Passion. Service. Professional Excellence. Dedication.
These are just a few words that describe our Seattle University Alumni Award winners. Each year, the Alumni Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of our alumni and community members. Seattle University celebrates outstanding members of our community at this year's 34th annual Alumni Awards on April 26 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle.
This year’s recipients include two College of Arts and Sciences alumni, Gretchenrae Campera, '08, Outstanding Recent Alumna, and Kathleen Schafer, '81, University Service. Also recognized are Brenda Christensen, '81 MBA, Alumna of the Year; Dan Wall, '08 LEMBA, Professional Achievement; and Chach Duarte White, '00 JD, Community Service/
Gretchenrae Campera, ’08: Outstanding Recent Alumna/Alumnus Award
Gretchenrae Campera, ’08, is Filipina and first-generation. She could have fallen through the cracks at Seattle University if not for her resiliency and the guidance of professors and staff. Today, Campera is the one guiding students as the assistant director of Student Success and Outreach at Seattle University. She helped envision and created The Outreach Center, which provides resources and programming for first-generation students and student veterans. Leslie Ikeda, ’18, aspires to be like Gretchenrae, “to be brave in challenging the status quo, to speak up for the voiceless … to believe in something bigger than yourself.”
Kathleen Schafer, ’81: University Service Award
When people think of Kathleen Schafer, words like “service,” “dedication,” “selfless” and “philanthropy” come to mind. If someone needs something, Schafer is often the first to step up. Her connection to Seattle University—with nine years on the Board of Regents and as founder and organizer of the popular State of the University event—reflects Schafer’s commitment to giving back to her alma mater. “I cannot think of another person who deserves this [University Service] recognition more,” says Janet Mullen Dwyer, ’70, who served with Schafer on the Board of Regents. “She is the epitome of the university’s values and commitment to justice, excellence and volunteerism.”
Read more about Campera and Schafer, along with the rest of our 2019 Alumni Award recipients.
Purchase your tickets for the April 26 awards ceremony here.