Every year, the University of Washington celebrates the people who make our campuses stronger, more compassionate and more connected. The Awards of Excellence honor alumni, faculty, staff, students and retirees whose work embodies our values and elevates our shared mission.
On Thursday, June 12, hundreds of colleagues, friends and family members gathered to recognize this year’s recipients at the 55th annual ceremony. The tributes below are based on remarks by President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost and Executive Vice President Tricia Serio.
Don’t miss the photos from the ceremony for highlights from the unforgettable evening.
2025 Awards of Excellence Recipients
David B. Thorud Leadership Award
Munira Khalil, Professor and Chair, Chemistry, College of Arts & Sciences 
As chair, Munira Khalil has set a new standard for departmental leadership, in the way that she guides meetings, responds to complicated management situations and communicates clearly. Her colleagues credit her with infusing a “spirit of mattering” throughout the department. She empowers faculty and staff colleagues to grow professionally in their research, teaching and administration roles while maintaining outstanding research in the field of molecular spectroscopy.
David B. Thorud Leadership Award
Margaret Shepherd, Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the President and Provost
Margaret Shepherd is an outstanding leader whose intelligence, certitude and work ethic have been instrumental in countless successful initiatives. But what her colleagues admire most about her is that she fosters a culture of trust and respect. She is considerate, perceptive, effective, tactful and firm in her unwavering service to the institutional and public good.
Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award
Dana Curtis Covey, ’84, School of Medicine; Captain, U.S. Navy (ret.) 
Throughout his dedicated service in the U.S. Navy, and later as a surgeon, Dana Curtis Covey has consistently served as a role model for the next generation of doctors. As a leading expert on combat surgery, he has unwaveringly served his country, his patients and his fellow service members with honor, courage and skill. The UW is deeply proud to count this teacher, doctor, mentor and patriot among our most esteemed alumni.
Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award
Jason Daniel-Ulloa, Associate Teaching Professor, Health Systems and Population Health and Global 
Health, School of Public Health
With each new class of students, Jason Daniel-Ulloa begins by creating an inclusive learning environment in which each student feels engaged, present and invested. He then adapts his teaching strategies to their needs and experiences, which often includes setting flexible deadlines and using storytelling to spark curiosity and connection. Next, he shares his expertise in community-based participatory research and community capacity building to help students find their own passion for public health, social justice and eliminating health disparities.
Distinguished Librarian Award
Stephanie Lamson, Director, Preservation Services, University Libraries 
Throughout her 24-year career, Stephanie Lamson’s visionary approach and transformative contributions have contributed enormously to University Libraries and the University as a whole. She has made the UW Libraries’ Conservation Center a leader in the field, and she is deeply committed to ensuring long-term access to research materials for current and future scholars. She has also had an active role in shaping the profession through teaching and mentorship, creating opportunities for a new generation of preservationists.
Distinguished Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award
Jill Morrison McKinstry, Librarian Emeritus, University Libraries 
After nearly 30 years of service to University Libraries, Jill Morrison McKinstry has continued to serve the public as a volunteer, including leadership roles with the Mt. Baker Safe Access Committee and Grandmothers Against Gun Violence. She actively seeks out opportunities to better the community, and with her enthusiasm and dedication, she inspires others to join her. She is a powerful reminder of the positive change that one person can make in the world.
Distinguished Service Award
Brad McDavid, Director, UW Athletic Bands (ret.)
In his extraordinary career leading the Husky Marching Band, Brad McDavid’s impact at the UW was felt by thousands of student musicians and hundreds of thousands of Husky fans far and wide. As the director for almost a third of the band’s entire history, he designed and directed over 200 halftime shows and made invaluable contributions to our University and alumni communities. He is instantly recognizable to every UW fan as a true Husky icon.
