Congratulations to Loni Grinnell-Greninger (“yúčciʔə”), MPA ’16, on being named the 2026 recipient of The Evergreen State College’s Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award. The award recognizes Evergreen alumni who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to public service.

Loni serves as Tribal Vice Chairwoman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and as the Tribe’s Culture Director. A graduate of Evergreen’s Master of Public Administration program with an emphasis in Tribal Governance, she has dedicated her career to strengthening tribal communities, building partnerships across governments, and increasing access to resources and services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Through her leadership in cultural preservation, education, and community engagement, Loni continues to embody the spirit of public service that the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award celebrates. We are proud to recognize her accomplishments and the impact she has made throughout Washington state and beyond.