Patricia Cutright, the iSchool 2017 Distinguished Alumna, has had a long and distinguished career in libraries. She is currently dean of libraries at Central Washington University and served as director of libraries at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and Eastern Oregon University.

Cutright has earned more than 25 prestigious honors, including the 2002 Oregon Librarian of the Year; 2003 LITA/Gaylord Award for Achievement in Library and Information Technology presented by the American Library Association and the Library Information and Technology Association; 2002 Jean McKenzie / Woman of the Year Award; Soroptimist International of La Grande; and the 2002 Excellence in Telecommunications – Applications, awarded to the Pioneer Library System by Oregon Connections, a statewide telecommunications consortium.

Recently, her efforts have earned Brooks Library at CWU the nomination for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and commendations from Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Congressman David Reichert.

Cutright received her Master of Librarianship at the University of Washington in 1983 and her B.A. Sociology at Idaho State University in 1980. 

The Distinguished Alumni award, established in 1961, recognizes outstanding graduates of the Information School. Alumni are chosen for their distinguished service in community affairs, and/or specific meritorious service on behalf of the Information School and the UW.