Gossett honored as one of the UW’s “Wondrous One Hundred”

’71 Grad recognized for his activism, achievements

As a graduate of the University of Washington, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Gossett is one in a Hundred. Columns, the magazine recognizing the achievements of UW graduates, named Gossett one of the University’s “Wondrous One Hundred” alumni as part of its 100th Birthday celebration.

“I am honored to be named one of UW’s wondrous One Hundred, especially as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sit-in at the UW that precipitated major changes for students of color,” said Gossett. “However, I share this award with the many people that planned and fought for these changes then and continue to do so now.”

While a student at the UW, Gossett was one of the original founders of the Black Student Union (BSU). In May of 1968, Gossett was one of the organizers of a sit-in within the offices of school President Charles Odegaard, a protest that prompted the UW to more aggressively recruit minority students, hire more faculty and staff members of color and create a center for academic and cultural development of minorities. The BSU worked with other students of color at the UW and other educational institutions to create Black, Chicano, Asian and Native American studies.

After receiving his degree in 1971, Gossett became the first supervisor of the Black Student Division, in the Office of Minority Affairs. Gossett left the UW to become Executive Director of the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP), one of the oldest and largest community action agencies in the city of Seattle. Elected to the County Council in 1993, Gossett is serving his fifth term on the Council, and was Chair of the Council in 2007.

Gossett’s recognition puts him in elite company. Other UW graduates recognized in the magazine include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, Governors Albert Rosellini, Dan Evans, and Booth Gardner and community activist Roberto Maestas, founder of Seattle’s El Centro de la Raza. Maestas and Gossett, along with Bob Santos and the late Bernie Whitebear, were known as the “Four Amigos” for their involvement in the advancement of human rights.