As we conclude another successful academic year, some 15,000 or so new graduates will go forth from the University of Washington and begin to carve their post-college paths. Among them are visionaries who dream of interplanetary travel and asteroid-mining, newly minted Ph.D.s with expertise in everything from classics to bioengineering, and Washington students who were the first in their families to enroll in college and will leave the UW with a diploma and untold opportunities. Each graduate’s story is unique and powerful.
Presidential Blog
At the UW, excellence is the norm
It’s that time of year when we commemorate hard work, excellence and a job well done. It’s an important moment — or series of moments, as we work through finals and ceremonies small and large — when we reflect on who we are as a community and the bright future that is possible when we work individually and together to achieve great things.
UW stands with the world to fight climate change and protect our future
With almost a hundred of our university peers and with the Governor Inslee and other governors, mayors and business leaders, we have become signatories of the CERES letter stating that in the absence of leadership from the federal government, we remain in solidarity with those around the world committed to a transition to clean energy and to holding global warming to well below 2°C.
New budget would harm nation’s health, economy and security
In March, I wrote about the negative impacts on our nation’s health, economy and security that would result from implementation of the President’s budget outline for the next fiscal year, FY18.
That initial budget outline has now been expanded to a full proposed budget for FY18, which was released today. The cuts to science, health care and other investments in our national prosperity are even more draconian – and more harmful – than those proposed in the original outline.
To honor those we’ve lost, support those who are with us
Memorial Day is not about celebrating war, but about celebrating the lives of men and women like Will, who put everything on the line so that others might live a better life, across the world and at home. It offers a moment for all of us to unite in honoring them, and, just as important, supporting the family, friends and fellow veterans who grieve their loss.
Reflecting on the first year of the Population Health Initiative
This month, we mark the one-year anniversary of our Population Health Initiative, an effort we launched with the goal of bringing our community together to improve health and well-being here and around the world. The impetus for that call remains as strong as ever, while our capacity to create change for the better is only growing. One year in, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished so far and what lies ahead in this journey.
Kicking off a national search for the next UW Provost
Last week, I officially charged a group of faculty, staff and students to advise me by searching nationally to identify candidates for the UW’s top academic job. In their search for a Provost and Executive Vice President, I have asked them to seek candidates who value our traditions of shared governance, transparency and accountability. I also encouraged them to reach out across disciplines and to individuals who reflect the diversity of our community. Finalists for the position will come to campus to meet with members of our community and talk about their vision sometime in the fall or winter.
The Lincoln Project and the future of public higher education
Public research universities like the UW are essential engines for social mobility and prosperity, especially for first generation students. If, as a society, we fail to make the investments needed to keep them strong, we endanger progress, prosperity and innovation not just for the individuals who attend, but for their communities, states and our nation.
A visit with The Daily and the value of journalism
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to sit down with the staff of The Daily, our student newspaper, for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from our University’s Race and Equity Initiative, to questions of free speech to the changing nature of journalism. In these days when our social media feeds are chock full of clickbait and dubious headlines, and we’re forced to dissect “fake news” and “alternative facts,” it was gratifying to meet with students who are committed to the ideals of an independent press. (For more info on fake news and how to detect it, see our course, Calling Bullshit in the Age of Big Data offered through the Information School.)
Transparency and accountable is necessary for a strong democracy — so is a public is informed and engaged with the issues. A strong, independent press is critical to both. Over the years, the Daily has taken me to task more than a few times. I’ve learned a lot from those critiques, though I don’t always agree with the views of some writers. Still, I’m always glad they are there. All of us at the UW should be.
Public investment in science serves Washington and the world
Exploration and discovery are at the core of our mission. For many of us, they are the substance of our life’s work. This Saturday, I know many members of our University of Washington community will march in support of science and inquiry. I wanted to take this opportunity to reiterate the UW’s enduring and vocal support for scientific research.