UW News

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April 22, 2015

UW key player in new NASA coalition to search for life on distant worlds

The search for life beyond our solar system requires cooperation across scientific disciplines -- the way the UW-based Virtual Planetary Laboratory has been working since 2001. Now, NASA's NExSS collaboration will take a similarly interdisciplinary approach to the search for life. Participants include those who study Earth as a life-bearing planet (lower right), those researching the diversity of solar system planets (left), and those on the new frontier, discovering worlds orbiting other stars in the galaxy (upper right).

The NASA Astrobiology Institute’s Virtual Planetary Laboratory, based at the University of Washington, has long brought an interdisciplinary approach to the study of planets and search for life outside our solar system. Now, a new NASA initiative inspired by the UW lab is embracing that same team approach to bring together 10 universities and two research institutions in the ongoing search for life on planets around other stars.


Arts Roundup: Music, drama — plus UW Symphony and Seattle Symphony ‘Side by Side’

This coming week, the School of Music leads the way with a variety of events to keep your calendar full. Highlights include the UW Symphony performing with the Seattle Symphony in a “Side by Side” concert, a faculty recital with faculty pianist Craig Sheppard, and the annual Improvised Music Project’s jazz festival.


April 15, 2015

UW School of Law’s Gregoire Fellows Program to advance diversity in the legal profession

School of Law announces Cregoire Fellows Program to increase diversity in the legal profession. A photo of former Washington governor Christine Gregoire.

The University of Washington School of Law, supported by a number of leading Puget Sound-area businesses and law firms, has announced the creation of the Gregoire Fellows Program to help bring greater diversity to the school and the legal profession.


Arts Roundup: Drama, music — and the Arty Party

Rounding out this month is a variety of events to keep you entertained. From the Lyon Opera Ballet, Emerson String Quartet and Simone Dinnerstein — all presented by UW World Series — to the annual, family-friendly Arty Party hosted by the Henry Art Gallery, prepare yourself for the rest of spring quarter because it’s looking bright!


April 13, 2015

UW Bothell, Tacoma campuses honored in Olympia for 25 years of educational excellence

A sculpture of the University of Washington W logo

The University of Washington Bothell and Tacoma campuses were recognized April 13 by both Gov. Jay Inslee and the State Senate with a proclamation and senate resolution acknowledging the 25th anniversary of the state’s newest public university campuses.


Violent methane storms on Titan may solve dune direction mystery

A view of Titan. Saturn's largest moon, with its ringed host in the background. New research from the University of Washington may solve a riddle of the direction of sand dunes on the moon's surface.

Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, has a hazy atmosphere and surface rivers, mountains, lakes and sand dunes. But the dunes and prevailing surface winds don’t point in the same direction. New research from UW astronomer Benjamin Charnay may have solved this mystery.


April 10, 2015

UW raises minimum wage to $11 per hour for all student workers

A sculpture of the University of Washington W logo

The University of Washington announced today it is increasing the minimum pay for its student workers to $11 an hour, effective April 1, 2015, consistent with its announcement March 31 that it was moving 70 non-student staff earning below $11 to the new level. Approximately 2,600 student workers are affected. On March 31, the University…


April 2, 2015

‘Fu-Go’ explores World War II Japanese balloon attacks on US

"Fu-Go: The Curious History of Japan's Balloon Bomb Attack on America," by Ross Coen, was published by University of Nebraska Press.

Ross Coen, UW doctoral student in history, discusses his book “Fu-Go: The Curious History of Japan’s Balloon Bomb Attack on America.”


Sally Clark named UW director of regional and community relations

Sally J. Clark, who has served on the Seattle City Council since February 2006, has been appointed director of regional and community relations at the University of Washington, effective May 18, 2015. “I am thrilled to welcome Sally to the University,” said Randy Hodgins, UW vice president for external affairs. “She brings a wealth of…


April 1, 2015

Arts Roundup: Dance, lectures — and Music of Today

Welcome to a new quarter! The Henry Art Gallery kicks off this week with an Incite and Insight lecture featuring artist Suzanne Bocanegra. The School of Music quickly follows up with a faculty recital by Jazz Studies Professor Marc Seales and a Music of Today performance in collaboration with the Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS).


March 31, 2015

UW Interim President Ana Mari Cauce statement on proposed Senate budget

The following statement is from University of Washington Interim President Ana Mari Cauce: “While I am very pleased to see that the Senate budget not only provides most of the state funding needed to pay for its tuition reduction bill, and makes additional investments for the next biennium, there are some troubling aspects to the…


UW raises minimum-wage workers to $11 per hour

The University of Washington W

The University of Washington announced today that it is bringing a small group of employees who currently earn below $11 an hour to that level, effective April 1, in keeping with the spirit of Seattle’s new minimum wage law. Of the approximately 39,000 non-student employees at the UW, 70 currently earn below $11 per hour….


