By Rhonda Smith and Erin Rowley (as published in Viewpoint Magazine)
Linda and Dan Jardine are each connected to the University of Washington in their own way. Linda, from Hawai’i, has been a staff member with the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) since 1999. Dan, from Seattle, is an alumnus, graduating in 1982 with a B.A. from the College of Built Environments.
But together, after experiencing the impact that OMA&D support programs have on the lives of students, are bequesting 50 percent of their estate to wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, the UW’s American Indian/Alaska Native longhouse facility.
“Meeting brilliant OMA&D leaders like [retired associate vice president] Emile Pitre and [former vice president and vice provost] Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange has left a lasting impression of the positive change that can be accomplished with tireless dedication to expanding student opportunity,” says Dan.
Attending the Multicultural Alumni Partnership breakfasts and Celebration dinners over the years also inspired the Jardines, especially learning about students who thrived with OMA&D support and now give back to their professions and communities. “Hearing their stories,” adds Linda, “makes me want to help future students.”
The Jardines felt compelled to support wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ in particular for two reasons. They would like to continue to enhance a space on campus that speaks to the unique experience of American Indian/Alaska Native students and reinforces their place in the academic realm, and honor the memory and contributions of the late Julian Argel (Tsimshian/Haida). Argel was an 18-year OMA&D staff member who served as director of Educational Talent Search and assistant to the vice president on Native American affairs.
“In some small but tangible way, we hope to contribute to the inspiring stories of students overcoming adversity to find their path at the UW and achieve success,” says Dan. “In so doing, maybe even change the face of success in our country.”