Sept. 17, 2017 BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Eileen Coughlin, who retired in July from her position as vice president at Western Washington University, has been named the fourth recipient of the WWU Lynda Goodrich Legacy Award. The announcement came Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at the 28th Annual Viking Night Dinner and Auction held at newly renovated Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.

Coughlin was selected from a number of nominees for best exhibiting the attributes of passion, strength, courage and leadership personified by Goodrich during her 26 years as WWU director of athletics. Goodrich also was a Hall of Fame women's basketball coach 19 seasons for the Vikings.

Coughlin served 23 years as the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at Western, providing leadership for the school's largest division that touches just about every aspect of the 'Western Experience' for students outside of the classroom. She also has been a leader for the University as a whole, bringing broad institutional perspective and strategic insight at every level.

Beyond the outstanding execution of her administrative responsibilities, Coughlin has been a model of personal integrity, attentive listening and compassion for others. Her commitment to making Western a more inclusive and welcoming place, not just for students, but for faculty and staff as well, is one of her most admired legacies.

At Western, Coughlin held administrative and fiscal responsibility for Enrollment and Student Services, which includes Academic and Career Development Services, Admissions and Enrollment Planning, the AS Bookstore, Athletics, Campus Recreation, Counseling, Dean of Students, Disability Resources, Financial Aid, Student Health Center, Prevention & Wellness Services, New Student Services and Family Outreach, Registrar's Office, Student Activities, University Residences and Dining Services, Viking Union Facilities and Student Outreach Services.

In 2011, Coughlin was also appointed as senior vice president at Western. Her responsibilities in this area included working with the other vice presidents as assistance was sought, and on strategic initiatives identified by the senior leadership team involving multiple divisions.

With Athletics being among those areas that reported to her, Coughlin played an integral role in Western's transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II in 1998. And she was a behind the scenes leader in the school's recent athletics facility upgrades, including the Viking Softball Complex in 2012, the Harrington Soccer Field in 2014, and the just completed Carver Academic Facility.

Previous WWU Lynda Goodrich Legacy Award winners are Jo Metzger Levin, Hoyt Gier and Paul Madison.

Funds raised from Viking Night are used for scholarships and support of the WWU Athletics program.

Here are some images from the 28th Annual Viking Night taken by Radley Muller.