This year, Gunnison native Anna Gallowich will receive Western Colorado University’s highest honor for graduating seniors at an awards ceremony on Friday, May 8.
As one of only eight recipients of the 2026 Alumni Award for Excellence, Gallowich will join the ranks of some of Western’s most distinguished alumni and be remembered for her contributions to the campus community.
On May 9, Gallowich will graduate summa cum laude with a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. After graduation, she will continue teaching biology at Crested Butte Secondary School.
“I wanted to become a teacher to pay forward the kindness, care, and dedication that I received during my time in school,” Gallowich said. “This award means that I am scratching the surface of the impact that I hope to make.”
For the last 29 years, members of Western’s Alumni Advisory Council have considered nominations from students across the university. The committee’s goal is to identify a select group of graduates who have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service while embodying what it means to be a Mountaineer.
“These students represent the very best of Western. Their success is rooted in strong mentorship, meaningful opportunities, and a community that challenges them to grow,” said Western’s Vice President for Advancement Shelley Thompson. “The Alumni Awards for Excellence are a celebration of that journey.”
To learn more about the Alumni Awards for Excellence or about Western Colorado University, visit western.edu.
Seth Mensing is the media and communications manager at Western Colorado University.
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