Friday, May 15, 2026, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Pacific
Viking Union - Multi Purpose Room
You are invited to a special evening on the WWU campus to celebrate the 2026 Western Washington University Alumni Award winners! On the evening of May 15, we will honor these five distinguished alumni awardees who were chosen in recognition of their professional achievements, service and accomplishments.
Our 2026 awardees are:
Alumni Achievement Award
Dan Erickson (’07)
Screenwriter/Producer
Creator of the critically acclaimed Apple TV series Severance, an award-winning show recognized for its originality, storytelling, and cultural impact.
Alumni Distinguished Service Award
David Swanson (’72)
Professor Emeritus, UC Riverside
An internationally recognized demographer, prolific researcher, and higher education advocate.
Alumni Humanitarian Award
Lee Whittaker (’68)
Methow Valley Land Donor
An educator and entrepreneur whose career has been defined by innovation, sustainability, and community building.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Alison Lührs (’11)
Narrative Director, Bungie
Alison has risen to a leadership role in the gaming industry, contributing to global titles such as Destiny 2 and Baldur’s Gate III.
Family Recognition Award
Nancy Hoff (’66) & family
Nancy and her son Carter ’02 forged careers in teaching and established a scholarship supporting Woodring students focused on early childhood education. Their family’s deep connection to Western spans generations, beginning when Nancy’s grandmother graduated from what was then Bellingham Normal School.
In addition to a brief program, you will enjoy complimentary offerings from some of Bellingham's favorite eateries, including Pure Bliss Desserts, Calypso Kitchen, Saltadena, Locus, CHeBA Hut, Bantam, Mercato delle Bontà, Tandoori Bites, and more.
We hope to see you there!
This event is supported by proceeds from the
Chris Goldsmith WWU Alumni Program Endowment Fund.
Tribal Lands Statement
Western Washington University's main campus is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, all throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed from time immemorial. We express our deepest respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbors, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways. Access our inclusive Tribal Lands Statement.
The Foundation for WWU & Alumni
516 High Street, Bellingham WA 98225
(360) 650-3353 | forwestern@wwu.edu
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