Bethlehem resident J. Leon Washington was among three people Dakota Wesleyan University recognized recently with Distinguished Alumni Awards during the annual Legacy Banquet Thursday.

The Legacy Banquet honors alumni and friends of Dakota Wesleyan who have generously supported the university. Distinguished Alumni Awards are given to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their field and/or committed great acts of service to their community and/or humanity.

Washington received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Leadership and Public Service. Mike Denney, of St. Louis, Mo., received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Donna Starr Christen College of Healthcare, Fitness and Sciences. Bradley W. Pratt, of North Mankato, Minn., received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Arts and Humanities.

Washington graduated from Dakota Wesleyan in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. He went on to earn a master of arts degree in anthropology from California State University, East Bay.

He has been the dean of enrollment management at Villanova University for the past two years, but his 43-year career in higher education has included various positions in enrollment management at both selective private and public universities.

His roles have included admissions and retention at liberal arts colleges and major universities across the country, including: Villanova University, Pennsylvania; Lehigh University, Pennsylvania; University of California, Davis; California State University; Guilford College, North Carolina; Oberlin College, Ohio; Amherst College; Massachusetts; and Iowa State University, among others.

Washington has had the opportunity to provide leadership and strategic enrollment management planning services for offices of undergraduate admissions, academic preparation programs, and retention and advising services. He has also managed additional critical areas for educational opportunity programs, financial aid, the learning skills center, services for international students and scholars, the registrar, student judicial affairs, and student affairs research and information. After spending more than a decade in the California State University organization, Washington was appointed associate director of enrollment management services for the California State University Chancellor’s Office, where he was responsible for enrollment management of the entire 23 campuses of California State University.

Washington has continued to be a leader in recruiting minority students, a tribute to his experience as the first African-American to graduate from an all-white high school, Wade Hampton High School, and for his time at DWU as being one of 14 African-American students on campus. He also established the School of English in Brazil, where he increased enrollment from 10 to 60 students.

With a long and successful career in enrollment management, Washington serves on the DWU Board of Trustees and is the chairman of the Enrollment Management Committee. He is also a regular and generous supporter of the Wesleyan Scholarship Fund. In addition, Washington has served on many national committees and boards in numerous higher education organizations.

Washington is married to Maria-Lucia and they have three daughters, Linara Washington-Jones, Lais Washington and Leandra Washington.