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.
Closed nominations
The following awards are not currently accepting nominations. Click an award below to see when nominations open.
Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award
- Nominations open
- Sep. 15, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Jan. 29, 2021
The Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award, established in 2003, is given to a full-time University of Washington faculty member who has taught for at least two years in innovative, non-degree programs sponsored by the University and designed for professional development, personal interest, or career redirection.
- Selection
- Spring Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee appointed by the Vice Provost for Continuum College
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Continuum College
Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award
- Nominations open
- Sep. 30, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Jan. 15, 2021
Created in 2017, the Distinguished Teaching Legacy Award celebrates the legacy of transformational teaching. It honors a UW teacher, living or not, who has influenced and inspired students long after they graduated.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee of alumni, faculty and academic staff appointed by the Executive Director of the Alumni Association
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Alumni Association
- Additional information
- UWAA alumni awards
Distinguished Teaching Award — Bothell
- Nominations open
- Sep. 30, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Dec. 18, 2020
The Distinguished Teaching Award is given annually to seven faculty members: five from the Seattle campus and one each from UW Bothell and UW Tacoma. Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria, including mastery of the subject matter; enthusiasm and innovation in the teaching and learning process; ability to engage students both within and outside the classroom; ability to inspire independent and original thinking in students and to stimulate students to do creative work; and innovations in course and curriculum design. Faculty members in Seattle who receive the Distinguished Teaching Awards are inducted into the University of Washington Teaching Academy. As Teaching Academy members, awardees are eligible to participate in a variety of Academy-sponsored projects and events to further excellence in the teaching and learning process at the UW. The Distinguished Teaching Award was established in Seattle in 1970 and in Bothell and Tacoma in 1995.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- The selection is made by a committee comprised of faculty representatives from each school.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of the Chancellor, UW Bothell
- Additional information
- Bothell teaching award
Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus / Alumna Summa Laude Dignata
- Nominations open
- Oct. 1, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Jan. 15, 2021
This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a University of Washington graduate and is presented annually by the UW and UW Alumni Association. It recognizes a legacy of achievement and service built over a lifetime. Since its inception in 1938, more than 70 alumni who personify the University’s tradition of excellence have received this prestigious honor. Nominations are open to the public.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee of alumni and faculty appointed by the Executive Director of the Alumni Association
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Alumni Association
- Additional information
- UWAA alumni awards
Distinguished Teaching Award for Innovation with Technology
- Nominations open
- Oct. 1, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Nov. 16, 2020
This annual award recognizes a current faculty member from our Seattle, Tacoma or Bothell campuses who has improved student learning or engagement through an inventive use of technology. The award is open to individual instructors and instructional teams.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- The DTA, DTA-I, & Clowes Selection Committee is comprised primarily of faculty members, as well as two or three staff members.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Center for Teaching & Learning
- Additional information
- Center for Teaching & Learning – Teaching awards
Distinguished Teaching Award — Seattle
- Nominations open
- Oct. 5, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Nov. 16, 2020
The Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) is given annually to seven faculty members — five from the Seattle campus and one each from the UW Bothell and UW Tacoma campuses.
Recipients are chosen based on their mastery of the subject matter; enthusiasm and innovation in the teaching and learning process; ability to inspire independent and original thinking in students; innovations in course and curriculum design; and service as a mentor, collaborator and consultant to other faculty members and teaching assistants.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- The DTA, DTA-I, & Clowes Selection Committee is comprised primarily of faculty members, as well as two or three staff members.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Center for Teaching & Learning
- Additional information
- Seattle teaching awards
Excellence in Teaching Award
- Nominations open
- Oct. 5, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Nov. 16, 2020
This award recognizes stellar teaching by graduate students. The recipients are honored for demonstrating extraordinary teaching ability as graduate instructors or as a graduate teaching assistant.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- The ETA Selection Committee is comprised of faculty members, staff members, and graduate students.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
- Additional information
- Center for Teaching & Learning – Teaching awards
James D. Clowes Award for the Advancement of Learning Communities
- Nominations open
- Oct. 5, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Nov. 16, 2020
This award was established in 2003 in memory of James D. Clowes, who was a leader of the Comparative History of Ideas Program and a member of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. The Clowes Award recognizes a faculty or staff member who transforms undergraduate learning at the UW through the development of learning communities.
Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated capacity to connect cohorts of students with one another and with faculty members to advance learning; transform traditional classroom communities into shared experiences beyond the classroom; and to develop service/community-based learning opportunities for undergraduates that are integrated into their programs of study.
