Weber State University will honor several devoted alumni and inspirational community leaders at the 57th Annual WSU Salutes ceremony on Friday, Oct. 16. The public is invited to attend the free homecoming event hosted by the WSU Alumni Association.
The event schedule includes a reception at 6 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Atrium, followed by an awards program at 7 p.m. in the Browning Center Austad Auditorium. The ceremony will be broadcast on the Browning Center website. Courtney Ellis Woodwood, a 2014 WSU graduate, will serve as the master of ceremonies. Nancy Collinwood, the executive director of Alumni Relations, stated that the gathering celebrates the heart and spirit of the community during Weber State Homecoming.
The 2026 honorees include Emeriti Homecoming Royalty Chris J. and Laurie Malan, and Rob and Pam Despain. Chris Malan previously served as president of the WSU Alumni Board of Directors, while Rob Despain competed as a student-athlete on the men's golf team. Other recipients include Bruce L. Nilson, who received the Emeriti Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, and Crystalee Beck, who earned the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Abdiel S. Vazquez will also receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
Additional honors include the Lewis W. Shurtliff Award for Excellence in Education, presented to Janis B. Vause, and the Distinguished Service award given to Pat and Judy Condon. The Distinguished Alum awards will be presented to Casey Elliott and Nancy K. Andrews. Andrews recently retired as a senior executive service leader from the Department of the Air Force, where she managed a $164 billion portfolio.
The WSU Salutes ceremony highlights individuals who embody the strength and tradition of the university. The event is free and open to the public.
