VP of Student Life Bonita Washington-Lacey named ‘Educator of the Year’ by Chamber of Commerce

Bonita Washington-Lacey, vice president for student life and dean of students at Earlham College, has been named Educator of the Year by the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. The honor was presented at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Jan. 23, 2026, recognizing her more than four decades of leadership in higher education and her lasting impact on students and the broader Wayne County community.

This recognition follows another recent honor for Washington-Lacey; in 2025, she received Earlham’s Distinguished Service Award during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. Together, these awards reflect her longstanding dedication to students and the College community.

The Chamber has celebrated outstanding educators through its annual Educator of the Year Award since 1993. In 2019, the award was expanded to include a focus on excellence in higher education, highlighting the essential role colleges and universities play in strengthening Wayne County through academic achievement, leadership, service, and community engagement. Washington-Lacey is the first from Earlham to receive this distinction, underscoring the College’s enduring contributions to the community.

Washington-Lacey’s career reflects decades of leadership and a deep commitment to students. An Earlham graduate from the Class of 1978, she has remained closely connected to the College for more than 40 years, with the exception of a four-year tenure as the Great Lakes Colleges Association’s coordinator for multicultural affairs. She has held leadership roles across Admissions, Academic Affairs, and Student Life.

“Supporting the enhancement of the student experience is central to my passion and calling at Earlham,” Washington-Lacey said. “I am honored to work alongside an amazing team of leaders in Student Life who share my passion as we collaborate across campus to meet students where they are and challenge and support their growth to become contributing members of this living and learning community we call Earlham.”

Her influence extends well beyond the Earlham campus, reflecting a lifelong commitment to equity, leadership, and community engagement in Richmond and throughout Wayne County. In addition to her work at the College, Washington-Lacey has demonstrated sustained civic leadership through more than 20 years of service as an officer and member of the Reid Health Governing Board and as an active member of Bethel AME Church. Her community involvement also includes service with the Wayne County Foundation, the Police Commission Merit Board, Girls Inc., and numerous volunteer roles supporting local initiatives and committees.

“For more than four decades, Bonita Washington-Lacey has embodied the belief that education is a powerful force for transformation,” said Lynnette Davis, director of events for the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. “Her leadership at Earlham has shaped generations of students by ensuring they are supported academically, personally, and holistically. Her legendary care for students, quiet advocacy, and commitment to equity extend well beyond campus and into the broader Richmond community. Bonita’s work represents the very best of higher education, and her recognition as Educator of the Year highlights the profound and lasting impact educators can have on both students and the community they serve.”

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About Earlham College 

Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion foster a collaborative learning community that inspires and motivates students with transformative opportunities and experiences so they can become catalysts for good in a changing world. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 national liberal arts colleges and offers one of the top 20 classroom experiences in the nation, according to the Princeton Review.