Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award

Evergreen Celebrates Return to Evergreen and Honors Seth Kirby with Joe Dear Award

The Evergreen State College is excited to welcome alumni back to campus for the annual Return to Evergreen Alumni weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, 2024. This year’s gathering promises a full day of reconnecting with friends, engaging in dynamic discussions and reflecting on the impact Evergreen graduates have on the world.

Return to Evergreen is not just a chance to reminisce; it is an opportunity to learn, grow and share experiences with the Evergreen community. The event includes panels, presentations, and networking sessions designed to inspire and invigorate alumni. Attendees can expect sessions led by alumni from diverse fields, highlighting the unique and far-reaching impacts Evergreen graduates make across various sectors.

One of the highlights of the day will be the awarding of the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award to Seth Kirby, a passionate advocate for community-designed solutions and racial equity. This prestigious award honors alumni who embody the values of leadership, innovation, and public service, following in the footsteps of the late Joe Dear, an Evergreen alum and influential public servant.

About Seth Kirby

Seth Kirby, a transgender man, parent, and advocate, has dedicated his career to bridging communities and advancing equitable public policy. Currently the Chief Impact Officer at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Kirby works to build lasting connections and investments in Pierce County, fostering inclusive and accessible communities. His leadership spans government, philanthropy, and nonprofit sectors, having previously served as executive director of Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma and legislative director at the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

Kirby’s deep commitment to equity has seen him chair Washington Won’t Discriminate, a campaign that successfully retained statewide LGBTQ protections, and serve for a decade on the board of directors for Pride Foundation. His work reflects a profound dedication to advocacy, community empowerment, and supporting marginalized groups.

A native of rural Nebraska, Kirby is a proud “double Greener,” earning both his BA and MPA from The Evergreen State College, with concentrations in public policy and tribal governance. His accomplishments underscore Evergreen’s commitment to nurturing graduates who are passionate about social justice and dedicated to making a difference.

About the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award

Named after Joseph Albert Dear, a nationally recognized public service and labor advocacy leader, this award honors alumni who exemplify the spirit of service and leadership. Joe Dear, a 1977 Evergreen graduate, left an indelible mark through his work as the Chief Investment Officer for CalPERS.

Past award recipients include trailblazing alumni who have made significant contributions in public policy and community organizing.

The Return to Evergreen event will celebrate the legacy of Joe Dear while honoring Seth Kirby’s ongoing contributions to creating equitable and inclusive communities.

The Return to Evergreen event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, starting with two morning session blocks. The luncheon begins at 12:15 p.m. and includes the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony, followed by an afternoon plenary session at 1:45 p.m. titled, “Your Voice Matters: Harnessing the Power of Civic Engagement.” The day’s events end with a Greener Hour Celebratory Social from 3 to 5 p.m.

The second day of Return to Evergreen will be hosted at the college’s Tacoma Campus from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, October 6. Attendees can participate in two session blocks with two sessions each, and the day will conclude with a Sankofa Social from 4 to 5 p.m.

For more details on Return to Evergreen and to register, visit the Return to Evergreen page.

Olympia – Lt. Governor, Denny Heck has been named the 2022 Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award Winner by his college alma mater, The Evergreen State College. 

The award was established in 2014 and named for accomplished Evergreen graduate and lifelong advocate of the college, Joe Dear, who dedicated his life to public service. Dear’s list of accomplishments includes helping restore solvency to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, heading the Washington State Investment Board and Department of Labor and Industries, leading the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration under President Clinton, serving as Chief of Staff to Washington Governor, Gary Locke and sitting on The Evergreen State College Foundation’s Board of Governors.

The award honors other alumni, who like Dear, go above and beyond in public service. 

“The Lieutenant Governor’s lifelong dedication to Washingtonians and public service exemplifies what the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award represents,” said Evergreen President, Dr. John Carmichael. “Denny’s work representing Washington as a United States Representative and in the State House of Representatives along with his entrepreneurial work as a business owner, leadership in environmental policy and advocacy for open government all represent the foundation that Evergreen challenges its students to build.”

“I’m honored to be receiving this distinguished award,” said Lt. Governor, Denny Heck. “When I attended Evergreen I learned critical thinking, good communication skills, resourcefulness and the idea that I should follow my passion – public service. Evergreen helped me build a strong foundation that has allowed me to spend my life’s work doing what I love and what I believe in.”

Heck will receive his award during a luncheon at Evergreen’s “Return to Evergreen,” weekend which kicks off with a presentation from Evergreen’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, and a full day of events from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15. The luncheon will be from noon to 1:45 p.m. October 15 in Evans Hall on Evergreen’s Olympia campus. 

This will be the first in-person Return to Evergreen since the pandemic. For more information on the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award, please visit the webpage, for more about Return to Evergreen, visit evergreen.edu/return.