March 30, 2015

UW faculty team for five-year study of Seattle’s minimum wage increase

What will be the effects of the city of Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance? Faculty from the UW’s schools of public affairs, public health and social work are teaming up for The Seattle Minimum Wage Study, a five-year research project to learn that and more.


March 23, 2015

Author Charles Johnson discusses new work — and the return of Emery Jones

"The Hard problem," the second book by Charles Johnson and his daughter, Elisheba Johnson, is now available.

Charles Johnson, English professor emeritus discusses three new books out, including the second children’s book in the Adventures of Emery Jones series, “The Hard Problem,” illustrated by Johnson himself.


March 18, 2015

Arts Roundup: Exhibitions, music — and Native Art Weekend

As we approach spring break, sit back, relax and take in an event or two. This week, the Henry Art Gallery hosts a slew of collaborative events including a performance by the Seattle Chamber Players and Juan Pampin, director of Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS).


March 11, 2015

‘Chaotic Earths’: Some habitable exoplanets could experience wildly unpredictable climates

New research by UW astronomer Rory Barnes and co-authors describes possible planetary systems where a gravitational nudge from one planet with just the right orbital configuration and tilt could have a mild to devastating effect on the orbit and climate of another, possibly habitable world.


Arts Roundup: Lectures, exhibitions — and pianist Olga Kern

This week, the UW World Series presents Russian pianist Olga Kern and the School of Art concludes its Critical Issues in Contemporary Art public lecture series. Other events include a free UW Campus Philharmonia concert in Kane Hall and the final weekend of the School of Drama’s “The Hostage.”


March 9, 2015

UW leads nation in primary care, rural medicine and family medicine; top 10 in dozens of graduate programs

The University of Washington has 42 graduate schools and specialty programs among the nation’s top 10 in each area, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Graduate School Rankings released Tuesday. The UW again ranked as the No. 1 primary care medical school, while the rural medicine and family medicine specialties continue to lead the…


March 4, 2015

Arts Roundup: Music, drama — and the Dance Majors Concerts

From drama to dance to dinosaurs, it’s an exciting week in the arts. The School of Drama’s production of “The Hostage” continues, the Burke Museum presents Dino Day and the School of Music offers a plethora of performances including Music from the Great War and Studio Jazz and Modern Bands.


February 27, 2015

UW alum David Horsey discusses Charlie Hebdo, editorial cartooning in volatile times

David Horsey -- Q and A with the editorial cartoonist

UW alumnus and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist David Horsey discusses the Charlie Hebdo shootings and editorial cartooning in politically volatile times.


February 25, 2015

Arts Roundup: Music, drama — and Mark Morris Dance Group

As February ends and March begins, the arts present a variety of events. In drama, the Undergraduate Theater Society’s production of “Cabaret” continues and the School of Drama opens the slapstick satire, “The Hostage.” In music, Piano Professor Robin McCabe gears up for her faculty recital. Meanwhile, students in the Dance Program prepare for the Dance Majors Concert.


February 24, 2015

Jerry Baldasty named interim provost of the University of Washington

University of Washington Provost and Executive Vice President Ana Mari Cauce has selected Jerry Baldasty to serve as interim provost, effective March 3, when Cauce assumes the role of interim president. Baldasty has served as senior vice provost for academic and student affairs since 2012. “Jerry is a candid communicator who exemplifies transparency, mutual respect…


February 18, 2015

University of Washington leads the nation in Peace Corps volunteers

The University of Washington produced the most Peace Corps volunteers for 2015, reclaiming the top spot with 72 alumni currently in service.


Arts Roundup: Drama, music – and ‘Music of Today’

This coming week, the School of Music leads the way with a variety of events to keep your calendar full. Highlights include the UW Chamber Orchestra performing two nights, a faculty recital with Jazz Studies Professor Marc Seales, and a Music of Today performance in collaboration with the Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media.


Fearless birds and shrinking salmon: Is urbanization pushing Earth’s evolution to a tipping point?

We’ve long known that humans and our cities affect the ecosystem and even drive some evolutionary change. What’s new is that these evolutionary changes are happening more quickly than previously thought, and have potential impacts not in the distant future — but now.


February 13, 2015

AAAS symposium looks at how to bring big-data skills to academia

A session Feb. 15 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting will explore how big data scientists can find careers at universities and within academic settings.


University of Washington named one of 12 ‘top producers’ of both Fulbright scholars and students

The University of Washington is one of 12 institutions to make the “top producers” list of both Fulbright scholars and students for 2014-15, according to lists released Thursday in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Fulbright Program, operated by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship…


AAAS talk: Some bilinguals use emoticons more when chatting in non-native language

A research team has found that one group of bilingual speakers used emoticons more often when typing in their second language in casual, online communication than they did when typing in their native tongue.