Distinguished Staff Award for Career Achievement
Leula Amaha, Custodian, UW Facilities
Leula Amaha has served as a UW custodian for 25 years, and in her role at the University’s Applied Physics Laboratory, she is consistently proactive and committed to maintaining a safe, clean and productive environment. Thanks to her focus, efficiency and dedication, this critical facility is always impeccably maintained to the highest standards, including when senior government officials and representatives of funding agencies visit.
Distinguished Staff Award for Collaboration
Lara Muffley, Director of Program Operations, Genome Sciences, School of Medicine and Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine
In her role facilitating cooperation among hundreds of researchers studying genetic variation, Lara Muffley serves as a backbone in advancing scientific collaboration and discovery. Her innovative, hardworking and community-focused leadership has helped build a global genetic research community that is breaking new ground in genetic research. She enables complex and multidisciplinary teams to work toward common goals for the good of humanity.
Distinguished Staff Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
MEDEX Northwest PA Program Admissions and Student Services Team
Tove Blake, Director of Admissions and Student Services, MEDEX Northwest PA Program, School of Medicine 
Roxana Palma-Orantes, Counseling Services Coordinator, MEDEX Northwest PA Program, School of Medicine
Kalee Lynn Warnimont, Counseling Services Coordinator, MEDEX Northwest PA Program, School of Medicine
In their work conducting admissions and student support for the MEDEX program, this three-person team manages complex processes across five campuses in Washington, Alaska and Hawaii, serving hundreds of students annually. Impressively, they have achieved 100% seat fulfillment. And, through their dedication to outreach and collaboration — from orientation to white-coat ceremonies — the team has been able to recruit a top-tier cohort reflecting increased diversity. Their excellent work has helped advance program goals and our University-wide commitment to equity and community engagement.
Distinguished Staff Award for Impact
Benjamin Hornburg, Facilities Manager, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering
Described as “the backbone of the chemical engineering department,” Benjamin Hornburg not only maintains and manages the facilities in Benson Hall, but he also ensures that everything in the building meets the highest safety standards. Graduate students routinely ask for his assistance with lab setups, and he’s essential to the smooth operation of many undergraduate labs. His outstanding work ensures that lab spaces run smoothly, accessibly and safely.
Distinguished Staff Award for Innovation:
Colin Gioia Connors, Electronic Media Producer 2, Scandinavian Studies, College of Arts & Sciences 
Colin Gioia Connors produces and hosts the podcast Crossing North, which explores Nordic and Baltic society and culture. Since its launch in 2019, Crossing North has attracted a broad listenership and enhanced the Scandinavian studies department’s reputation among faculty, students and the public. Connors’ expertise, production know-how and hosting skills have helped the department and the College of Arts & Sciences educate the community with fun and fascinating content that connects the UW with the communities we serve.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Martine De Cock, Professor, School of Engineering & Technology, UW Tacoma 
Through an iterative and reflective teaching practice, Martine De Cock designs transformative learning experiences for her students. For example, she has adapted a course to allow students to develop real-world, career-focused skills so they can create better artificial intelligence models. To expand access to graduate education to outstanding students from diverse backgrounds, she led the development of the Ph.D. program in computer science and systems. Her commitment to inclusive teaching, mentoring and valuing students’ experiences positively impacts the professional and academic trajectories of her students and mentees.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Keri DeGroot, Assistant Teaching Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine 
As health-care professionals, occupational therapists support people in “doing, being, becoming and belonging.” This is also how Keri DeGroot approaches her teaching — by supporting her students in learning and doing basic skills, in their being occupational therapy students, in becoming practitioners and in belonging to the UW community. Her teaching methods incorporate case studies and real-world applications to encourage critical inquiry and reflection. DeGroot is also involved in curriculum initiatives that promote diversity and inclusivity, contributing to the broader academic community at the UW.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Jasmine Mahmoud, Assistant Professor, School of Drama, College of Arts & Sciences 
Whether she’s teaching a seminar with eight graduate students or a lecture with 200 undergraduates, Jasmine Mahmoud makes meaningful connections with each of them. By providing feedback that encourages iteration, Mahmoud helps her students develop as critical thinkers with growth mindsets and lifelong learning practices. She offers them professional development activities, such as conference planning and research collaborations. In addition, she guides students in developing syllabi and in facilitating independent studies that lead to practical projects — all to help them prepare for academic and professional careers.
