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The Sterling and Gene Munro
Public Service Fellowship

The Sterling and Gene Munro Public Service Fellowship is meant to encourage a life-long commitment to public service by providing outstanding undergraduates with the opportunity to explore their potential for service and leadership in the community.

Made possible through the support of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, the Fellowship is named for S. Sterling Munro, Jr., the former top aide to the late Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson and Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration, and his wife, Gene, a lifelong public service advocate.

During his 25 years of public service to Washington State and the nation, Sterling Munro was extensively involved in natural resources legislation, playing an instrumental role in creating the North Cascades National Park, and contributing to the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Environmental Protection Act, and the Youth Conservation Corps Act. Munro also served on the board of directors of the Henry M. Jackson foundation and the board of trustees of Central Washington University. He also served as Vice President of John Nuveen Investments. David Olson, the 2005 Munro Public Service Teaching Award Recipient, had some kind words to say about S. Sterling Munro at the UW Recognition Ceremony.

A native of Wenatchee, Washington, former English teacher and Cherry Blossom Princess, Gene Munro was the daughter of Victor and Vada McMullan.  Victor was a rancher and political activist in Chelan County.  Vada was Victor’s political partner and later was the first woman to serve as Postmaster of Wenatchee.  Gene grew up in an atmosphere of activism and public service, eventually going to work as a secretary in Senator Jackson’s office, where she met Sterling.  As a mother and homemaker, Gene was very active in her childrens’ schools and taught English and remedial reading part-time.  She was a generous giver and participant in numerous local and national causes.  In Wenatchee, Gene served for many years as secretary for the Chelan County Democrats.  Recognizing the importance of encouraging public service, Gene authorized the Jackson Foundation and the Carlson Center to establish the Sterling Munro Fellowship upon Sterling’s death in 1992.  In 1995, she donated Sterling’s Jackson-era papers to the University of Washington to enhance the University’s Jackson papers collection and further establish Sterling’s legacy of service.  Upon Gene’s death in 2007, the Munro Fellowship was appropriately re-named the Sterling and Gene Munro Public Service Fellowship.

Both Sterling and Gene Munro demonstrated through out their lives what it meant to be stewards of public service.  They did this while at the same time nurturing a large family whose members each were inspired and taught the value of giving back for the greater good.  A passion for service and a balance of work, play, and family commitment fosters an atmosphere where great things are possible.  We all can inspire others and be examples to the next generation of public servants so they may also carry the torch and leave this world a better place.

Munro Public Service Fellowship

Munro Public Service Fellows are selected on the basis of a proposed public service initiative and their commitment to community engagement. This year,Munro fellows will be selected by December 2007 and awarded their fellowship at the beginning of winter quarter 2008. The award amount will range from $2200 to $4500, depending on the number of fellows selected.

Application Information

Prospective Munro Fellows should include the following information in an application packet. These materials comprise the application, there is not a paper form or online form:

• Name and contact information (phone and email)
• Transcript(s) (unofficial is fine)
• Description of yourself as a citizen and leader (500 to 1000 words)
• Public service initiative description:
  What project will you undertake as a Munro Fellow and what difference will it make? (maximum 2000 words)
• Name and contact information of a community member who is working with you on this initiative (and who can be contacted as a "reference")

The application deadline is 12:00 noon on Monday, November 19, 2007. They can be delivered to the Carlson Center in 120 Mary Gates Hall or emailed directly to Michaelann Jundt at mjundt@u.washington.edu.

Munro Public Service Teaching Award
Thanks to a generous gift from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, the S. Sterling Munro Public Service Teaching Award will be given annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in community-based instruction, including service learning, public service internships, and community partnership projects.

Learn more about the Munro Public Service Teaching Award, including who is eligible, how to make a nomination, and the selection procedure: http://www.washington.edu/uaa/teachingacademy/awards-munro

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