2001 Honorees, Dan and Nancy Evans

Few distinguished couples are as synonymous with public service in the State of Washington as Dan and Nancy Evans. For over forty years, they have lived a unique life of commitment to others - one that has taken them to the governor's mansion in Olympia, as well as the halls of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Dan is a Seattle native from a pioneer Washington family. After graduating from the University of Washington with BS and MS degrees in civil engineering and two tours of duty with the U.S. Navy, he worked as a structural engineer for the City of Seattle.

Nancy (Bell) Evans, a Spokane native, earned a BA in music from Whitman College and did graduate work at Eastern Washington University before becoming a music teacher and librarian in the Shoreline School District.

When Dan and Nancy married in 1959, he had already been elected to the state House of Representatives. He served in the legislature for eight years, including rising to the position of Republican Minority Floor Leader from 1961-1965.

In 1965 at age 39, Dan became the youngest ever Washington governor and began a brilliant gubernatorial career. He served an unprecedented three consecutive terms as the state's chief executive, and was named "One of the Ten Outstanding Governors in the 20th Century" by a University of Michigan study. He championed environmental issues and higher education, and led the establishment of The Evergreen State College in Olympia.

As First Lady of Washington, Nancy formed the Governor's Mansion Foundation, which decorates the public rooms with furniture and artwork from the 18th and 19th centuries. The collection is currently valued at $1 million. She also served as a trustee of the Patrons of South Sound Cultural Activities, the State Capitol Museum and was co-founding director of the Governor's Festival of the Arts. Nancy was also busy raising three young sons, Dan, Jr., Mark, and the youngest, Bruce, who was born while the Evans lived in the mansion.

In 1977, the Evans family left state government for a new challenge when Dan became president of Evergreen State College. During the Evans' six years there, Evergreen was named the best small liberal arts school in the West, and one of the top three such institutions in the nation.

Fate brought Dan and Nancy back into politics in 1983, this time to "the other Washington." When Henry "Scoop" Jackson died suddenly, Dan was appointed and subsequently elected to fill the famous senator's seat. Already well known and respected for his public service and leadership in the West, Dan became a force on the national political scene as well.

Highly respected as an independent and well-researched thinker, Dan earned the nickname "Straight Arrow" during his political career. He is known for passionate moderation, a commitment to public service and choosing his own path.

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