First Robert G.Waldo Award to be given this month

Robert Waldo

The first recipient of the Robert G. Waldo Award for outstanding service to higher education in Washington State, Warren A. Bishop, will be honored at this year's UW Day in Olympia Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The award was established as part of the Robert G. Waldo Endowment Fund for Government Relations, honoring Robert G. Waldo who served the UW and the state's higher education community for more than 30 years. He died in 1995.

Waldo received his bachelor's degree from the UW in business management, which began an esteemed career in higher education as a student, administrator and advocate. He represented the Sigma Nu fraternity's national organization, served with U.S. forces in Europe in World War II, earned a master's degree in higher education administration at Columbia University and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California. Waldo returned to the UW in 1946 as counselor in the Office of Student Affairs. He became the Dean of Men in 1956, then Assistant to the President from 1961-62, Director of Planning and Development from 1962-64 and Director of University Relations from 1964-66.

"He loved the University of Washington and his dedication to the University and public higher education was endless," Bob Edie, vice president for University Relations. "He had a great sense of humor and had a way of putting everyone at ease on even tense subjects."

As Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association (1964-66) he expanded the association beyond its athletic interest to include programs in continuing education and government relations. As Vice President for University Relations, he initiated the first continuing fund-raising program for the UW through the creation of the Development Office. He also organized the UW's Parents' Club throughout the state and fostered the successful passage of two statewide referendums and a constitutional amendment relating to higher education capital programs.

Waldo was named Director of Government Relations in 1974 where he served for a decade as a representative of the University in Olympia and in Washington, D.C. He also held the position of Vice Provost and Dean of Continuing Education simultaneously with the Director of Government Relations. As Vice Provost and Dean he was administrator for 92 employees and a program of credit and noncredit courses and public service activities.

"Bob Waldo was a genuine asset to this institution and is truly missed," said Sherry Burkey, associate vice president and director of Government Relations of her former supervisor and predecessor. "He was friendly, approachable and knew how to bring different groups of people together on opposing sides of an issue."

After retiring in 1984, Waldo served as executive director of the Council of Presidents Office in Olympia where he was responsible for developing public policy positions and agreed upon goals for all of the state's six, public four-year institutions. Terry Teale, who currently holds this position, described him as "a person of great respect at the State Capitol—everyone knew Bob Waldo. It's not easy to bring such a diverse group of leaders to a consensus, but Bob had mastered that unique ability. He left some difficult shoes to fill."

He also served on numerous boards of directors, was the president of the UW Retirement Association, and served on a number of boards and advisory committees.

Robert G. Waldo Award recipient Warren Bishop graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1946 and a master's degree from the UW in 1950. He was a governmental consultant and UW faculty member for the Bureau of Governmental Research and Services in the Political Science Department between 1951-1957. He served in Olympia as the Executive Assistant to the Governor (1957-59), Executive Assistant to the Governor and State Budget Director (1959-65) under Governor Albert Rosellini and later as a financial consultant for the Senate Ways and Means Committee (1965).

In 1965 Bishop moved to Washington State University where he served as administrative assistant to the President, Vice President for Business, Vice President for University Development, and Vice President for Business and Finance. He retired from WSU in 1979 and opened his own consulting business in management and governmental affairs which he continues to work in currently.

"I'm honored and thrilled to receive this award," exclaimed Bishop. "I worked very closely with Bob Waldo for decades. Just to have my name in the same place with a man of Bob Waldo's character and integrity is an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. The history of higher education in this state would not be where it is today without his personality and determination."

Bishop will accept the award at the UW Day luncheon held in Olympia on February 18 at the Tyee Hotel. The event is sponsored by the UW and the UW Alumni Association. It is a day for alumni and friends to show their support for the UW and higher education at the state capitol. ¶

Peggy Fine, Government Relations