The Karshner Museum’s Exhibit Designer and Events Coordinator Lynda Belt was presented with the Impact Award by the Western Museums Association (WMA), representing small and large museums from Colorado to the West Coast, at the group’s annual conference in Portland on October 7. The WMA Impact Award is presented to one individual annually and recognizes work on a specific project or program, efforts to bring about organizational change, or leadership within the community having a significant, positive effect on their museum, the surrounding community, or the museum field in the Western region of the United States.

Belt was nominated for the prestigious award by Becky Condra, President of the Friends of Karshner Museum and Diane Nason Karshner. In her nomination letter, Condra wrote, “Over the past ten years Lynda has developed and implemented innovative projects, programs, and exhibitions that creatively address diverse topics, and have had positive impacts on the museum’s operations, the staff, on our school district and our community.” She continued, “The slate of exhibits, events, field trips, special events and partnerships are a result of Lynda’s commitment to involving members of our community including our local tribes, marginalized groups, ethnic, age and economic groups in the planning.”

Belt said she was surprised and honored to receive the recognition. “It makes me very proud of the gem of a Museum and Center for Culture & Arts that we have. I am grateful for the Puyallup School District’s support for the Museum and the small staff that works above and beyond to make it a place that resulted in this award and in 2018-19 was voted in the Top Ten of “Places to Take Kids” in the "Best of Western Washington,” she said. “I feel the WMA Impact Award honors the passion of Dr. Warner Karshner, those that have worked at the museum in the past, and now.”

Belt will be honored as part of the district highlights portion of the November 7 PSD school board meeting at 6 p.m. at the Kessler Center, 1501 39th Ave. SW.