University District 2025 Impact Award Nominations Open, Deadline Aug 1

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD) IMPACT AWARD INFORMATION

BACKGROUND

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

Past University District Impact Award recipients include:

• 2017 – Dave and Mari Clack received the inaugural award at a UD community celebration at Gonzaga University for their pioneering, seminal, and enduring 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.
• 2025 – Scott Morris, a much-admired business and philanthropic leader in the Spokane community, received the 2024 award for his pivotal role in the era-defining transformation of the South Landing of the University District Gateway Bridge, home to the internationally renowned Catalyst Building and Scott Morris Center for Energy Innovation.

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 significantly contributed 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.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

The University District Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) can initiate a public or closed nomination process. It can receive nominations informally, provided sufficient information is available to evaluate the nominee by the published deadline. Before evaluation and deliberation, the EAC will decide on the timeline for submissions, selection, and recognition. Those making nominations may be asked to provide additional information, if necessary. The EAC will confirm nominees' eligibility and will present their recommendation(s) to the UDDA board of directors for award selection.

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD) IMPACT AWARD 2025 APPLICATION

To nominate a person or organization for the annual University District Impact Award please submit a 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 nominations to info@spokaneudistrict.org by 10 AM Pacific, Friday, August 1, 2025. Please provide your contact information for follow-up questions, if any. Final recommendation(s) will be presented to the University District board of directors in October, and the Impact Award presentation will occur at a holiday party on December 10, 2025.

NEED MORE INFO?

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