Distinguished Teaching Award
Laura McGarrity, Associate Teaching Professor, Linguistics, College of Arts & Sciences 
To make linguistics as relatable and relevant as possible, Laura McGarrity transformed the course Linguistics 269 into “Swearing and Taboo Language.” Enrollment in the course shot up, and now, 800 students take it each year. To create an inclusive learning environment in her course “Language and Thought,” McGarrity assigns readings by a variety of authors. For that class, one student writes, she “presented topics that never occurred to me and did so in a way that encouraged us to debate them and make up our own minds on whether we found them true or not.”
Distinguished Teaching Award
Bryan White, Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences, School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, UW Bothell 
By connecting classroom content to real-world scenarios, Bryan White sparks a sense of wonder and curiosity in his students — and they begin to see themselves as scientists in development. White, one nominator writes, “represents the pinnacle of educational excellence, transforming ordinary classrooms into vibrant spaces of discovery and engagement. His ability to turn complex science concepts into memorable experiences — whether through impromptu demonstrations, unexpected props or spontaneous dance moves — reflects his extraordinary gift for making learning both rigorous and joyful.”
Distinguished Teaching Award for Teams
Brotherhood Initiative Instructional Team, College of Education
Kandi Bauman, Assistant Director of Research and Curriculum, Brotherhood Initiative, College of Education
Joe Lott, Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy, College of Education
Paul Metellus, Associate Director for Student Success, Brotherhood Initiative, College of Education
Siamak Vossoughi, Teaching Associate, Brotherhood Initiative, College of Education
T. Ling Yeh, Director of Research and Programs, Brotherhood Initiative, College of Education
This team helps students who identify as men of color navigate college and develop agency within their professional and civic identities. Through a cohort-based seminar structure that is developed with extensive data and planning, the team reimagines the curriculum each year to ensure that the project is relevant to students’ experiences and perspectives. The team’s work has created transformative learning opportunities that affirm students’ cultural experiences while promoting a sense of belonging and community.
Distinguished Teaching Award for Teams
CSE 121, 122 & 123 Course Launch Team, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Kasey Champion, Lecturer, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Elba Garza, Assistant Teaching Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Miya Natsuhara, Assistant Teaching Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Hunter Schafer, Associate Teaching Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Brett Wortzman, Associate Teaching Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
This team revitalized the introductory computer science courses that serve as an entry point for students to explore the world of computing. The team infused the course sequence with activities that encourage students to reflect on their work, integrate their personal experiences into their learning, embrace a growth mindset and consider ethical questions related to computer science and engineering. Their chair notes, “this multiyear, iterative, collaborative project has been wildly successful and impressively innovative, better serving thousands of students each year.”
Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award
J’May Bertrand Rivara, Associate Teaching Professor Emerita, School of Social Work; Co-Director, Carol LaMare Scholars Program, Center for Integrative Oncology and Palliative Care Social Work 
A cornerstone of support. Advocate. Champion. Guiding light. Enduring influence. These are just some of the words students use to describe J’May Bertrand Rivara. Throughout her career, Rivara has taught, mentored and nurtured graduate social work students who are committed to cancer care, palliative care or end-of-life care. “Her actions and words have shown me that being a social worker is not a time-limited role,” one student writes, “but rather a set of values and relationships that are pursued over the long haul.”
