Before the oars dip their blades signaling the beginning of the Windemere Cup, before hundreds of flag-draped boats parade from Portage Bay to Lake Washington to open the boating season, the campaign to save the AS 91探花Shell House at the 91探花 already can be called a winner.听

The UW鈥檚 鈥淎S 91探花Shell House: The Next 100 Years鈥� campaign to restore and renovate the iconic building on the Montlake Cut surpassed all expectations, with donors contributing $19.2 million.听

Thanks to donors from around the state and world, the historic building will be renovated as a learning and gathering space. Home to the 1936 rowing team that won Olympic gold and was featured in the best-selling book and feature film, 鈥淭he Boys in the Boat,鈥� the shell house will serve future generations of students and the community, standing as a monument to its history: built as a seaplane hangar for World War I on Coast Salish land that once served as a canoe portage. Over the decades, the building has inspired multiple generations of rowers and students.听

鈥淏y revitalizing this iconic space, we鈥檙e creating a hub where community, creativity and camaraderie will flourish,鈥� said Denzil Suite, vice president for student life. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a space where we can come together as a University, as a region, and work together to accomplish big things.鈥澨�听

The Next 100 Years campaign, which was led by the UW, The Seattle Times, Microsoft and many corporate and community partners, received nearly 5,000 donations, of which 94% were $500 or smaller. The state of Washington, King County, and the National Park Service also contributed to the effort.听

The campaign鈥檚 success also came thanks to leadership from regional champions, corporate and government partners, and local philanthropists. More than 25 gifts to the overall campaign were greater than $100,000.听

Honorary co-chair Judy Rantz Willman found her connection to the Shell House through her father, Joe Rantz. He鈥檚 the central character in the story retold in the book, 鈥淏oys in the Boat,鈥� written by Daniel James Brown, Willman鈥檚 co-chair.听

鈥淭he first time I went inside, it felt almost mystical. Even though it was in a state of disarray, the building still had an air of nobility,鈥� Willman said. “It was enough to bring tears to my eyes and raise the hairs on the back of my neck. The history was still there, still alive.鈥�听

In the same spirit of community that rallied in 1936 to help the 91探花men鈥檚 rowing team achieve Olympic gold, hundreds of people from the broader community came together late last year to help propel fundraising efforts to the finish line for the historic shell house. They also gave to the 91探花men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 rowing teams; and the Husky Promise, which covers the tuition and fees for low-income students from Washington.听

Beginning at the 91探花Salute to Service football game in early November and continuing until the premiere of the 鈥淏oys in the Boat鈥� film on Dec. 25, the six-week 鈥淧ull Together鈥� campaign showcased the broad range of support for the UW:听

• Nearly a third of donations came from donors who previously had no direct 91探花affiliation.听
• One in five donations came from 91探花faculty, staff, students and retirees.听
• The 91探花 Alumni Association provided matching funding, doubling the impact of gifts of up to $500 made by current 91探花faculty, staff and retirees.听
• More than 700 gifts raised a total of $2.8 million.听

Visit the AS 91探花Shell House webpage to learn more about the historic structure and how to support its long-term operation.听听

The large sliding doors no longer open. The roof has degraded. The paint is peeling.

But its history runs deep. Its bones are strong. And its legacy is worth preserving.

Perched on the southeast corner of the 91探花 campus, where the Montlake Cut meets Union Bay, the AS 91探花Shell House looks as vulnerable as it does majestic. Over the course of a century, the structure built as a critical wartime post later was the home to a group of rowers who captured the nation鈥檚 imagination before becoming an all-but-forgotten artifact of the past.

Now, propelled by a wave of renewed interest, the 12,000-square-foot wooden structure is the focus of an $18.5 million campaign that will restore and renovate the space, with the goal of once again opening its doors as a learning and gathering space for 91探花students and the broader community.