February 12, 2015

UW Regents name Provost and Executive Vice President Ana Mari Cauce interim president

University of Washington Provost and Executive Vice President Ana Mari Cauce was named interim president by the Board of Regents at their regular meeting on Thursday. Her appointment will be effective March 2, 2015. She succeeds President Michael K. Young, who is leaving the UW for Texas A&M University. “Dr. Cauce is an extraordinary leader…


University of Washington releases design plans, names architect for former Spokane visitors center

SPOKANE, Washington — The University of Washington has released its architectural renderings for the redesign of the former Spokane Visitors Center, soon to be the UW Spokane Center. Located in the heart of Spokane’s University District, the UW Spokane Center will serve as a hub for Spokane-area alumni, students, prospective students, parents and supporters with…


February 11, 2015

Statewide home prices leveling off, but affordability woes linger

A house for sale.

Home sale prices were down in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter but up compared with the previous year, and the rate of home sales also dropped, according to the UW’s Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies.


Arts Roundup: Music, lectures – and Urban Bush Women

Urban Bush Women

This week, the UW World Series presents American dance ensemble Urban Bush Women, then quickly follows this with the Jerusalem Quartet.


February 4, 2015

UW Combined Fund Drive raises $2.2 million

A sculpture of the University of Washington W logo

The 2014 University of Washington Combined Fund Drive, part of the state’s workplace giving campaign, raised $2,199,793, making it the most successful campaign in the program’s 30-year history. The campaign ran from Oct. 16 to Dec. 5, 2014, with UW faculty, staff and retirees pledging to 1,819 nonprofit organizations. Employees contributed through ongoing payroll deduction…


Arts Roundup: Drama, exhibitions – and ‘The Way Black Machine’

Following up last week’s full schedule of arts events, this week is equally packed. The School of Drama’s production of “Twelfth Night” runs its final weekend, the Jacob Lawrence Gallery’s exhibit, “The Way Black Machine,” is now open and the School of Music presents a faculty recital with Douglas Cleveland on organ and David Gordon on trumpet.


February 3, 2015

UW President Michael K. Young named sole finalist for president at Texas A&M University

University of Washington President Michael K. Young on Tuesday was named as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University by its Board of Regents. Young became President of the UW in July 2011. Young is expected to assume his duties at Texas A&M in the spring. Statement from UW President Michael K. Young…


February 2, 2015

Documents that Changed the World: ‘Rosie the Riveter’ poster, 1943

The famous World War II-era poster of Rosie the Riveter is less a document that changed the world than the other way around — an image the world adopted and filled with meaning. But such turnabout is fair play in the ongoing Documents that Changed the World podcast series by UW Information School Professor Joe Janes.


January 28, 2015

Arts Roundup: Music, lectures – and ‘Twelfth Night’

As we approach the end of January, enjoy a show or two. The School of Drama’s production of “Twelfth Night” sets Shakespeare in The Roaring Twenties, the School of Music offers a variety of performances including the Modern Music Ensemble and a Student Chamber Concert, and the UW World Series presents Ukranian pianist Vadym Kholodenko.


Some potentially habitable planets began as gaseous, Neptune-like worlds

Strong irradiation from the host star can cause planets known as mini-Neptunes in the habitable zone to shed their gaseous envelopes and become potentially habitable worlds.

Two phenomena known to inhibit the potential habitability of planets — tidal forces and vigorous stellar activity — might instead help chances for life on certain planets orbiting low-mass stars, University of Washington astronomers have found.


January 21, 2015

Arts Roundup: Music, drama – and the Dance Faculty Concert

Twelfth Night

It’s an exciting week in the arts as various units ramp up their winter events. For drama fans, there’s the Undergraduate Theater Society’s production of “Yellow Face” and the School of Drama’s take on “Twelfth Night.” For music lovers, don’t miss the rich sounds of the Nile Project at Meany Hall or the UW Symphony at Benaroya Hall.


January 19, 2015

Boeing, UW open research lab on Seattle campus

Gov. Jay Inslee learns about riveting from Boeing engineer Riley Hanson Smith, left, and Sai Krovvidi, a UW doctoral student in mechanical engineering, at the opening of the Boeing Advanced Research Center on campus.

The Boeing Advanced Research Center, located in the Department of Mechanical Engineering on the UW campus, will let students and faculty members work collaboratively with Boeing engineers on aircraft and spacecraft assembly and manufacturing. Four initial projects are underway at the UW, led by Boeing-employed affiliate instructors and UW engineering professors.



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