Dan Nordquist, associate vice president for research and deputy vice president for operations in the Washington State University Office of Research (OR), will receive the 2019 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Administration from the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA).
The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate noteworthy service to NCURA and have made significant contributions to the profession of research administration. Such contributions might be publications, presentations, teaching, mentoring, or service to the individual’s institution or organization. Nordquist will receive the award at NCURA’s 61st annual meeting on Aug. 5 in Washington, D.C. The award is NCURA’s highest honor. Since the first award was presented in 1994, there have been 21 previous recipients.
“I am honored to accept this award and appreciate the opportunities that NCURA has provided for me to get involved, work with great people, and have impact for research and research administration,” Nordquist said.
Nordquist has been involved in research administration at WSU since 1990, joining the OR in 1995. In 2002, Nordquist was appointed permanent director of the Office of Grant and Research Development, now the Office of Research Support and Operations. He was appointed associate vice president in 2015 before becoming deputy vice president for research in 2018. Nordquist oversees pre-award support, the OR Information Technology team, administratively supports the WSU Research and Arts and Conflict of Interest Committees, and several other committees and work groups within OR. He also manages OR support of WSU’s Strategic Plan implementation, operational initiatives, and special projects. He plays an essential role in policy development and ensuring that WSU is compliant with federal regulations.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dan since I joined WSU in summer 2014. Dan has done an outstanding job supporting WSU faculty and staff engaged in the WSU research enterprise. Dan has made significant contributions to both NCURA and WSU, and deserves recognition for all that he has accomplished,” said Chris Keane, vice president for research.
Nordquist has been a member of NCURA since 1996. He has served the organization at both the regional and national levels, including serving as Region VI Chair in 2001 and President of NCURA in 2012. Nordquist was the senior editor of NCURA Magazine from 2013-2015, and conceptualized and launched the e-Xtra weekly news supplement in 2014. Additionally, he has written many articles that contribute to professional knowledge in the research enterprise. He also has made countless presentations at both regional, national, and international research administration conferences and has taught Fundamentals as a traveling workshop member. Nordquist received the 2014 NCURA Julia Jacobsen Distinguished Service Award and multiple Region VI (Western US) contribution awards.
“Dan has been instrumental in improving efficiencies in our office, as well as the research administration community. In OR, Dan initiated and led efforts to transition from a paper-based pre-award structure to a state-of-the-art web-based management and reporting system. He also led efforts to convert the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Institutional Review Board from use of paper to electronic forms,” Keane said.
Established in 1958, NCURA grew out of a need by research administrators for a means of exchanging information about the profession when no other suitable source existed. Today, NCURA serves as the premier professional association for university research administrators. NCURA advances the profession of research administration through education and professional development programs, the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and the fostering a diverse, collegial, and respected global community.