The fundraising effort received a significant early boost from Microsoft President Brad Smith and Kathy Surace-Smith, Vice President at NanoString, who personally committed $5 million. Microsoft Philanthropies dedicated an additional $2 million, while contributions from other lead donors, including Challenge Seattle, Theresa Gillespie & John Stanton, Bruce & Jeannie Nordstrom, Charles & Lisa Simonyi and Mark Torrance 鈥� as well as a $500,000 鈥淪ave America鈥檚 Treasures鈥� grant from the National Park Service 鈥斕齢ave helped bring the fundraising total to $12 million to date.

鈥淲hen you walk into the Shell House, you are immediately struck by the historic nature of it, by the stories that have happened here,鈥� Surace-Smith said.听鈥淲e hope others see what we see, which is the tremendous potential and value of opening and restoring this iconic space for the community.鈥�

Built by the U.S. Navy as a seaplane hangar in 1918 during World War I, the Shell House is one of only two wood hangars from the war remaining in the country 鈥� and the only one to house seaplanes. The building was adapted following the war to serve as the home for UW鈥檚 rowing program for several decades. In a loft upstairs, George Pocock built 91探花and the world鈥檚 winning shells, including the “Husky Clipper,” which struck gold in at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The 91探花rowing team鈥檚 journey, representing the U.S., is described in the book 鈥淭he Boys in the Boat,鈥� which has sold more than 3.3 million copies and is being adapted into a film directed by George Clooney.

鈥淭his could be a special place where visitors from other states and countries can visit, learn, and be moved by what happened here,鈥� Brad Smith said. 鈥淏ut perhaps most importantly, it鈥檚 a place for the people who live here to meet and accomplish great things the way the 鈥楤oys in the Boat鈥� did, and that is what inspired us to step forward.鈥�

Plans for the space include interactive exhibits about its history, an expanded waterfront event space for students and the community, and a re-activated Pocock workshop where the sounds and smells of the building will be brought to life. Wooden Pocock shells will be on display in various stages of construction and a boat builder will make repairs and share knowledge about the process. The landscape design will also reflect the area鈥檚 waterlines before the Montlake Cut connected Lake Washington and Lake Union. The Duwamish people would come together at the Shell House鈥檚 location to portage across the narrow isthmus that spanned the water. The spot鈥檚 Lushootseed name 鈥� st蓹x虒史ug史i艂 (stukh-ug-weelth) 鈥� means 鈥渃arry a canoe.鈥� Canoe culture will be taught and celebrated at the Shell House.

鈥淢icrosoft can only be as strong as the community around it.听And our job is always to build community 鈥� artists, teachers, historians, engineers, public servants 鈥� people from all walks of life coming together and rowing in the right direction,鈥� said Jane Broom, Senior Director for Microsoft Philanthropies in Washington state.听鈥淎nd as a metaphor, this building represents all of that.听We have an opportunity here to preserve that legacy and ensure that these stories exist for generations to come, at this place where we can all gather and remember that community is the most important thing that we build.鈥�

After a century of wear, the goal of raising enough funds to preserve and bring to life this iconic building, preparing it for the next 100 years, is within reach. But more help is needed.

鈥淲e are so grateful to Brad and Kathy, to Microsoft Philanthropies and to the many others who have already supported this effort, for their generous contributions that will help restore this iconic piece of the UW鈥檚 history and prepare it for the next century as a gathering space for our students and broader community,鈥� said Denzil Suite, the UW鈥檚 Vice President for Student Life. 鈥淭hese incredible gifts are propelling our fundraising effort, but there is plenty of space left in this boat and our hope is that they inspire other leaders within our region鈥檚 business community to grab an oar and help us reach our goal.鈥�

You can learn more about the ASUW听Shell House听and its history at听asuwshellhouse.uw.edu.

One of the 91探花鈥檚 largest and most diverse incoming classes was welcomed Sunday at the University鈥檚 39th annual New Student Convocation, which returned to Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, for the first time since 2019. The ceremony set attendance records with more than 7,500 students, family and friends filling the arena to capacity.

The incoming class is expected to top out at around 7,250 students, with nearly 15% from underrepresented minorities and 23% first generation, or the first in the family to achieve a four-year degree, according to preliminary university data. Official census information is announced later in the quarter.

