The Charles E. Odegaard Award was established in April of 1973 to honor a member of our community whose leadership sustains the former University of Washington President’s distinguished work (1958-1973) on behalf of diversity at the UW and citizens of the state. It is the only University and community selected award and is regarded as the highest achievement in diversity at the University.
The Odegaard “Unity” Award is a teak sculpture by the late Seattle artist, George Tsutakawa (1910-1997). Mr. Tsutakawa is an internationally recognized painter and sculptor known for more than 75 major bronze fountain sculptures set in public spaces in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. “Unity” and the “Unity” plaque, are permanently housed and displayed in the Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Minority Affairs and Diversity to publicly honor all of the outstanding recipients of this prestigious award.
Charles E. Odegaard Award Recipients
- Angela King, 2025
- Leonard Forsman, 2024
- Norma Zavala, 2023
- Frank Irigon, 2022
- Emile Pitre, 2020
- Marvin Oliver, 2019
- Ricardo S. Martinez, 2018
- Joanne and Bruce Harrell, 2017
- Richard A. Jones, 2016
- Colleen Fukui-Sketchley, 2015
- Denny Hurtado, 2014
- Rogelio Riojas, 2013
- Gertrude Peoples, 2012
- Assunta Ng, 2011
- Nelson Del Rio, 2010
- W. Ron Allen, 2009
- 1968 Black Student Union, 2008
- Alan T. Sugiyama, 2007
- Charles Mitchell, 2006
- Mike McGavick, 2005
- Jeff and Susan Brotman, 2004
- Herman McKinney, 2003
- Constance L. Proctor, 2002
- Ernest Dunston, 2001
- Vivian Lee, 2000
- Albert Black, 1999
- Bill Hilliard, 1998
- Andy Reynolds,1997
- Hubert G. Locke, 1996
- Ron Moore, 1995
- Bernie Whitebear, 1994
- Ron Sims, 1993
- Sandra Madrid, 1992
- Ken Jacobsen, 1991
- Herman D. Lujan, 1990
- J. Ray Bowen, 1989
- Frank Byrdwell, 1988
- Andrew V. Smith, 1987
- Phyllis Kenney, 1986
- Norm Rice, 1985
- Nancy Weber, 1984
- William Irmscher, 1983
- Mark Cooper, 1982
- Millie Russell, 1981
- Minoru Masuda, 1980
- Toby Burton, 1979
- Vivian Kelly, 1978
- Sam and Joyce Kelly, 1977
- Leonie Piternick, 1976
- Larry Gossett, 1975
- Dalwyn Knight, 1974