The Department of Earth and Space Sciences recognizes truly outstanding individuals who have had an inspirational impact on students and the community, and made significant contributions to their profession and community service. By honoring our former students we hope to inspire today’s students to strive for both personal and professional success.

The Distinguished Graduate Award is designated for an outstanding alum, distinguished for service and achievement over a period of years since graduation from the Department of Earth and Space Sciences. It is emphasized that this award is not based on the individual’s work for the preceding year, but rather on their lifetime contributions.

Graduates, current students, faculty and staff throughout the ESS community are encouraged to nominate distinguished graduates. Nominations are accepted year-round. The ESS Advancement & Engagement Committee meets in February to review all nominees. Selection is generally determined in late February or early March and the winner notified shortly thereafter.

Selection Criteria

Nominees must be a former student who graduated from the UW Department of Earth & Space Sciences (or its predecessor units) with an undergraduate or graduate degree. Nominees must have a sustained record of achievement in one or more Nomination Categories, of which there are five. To demonstrate achievement, nominators should typically make compelling arguments in two (2) to three (3) elements of the selected Nomination Categories.

Scientific Achievements

• Contributions that advance knowledge in Earth, space, or environmental sciences
• Evidence of distinguished scholarship and impact

Leadership and Service

• Demonstrated leadership in their professional community or in interdisciplinary fields
• Contributions to mentoring, advising, or serving organizations

Impact on Education and Outreach

• Contributions to Earth and space science education, whether through teaching, curriculum development, or outreach
• Contributions to public engagement or effective science communication

Recognition and Influence

• Recognition of accomplishment within their scientific discipline, profession, or beyond
• Evidence of excellence in the form of honors, awards, or positions of influence

Engagement with the UW, College of the Environment, and/or ESS

• Sustained engagement with the University of Washington, its Earth and space science community, or its students?
• Support or contributions to the department’s goals, initiatives, or alumni network

Availability

• Award recipients should be available to receive the recognition at the Awards Ceremony in May of the year the award is announced.

How to Nominate

Nominations are submitted using the ESS Graduate Awards Nomination Form below.  To be considered, a nomination must include:

• A letter of nomination (at least 600 words, but no more than 1,000 words)
• Four or more supporting documents (e.g. articles, letters, websites, etc.)

Once nominated, the individual’s name remains in consideration for a total of three (3) years. Nominations do not need to be re-submitted during this time. To be considered for this cycle, nominations must be received by the deadline, typically in early February. All entries received after the deadline will be considered for the following year. Nominations are accepted year round.

New supporting materials can be added to an existing nomination by emailing materials to Summer Caton at . In accordance with campus sustainability guidelines, ESS cannot accept paper copies of award nominations.

ESS Distinguished Graduate Award Nomination Form

Selection Process

Nominations are reviewed by the Advancement and Community Engagement committee.  The committee may consult faculty or the ESS Advisory Board for additional information.  The committee has the discretion to select none, one, or multiple recipients in a given year.  Once all nominations are considered, the committee will advance a candidate(s) for a vote by the faculty. 

Questions? Please contact Summer Caton at or 206-685-9871.

The ESS Emerging Leader Award recognizes a graduate of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences who has graduated within the past 10 years and is a role model for current and future professionals through leadership, innovation and dedication in their field of practice. This award highlights the positive impact ESS graduates make on their local community, country and the world early in their career.

Selection Criteria

Nominees must be a former student who graduated from the UW Department of Earth & Space Sciences with an undergraduate or graduate degree within the past 10 years from the time of selection. Nominees must be distinguished in two or more Nomination Categories that are supported in the nomination letter.

Nomination Categories

• Exemplifies the vision and values of the University of Washington, to produce the next generation of global citizens and future leaders
• Creative and influential scholarship or contributions to their profession
• Demonstrated promise for future impact in basic research, education or public policy
• Exceptional service to professional organizations, government, or the community
• The benefit to the recipient in elevating their career through the recognition of their accomplishments

Availability

Award recipients should be available to receive the recognition at the Awards Ceremony in May of the year the award is announced.

How to Nominate

Nominations are submitted using the ESS Graduate Awards Nomination Form below.  To be considered, a nomination must include:

• A letter of nomination (at least 600 words, but no more than 1,000 words)
• Two or more supporting documents (e.g. articles, letters, websites, etc.)

Once nominated, the individual’s name remains in consideration for a total of three (3) years. Nominations do not need to be re-submitted during this time. To be considered for this cycle, nominations must be received by the deadline, typically in early February. All entries received after the deadline will be considered for the following year. Nominations are accepted year round.

New supporting materials can be added to an existing nomination by emailing materials to Summer Caton at . In accordance with campus sustainability guidelines, ESS cannot accept paper copies of Award nominations.

ESS Emerging Leader Award Nomination Form

Selection Process

Nominations are reviewed by the Advancement and Community Engagement committee. The committee may consult faculty or the ESS Advisory Board for additional information. The committee has the discretion to select no, one, or multiple recipients in a given year. Once the committee has considered all nominations, it will advance the selected candidate(s) for a vote by the faculty. 

Questions? Please contact Summer Caton at or 206-685-9871.