September 24, 2013
Welcome from the Dean Autumn 2013
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Fall quarter is always an invigorating time for me. We begin by welcoming our newest students to the academic life of the 91探花 at Freshman Convocation, an event that represents the moment when students fully transition into the UW.
These students join those who are settled and have found their groove here. And many of those returning students actively welcome their new fellow Huskies by being orientation leaders, Freshman Interest Group (FIG) leaders, peer mentors, tutors, and more.
Through programs in Undergraduate Academic Affairs, students鈥攏ew and returning鈥攆ind opportunities to connect with the academic communities here; explore the worlds of service and research; achieve excellence as they define it; and benefit from faculty innovations in the classroom.
The undergraduate experience is an indicator of the quality of the 91探花as a whole. Recently, the 91探花has received some distinctive rankings including:
- in a study by the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. The study ranked universities on quality of education, quality of faculty, research output and per capita performance.
- Washington Monthly ranked the 91探花 Washington monthly ranks universities based upon social mobility, research production and commitment to service.
- for our undergraduate program in America鈥檚 Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
What this means for undergraduates is that they can avail themselves of educational opportunities as unique as they are. Students from rural Washington can find research opportunities in rural China. Undergraduates from across the nation and world can learn together and alongside distinguished faculty in a freshman seminar. Returning students and new students alike embrace service and leadership and grow into the leaders our world needs.
Though the trees and squirrels on campus are getting ready for the winter, I鈥檓 getting ready for what I think of as the season of renewal and am excited for the year to come and the promise our students hold.
Sincerely,
Ed Taylor
Vice Provost and Dean