- Selection made by
- The DTA, DTA-I, & Clowes Selection Committee is comprised primarily of faculty members, as well as two or three staff members.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
- Additional information
- Center for Teaching & Learning – Teaching awards
David B. Thorud Leadership Award
- Nominations open
- Oct. 12, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Dec. 31, 2020
First awarded in 2006, the David B. Thorud Leadership Award is awarded to two employees who have demonstrated exceptional abilities to lead, serve, inspire and collaborate with broad impact. The award is named in honor of David B. Thorud, who has effectively served the University in leadership positions for 25 years.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee with representatives from the Board of Deans & Chancellors, Faculty Senate, PSO and previous awardees.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of Human Resources
- Additional information
- David B. Thorud Leadership Award
Distinguished Teaching Award — Tacoma
- Nominations open
- Oct. 12, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Jan. 12, 2021
The Distinguished Teaching Award is given annually to seven faculty members: five from the Seattle campus and one each from UW Bothell and UW Tacoma. Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria, including mastery of the subject matter; enthusiasm and innovation in the teaching and learning process; ability to engage students both within and outside the classroom; ability to inspire independent and original thinking in students and to stimulate students to do creative work; and innovations in course and curriculum design. Faculty members in Seattle who receive the Distinguished Teaching Awards are inducted into the University of Washington Teaching Academy. As Teaching Academy members, awardees are eligible to participate in a variety of Academy-sponsored projects and events to further excellence in the teaching and learning process at the UW. The Distinguished Teaching Award was established in Seattle in 1970 and in Bothell and Tacoma in 1995.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- The selection is made by a committee comprised of faculty representatives from each school.
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of the Chancellor, UW Tacoma
- Additional information
- Tacoma teaching award
Distinguished Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award
- Nominations open
- Oct. 15, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Feb. 1, 2021
The Distinguished Retiree Excellence in Community Service Award, created in 2012, is designated to honor a retired UW faculty or staff member for excellence in service that exemplifies the University’s values with special distinction. The award is based on the individual’s contributions subsequent to retirement in service to the community, locally, regionally or nationally, and carries with it a prize of $1,500 funded by the University of Washington Retirement Association.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee selected by Retiree Relations
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- University of Washington Office of Retiree Relations
- Additional information
- UWRA website
Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award
- Nominations open
- Oct. 15, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Jan. 6, 2021
The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award recognizes a faculty member who excels at the intense, one-on-one teaching that is the hallmark of graduate study. First awarded in 1999, the award was renamed in memory of Marsha L. Landolt, who served as dean of The Graduate School from 1996-2004.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee appointed by the Dean of The Graduate School
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- The Graduate School
- Additional information
- Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Mentor Award
Outstanding Public Service Award
- Nominations open
- Dec. 7, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Feb. 1, 2021
Established in 1980, this award recognizes exceptional achievement in public service by a faculty or staff member of the University. Nominations may be made by faculty, or staff, or by a member of an organization that has benefited from the public service of a University of Washington faculty or staff member.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee of alumni, faculty and staff
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of the Vice Provost for Academic & Student Affairs
- Additional information
- Outstanding Public Service Award
University Faculty Lecture Award
- Nominations open
- Dec. 11, 2020
- Nominations due by
- Jan. 21, 2021
Since 1976, this award has honored current or emeriti faculty whose research, scholarship, or art has been widely recognized by their peers and whose achievements have had a substantial impact on their profession, on the research or performance of others, and perhaps on society as a whole. It acknowledges outstanding creativity and scholarship by University faculty. The recipient delivers the University Faculty Lecture to inform the UW community about his or her work.
Please send your nomination materials to secfac@uw.edu.
Your nomination should include a letter addressing the following information about the candidate:
1. Significant accomplishments and impact.
2. Speaking ability.
3. Ability to adapt his/her academic interest to a broad audience.
4. Possible topics that you believe the nominee would address in the lecture.
5. The candidate’s vitae.
6. Up to three additional letters of support for the nomination.
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee of faculty appointed by the President
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of the Provost
- Additional information
- Email to make a nomination
Distinguished Alumni Veteran Award
- Selection
- Summer Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee comprised of alumni, student, faculty, staff and members of the broader community
- Presentation
- UW Veterans Day event and the Awards of Excellence
- Administration
- Alumni Association
- Additional information
- UWAA alumni awards
Distinguished Librarian Award
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee of three librarians, one faculty member, and one student appointed by the Dean of University Libraries in consultation with the Association of Librarians of the University of Washington
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- University of Washington Libraries
- Additional information
- Distinguished Librarian Award site
Distinguished Service Award
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee appointed by the President of the Alumni Association
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Alumni Association
- Additional information
- UWAA alumni awards
Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Medals
- Selection
- Fall Quarter
- Selection made by
- Faculty Honors Committee, a subcommittee of the Faculty Council on Academic Standards
- Presentation
- Winter Quarter at a private reception
- Administration
- Office of Student Life
Gates Volunteer Service Award
- Selection
- Spring Quarter
- Selection made by
- Award and Recognition Committee
- Presentation
- Annual Recognition Gala, Fall
- Administration
- UW Foundation
- Additional information
- The Gates Volunteer Service Award
President’s Medals
- Selection
- Spring Quarter
- Selection made by
- Faculty Honors Committee, a subcommittee of the Faculty Council on Academic Standards
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of Student Life
S. Sterling Munro Public Service Teaching Award
- Selection
- Winter Quarter
- Selection made by
- A committee of faculty, students, and alumni appointed by the President
- Presentation
- Awards of Excellence, June
- Administration
- Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
- Additional information
- The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Mentor Award