth Gerberding/Early Identification Program Scholar), sophomore Annah Mwendar (Del Rio Global Citizens Scholar), sophomore Stephen Nganga (Dr. Millie Russell Scholar), senior 聽Sandy Nguyen (Mark Cooper Scholar), junior Jessica Oscoy (Lydia A. Gonzales Scholar), junior Alyssa-Cyre Oyadomari (Gary D. Kimura Family Scholar), junior Jose Mario Pineda (Bank of America Scholar), junior Victoria Plumage (Robert T. and Nancy J. Knight Scholar), junior Elischa Sanders (Alfred and Marilyn Mus Scholar), junior Sierra Stewart (Friends of the Education Opportunity Program Legacy Scholar) and senior Greg Walker (UW Athletic Scholar).
UW alumna Colleen Fukui-Sketchley, 鈥�94, served as emcee for the event that included remarks from UW President Michael K. Young; Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity Sheila Edwards Lange, 鈥�00, 鈥�06; Wells Fargo Vice President & Northwest Washington Community Banking President Ron Henderson; President of the Friends of EOP Bree Kame鈥檈nui-Ramirez, 鈥�98, 鈥�03; OMA&D Foundation Board Director Nate Miles, 鈥�82; and student speaker Vicky Herrera.
OMA&D and the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program extend their heartfelt appreciation to the donors and sponsors who support EOP Celebration. Be sure to save the date for Celebration 2013 to be held May 16, back at the newly remodeled Husky Union Building.