September 18, 2008
UW honors Rep. Helen Sommers with Regents Medal
The University of Washington Board of Regents, by unanimous vote today (Sept. 18) presented Rep. Helen Sommers with the first Regents Medal ever bestowed by the university, for exceptional accomplishments over her 36 years in the state legislature.
Sommers, who is retiring from office, is an alumna of the UW with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics.
The Regent’s resolution noted that Sommers’ “leadership in the House of Representatives has been of immense benefit to the citizens of the state, particularly the impact her leadership has had over many years in expanding higher educational opportunities and ensuring the well-being of the state’s public higher education institutions.”
The resolution highlighted some of Sommers’ accomplishments, “the development of a stable, well-funded pension system for Washington’s public employees; creation of the state’s system of branch campuses to expand access to higher education opportunities; and, support for state funding of university research, particularly the University of Washington’s advanced technology initiatives.”
The resolution also stated, “The University of Washington is indebted to her for her vision, leadership, wise counsel and steadfast commitment to excellence in all the University does in providing high quality educational and research programs to benefit the State of Washington.”
The Regents Medal is an award that will be given from time to time by the Regents of the University of Washington to recognize outstanding and exceptional accomplishment by an individual or organization, particularly in service to humanity, a community, or to the UW itself.
