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Awards of Excellence

These are among the honors and awards the University of Washington bestows upon alumni, faculty, staff, retirees and students who contribute to the richness and diversity of the University community.

Awards for faculty and other academic personnel

David B. Thorud Leadership Award

Honors

Extraordinary faculty and staff leaders at the UW.

Who can nominate

Faculty and staff.

Highlights

Nominees receive a congratulatory letter and copy of their nomination; two nominees are selected for a $2,500 award.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award

Honors

A full-time UW faculty member who has taught and/or designed courses for at least two years in non-degree programs and designed for professional development, personal interest or career redirection.

Highlights

This award carries a $5,000 stipend for the recipient.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Librarian Award

Honors

An outstanding librarian from any UW campus whose contributions advance the mission of the UW Libraries and the UW.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award

Honors

A UW retiree or team of UW retirees for excellence in service post-retirement that exemplifies the University’s values with special distinction.

Highlights

The award carries with it a $1,500 prize funded by the UW Retirement Association.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Service Award

Honors

Outstanding Alumni Association members or volunteers who have made a significant impact on the Alumni Association and the UW community.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Teaching Award for Teams

Honors

This award is granted to instructional teams/collaborators (two to five people) from any UW campus. The teams may include faculty, students, TAs, staff educators, librarians and/or other members of the UW who support instruction.

Highlights

The team will receive $5,000.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Teaching Awards

Honors

Six extraordinary individual faculty members — four from the Seattle campus and one each from the UW Bothell and UW Tacoma campuses.

Highlights

The recipient will receive $5,000.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award

Honors

An extraordinary UW teacher who has influenced and inspired students after they graduated.

Who can nominate

Nominators must have taken at least one class from the nominee. Consideration is given to interactions outside of the classroom.

Make a nomination

Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award

Honors

An outstanding faculty member who mentored a graduate student.

Highlights

A single award, accompanied by $5,000 in discretionary funds that can be used to support the awardee’s scholarly activities.

Nominations encouraged from

Graduate students and graduate alumni.

Make a nomination

Outstanding Public Service Award

Honors

A faculty member, academic appointee or staff member who has made exemplary contributions to the common good through public service.

Highlights

The recipient will receive a $5,000 award.

Who can nominate

Faculty and staff.

Make a nomination

University Faculty Lecture Award

Honors

Current or emeriti faculty whose research, scholarship or art has been widely recognized by their peers and had a substantial impact on their profession, on the research or performance of others and perhaps on society as a whole.

Highlights

Recipient will give an all-campus lecture.

Make a nomination

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Awards for staff

David B. Thorud Leadership Award

Honors

Extraordinary faculty and staff leaders at the UW.

Who can nominate

Faculty and staff.

Highlights

Nominees receive a congratulatory letter and copy of their nomination; two nominees are selected for a $2,500 award.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award

Honors

A UW retiree or team of UW retirees for excellence in service post-retirement that exemplifies the University’s values with special distinction.

Highlights

The award carries with it a $1,500 prize funded by the UW Retirement Association.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Service Award

Honors

Outstanding Alumni Association members or volunteers who have made a significant impact on the Alumni Association and the UW community.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Staff Award

Honors

Staff and teams primarily composed of staff that exemplify excellence.

Who can nominate

Faculty, staff and students.

Highlights

Nominees receive a congratulatory letter and copy of their nomination and five nominees are selected for a $5,000 award.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Teaching Award for Teams

Honors

This award is granted to instructional teams/collaborators (two to five people) from any UW campus. The teams may include faculty, students, TAs, staff educators, librarians and/or other members of the UW who support instruction.

Highlights

The team will receive $5,000.

Make a nomination

Excellence in Global Engagement Award

Honors

Faculty and staff at the UW for their leadership in global engagement. The award alternates each year between faculty and staff honorees. The academic year 2023-2024 award will honor a UW staff member that has led or undertaken activities that connect UW students, faculty and staff to global communities locally, nationally and internationally.

Highlights

The recipient will receive $5,000.

Who can nominate

-All UW staff (with at least 50% FTE).
-UW employees may self-nominate.

Make a nomination

Outstanding Public Service Award

Honors

A faculty member, academic appointee or staff member who has made exemplary contributions to the common good through public service.

Highlights

The recipient will receive a $5,000 award.

Who can nominate

Faculty and staff.

Make a nomination

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Awards for students

Distinguished Teaching Award for Teams

Honors

This award is granted to instructional teams/collaborators (two to five people) from any UW campus. The teams may include faculty, students, TAs, staff educators, librarians and/or other members of the UW who support instruction.

Highlights

The team will receive $5,000.

Make a nomination

Excellence in Teaching Award

Honors

Outstanding contributions of a graduate student instructor(s)/TA(s) to student learning.

Highlights

The recipient will receive $5,000.

Make a nomination

Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior Medals

Honors
A graduating senior who has achieved the most distinguished academic record at the University.


Recipients have already been selected.

Make a nomination

Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award

Honors

An outstanding faculty member who mentored a graduate student.

Highlights

A single award, accompanied by $5,000 in discretionary funds that can be used to support the awardee’s scholarly activities.

Nominations encouraged from

Graduate students and graduate alumni.

Make a nomination

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Awards for alumni

Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award

Honors

An outstanding alum, distinguished for service and achievement over a period of years since graduation from the UW.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award

Honors
A living UW alumnus veteran who made a positive impact on the local, national or international community, the University of Washington or the veteran community.


Recipients have already been selected.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Service Award

Honors

Outstanding Alumni Association members or volunteers who have made a significant impact on the Alumni Association and the UW community.

Make a nomination

Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award

Honors

An extraordinary UW teacher who has influenced and inspired students after they graduated.

Who can nominate

Nominators must have taken at least one class from the nominee. Consideration is given to interactions outside of the classroom.

Make a nomination

Gates Volunteer Service Award

Honors
An individual whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have encouraged others to support the University of Washington through time, service and philanthropy.


Recipients have already been selected.

Make a nomination

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