Flatt named in 2025 WSU Tri-Cities Women of Distinction class
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Courtney Flatt, Northwest Public Broadcasting’s senior environment and energy correspondent, was named a Woman of Distinction as part of Washington State University Tri-Cities’ 2025 Women of Distinction program.
Flatt received the Staff Award during an award ceremony Thursday evening. NWPB is licensed by WSU but is editorially independent.
The Women of Distinction awards recognize students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members who have made significant contributions to the campus and community.
The award is designated for those who identify as women and their allies, according to the university.
The Women of Distinction program, which is now in its eighth year, received 64 total nominations for the 2025 class, according to Zach Harper, the chief of staff for the chancellor at WSU Tri-Cities.
“I would like to thank you all so very much for being here and also to thank everyone who helped nominate me for this award,” Flatt said. “… Over my nearly 14 years at Northwest Public Broadcasting, I’ve had the good fortune to cover so many important topics — from climate change solutions and adaptations to burrowing owl recovery work.”
Flatt’s work has been featured on NPR, “Living on Earth” and “Here & Now.” She’s also been recognized for her work by the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Online News Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.
“As the senior environment and energy correspondent for Northwest Public Broadcasting, she has spent more than a decade delivering insightful, impactful stories that shape public understanding,” said Tracci Dial, NWPB’s multimedia news director, and one of Flatt’s nominators.
Seven other individuals were recognized during Thursday’s award ceremony.
Lori Mattson, the president of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, received the Legacy Award. Chaune’ Fitzgerald, the CEO of Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities and the founder of the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce, received the Community Award.
The Alumna Award was given to Michelle Smith, the assistant principal at Pasco High School. Jillian Cadwell, a WSU Tri-Cities research associate faculty member in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, received this year’s Faculty Award.
Kalimae Mountain, a WSU Tri-Cities student studying environmental science with a minor in biology, received the Student Award.
An inaugural award, the Champion Award, was given to Devin and Amanda Lorraine. The Lorraines are the cofounders of the nonprofit Grace Collective.
