Gertrude Peoples, a special assistant with the 91探花 football program and the former director of the UW鈥檚 Student-Athlete Academic Services, is the 2012 recipient of the 91探花Charles E. Odegaard Award, Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity Sheila Edwards Lange announced Monday.
The award will be presented at the 42nd annual EOP Celebration, F锚te and Honors hosted by 91探花Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D) and the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) on Thursday, May 10, at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. The dinner and scholarship fundraiser will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Established in 1973, the Odegaard award honors individuals whose leadership in the community exemplifies the former 91探花president鈥檚 work on behalf of diversity. It is the only University and community-selected award, and is regarded as the highest achievement in diversity at the UW.
鈥淕ertrude has impacted the lives of thousands of 91探花student-athletes,鈥� Edwards Lange said. 聽鈥淲e are indebted to her for the leadership, knowledge, and caring she brings to the University. For over 40 years, she has contributed to the success of our students and continues to do so today. Her commitment to connecting students of color with the 91探花community, as well as her loyal service as a mentor and advisor reflect the goals of OMA&D and EOP.鈥�
Peoples began her career at 91探花in 1969 after being hired by Dr. Samuel E. Kelly, UW鈥檚 first vice president of the Office of Minority Affairs, to be an academic counselor with EOP. Her unique talent to connect with students and other 91探花departments during a time of social unrest led to her becoming an academic advisor to 91探花student-athletes in 1970.
Peoples was charged with the task of helping ease racial tensions that were occurring in the athletic department at that time. Not only did she successfully lead the integration of African-American football players into the campus community, she enhanced the level of academic support received by student-athletes of all ethnicities and genders. Peoples started the country鈥檚 first academic support office for college student athletes, setting the standard for similar programs across the nation.
By 1973, she was accompanying the football coaching staff on home recruiting visits as the first female recruiter for athletics at a major university. She was featured in both and during that time. Her success as a recruiter led other schools to call on the NCAA to alter the rules, limiting home visits to coaches. Peoples has worn several 鈥渉ats鈥� during her time in athletics, also working as a liaison between coaches and athletes, as well as families and upper campus.
She has been a mentor to countless student-athletes including Husky football legends Warren Moon, Mario Bailey, Spider Gaines, and Greg Lewis.聽 Two athletic department awards have been named in her honor. The Gertrude Peoples Scholarship Award is presented to a senior student-athlete pursuing a graduate degree, while the Gertrude Peoples Award is given to a 91探花coach who goes above and beyond expectations in helping their student-athletes with academics.
Currently in semi-retirement, Peoples recently battled breast cancer after being diagnosed last May. A devoted mother and grandmother, she has driven her grandchildren to and from school for the last 18 years. Peoples also competes in bridge tournament across the country and is an avid reader.
For more information on Celebration 2012 or the Charles E. Odegaard Award, please visit the Celebration web site.
Charles E. Odegaard Award Recipients
2012 聽聽聽聽聽 Gertrude Peoples
2011聽聽聽聽聽聽 Assunta Ng
2010聽聽聽聽聽聽 Nelson Del Rio
2009聽聽聽聽聽聽 W. Ron Allen
2008聽聽聽聽聽聽 1968 Black Student Union
2007聽聽聽聽聽聽 Alan T. Sugiyama
2006聽聽聽聽聽聽 Charles Mitchell
2005聽聽聽聽聽聽 Mike McGavick
2004聽聽聽聽聽聽 Jeff and Susan Brotman
2003聽聽聽聽聽聽 Herman McKinney
2002聽聽聽聽聽聽 Constance L. Proctor
2001聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ernest Dunston
2000聽聽聽聽聽聽 Vivian Lee
1999聽聽聽聽聽聽 Albert Black
1998聽聽聽聽聽聽 Bill Hilliard
1997聽聽聽聽聽聽 Andy Reynolds
1996聽聽聽聽聽聽 Hubert G. Locke
1995聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ron Moore
1994聽聽聽聽聽聽 Bernie Whitebear
1993聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ron Sims
1992聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sandra Madrid
1991聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ken Jacobson
1990聽聽聽聽聽聽 Herman D. Lujan
1989聽聽聽聽聽聽 J. Ray Bowen
1988聽聽聽聽聽聽 Frank Byrdwell
1987聽聽聽聽聽聽 Andrew V. Smith
1986聽聽聽聽聽聽 Phyllis Guti茅rrez Kenney
1985聽聽聽聽聽聽 Norm Rice
1984聽聽聽聽聽聽 Nancy Weber
1983聽聽聽聽聽聽 William Irmscher
1982聽聽聽聽聽聽 Mark Cooper
1981聽聽聽聽聽聽 Millie Russell
1980聽聽聽聽聽聽 Minoru Masuda
1979聽聽聽聽聽聽 Toby Burton
1978聽聽聽聽聽聽 Vivian Kelly
1977聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sam and Joyce Kelly
1976聽聽聽聽聽聽 Leonie Piternick
1975聽聽聽聽聽聽 Larry Gossett
1974聽聽聽聽聽聽 Dalwyn Knight