This year’s Awards of Excellence recipients have distinguished themselves beyond all expectations, and we are deeply grateful for all the ways they make our community better.
Category: Honors & Awards
Professor of psychology Kristina Olson wins MacArthur “Genius Grant”
Congratulations to Kristina Olson, an associate professor of psychology and the director of the UW’s Social Cognitive Development Lab, who is the latest UW recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship – aka a “genius grant.” Kristina’s groundbreaking, long-term studies of transgender and gender-nonconforming children are a fabulous example of how methodologically rigorous research matters by helping to inform policy and support mental health.
100 amazing students, 100 amazing stories
This week, the 2018 Husky 100 were publicly revealed – 100 juniors, seniors and graduate students from our three campuses who have made the most of their Husky Experience in incredible ways.
UW alumnus Jeffrey C. Hall awarded Nobel Prize for groundbreaking genetics discoveries
It was with great pleasure that we learned University of Washington alumnus Jeffrey C. Hall has been awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with two of his colleagues, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young.
At the UW, excellence is the norm
It’s that time of year when we commemorate hard work, excellence and a job well done. It’s an important moment — or series of moments, as we work through finals and ceremonies small and large — when we reflect on who we are as a community and the bright future that is possible when we work individually and together to achieve great things.
The 2016 University of Washington Annual President’s Address: For Washington and the World
When I get asked what my vision for the University of Washington is, I have a ready answer: I want this university to be the number one university in the world in terms of impact. I’m going to take this opportunity to talk about that impact – on our state, nation and our world. Above all, on our collective future.
UW Professor Emeritus David J. Thouless awarded Nobel Prize in Physics
Photo credit: Mary Levin, University of Washington
This morning we awoke to tremendous news: One of the University of Washington’s own, Professor Emeritus David J. Thouless, has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics.
As the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences noted when awarding the prize to Thouless and two of his colleagues, “This year’s laureates opened the door on an unknown world where matter can assume strange states.” Together, they overturned commonly held theories on superconductivity and suprafluidity, including demonstrating how superconductivity is possible at low temperatures — and why it disappears at higher temperatures. Researchers today are still exploring the “exotic worlds” discovered by Thouless and his fellow laureates, F. Duncan M. Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz.
Prof. Thouless’ work is a perfect example of why curiosity-driven basic science is so vital. Not only did his discoveries open up entirely new fields of research, but they also have had implications for the electronic devices that power our world today and those that may do so in the future — everything from advanced superconductors to quantum computers to other applications we can hardly imagine. That’s why research that seeks to answer questions about the fundamental nature of our world, our universe and ourselves is as important as research with applications that are immediately known.
I know you will join me in congratulating Prof. Thouless on this incredible honor, as he becomes the seventh University of Washington faculty member to earn a Nobel Prize, and the second from our Department of Physics. This achievement is a testament to the groundbreaking nature of his work and an example of the excellence of our faculty, as well as a truly great day for the Department of Physics, the College of Arts and Sciences and our entire University.
Celebrating Veterans Day with Richard Layton, the UW’s 2014 Distinguished Alumni Veteran
Each year, the University of Washington presents one graduate with the Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award, commending graduates who have made a positive impact through community service and civic engagement. This year’s recipient has dedicated his life to service — first through the military and later as a physician for the underserved and an educator in the medical field.
Richard Layton, M.D., ’54, ’58, was drafted into the U.S. Navy at age 18. With the nation still in the clutches of World War II, Dr. Layton soon found himself at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where atomic bombs were tested. After bombs were detonated, he was sent to assess the bombed-out ships — a job that exposed him to critically dangerous levels of radiation.
Returning to the United States in 1946, Dr. Layton started a new chapter at the University of Washington as a medical student, where he graduated at the top of his class. As a physician and an educator, Dr. Layton has impacted countless lives during the course of his career. He was one of the pioneering physicians in the University of Washington School of Medicine’s WWAMI program, which trains UW physicians in five states with a focus on rural and underserved areas.
Dr. Layton practiced for 19 years in Grandview, Washington, before becoming director of the family medicine residency program at Providence Hospital for the UW, a position he filled for 20 years. Over the course of his career — during which he worked tirelessly on behalf of his patients and for regional and national medical organizations — Dr. Layton earned many prestigious honors. In 1986, he was Washington state’s family physician of the year.
Upon his retirement, he earned emeritus faculty status with the UW School of Medicine for his many years as a clinical professor. More recently, Dr. Layton received the alumni service award from the UW School of Medicine. And last year, Gov. Jay Inslee bestowed the Washington State Governor’s Recognition Award on Dr. Layton for his “selflessness and lifelong commitment to service.” In the spirit of continuing that service, the University’s physician assistant program selects a graduate each year to receive the Richard H. Layton Award for Commitment to Underserved Populations.
Congratulations to Dr. Layton, and thank you to all UW servicemen and servicewomen for your commitment to our country and our community.
Honoring medical excellence in our state
Last week, U.S. News & World Report ranked UW Medical Center (UWMC) the 11th “Best Hospital” in the United States on its honor roll, alongside institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Mt. Sinai Hospital. That is rare and great company to be in. UW Medicine hospitals ranked highly in the 2014–15 edition of Best Hospitals, with UWMC and Harborview Medical Center ranking in the top three in the Seattle metro area, and among the top four hospitals in the state.
