Jennings Receives Alumni Achievement Award

PULLMAN, Wash. – Gladys Jennings, the first woman of color to receive a master’s degree from Washington State University, was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award on Saturday, May 20, at the WSU Alumni Association’s Diversity Luncheon held aboard the Holland America’s ms Oosterdam. Tim Pavish, executive director of the WSU Alumni Association and Mike Tate, vice president of the Office of Equity and Diversity, made the presentation.

Jennings attended WSU for two years and graduated in 1948 with a Master of Science. Later, Jennings taught at WSU as a food and science professor and chaired WSU’s minority scholarship committee. She has also been heavily involved in minority recruitment for the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences.

In 1998, WSU presented Jennings with the WSU African American Alumni Award, and in 2004 she received the distinguished service award from the Office of Equity and Diversity. At 81 years of age Jennings continues to promote the recruitment of minorities at WSU. On behalf of the university, she serves as a representative for diversity and equity initiatives.

Jennings is the 455th WSU graduate to receive the Alumni Achievement Award. The award was created in 1970 by the WSUAA Board of Directors to recognize alumni who have given outstanding service to WSU and made contributions to their professions, community and nation. The award encourages alumni to provide perpetual service to WSU.

From left to right: Tim Pavish, Gladys Jennings, and Mike Tate