In recognition of his long record of public service and professional achievement, Dr. Norward Brooks, ’71 MBA, has been named the 2026 Seattle University Alumnus of the Year. The award will be presented at the 39th Annual Seattle University Alumni Association Awards on Friday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. in Pigott Auditorium.
Brooks reflects on his life and career in his 2024 memoir, A Man of Many Firsts, detailing his upbringing in Louisiana, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college, and building a groundbreaking career in public service. The book’s title refers to the number of leadership roles he held as the first African American, including Director of King County Records and Elections, Commissioner of the Washington State Employment Security Department, City of Seattle Comptroller, King County Assessor, and Director of Administrative Data Processing at the University of Washington.
Brooks and his wife of more than 70 years, Violet Brooks, ’66 MEd, both earned their master’s degrees from Seattle University.
One of Brooks’ nominators highlighted the couple’s commitment to service and mentorship, saying of them, “They embody the attributes of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Thriving Beloved Community. They mentor others using their measured intellectual, physical capabilities and available resources to best raise others to their unseen potential. … They exemplify the St. Ignatius wisdom, ‘teach us to give and not to count the cost.’”
For more information about the event, visit https://events.seattleu.edu/event/39th-annual-alumni-awards or contact the Seattle University Office of Alumni Engagement at (206) 220-8566.
