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.
- Each award recipient will be honored at the annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony in June of 2023.
- Anyone from the UW can make a nomination unless otherwise stated.
- View the Awards of Excellence archive here.
Nominations now open
Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award
Honors
An outstanding alum, distinguished for service and achievement over a period of years since graduation from the UW.
Highlights
Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Jan. 15, 2023
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. Recipients will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 16
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. Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 9
Distinguished Librarian Award
Honors
An outstanding librarian from any UW campus whose contributions advance the mission of the UW Libraries and the UW.
Highlights
Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 31
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.Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Feb. 1 2023
Distinguished Service Award
Honors
Outstanding Alumni Association members or volunteers who have made a significant impact on the Alumni Association and the UW community.
Highlights
Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Jan. 15, 2023
Distinguished Staff Award
Honors
Staff & teams primarily composed of staff that nominations that exemplify excellence.
Who can nominate
Faculty, staff, students
Highlights
Nominees receive a congratulatory letter and copy of their nomination and five nominees are selected for a $5,000 award. Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 16
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.
Highlights
Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Jan. 15, 2023
Excellence in Global Engagement Award
Honors
Faculty or staff in alternate years and honors teaching, research, and/or community building activities that connect UW students, faculty, and staff to global communities locally, nationally and internationally.
Highlights
The recipient will receive $5,000 and will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 16
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. Recipient will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 13
Outstanding Public Service Award
Honors
A faculty, academic appointee or staff who has made exemplary contributions to the common good through public service.
Highlights
The recipient will recieve a $5,000 award and will be celebrated in June.
Who can nominate
Faculty and staff.
Nominations due: Jan. 30, 2023
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 and will be celebrated in June.
Nominations due: Dec. 5
Nominations closed for the 2022-2023 cycle
Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award
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.
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
Recipients will be celebrated in June.
Distinguished Teaching Award for Teams*NEW
Honors
This new 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
Recipients will be celebrated in June.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Honors
Outstanding contributions of a graduate student instructor(s)/TA(s) to student learning.
Highlights
Recipient(s) will be celebrated in June.
Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior Medals
A graduating senior who has achieved the most distinguished academic record at the University.
Gates Volunteer Service Award
An individual whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have encouraged others to support the University of Washington through time, service and philanthropy.