Seattle businessman, attorney and civic leader Gary Gayton has been selected to receive the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Washington political science department. Gayton, a 1955 political science graduate and the school’s first African American male varsity sports captain, accepted the honor last Thursdayt at the department’s convocation ceremony. “With a long record of success in the public and private sectors, Gary Gayton is well-deserving of this recognition from his alma mater,” said political science department chairman Steven Majeski. Gayton, who also holds a J.D. degree from Gonzaga Law School in Spokane, now works in the financial services industry as senior vice president and regional manager of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co. According to the online encyclopedia HistoryLink, Gayton was a track star at Seattle’s Garfield High School and the school’s first black student body president. He also excelled in both academics and athletics at the UW. His distinguished legal career began with an appointment by Robert Kennedy as an assistant U.S. attorney, and has included partnership in law firms in both Washington, D.C. and Washington state. He also served in the Transportation Department and on transition teams for President Clinton and Gov. Gary Locke, as well as on the advisory board of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Gayton’s long list of civic involvements includes service on the Seattle King County Forward Thrust Committee. As a special assistant to the Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams, Gayton oversaw the Interstate-90 project and later served 12 years as the I-90 Citizens Committee chairman appointed by Mayor Charles Royer.University of Washington: Page 2
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