David B. Thorud Leadership Award
Recognizing outstanding leadership since 2006, the Thorud Leadership Award is
the highest leadership honor at the University of Washington.
2025 David Thorud Leadership Award Recipients
Munira Khalil
Professor and Chair
(Academic appointee), Chemistry,
College of Arts & Sciences
Margaret Shepherd
Chief of Staff & Chief Administrative Officer (Staff), Executive office of the President and Provost
David B. Thorud
The Thorud Award honors the long and varied service of its namesake. David Thorud came to the UW in 1981 as dean of the College of Forest Resources, but then stepped into other key leadership positions when the need arose, including director of Government Relations, acting vice president of University Relations, special assistant to the president, and acting provost. Despite retiring in 2000, Thorud remains active in the UW community as dean emeritus.