91探花 oceanographer was the featured speaker. She鈥檚 the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Teaching Award and is an associate teaching professor in the College of Environment, School of Oceanography.Other administrators who spoke included President Ana Mari Cauce and Vice President for Student Life Denzil Suite.

Following the early afternoon ceremony, incoming students formed a giant block 鈥淲鈥� on the field inside Husky stadium.

Fast facts:

• Preliminary figures show the incoming听freshman class听is expected to be one of the largest, with about听7,250听students.
• The incoming class also is expected to be one of the most diverse classes ever, with more than 15% of the class being underrepresented minorities and about 23% being first generation or the first in their family to earn a four-year degree.
  

  

• Around听4,450 first-year students will be from Washington state.
• An additional听1,150 transfer听students听are expected to arrive this fall, about听80% of whom will be from Washington community colleges.
• 91探花Bothell and 91探花Tacoma also welcome their incoming classes, with about 980 and 600 freshmen and about 510 and 640 transfer students听expected, respectively.

A 26-year 91探花Police Department veteran and a member of the command staff for the past seven years, Wilson has served as interim chief since January.

鈥淎s we progressed through our national search, it became increasingly clear that the most qualified, trusted and capable leader for UWPD was already here. We are thrilled that Craig has accepted the promotion, as we know the care and creativity he brings to the position will put UWPD on a solid course for hiring and continued high-quality service to the Seattle campus community,鈥� Suite and Clark said in a joint letter. 鈥淗is appointment brings much-needed stability, a track record of community collaboration and trust to a department that has been working under interim leadership for more than three years.鈥�

Wilson began his career as an officer with UWPD in 1996 after serving in the U.S. Navy. He moved up the ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, commander and deputy chief.

鈥淐ollaborating with others and building strong partnerships is one of the best ways to address issues that impact our community,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to continue to contribute to the UW.鈥�

A proud Husky, Wilson graduated from the 91探花with a bachelor鈥檚 degree Law, Societies & Justice. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in Law and Justice at Central Washington University.

Beginning this fall, UWPD will join UW鈥檚 new Division of Campus Community Safety along with SafeCampus and 91探花Emergency Management. The division will allow the 91探花to better plan for and respond to safety concerns in more holistic, transparent and accountable ways, Clark said.

91探花鈥檚 147th commencement ceremonies are scheduled to return this June to in-person celebrations in Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for the first time since 2019. Similar in-person commencement ceremonies are being planned for 91探花Bothell and 91探花Tacoma.

Two afternoon celebrations are planned in Seattle: The first, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, will recognize the class of 2022; the second, on Sunday, June 12, 2022, will welcome graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 who return to the Seattle campus to walk in person.

鈥淲e are thrilled beyond words to not only celebrate our outstanding class of 2022, but to at last come together with the classes of 2020 and 2021 and honor their extraordinary achievements and sacrifices during uniquely challenging times,鈥� said Denzil Suite, UW鈥檚 vice president for Student Life. 鈥淭his is a celebration of what鈥檚 to come, a recognition of what has been and really a tribute to the dynamism and resilience of our students and our 91探花community.鈥�

Commencement ceremonies in 2020 and 2021 were held online due to public safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Campus officials pledged on-campus, in-person ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and 2021 once safety could be ensured. This year鈥檚 events will be held in accordance with local public health guidelines.

About 6,000 graduates typically march in the formal ceremony in Husky Stadium for both undergraduates and graduate students; more than 50,000 family and friends cheer them on from the grandstands. More than 4,000 graduates from the 2020 and 2021 years have expressed interest in returning to Seattle to officially mark their academic success, and officials expect tens-of-thousands of spectators.

There are also plans for two ceremonies each for 91探花Tacoma and 91探花Bothell to accommodate graduates from 2020, 2021 and 2022. 91探花Tacoma will host two ceremonies at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup on Monday, June 13. 91探花Bothell will hold two ceremonies at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Wednesday, June 15.

