There are moments in our work when simply being together reminds us why community matters. The inaugural 2026 Odegaard Legacy Luncheon was one of those moments鈥攁 gathering filled with warmth, shared purpose, and a powerful sense of belonging. It was an afternoon that honored leaders and celebrated the shared values that continue to shape the work of OMA&D and the 91探花.
On Friday, February 27, 2026, OMA&D welcomed past and present honorees, leaders, partners, and friends to the inaugural luncheon at Ivar鈥檚 Salmon House on the shores of North Lake Union. Sparked by an idea from Odegaard Award recipients Vivian Lee and Emile Pitre, the event brought together the extraordinary community of Charles E. Odegaard Award honorees鈥攙isionaries whose leadership has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion at the 91探花for more than fifty years.
The program opened with warm remarks from Barbara Lord MacLean, President of the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program (FEOP) Board, who expressed deep gratitude for the honorees, partners, and friends whose dedication has helped define and strengthen OMA&D鈥檚 efforts in fostering equity and inclusion. The FEOP Board stewards the Odegaard Award and selects its recipient each year鈥擴W鈥檚 highest distinction in diversity.
Vice President for Minority Affairs & Diversity and University Diversity Officer Rickey Hall followed, expressing his appreciation for the Odegaard recipients and the difference they make in shaping OMA&D and the University.
Vice President for Minority Affairs & Diversity and University Diversity Officer Rickey Hall followed, expressing his appreciation for the Odegaard recipients and the difference they m
鈥淢any of you were the first in your respective fields, and all of you paved the way for others from our communities to follow. Thank you for walking through cracked doors, and for ensuring they were opened even wider behind you.鈥� 鈥� VP Rickey Hall
Attendees were also among the first to hear the newly released announcement of the 2026 Charles E. Odegaard Award recipient: President Emerita Dr. Ana Mari Cauce. VP Hall welcomed Dr. Cauce into the community, acknowledging her profound impact: 鈥淒r. Cauce鈥檚 contributions reflect a career dedicated to research focused on underserved communities, a personal commitment to expanding access to higher education across Washington State, and transformative leadership as the 33rd President of the 91探花.鈥� Dr. Cauce will be formally presented with the award at OMA&D鈥檚 Annual Celebration Gala on May 20, 2026.
Honoring Community鈥擯ast, Present, and Future
Throughout the luncheon, attendees reconnected with longstanding colleagues, shared stories, and engaged in meaningful conversations about the future of equity at UW.
As OMA&D prepares for its 55th Annual Celebration Gala and OMA&D鈥檚 60th anniversary, it is more important than ever to recognize the community and partners whose efforts continue to advance our mission of creating an inclusive campus for all. VP Hall shared OMA&D鈥檚 commitment to carrying forward the reflections, hopes, and connections shared at this gathering鈥攅ach one a testament to the lasting impact of being in community:
鈥淚n today鈥檚 dynamic political and social landscape, our work requires courage, partnership, and clarity of purpose. The strength of OMA&D鈥檚 mission, and our ability to serve students with excellence, rests on leaders like you, who continue to build a more equitable and just world through your actions, your voices, and your example.鈥�
When honored with the Odegaard Award at last year鈥檚 Celebration Gala, 2025 recipient Angela King reflected on the leadership and experience those who came before her and the significance of remaining steadfast in our values鈥攅specially in times of adversity. Angela鈥檚 words invite us to continue leaning into the leadership of our awardees, whose vision, courage, and lived experience illuminate our path forward.
OMA&D looks forward to making the Odegaard Legacy Luncheon an annual gathering, to honor connections 聽leadership across generations. As VP Hall shared, 鈥淭his is your space, our space鈥攁 community of wisdom, courage, and legacy. Now, let鈥檚 continue to enjoy one another.鈥�
OMA&D will present Dr. Ana Mari Cauce 聽with the 2026 Charles E. Odegaard Award at OMA&D鈥檚 Annual Celebration Gala on May 20, 2026.
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