Posted on
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Seattle University and Alumni Relations will honor six remarkable individuals—alumni, faculty and friends of the university alike—as 2012 Alumni Award recipients. This year’s winners reflect the impact they have on the lives of those they touch through their work in various industries, in the classroom, in the community and beyond. Here’s a look at this year’s distinguished group:
Alumna of the Year: Martha Choe, ‘87Martha Choe is Chief Administration Officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a dedicated leader in economic and development affairs in the region and across the country. A champion of service to the community and longtime supporter of Seattle University, Choe has gained recognition for work in promoting economic development across the state. In 1996 Newsweek named her as one of their “30 movers and shakers” in Seattle, and in 1990, she was named Woman of the Year by the Seattl
e Chinese Post.
University Service Award: Julie Woodward, ‘93Julie Woodward has been the head coach for the women’s soccer team for 15 years, and gone on to lead them to 13 winning seasons. Julie is a former SU Soccer player, and is a member of the Seattle U Athletics Hall of Fame for her time as a player. Her coaching style helps shape determined young athletes and scholars.
Professional Achievement Award: Paul Newman, PhD, ‘78Dr. Paul A. Newman is a leader in the use of airplanes for atmospheric research, and is a senior scientist in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Branch of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. He studies the earth’s stratosphere, particularly the ozone layer. Paul currently serves as co-chair to the Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol, a landmark international treaty banning ozone-depleting substances to protect the earth’s ozone layer.
Community Service Award: Tricia Trainer, ‘01Tricia Trainer has been a longstanding volunteer and supporter of the Chief Seattle Club. The Chief Seattle Club is currently the only social service center in Seattle devoted exclusively to meeting the needs of urban American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations People. They currently operate from a shared space, the Lazarus Day Center, during early morning hours, providing a hot meal and access to resources and services in as much of a Native community environment as possible, in the heart of urban Seattle.
Distinguished Teaching Award: Bill Weis, PhDBill Weis is currently a faculty member in the Albers School of Business and Economics focused on teaching leadership and team development. Bill is also been a champion of service learning and served as program director of Albers’ MBA program from 1995 to 2009.
Outstanding Recent Alumnus: Rosa Singer, ‘02Rosa Singer earned her B.A. in Sociology and Spanish from Seattle University in 2002. In 2007 Rosa was selected as a Rotary World Peace Fellow, a competitive award only given out to 70 winners worldwide. She earned her M.A. in International Relations from the Jesuit Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires in 2008. Rosa currently serves as Director for Strategic Partnerships and Alliances at CARE USA, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty with programs in over 72 countries.
The 27th Annual Alumni Awards ceremony is April 17, 2012. Members of the President's Club and Legacy Society will also be recognized at the event. Register for the event and dinner
here.