Longtime Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine supporters Mike and Kathy Hambelton received the 2026 Weldon B. Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award, the WSU Foundation’s most prestigious distinction, at the Foundation’s annual Volunteer Awards Celebration last week in Seattle.
The event spotlights individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and generosity have advanced WSU and strengthened its statewide impact.
“Collectively, our volunteers play a critical role in advancing student success, empowering faculty, and expanding WSU’s engagement with communities across the state,” said Mike Connell, vice president for Advancement and CEO of the WSU Foundation. “It is fitting that we take a moment to acknowledge the incredible leadership, commitment, and dedication of these remarkable individuals for making WSU’s impact bigger and better every day.”
Named for the founding chair of the WSU Foundation, the Gibson Award recognizes Cougs whose sustained volunteer service has made a transformational difference for the university and the Foundation.
Mike (’71) and Kathy exemplify lifelong service and philanthropy to WSU. With family ties to WSU since 1946, they’ve advanced education and agriculture through leadership in Washington’s tree-fruit industry and steadfast support of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) as well as the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center.
Mike’s extensive volunteer roles and campaign leadership, strengthened by Kathy’s partnership, have supported scholarships, research, Cougar Athletics—and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, where the Hambeltons have for years supported a program to equip medical students with iPads.