The board of directors of Independent Colleges of Washington presented state Sen. Mike Hewitt with its Stanley O. McNaughton Leadership Award at a luncheon yesterday at Seattle Pacific University.
Created in 1999, the award is named in honor of Mr. McNaughton, a founding director of ICW. The award recognizes companies, legislators, and leaders that have demonstrated passion for and commitment to Washington’s independent colleges and universities and the students who attend them.
From left: Ron Thomas (seated), president of University of Puget Sound and chairman of the ICW Board; Sen. Mike Hewitt; DeLona Lang Bell, president of CM Bell Company and ICW board member; John McVay, president of Walla Walla University; George Bridges, president of Whitman College. ICW photo.
Hewitt played a key role during budget negotiations in 2009 in defeating a proposal to freeze financial aid for students attending independent colleges and universities. In addition, he has long been an outspoken advocate for independent higher education, noting that the college provide an outstanding education for nearly 40,000 students at minimal cost to the state, saving taxpayers upwards of $340 million each year. He’s committed to keeping college affordable for low- and middle-income students.
Past winners of the McNaughton Award are:
2008: The Wollenberg Foundation
2007: Bob Craves
2006: Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air
2005: Sen. Margarita Prentice
2004: Fluke Corporation
2003: Sen. Dino Rossi
2002: PACCAR Inc
2001: Sen. Ken Jacobsen
2000: The Boeing Company
1999: Rep. Tom Huff
Congratulations to Sen. Mike Hewitt for joining this wonderful group. Thank you for your support.
