Olympia, WA — The Evergreen State College has announced that John Calambokidis, Senior Research Biologist and co-founder of Cascadia Research Collective, will receive the Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award at this year’s Return to Evergreen event on October 11, 2025. The award recognizes Calambokidis for his exceptional contributions to nonprofit research and marine conservation.
The Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 2014, honors Evergreen alumni who exemplify exceptional public service. Named after Joe Dear, a 1977 graduate known for his impactful leadership in government and public institutions, the award is presented annually during Return to Evergreen, alumni homecoming, to recognize alumni who carry forward his legacy of civic dedication and service. Past award recipients include retired Washington State Patrol Captain, Monica Alexander ’13, Washington State Lieutenant Governor, Denny Heck ’73, former National Education Association (NEA) Executive Director, John Stocks ’81, and attorney and former Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, Maia Bellon ’91.
John Calambokidis Class of 1978, is a renowned marine biologist and leading expert on whales, best known as the co-founder of the Cascadia Research Collective, an Olympia-based nonprofit dedicated to marine mammal research and conservation. With a career spanning over four decades, Calambokidis has conducted groundbreaking studies on a variety of marine mammals in the North Pacific from Central America to Alaska.
His work has led to meaningful conservation outcomes and he is widely recognized for his pioneering photo-identification research, having cataloged over 10,000 individual whales, including nearly 3,000 endangered blue whales. Calambokidis has coauthored two books, as well as more than 175 publications in scientific journals, 150 technical reports, and 200 scientific presentations. His research has been featured in major media outlets such as National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC and others.
A passionate advocate for environmental protection, Calambokidis began his research journey at Evergreen. He continues to give back to the academic community through guest lectures and mentorship, having supported over 100 Evergreen interns through Cascadia Research. Reflecting on the honor, John Calambokidis shared the following, “I knew Joe Dear from Evergreen and had great respect for him and his work, so it is a great honor to receive the distinguished alumni award named after him. My four years at Evergreen in the 1970s made it possible for me and some of my fellow Evergreeners to start Cascadia Research in 1979 where I have spent my entire career. Much of our success conducting scientific research on marine mammals has benefited from our continued relationship with Evergreen faculty and students.”
Evergreen President John Carmichael emphasized the importance of this recognition, saying, “John Calambokidis is a great example of the positive impact that Evergreen graduates have on the world, using rigorous research to understand our place in society and guide public policy and decisions to make the world a better place for all species.”
Through this award, Evergreen continues to celebrate the enduring impact of its alumni whose work reflects the values of public service, leadership, and community engagement that Joe Dear championed throughout his life.
For more details and to register, visit the Return to Evergreen page.
Media inquiries can be directed to mediarelations@evergreen.edu