The Washington State University Foundation will celebrate the extraordinary service of a select group of dedicated Coug volunteers during its annual Volunteer Awards Celebration on Thursday night, May 14, in Seattle. The event spotlights individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and generosity have advanced WSU and strengthened its statewide impact.
“Collectively, our volunteers play a critical role in advancing student success, empowering faculty, and expanding WSU’s engagement with communities across the state,” said Mike Connell, vice president for Advancement and CEO of the WSU Foundation. “It is fitting that we take a moment to acknowledge the incredible leadership, commitment, and dedication of these remarkable individuals for making WSU’s impact bigger and better every day.”
The 2026 recipients of the WSU Foundation’s most prestigious distinction, the Weldon B. Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award, are Mike and Kathy Hambelton. Named for the founding chair of the WSU Foundation, the Gibson Award recognizes Cougs whose sustained volunteer service has made a transformational difference for the university and the Foundation.
Mike ’71 and Kathy exemplify lifelong service and philanthropy to WSU. With family ties to WSU since 1946, they’ve advanced education and agriculture through leadership in Washington’s tree-fruit industry and steadfast support of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) as well as the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. Mike’s extensive volunteer roles and campaign leadership, strengthened by Kathy’s partnership, have supported scholarships, research, Cougar Athletics — and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, where the Hambeltons have for years supported a program to equip medical students with iPads.
WSU alumni Scott ’82 and Lisa ’83 Taylor are the recipients of this year’s William F. “Biff” Brotherton Cougar Spirit Award. Named after the late Brotherton ’65 and presented annually, the award celebrates generous philanthropic support of and enthusiastic volunteerism for Cougar Athletics and WSU. The Brotherton family also provided for a scholarship awarded to a deserving WSU student-athlete each year.
For more than four decades, Scott and Lisa’s philanthropic leadership — including lead investments in the Taylor Sports Complex and a transformative matching challenge — has strengthened Cougar Athletics, inspired collective action, and advanced opportunities for student-athletes on and off the field. Beyond their giving, the Taylors are engaged volunteers and trusted partners for WSU, with Lisa serving on WSU’s Campaign Executive Cabinet and Scott a member of the Cougar Athletics Campaign Committee.
Three alumni are the recipients of the Foundation’s Outstanding Service Award, presented each year in recognition of exceptional leadership and commitment:
- Bruce Amundson (’75, Poli. Sci.) has served his alma mater and the Foundation across a range of leadership roles, including membership on the Foundation’s Board of Directors and trustees. His engagement spans decades and extends to advisory roles with WSU’s College of Education and the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.
- Lewis Lee (’88, Elec. Eng.) has served in more than 20 leadership roles across the university and at the WSU Foundation. A past chair of the Foundation Board of Governors, Lewis also served as a WSU Foundation Trustee, and he was a member of fundraising committees and advisory boards in support of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, Carson College of Business, and Honors College.
- Libby Walker (PhD ’84, Poli. Sci.) has always been a strong advocate, partner, and supporter of philanthropic initiatives that impacted not only her college, but also the greater university. Retiring in 2012, Libby remains deeply engaged with WSU and the Honors College, always ready to volunteer and support students.
Together, the entire cadre of 2026 honorees exemplifies the spirit of service that drives philanthropic engagement and advances opportunity across the WSU system.
“Each of the remarkable Cougs we honor this year has made immeasurable contributions to grow WSU’s culture of philanthropy and open doors for students, faculty, and the university at large,” Connell said. “Through their leadership and generosity, they help ensure the university has the resources and partnerships needed to deliver meaningful impact — on our campuses and well beyond.”
Learn more about the WSU Foundation’s Volunteer Awards program and nominate deserving Cougs for future awards at foundation.wsu.edu/volunteers.
