Ponder for a moment the delicious process of cause and effect here. UW Professor Diane Magyary spends her life teaching young parents to provide the richest possible environment for their infants. Of course, the pay-off is years down the road, when these infants evolve into productive people, maybe even extraordinary people like, say…Brandon Ing, who seems to possess the mystical quality of squeezing extra hours out of every day, and translating those hours into medical research, music and the pursuit of his degree.

Think of that. Every infant Diane touches has just that much more chance to become Brandon, solving problems and creating beauty for the rest of us. Every parent she mentors has just that much more chance to see his son or daughter shoot for the stars, and maybe, just maybe, get there.

So carpe diem, Diane and Brandon — seize the day. You give new meaning to what can be achieved by matching remarkable ability, drive, and vision with committed private giving. May the UW continue to provide the platform that inspires you and others in this elegant process of cause and effect.

Lyn Grinstein