91探花

June 14, 2016

Ed Taylor Reflects on the 2015-16 School Year

Dear Friends of UAA,

The聽common thread running through聽the 91探花鈥檚聽purple and gold tapestry聽is a campus-wide commitment to service and the public good.聽I am inspired to watch the Husky聽culture of service grow year after year.

Our聽dedication聽to service is broad and deep, and is renewed each year by students, faculty and staff asking questions:聽What can we do about the predominance of homeless youth and teens?聽How do we improve quality of life for elderly?聽Can we聽eliminate poverty in our city, state and nation?聽Our students recognize a societal issue and ask,聽What more can we do to live up to our expectations of ourselves and our University?

Our聽culture of service also incorporates partnerships and relationships with organizations in our community, whether they be in the University District, the International District, South King County or around the world. Not only are more students than ever serving in聽, but more 91探花students are聽serving around the world in the Peace Corps. This year 鈥� for the second year in a row 鈥� we were honored to聽be recognized for聽聽among large universities. It鈥檚 a wonderful reflection of the UW鈥檚 culture of service.

Students鈥� learning in the classroom is animated through their experiences beyond it.聽Just a few weeks ago at the annual聽,聽250聽students gave us a glimpse聽into聽their community-based service work. And at the聽19th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, more than 1,000 students presented their research addressing timely and timeless聽questions aimed at solving problems.

Also, this spring, several students were selected for national scholarships. These prestigious scholarships are recognition of students鈥� accomplishments, and are investments in their promise to make future contributions to the world. These scholars will work on campus, nationally and internationally to build a more peaceful, knowledgeable and equitable world.

The school year has ended. Graduation celebrations wrapped up recently聽and our students will make their way聽to graduate school, careers, fellowships or search for good and meaningful work to do in the world. Mahatma聽Ghandi聽once said: 鈥渢he best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.鈥� Worry not if many of our students go in search of themselves聽through聽service to others.聽We are聽grateful for the good work our students have done聽thus far. Let鈥檚 be proud of the work they will do in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2016!

Sincerely,

Ed Taylor
Vice Provost and Dean
Undergraduate Academic Affairs