Community Service Award

Major General Bret D. Daugherty, ‘80, ‘89

College of Arts and Sciences

Major General Bret Daugherty’s impressive career and service in the Washington National Guard extends to his work as an educator—first as a teacher and later leading a program for at-risk youth to graduate high school.

For dedicating his career to serving and protecting the state, Maj. Gen. Daugherty, ’80, ’89, is the recipient of the Community Service Award.

Maj. Gen. Daughtery was called to active duty for the National Guard after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He now serves as the Adjutant General for the State of Washington and the commanding general of 6,000 soldiers and 2,000 airmen of the Washington National Guard. He is also the Homeland Security Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee, director of the Washington Military Department, a member of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet and the senior state official responsible for emergency management.  

Throughout his career, Maj. Gen. Daughtery has led the Washington Military Department’s response to many emergencies and natural disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He oversaw the longest activation of the Emergency Operations Center and deployed guardsmen to food banks as well as testing and vaccination sites. He also worked to ensure the security of the 2020 elections and prevented a major cyberattack on the state’s network.

Maj. Gen. Daugherty led the Military Department’s in-residence program for at-risk youth, which has been recognized as the best program of its kind at the national level, leading to the opening of a second campus.