University District 2024 Impact Award Nominations Open, Deadline Aug 1

BACKGROUND

The University District’s Impact Award recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in the District through deep local engagement and exceptional initiative. The award is designed to acknowledge those who provide/have provided thoughtful, community-driven, innovative service and leadership within the District. 

Past University District Impact Award recipients include:

2017 – Dave and Mari Clack received the inaugural award in October 2017 at a UD community celebration at Gonzaga University for their early and long-lasting contributions to the University District.
2018 – no award
2019 – Kim Pearman-Gillman was celebrated during the University District Gateway Bridge opening in May 2019 for her leadership in bringing that game-changing project to fruition and for her longstanding service to the UD Board.
2020 – Dean Allen, McKinstry CEO, received the 2020 award for his transformative role in developing the south landing of the Gateway Bridge and the “Health Peninsula” the new home of the UW-GU Health Partnership Building.
2021 – Jim Sheehan was honored for his decades of service to Spokane as a public defender, community leader, philanthropist, and environmental activist. His investment in and transformation of East Main Ave into a vibrant commercial and community hub was catalytic for the UD.

2022 – Kim Zentz received the 2022 award for her years of community service on several Spokane boards and non-profits (including the University District) as well as her leadership roles during her distinguished career in the utility, economic development, higher education, and energy sectors.

2023 – Rich Hadley received the 2023 award posthumously as a major driver in the establishment of the University District. Rich worked tirelessly to build and sustain economic growth in our area and was a force in bringing the Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine into existence.

ELIGIBILITY
Individuals or organizations may receive this award. Previous award winners and current University District board members or staff are not eligible. The nominee’s work must serve populations in the University District.

AWARD TO INDIVIDUAL
This award is given to someone who has made a significant contribution to the University District and whose collaborative work and selfless leadership have inspired community action and measurable impact.  

AWARD TO ORGANIZATION
This award is given to an organization that demonstrates an exemplary commitment to improving the University District, supporting its stakeholders, and creating greater community health, wealth, equity, and opportunity in the District. The nominated organization will have undertaken collaborative and pioneering efforts to benefit University District development, revitalization, economic prosperity, innovation, public health and safety, and community engagement.

 

Members of the public who wish to nominate a person or organization for the annual University District Impact Award are required to submit Word document (maximum two pages) that includes responses to the following:

TELL US ABOUT WHO THE NOMINEE SERVES IN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD)

Please describe the community, organizations, and/or individuals served in the University District by this candidate.

WHAT DOES THE NOMINEE DO FOR THE UD AND WHY IS THAT WORK IMPORTANT?

Please tell us about the nature of the nominee’s work and why it matters. Examples include:

• Thoughtful Leader: Has a record of demonstrated leadership in their field and community; friends, colleagues, other thought leaders, and peers look to the nominee as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and empowerment.
• Community Catalyst: Has a history of stepping up, spearheading catalytic projects, and employing solutions that demonstrate a deep local understanding of the University District community and its diverse stakeholders and that advance the overall health, well-being, and prosperity of the UD community.
• Selfless Collaborator: Works with and is informed by other University District or Spokane community leaders, organizations, agencies, faith groups, and/or sectors to break down silos and build collaborative solutions.
• Trail Blazer: Has vision and the ability to build momentum around novel, placemaking, or game-changing ideas; willing to take risks to achieve results for future generations.

WHAT SETS THE NOMINEE APART?

Describe how the nominee works to lead, collaborate, and transform outcomes in the University District in truly unique ways. Provide 2-3 concrete examples of the nominee’s singular impact in the UD and/or challenges the nominee(s) has addressed/overcome in the District.

DEADLINE AND EVALUATION

Please submit the nomination to info@spokaneudistrict.org by August 1, 2024. Please provide your contact information for follow-up questions, if any. Final recommendation(s) will be presented to the University District Development Association board of directors for selection in October and the Impact Award presentation will take place on December 4, 2024.

NEED MORE INFO?

If you have any questions, please contact info@spokaneudistrict.org or call 509 255 8038.