This is a remarkable feat for UWMC, considering more than 4,806 medical centers across the country were analyzed. And this news comes on the heels of the UW School of Medicine’s No. 1 ranking for overall primary care by the same magazine in March.
While the numbers are impressive, the UW’s achievements are really a testament to all of the people who work at UW Medicine’s centers across the state, from medical transcriptionists in Renton to surgeons in Seattle. Our patients face everything from challenging health conditions to minor surgery, but they don’t do it alone; our medical professionals guide patients of every age and from every background with kindness, commitment and courage.
Thank you to all of the people who care for our communities with a shared ethos of health-care excellence. Your outstanding work is changing lives and transforming health through innovation, collaboration and boundless compassion.
Join us for the 2013 UW Awards of Excellence, June 13
Please join me in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our faculty, staff, students and alumni at the 43rd Annual Awards of Excellence.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Meany Hall Auditorium
Meany Hall Auditorium
- 3:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
- 4:30 p.m. Reception with light refreshments
Reservations are not required.
The Awards of Excellence ceremony honors members of the UW community who exemplify the University’s values with special distinction. While the first ceremony was held in 1970, the origins of these awards date back to 1938, when the Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award was first presented. Since that time, other awards have been added to pay tribute to individuals from across our UW community who have demonstrated exceptional talents, dedication and service.
To read more about these awards and their history, visit the Honors & Awards site.
2013 UW Awards of Excellence Recipients
Distinguished Staff Award
Given to staff who contribute to the mission of their unit and the University, respond creatively to challenges, maintain the highest standards in their work, establish productive working relationships and promote a respectful and supportive workplace.
- Sarah Jackins, Exercise Training Center, UWMC
- Carol Kummet, Palliative Care Social Work, UWMC
- Robert Lubin, Housing & Food Services
- James Cobb, Dale A. Hubler, Brian McNally, Roy Obenchain, Alexander Safir, Skylar Thompson, Charles Winston and Elizabeth Young, Genome Sciences Tech Team
- Mira M. Emmanuel-Ogier, Harald S. Haugen, Ting Hong, Lara S. Kidoguchi, Meighan L. Krows, Susan A. Morrison, Dana Panteleeff and Katherine K. Thomas, Partners PrEP Study Team, Global Health
David B. Thorud Leadership Award
Given to one UW faculty member and one staff member who have demonstrated exceptional abilities to lead, serve, inspire and collaborate with broad impact.
- Faculty Award, Nancy B. Alarcon, Speech & Hearing Sciences
- Staff Award, Susan Terry, UW Career Center
Distinguished Librarian Award
Recognizes excellence in librarianship, especially as it benefits the academic community through teaching, research, learning and innovative approaches to practice.
- Glenda J. Pearson, Microform and Newspaper Collections, University Libraries
Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award
Given to individuals who make outstanding efforts on behalf of the UW Alumni Association and the University.
- Bryan Pearce (Awarded Posthumously)
Distinguished Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award
Given to a faculty member or staff retiree for the quality of the individual’s contributions, subsequent to retirement, in service to the community locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
- Richard Simkins, UAA Advising
Distinguished Teaching Award
Presented to faculty who show a mastery of their subject matter, intellectual rigor and a passion for teaching.
- Holly Barker, Anthropology
- John Byron Manchak, Philosophy
- Jim Pfaendtner, Chemical Engineering
- André Punt, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
- Phillip Thurtle, Comparative History of Ideas
- Ronald L. Tilden, Business, UW Bothell
- Carolyn M. West, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, UW Tacoma
Excellence in Teaching Award
Given to graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate outstanding skills in the classroom.
- Deepa Bhandaru, Political Science
- Chi Hou Lei, Mechanical Engineering
Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award
Presented to faculty who have taught for at least two years in non-degree programs sponsored by the UW and aimed at adults who are pursuing professional development, personal interest or career redirection.
- James B. DeLong, Social Work
S. Sterling Munro Public Service Teaching Award
Recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in community-based instruction, including service learning, public service internships and community partnership projects.
- Eleanor Bond, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems
University Faculty Lecture Award
Honors current or emeriti faculty whose research, scholarship or art is widely recognized by their peers and whose achievements have had a substantial impact on their profession.
- Stephen Gloyd, Global Health and Health Services
Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award
Recognizes faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the education and guidance of graduate students.
- Fred Rieke, Physiology and Biophysics
Outstanding Public Service Award
Presented to a faculty or staff member to honor extensive local and/or national and international service.
- Katherine Beckett, Sociology and Law, Societies & Justice
Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award
Bestowed on a veteran graduate who has made a positive impact through community service and civic engagement.
- Rear Adm. Herbert Bridge, USN, Ret., ’47
President’s Medal
Awarded to two graduating seniors who have achieved the most distinguished academic records at the University—one to a student who has completed at least three-fourths of his or her degree requirements at the UW and one to a student who entered the University from a Washington community college.
- Bethanny Danskin
- Michelle Drews
Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award
Awarded to a former UW student whose lifetime achievements have earned him or her national or international prominence.
- William H. Gates, ’50