Executive Vice President for Statewide Campus’s Award for Staff Excellence

Executive Vice President for Statewide Campus’s Award for Staff Excellence recognizes and salutes the dedication and commitment of a staff member in advancing the mission of WSU Vancouver. Award criteria includes active participation in campus activities, excellent performance in the staff member’s own role, demonstrated leadership on behalf of WSU Vancouver and going the “extra mile” to advance WSU Vancouver.

A smiling couple posing together while holding a vibrant bouquet of fresh flowers

Adam Woodruff

Events Coordinator

If you’ve attended an event at WSU Vancouver in the past nine years, chances are Adam Woodruff had a hand in making it happen. Since 2016, Woodruff has been the steady, behind-the-scenes force ensuring that campus events from intimate gatherings to major celebrations run smoothly, look beautiful and leave lasting memories.

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Woodruff’s role as events coordinator calls for careful planning, logistical precision and the ability to think on his feet. He’s known for anticipating needs before anyone else sees them, finding creative solutions to challenges and keeping a cool head when plans change at the last minute. His work is meticulous, but his approach is personal: Woodruff builds strong relationships across campus, fostering a spirit of collaboration that helps every event succeed.

When leadership gaps arose in the Events Office, Woodruff stepped up without hesitation, keeping operations moving seamlessly and advising faculty, staff and students on how to make their ideas work—often in ways that save time, money and stress. Whether it’s a Board of Regents Retreat, a campus dedication or commencement, Woodruff’s thoughtful touches and attention to detail elevate the experience for everyone involved.

Colleagues know Woodruff as someone who never hesitates to go the extra mile jumping in to help with last-minute catering prep, guiding new facilities staff or tackling unexpected challenges with a smile. These acts of dedication may happen quietly, but they have a big impact on the campus community.

Past Award Recipients

Academic YearRecipient Name
2023 – 2024Diane Laya
2022 – 2023Sheila Gray
2021 – 2022Tim Wood
2020 – 2021Sara Rauch
2019 – 2020Laura Dutelle
2018 – 2019Nolan Yaws-Gonzalez
2017 – 2018Shawn Welter
2016 – 2017Mistie Josephson
2015 – 2016Nikki Hinshaw
2014 – 2015Daniel Garcia Rojas
2013 – 2014Maureen Keller
2012 – 2013Kim Estes
2011 – 2012Bola Majekobaje
2010 – 2011Barb Krahn
2009 – 2010Kawni Toulson
2008 – 2009Jan Johnson
2007 – 2008Jenell Ashbaugh
2006 – 2007Helen Stewart
2005 – 2006Vicki Darnell
2004 – 2005Debbie Runyan
2003 – 2004Dawn Banker
2002 – 2003Theresa Phimister
2001 – 2002Jean Lang
2000 – 2001Wayne Brown
1999 – 2000Joan Daugherty
1998 – 1999Julie Hanke
1997 – 1998Myrna Howard
1996 – 1997Lynda Dezellem
1995 – 1996Shaun Elhard