The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award
Dr. Winston Addis 60BA, 64MA, 68PhD
A lifelong educator, Winston Addis has utilized his three University of Iowa degrees to build an expansive career and consistently support his alma mater and other organizations. In retirement, he has continued to be a strong supporter of classical music organizations and a unique school near his home in the Seattle area.
Hailing from Iowa City, Addis began his education career as a high school math teacher in Mount Vernon, Iowa. While working and earning his degrees, he thrived—advancing into the roles of principal and superintendent over two decades. He was also an active board member and president of several educational associations.
In 1983, Addis co-founded the Hamlin Robinson School, a private institution that serves students with dyslexia and other language disabilities. He still serves as a trustee for the Seattle school, which is recognized as one of the top schools of its type in the country and has an enrollment of nearly 450 students.
From 1991 through 2006, Addis worked for City University of Seattle in different administrative roles, retiring as vice president. His accomplishments include organizing the school's first and largest overseas campus in Slovakia. It was the first private and first U.S. university in Slovakia—introducing American-style education with a free-market focus in the MBA program. There is considerable evidence that this program played a role in Slovakia’s successful application to membership in NATO and the European Union. After retiring, he taught statistics there each spring for a decade.
Now, Addis has dedicated himself to supporting regional classical music organizations. Though neither Russian nor a true musician, he co-founded the Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle, which promotes the idea that great music transcends geographic and political boundaries—particularly connecting American audiences to Russian music and artists.
Generous with his involvement and support, including more than 50 years of philanthropic giving for his alma mater, Addis continues to make the world a better place.