A Welcome from the Dean

Dean Ed Taylor

Welcome to the inaugural issue of our E-newsletter! Undergraduate Academic Affairs weaves the threads of scholarship, service, research and leadership to create a singular undergraduate experience that enables all students to realize their potential. Our work is defined by our graduates’ stories and by our commitment to do more and to serve more students. More ...

In the Spotlight

MLK Day of Service 2009
On Jan. 19, 2009, the University of Washington will join Americans across the country in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of tolerance, peace and equality by meeting community needs and making the holiday a day ON, not a day OFF. Read more ...

Alumnus Update: Peter Kithene
You may have heard of Peter Kithene—founder of Mama Maria Kenya, a 2007 CNN Hero and one of the UW’s Wondrous 100 Alumni—before. But you may not know that Peter’s involvement with Undergraduate Academic Affairs’ programs facilitated his public service efforts. Read more ...

UW Honors Student Helps Chinese Earthquake Victims
Steve Margitan was studying Chinese in Chengdu, China when the 2008 Sichuan earthquake hit. But it wasn’t until the next day when he saw lines everywhere as people tried to obtain water that he understood the severity of the quake's impact. And he knew he had to help. Read more ...

Meet Susan McKay,
Mary Gates Research Scholar
When Susan McKay first came to the UW she had no idea that she would end up studying neuroscience and behavioral therapy. Yet two years later the would-be English major is working in not one, but two research labs. Read more ...

Meet Susan Massey,
Alumni Amgen Scholar
As a second grader, Susan Massey, ’08, helped her teacher explain multiplication to her classmates. In sixth grade, Susan could have tested out of pre-algebra if there'd been a program to allow it. Now her love of math and personal experience with cancer has led Susan to use mathematical models to understand and predict brain tumor growth—essentially creating the equivalent of weather forecasts for brain cancer. Read more ...

UAA in the News

Jill Collymore a Smash On and Off Court
Honors student, volleyball player and budding filmmaker Jill Collymore's many talents are featured in this recent Seattle Post-Intelligencer profile.

Common Book Lecture on UWTV
The 2008 UW Common Book lecture, Devil's Highway: An Evening with Author Luis Urrea, is now available on UWTV. Check it out.

Save the Date!

Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership
May 6, 2009
The Spring Celebration of Service and Leadership applauds undergraduates' dedication to service and leadership and the commitment of community partners and faculty to service learning. More ...

12th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium
May 15, 2009
Hundreds of undergraduates will present their research to a larger audience. The symposium also provides a forum for students, faculty, and the community to discuss cutting-edge research topics. More ...

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Take our reader survey and tell us what you'd like to read about in this newsletter. We will draw three names to receive a $50 gift certificate to the University Book Store. You could be a winner just for giving us your opinion!