William H. Gates, Jr. - Recognition Award

A UW alumnus and longtime volunteer, William H. Gates, Jr., is the winner of the UW Recognition Award, which honors persons whose major contributions of unique services and efforts have had impact on the University and community. Gates has had close ties to the University for more than 50 years, starting with earning his bachelor's (1949) and law (1950) degrees here.

William H. Gates, Jr.

Gates brought honor on his alma mater by his outstanding performance as a corporate lawyer. He joined the firm of Shidler, McBroom, Gates and Lucas in 1964; it became Preston Gates and Ellis in 1990 as the result of a merger. Gates, who retired from the firm in 1997, was a member and president of the Seattle-King County and Washington State Bar Associations. In 1991 he received the Washington Law School Distinguished Alumnus, and in 1992 he received the Washington Bar Award of Merit and the American Judicature Society Herbert Harley Award.

While he was earning distinction in his career, Gates often volunteered at the University. He served on the College of Arts and Sciences Visiting Committee (1966-1975) and the School of Law Visiting Committee (1983-1986) He has been a director of the UW Foundation since 1995 and a member of the Board of Regents since 1997.

His service extends to many other area organizations, including the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal League, the Seattle Foundation, United Way of King County, Planned Parenthood, the Seattle Repertory Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Boy Scouts of America and the Seattle Symphony Foundation. His involvement with the community earned him the E. Donnall Thomas Medal of Achievement in 1998.

Over the years Gates has contributed $2.5 million to the UW. He has been a major contributor and key fund-raiser for the Campaign for the Student Athlete, the Daniel J. Evans Endowment for Excellence in Public Service and the new building for the School of Law. He also established the Mary Gates Endowed Scholarship for undergraduate students in honor of his late wife, who was also an active UW volunteer.