About the UWAA
DSA
Presented to UWAA members and volunteers who have had a significant impact on the UWAA, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognizes outstanding service or devotion to the Alumni Association, the University of Washington and the alumni community.
Since its inception in 1970, more than 50 individuals and groups have received the Distinguished Service Award.
2025. 
Brad McDavid, Renowned Husky Band director Brad McDavid is the recipient of this award, in recognition of his decades of service to the UW and the UWAA. Under his leadership, the Husky Band represented the UW on performance tours around the world, weathered the pandemic, and added its signature “Touch of Class” to campus events of all stripes. Read an appreciation from UW Magazine.
Past DSA recipients
2024. Louise Little, ’81, Starting as a temporary cashier in 1980 and recently retiring as CEO at University Book Store, Louise Little has shepherded the 124-year-old landmark through major changes, the advent of the internet and online retail, the expansion of products and apparel, the ups and downs on the Ave and a closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read an appreciation from UW Magazine.
2023. The Desert Scholarship Patrons Committee, After nearly two decades of delivering the Desert Scholarship Luncheon and raising almost $500,000 for their endowment, these incredible leaders have decided to sunset this tradition and pass the baton to the next generation of volunteer leaders and programming aspirations.
2022. Michael Verchot, ’95, As co-founder and director of UW’s Consulting and Business Development Center, Verchot, ’95, has helped generate millions of dollars in revenue and create or retain thousands of jobs in the Puget Sound area. The center provides courses and support from student consulting teams for hundreds of businesses owned by people of color, women and other underserved communities.
2021. Colleen Fukui-Sketchley, ’94, former president, UWAA — Over the past decade, Fukui-Sketchley has has played a major role in making some of the UW Alumni Association’s most important initiatives a reality – 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’s 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.
2020. Gary Oertli, ’70, ’72, ’85, president emeritus, South Seattle College; former president, UWAA – During Oertli’s 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’s platform and now is available to graduates of all of Seattle’s public high schools, providing a new path to success.
2019. Connie Kravas, senior vice president, University Advancement – 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’s 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, associate professor, UW Department of Communication – 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. Eddie Pasatiempo, ’76, Read profile in Columns magazine
2016. Greg Sheridan, senior associate vice president, University Advancement
2015. Susan Wilson Williams, ’73
2014. Jon Bridgman, UW professor emeritus
2013. Bryan Pearce (posthumous award) – Read profile in Columns magazine
2012. Frazer Cook, ‘65
2011. Trish Bostrom, ‘72 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2010. Lex and Diane Gamble, ‘59 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2009. Kay Larson, ‘54 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2008. Rob Weller, ‘72 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2007. Dawn Williams, ‘88 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2006. Marie Olmstead, ‘58 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2005. John Behnke, ‘50 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2004. Larry Matsuda, ‘67, ‘73, ‘78 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2003. Vivian Lee, ‘58
2002. Geoff, ‘65, & Judy, ’62 Vernon, (posthumous award)
Read profile in Columns magazine
2001. Don Kraft, ‘48 – Read profile in Columns magazine
2000. Cory Carlson, ‘81 – Read profile in Columns magazine
1999. Multicultural Alumni Partnership – Read profile in Columns magazine
1998. University of Washington Alumnae Board – Read profile in Columns magazine
1997. Carver Gayton, ‘60, ‘72, ‘76 – Read profile in Columns magazine
1996. Nancy J. Nash, ‘51 – Read profile in Columns magazine
1995. Professor Jon M. Bridgman – Read profile in Columns magazine
1994. Akio Hirao, MBA ‘65
1993. Bruce A. Walker, ‘56
1992. Arthur W. Buerk, ‘58
1991. University Book Store
1990. Tracy King, ‘53
1989. Betty Barclay, ‘49, and James G. McCurdy, ‘45
1988. Diana, ‘52, & George, ’51, Holland
1987. Gerald A. Erickson, ‘65, ‘67, ‘71, ‘78
1986. Robert G. Moch, ‘36
1985. New York Alumni Club
1984. R. Keith Douglas, ‘49
1983. E. Kenneth Solid, ‘50
1981. UW Husky Marching Band
1980. Donald and Marilyn Covey, ‘53
1979. Robert D. Hannah
1978. Helen E. Hoagland
1977. Richard S. Sprague, ‘53
1976. Ernest M. Conrad, ‘40 – Read profile in Columns magazine
1975. UW Alumnae Club
1974. R. Mort Frayn, ‘29
1972. Roscoe C. “Torchy” Torrance, ‘23
1971. Los Angeles Alumni Club
1970. Robert J. Behnke, ‘43 – Read profile in Columns magazine
Selection criteria
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).
How to nominate