91探花 President Ana Mari Cauce sat down with Vice President of Student Life Denzil Suite for a candid conversation about how COVID-19 is affecting campus operations, why classes will no longer meet in person for the rest of the quarter and whether a student-led petition had an impact on the decision. They also discussed why all three campuses remain open and operational.

The 91探花announced Friday that starting Monday, March 9, classes听will听no longer meet in person.听For the remainder of the quarter, instructors听have been asked听to conduct classes and/or exams remotely, as possible, until the quarter concludes on March 20.听Final exams will not be conducted in person, but may be conducted online when feasible, and at the instructor鈥檚 discretion.

The 91探花Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD) also announced Friday that a 91探花 staff member who works in the Roosevelt Commons East building has received a presumptive positive test for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The employee is in self-isolation at home. Out of an abundance of caution, the building, which is located west of the UW鈥檚 Seattle campus in the 4300 block of 11th Ave. NE, has been closed for appropriate cleaning until further notice.

The 91探花 held a press conference at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2020 to address the decision to move classes online in an effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, and address the recent announcement of a 91探花staff member who received a presumptive positive test result for COVID-19.

Panelists (from left to right): Denzil Suite, Vice President for Student Life; Ana Mari Cauce, 91探花President; Dr. Geoffrey S. Gottlieb, Interim Chair, 91探花Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases

The 91探花announced Friday that starting Monday, March 9, classes听will听no longer meet in person.听For the remainder of the quarter, instructors听have been asked听to conduct classes and/or exams remotely, as possible, until the quarter concludes on March 20.听Final exams will not be conducted in person, but may be conducted online when feasible, and at the instructor鈥檚 discretion.

More information on the plan for online classes can be found here.

The 91探花Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD) also announced today that a 91探花 staff member who works in the Roosevelt Commons East building has received a presumptive positive test for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The employee is in self-isolation at home. Out of an abundance of caution, the building, which is located west of the UW鈥檚 Seattle campus in the 4300 block of 11th Ave. NE, has been closed for appropriate cleaning until further notice.

More information on the presumptive case听can be found here.

Convocation welcomes the entering class and officially marks the beginning of the academic year. More than 6,000 people, including students and their families, were expected to attend the event.

The ceremony was held Sept. 22 in the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion and听featured music by the University Wind Ensemble. President Ana Mari Cauce, Provost Mark Richards, members of the Board of Regents, deans, vice presidents, vice provosts and student leaders marched in the procession.

Following the ceremony, students were invited to Husky Stadium to form a large ‘W’ for an annual photograph. Despite the rainy weather, plenty of new Huskies were there to be captured in a high resolution ‘W’ and a

91探花classes begin Sept. 25.

Fast facts:

• Preliminary figures show the incoming freshman class will be about 7,000 students
• Around 4,450 incoming students are from Washington
• An additional 1,500 transfer students are expected to arrive this fall, including 1,300 of whom will be from Washington community colleges
• 91探花Bothell and 91探花Tacoma also welcome their incoming classes, with 857 and 739 freshmen expected, respectively

For or more information, contact:
Kiyomi Taguchi, video producer:听ktaguchi@uw.edu听or听206-695-2716
Jackson Holtz, PIO:听听jjholtz@uw.edu or 206-543-2581

The 91探花 welcomed nearly 10,000 students during Husky move-in days Sept. 18-20. During these days before classes start, students are invited to settle in to their new residence hall homes. About 70% of first-year students plan to live on campus in residence halls and apartments this year.

Denzil Suite, 91探花vice president for student life, visited with new Huskies and their parents, reassuring parents and talking about the value of residence halls where friendships are formed, new experiences are shared and students build supportive communities.

Fall quarter classes begin on Sept. 25.

For more information, contact 91探花News video producer Kiyomi Taguchi at听ktaguchi@uw.edu.

The video features (in order):

Julia Owens, freshman from Kenmore, Washington

Italibi Perales, freshman from Yakima, Washington

Owen Watts, sophomore from Omaha, Nebraska

Marcus King, freshman from Burien, Washington

Denzil Suite, 91探花vice president for student life

Christy Jones, parent from Gig Harbor, Washington