UW News

September 21, 2010

Freshman Convocation features UW “genius award” winner

News and Information

UW Professor Thomas Daniel, who has received local and national honors as a researcher and educator, will be the featured speaker at the University of Washington’s 27th Annual Freshman Convocation, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26 in the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

Daniel, the Joan and Richard Komen Endowed Chair of Biology, was named as a MacArthur fellow (a so-called “genius award”) in 1996. He has been recognized with a Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award (2001) and a Distinguished Teaching Award (1989). He received his doctorate in 1982 from Duke University.

About 4,800 people are expected to attend this event (tickets are available at www.convocation.washington.edu), which welcomes the entering class. Convocation officially marks the beginning of the academic year, with classes starting Sept. 29. The event will be rebroadcast by UWTV; information is available at http://www.uwtv.org/.

The academic procession will be led by Ron Moore, professor of philosophy and university marshal, carrying the university mace. Provost Phyllis Wise, members of the Board of Regents, deans, vice presidents, student leaders and recent faculty recipients of outstanding teaching awards, among others, will march in the procession. The convocation will also feature music by the University Wind Ensemble.

Following the convocation Interim President Designee Phyllis Wise will host the annual President’s Picnic on the Rainier Vista lawn.

Preliminary figures suggest the UW freshman class will include about 5,500 students.