The Western Maricopa Coalition, Westmarc, presented its 2020 Best of the West awards during an Oct. 22 dinner at Phoenix Raceway.

Desert Microsoft won for economic engine, Ottawa University — which includes the OUAZ campus in Surprise — for excellence in innovation, Verizon Wireless for quality of life enhancement in the community and Abrazo Health residency program for quality of life enhancement in education.

“Even in pandemic, we received many equally strong nominations this year. This is definite indication that the West Valley’s economy is still growing and expanding with quality investments,” Westmarc President and CEO Sintra Hoffman said. “Westmarc is proud to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations making a great impact in the West Valley.”

The “Excellence in Innovation” award recognizes individuals, organizations, businesses, facilities or programs which have demonstrated an innovative concept that attempts to fulfill a need for West Valley residents or preserve the West Valley’s assets or resources.

It further recognizes partnerships developed in the West Valley and the creativity and innovation in implementing programs or projects.

“What a thrill it was for OUAZ to be selected as the recipient of WESTMARC’s prestigious ’Excellence in Innovation’ award for 2020,” OUAZ President Dr. Dennis Tyner said. “To be honored for such an award by an organization focused on the needs of the West Valley’s workforce speaks volumes about our Chancellor Kevin Eichner’s incredible vision of delivering a holistic education that prepares students for life beyond college. Our faculty and staff are working with our students on a daily basis to fulfill his vision, and they are to be commended for their dedication and commitment to our students’ success.”

OUAZ was specifically recognized for its innovative public/private venture with the City of Surprise as the university’s four-year-old residential campus continues to evolve.

“The city of Surprise is honored the innovative partnership between Ottawa University and the Surprise has been recognized by the 15 communities of the WESTMARC as a BEST in the West Valley,” Surprise Economic Development Manager  Mike Hoover said.

This partnership is summarized in this YouTube video. This award is testimony that the future for OUAZ in its hometown of Surprise is bright, Tyner said.

“We are also extremely fortunate to reap the benefits of a strong partnership with the City of Surprise,” Tyner said. “The vision, support, and guidance of the mayor, the city council, and the city’s administration, have been instrumental in moving OUAZ to the position we are in today, and we are truly thankful for all they have done for us in our first few years of existence.”

OUAZ in Surprise opened in August 2017 and since then has grown to more than 800 students. With its adult campus in Phoenix, Ottawa University has had a footprint in Metro Phoenix since 1977 with more than 8,000 alumni.

Founded in 1865, Ottawa University has grown from a single building in Ottawa, Kan., into an institution serving more than 5,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise.

This year was especially important as 2020 marks Westmarc’s 30th anniversary.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to hold this unique event in person and virtually through partnerships with Phoenix Raceway for an outdoor event and with AMR for safety checks,” board Chairman Jon Howard said.