Alumni

To celebrate and honor Dr. Tetsuden "Tets" Kashima’s lifelong dedication to the Japanese American and the larger Pacific Islander and Asian community and the UW Department of American Ethnic Studies (AES), Allen Shimada invites you to join him in his effort to raise $100,000 for the endowed program support fund called "The Long Journey Home..." Endowed Program Support Fund in Honor of Professor Tetsuden Kashima for the Department of American Ethnic Studies.

Derek Sheffield, ’90, ’99, a poet and English teacher, was appointed Washington State’s Poet Laureate in April by Governor Bob Ferguson. A passionate naturalist known for co-editing the best-selling “Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry” with Elizabeth Bradfield, ’94, and CMarie Fuhrman, Sheffield is “always packing” binoculars and hand lens and birds by ear—often in the woods near his home in Leavenworth. He has butterflied alongside Robert Michael Pyle, ’69, ’73, the lepidopterist, and once exchanged letters with Pulitzer-winning biologist E.O. Wilson.

Looking for galleries to visit this fall? Check out these visual arts shows by UW alumni.

Launched in Spring of 2025, the pilot season includes seven episodes – each featuring a School of Art + Art History + Design alum in conversation with host Liz Copland.

Lisa K. Bambach’s path to becoming a design educator has been shaped by over a decade of professional experience, a deep commitment to collaborative inquiry, and a passion for shaping the future of design.

Burke Smithers (BDes 2024) discovered a passion for typography at UW that led to award-winning work, international experience, and the launch of his own type foundry, Nightjar Type. His designs reflect personal interests in nature and climate—showing how type can be both expressive and deeply personal.

Inspired by her family’s journey, Kimberly Il found her voice — and her future in the field of law — at the University of Washington.

Before women could vote, Clara McCarty of Steilacoom became the UW's first graduate and a pioneer for women in public service.

MFA alum Brian Christian explores the tricky dynamics between human behavior and artificial intelligence. After moving to Seattle—drawn by both it’s tech and literary scenes—he decided to pursue a master’s in creative writing at the UW. He studied creative nonfiction and poetry but did not lose touch with his affinity for computer science.

From promoting punk bands to designing light festivals, Terry Morgan has shaped Seattle’s cultural landscape for over 50 years. As an African American studies major at the UW, Morgan, ’76, studied widely outside his major, learning video art from art faculty Bill Ritchie and electronic music from Glenn White.

Lindsay Schwarz, '03, received the highest honor handed out by the U.S. government to scientists and engineers in independent research. Schwarz graduated from the UW with a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology.

We catch up with the Mariners color analyst and legendary UW student athlete.

June marks the end of many College of Arts & Sciences students’ undergraduate experience. Interested in attending a graduation ceremony? Check out this extensive list of all the celebrations happening with the College's departments.

From campus to wherever you call home, we welcome you to learn from and connect with the College of Arts & Sciences community through public events spanning the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. We hope to see you this June.

“Angela has spent her career bringing tough issues into the light, and she has done so with integrity and an honest desire to inform the public,” says Rickey Hall, vice president for Minority Affairs and Diversity and the UW diversity officer.