Excellence in Global Engagement Award
Anu Taranath, Teaching Professor, English and Comparative History of Ideas, College of Arts & Sciences 
As a speaker, educator, study abroad program director and public scholar, Anu Taranath partners with a range of people and organizations to encourage students and faculty to explore their own stories while deepening conversations on equity, social justice and global consciousness. Her book, “Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World,” serves as a critical resource for academics, students, researchers and travelers who engage globally and want to better understand and navigate worlds of difference.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Sourojit Ghosh, Doctoral Candidate, Human Centered Design & Engineering, College of Engineering 
For Sourojit Ghosh, teaching is an iterative process and a partnership. He actively involves students in course design and adapts his curricula based on their feedback. After designing one of the University’s first courses on ethics in artificial intelligence, he was invited to expand it into a five-credit version for undergraduates. His students said that the class equipped them with a clearer understanding of generative AI tools and gave them a strong foundation in ethical frameworks to champion responsible AI design and communicate integration strategies to their employers.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Robert James Swan, Doctoral Candidate, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment 
Having taught more than 1,000 students, Robert James Swan is recognized for creating meaningful opportunities for all students to engage with forestry research — including those without backgrounds in science — by guiding them in essential skills such as fieldwork and lab techniques. His noteworthy class assignments focus on helping students learn experientially and build their metacognitive skills. To enhance networking and extracurricular opportunities for students, he revived the UW chapter of the Society of American Foresters and founded the UW Beekeeping Club.
Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award
Hannah C. Wiley, Professor, Dance, College of Arts & Sciences 
To help professional dancers transition to careers in higher education, Hannah C. Wiley established a master of fine arts program aimed at addressing their unique challenges and providing financial support through teaching opportunities. She actively recruits, trains and mentors a diverse body of students, advocating for changes in curriculum, programming and support systems. “Hannah’s office door is always open — literally,” a colleague writes. “And while there isn’t a fireplace inside, you always leave her office feeling as if you’ve gathered around one.”
Outstanding Public Service Award
Vadym Provozyuk, Lead Network Specialist, UW Information Technology 
Vadym Provozyuk, who emigrated to the U.S. following Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine, has devoted himself to helping Ukrainians since the start of Russia’s 2022 invasion. His heroic coordination of organizing and planning has helped thousands of Ukrainians evacuate to safety. Working with the nonprofit Grace Tea, he has also helped ensure that urgently needed food, water, medical supplies, fuel and other necessities reach Ukrainians in need.
President’s Medal
Kerry Petit, Undergraduate Student, Anthropology and Urban Ecological Design
Kerry Petit returned to higher education later in her career, first at Shoreline Community College before transferring to the UW. She embraces new experiences inside and outside the classroom, and as an anthropology major, she is interested in how culture and design can shape more equitable futures. After graduation, Petit, a member of the Chinook Indian Nation family, plans to apply her learning to working with underserved communities supporting cultural revitalization and ethical museum practices.
President’s Medal
Gloria Shen, Undergraduate Student, Neuroscience and Dance
As a Seattle native, Gloria Shen was drawn to the UW from an early age, but as a student, she discovered an even deeper connection through a strong sense of belonging in the neuroscience program. She has pursued an ambitious academic program at the intersection of dance, medicine and neuroscience, receiving numerous awards and scholarships in recognition of her academic excellence. After graduation, she plans to pursue a medical degree and hopes to one day become a pediatric neurosurgeon.
University Faculty Lecture Award
Douglas Wood, Henry N. Harkins Professor and Chair, Surgery, School of Medicine 
Douglas Wood’s leadership in developing and promoting lung cancer screening guidelines has been nothing short of transformative. As a world-renowned expert in thoracic oncology and founding chair of the National Lung Cancer Screening Panel, Wood has overseen the creation and continual refinement of evidence-based guidelines for the early detection of lung cancer. Now the standard in clinical practice, these guidelines have been instrumental in saving thousands of lives throughout the world. Wood will present his lecture in 2026.
Please take a moment to congratulate our 2025 recipients for their exemplary work to expand knowledge, serve our students, improve people’s health and well-being, and to better communities.