Distinguished Alumni Award
2024 Distinguished Alumni Award
Preston Selmon '14
The Foundation is pleased to announce Preston Selmon as the recipient of the 2024 LWTech Foundation Annual Distinguished Alumni Award! We will formally honor him at Commencement on June 13, 2024.
Hooked from the moment he first learned to drive in his red Toyota Celica GTS, Preston developed a love for cars in high school but didn’t know he would pursue a career in the automotive industry until he arrived on campus at LWTech. Professor and Program Director Jim Hicks fondly remembers the warm summer day Preston and his dad stopped by the auto lab to learn more about the program.
Preston enrolled in the Auto Collision Repair Tech program (now known as the Auto Body Technician program) at LWTech in Fall 2012 with the goal of experiencing as much as possible and exploring different career paths. While he thought he’d enjoy the thrill of painting and restoring cars, he eventually found his niche in estimating. “He had a natural mind for it and was even-keeled even in tense situations.” Said Hicks. “I encouraged him to pursue a career path in estimating.”
Preston knew he chose the right school and the right pathway when he had immediate success in a crowded Seattle job market. “The industry is full of people willing to be mentors, and the base of knowledge I gained at LWTech helped me succeed and gave me the foundation on which to build my career.” Preston graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2014 with his Associate Degree in Auto Collision Repair Tech.
Since graduation, Preston has quickly grown his career from a damage estimator to the General Manager at Gerber Collision in Spokane, Washington. A longtime car aficionado, he’s grown his car collection as well. These days you can find Preston driving the streets of Spokane in his BMW X3M Competition or through the mountains of Idaho and Montana in a tricked out BMW 335i.
Preston is passionate about encouraging people to join an industry that welcomed him 10 years ago and has enjoyed speaking to LWTech students about their career goals and life after school. Additionally, Preston dedicates time each month to help train local auto body estimators, in part, inspired by his time at LWTech. “My time at LWTech taught me that success comes to those that take risks and are not afraid to try new things out of their comfort zone. I was given the opportunity to take chances and learn from my mistakes, which is the only way to learn in a technical, hands-on field like auto body repair.”
In his free time, Preston enjoys attending car shows and group drives through the beautiful Pacific Northwest and trying new restaurants and food.
Congratulations to Preston on this well-deserved honor!
About the Distinguished Alumni Award
Established by the Lake Washington Institute of Technology's (LWTech) Office of the President in 2013, this is the highest honor the institution can bestow upon an alumnus in recognition of professional accomplishments as well as service to the college and/or the community.
The winners of this award exhibit the qualities of community and professional leadership that are symbolic of the mission of LWTech. They promote excellence, inspire others to reach their potential, encourage personal growth, and promote the enrichment of life through education and community service.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies at least one of the two following criteria:
- Has achieved success in their business, profession, military, or other vocational endeavors
- Has achieved success in their community, civic and/or volunteer activities
A distinguished alumnus is selected each spring from nominations received from the community. Each year's award recipient is honored at the LWTech Commencement ceremony held in June.
To be eligible for this prestigious award, nominees must have earned a minimum of 15 quarter credits from LWTech. Additionally, winners will be selected based upon notable achievement in his/her career, military or vocational field, outstanding service to the community and/or LWTech, and inspirational impact.