Each of us came to the 91探花 for different reasons, but what unites us is a desire to contribute to our world. We do that by helping prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators, by serving our community and caring for our neighbors, and through our creation of new knowledge and ideas.
Research, scholarship and creative works define the UW鈥檚 mission as a research university. And collectively, you bring to the 91探花more federally sponsored research than any other public university, on top of the research supported by governments, nonprofits, philanthropists and businesses.
Yet what really sets us apart is the impact of that work 鈥� the direct benefits to the lives of innumerable people here in our community and around the world. , for example, brings art and performance to more than 10,000 children and adults each year 鈥� as well as to 鈥� through concerts, workshops and residencies.
That kind of outreach, which is a hallmark of many 91探花programs, is enhanced by the many ways we shape public policy. Here in King County, research by the (I-LABS) was instrumental to the Best Starts for Kids initiative. And the , which is working to improve student achievement in South King County, has involved 91探花faculty since its inception. I spoke last week at the project鈥檚 announcement of its and am thrilled with the number of 91探花connections that have been made with this effort, from faculty in the to student mentors in the Dream Project.
91探花scholarship also guides state policymakers. At a time when political polarization seems to be endemic, , associate professor in the and co-founder of , has created a remarkable coalition to prevent suicide. Utilizing research into the leading means of suicide 鈥� firearms and medications 鈥� Forefront enlisted gun rights advocates and pharmacists to create a bill that establishes incentives for gun stores and pharmacies to provide suicide prevention training to employees. If it becomes law, this measure will undoubtedly save lives.
Of course, being a global university, the impact of our research and scholarship is truly worldwide. On February 2, Professor from the presented at a , emphasizing the critical need for a West Coast earthquake early warning system. And on the other side of the globe, researchers from the are collaborating with Chinese colleagues, with the nation鈥檚 pollution standards being changed as a result of findings from IHME鈥檚 project.
These are just a handful of examples from a handful of disciplines. I could easily have written dozens, even hundreds of versions of this message, with entirely different examples, never repeating one. That is a reflection of the incredible breadth of your work.
The tremendous impact we have on so many people鈥檚 lives is what sets our University apart. It鈥檚 why I鈥檓 proud to have spent the past 30 years on the faculty, and it鈥檚 among the reasons it鈥檚 such an honor to serve as president.