I think many of us were relieved and maybe even a little surprised when political leaders declared that finding a way to properly fund higher education was a top priority for this year’s legislative session, which is still under way in Olympia. And that’s even with a billion-dollar shortfall to wrestle with.

Was it the complaints about rising tuition? Do more people understand how the UW plays a role in our daily lives? Whatever the reason, it was reassuring to know that financing higher education deserves serious attention— and that the days of solving budget woes by cutting higher education may be over. We can’t keep going through the wrenching situation of facing budget cuts every single year. So many of us are grateful for the opportunity to attend the UW—I know I wouldn’t be where I am without my experience here. We must get the word out that even still, an education at the UW is a bargain compared to many other public universities of similar stature.

Right now, there are so many exciting things going on, from the opening of the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, a home-away-from-home for students from underrepresented minority communities, to the heartwarming work of the Dream Project, in which UW students mentor high-school kids who might not have considered college through the complex and stressful application process. And don’t forget that this August, Husky Stadium will reopen.

In short, the UW is a place where dreams come true. And only with your loyal support will it be able to keep giving opportunities to the citizens of our state who depend on the UW to make dreams come true.

—Patrick Crumb, ’88
UWAA President, 2012-2013