Mike and Lynn Garvey awarded 2011 Gates Volunteer Service Award

At the University of Washington’s Tenth Annual Recognition Gala held September 9, 2011, local business and community leaders Mike and Lynn Garvey were named the recipients of the 2011 Gates Volunteer Service Award in recognition of their commitment of sharing their time, expertise and support.

The Gates Volunteer Service Award is the highest honor given to UW volunteers. It is presented annually by the UW and the UW Foundation to recognize and honor individuals whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have encouraged others to support the University of Washington through time, service and philanthropy.

Recipients of the Gates Volunteer Service Award exemplify the highest standards of service to the University of Washington modeled by the singular vision and generosity of the William H. Gates family, whose volunteer service, commitment of time and philanthropy continues to advance the work of the UW in profound and enduring ways.

From the Foster School of Business to the Burke Museum, UW Medicine to Law, Arts & Sciences to Athletics, the Garveys have made the UW’s learning and research efforts stronger. They’ve also served in leadership positions on numerous UW boards and committees.

After earning math and law degrees at the UW, Mike taught courses at the business school in the 1970s while getting his own law firm started. Since then, Mike has mentored and taught undergraduate, MBA and doctoral students at the Foster School and the law school. Lynn, who also attended the UW, has spent decades volunteering for the Arboretum and cheering on her beloved Huskies. Inspired to support research aimed at curing and preventing diseases after losing her sister to cancer, Lynn extended their generosity further by funding the Garvey Cell Imaging Lab and medical research. They also honored the memory of friend and business partner Bob McMillen by making a lead gift that created a professorship in his name.

Whether it’s students, faculty or community members, few can help but be inspired — including other University friends. “Mike and Lynn’s selfless approach to giving back and working with others is highly compelling and in fact, highly contagious,” said colleague and fellow Foster School volunteer Michael Mondello, president and CEO of SeaBear.

To learn more about the award, visit giving.uw.edu/gates-volunteer-service-award​.