Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest state-supported institutions of higher education on the West Coast and is one of the preeminent research universities in the world.
Gates Volunteer Service Award
Accepting nominations for 2012!
Nominations are being accepted for the University of Washington Foundation’s 2012 Gates Volunteer Service Award. The award will be presented at the Annual Recognition Gala on September 14th to an individual or couple who meet the following criteria:
- A long-term volunteer commitment to the University of Washington, and by their direct involvement have supported the UW through their time, service, and philanthropy and,
- Their volunteer efforts have encouraged others to similarly support the University of Washington.
Please submit nominations by March 31, 2012 .
About the Award
The Gates Volunteer Service Award is presented annually by the UW and the UW Foundation to recognize and honor individuals whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have encouraged others to support the University of Washington through time, service and philanthropy.
Recipients of the Gates Volunteer Service Award exemplify the highest standards of service to the University of Washington modeled by the singular vision and generosity of the William H. Gates family, whose volunteer service, commitment of time and philanthropy continues to advance the work of the UW in profound and enduring ways. Read more about the Gates family's support of the University of Washington.
First presented in 2002, the award follows the tradition of the long-standing UW Recognition Award, initiated in 1976. It is one of the most distinguished accolades bestowed by the UW.
2011 Gates Volunteer Service Award
At the University of Washington’s Tenth Annual Recognition Gala on September 9, local business and community leaders Mike and Lynn Garvey were named the recipients of the 2011 Gates Volunteer Service Award in recognition of their commitment of sharing their time, expertise and support.
From the Foster School of Business to the Burke Museum, UW Medicine to Law, Arts & Sciences to Athletics, the Garveys have made the UW’s learning and research efforts stronger. They’ve also served in leadership positions on numerous UW boards and committees.
After earning math and law degrees at the UW, Mike taught courses at the business school in the 1970s while getting his own law firm started. Since then, Mike has mentored and taught undergraduate, MBA and doctoral students at the Foster School and the law school. Lynn, who also attended the UW, has spent decades volunteering for the Arboretum and cheering on her beloved Huskies. Inspired to support research aimed at curing and preventing diseases after losing her sister to cancer, Lynn extended their generosity further by funding the Garvey Cell Imaging Lab and medical research. They also honored the memory of friend and business partner Bob McMillen by making a lead gift that created a professorship in his name.
Whether it’s students, faculty or community members, few can help but be inspired — including other University friends. “Mike and Lynn’s selfless approach to giving back and working with others is highly compelling and in fact, highly contagious,” said colleague and fellow Foster School volunteer Michael Mondello, president and CEO of SeaBear.
Previous Gates Volunteer Service Award recipients
2010 - Bob & Sally Behnke and John F. Behnke
2009 - H. Jon and Judith M. Runstad
2007 - Artie Buerk
2006 - Ellsworth C. “Buster” and Nancy Alvord
2005 - Anne and Wayne Gittinger
2004 - Donald E. Petersen
2003 - Herman and Faye Sarkowsky
2002 - Hunter and Dottie Simpson
UW Recognition Award recipients
2002 - Seattle Chapter, ARCS Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists)
2001 - Neal Dempsey
2000 - William H. Gates II
1999 - Ellsworth and Nancy Alvord
1998 - Jeff and Susan Brotman
1997 - Ron Crockett
1996 - Barbara and Thomas Cable
1995 - Gerald Grinstein, John N. Nordstrom, Donald E. Petersen
1994 - Mary Maxwell Gates
1993 - Hunter Simpson
1992 - John D. Mangels
1991 - H. Mason Keeler
1990 - Sally and Robert Behnke
1989 - J. Hans Lehmann
1988 - R. Mort Frayn
1987 - Herman Sarkowsky
1986 - F.R. “Dick” McAbee
1985 - Samuel M. Stroum
1984 - John M. Fluke
1983 - Dorothy S. Bullitt
1981 - James R. Ellis
1980 - Virginia and Prentice Bloedel
1979 - John H. Hauberg
1978 - Roscoe C. Torrance
1977 - Harold S. Shefelman
1976 - Lloyd W. Nordstrom