Undergraduate Academic Affairs

June 14, 2016

Ed Taylor Reflects on the 2015-16 School Year

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Headshot of Vice Provost and Dean Ed Taylor

Undergraduate Academic Affairs’ Vice Provost and Dean Ed TaylorDennis Wise

Dear Friends of UAA,

The common thread running through the University of Washington’s purple and gold tapestry is a campus-wide commitment to service and the public good. I am inspired to watch the Husky culture of service grow year after year.

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

Our 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 partnership with local nonprofits, but more UW students are serving around the world in the Peace Corps. This year — for the second year in a row — we were honored to be recognized for producing the most Peace Corps volunteers among large universities. It’s a wonderful reflection of the UW’s culture of service.

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

Also, this spring, several students were selected for national scholarships. These prestigious scholarships are recognition of students’ 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 and our students will make their way to graduate school, careers, fellowships or search for good and meaningful work to do in the world. Mahatma Ghandi once said: “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” Worry not if many of our students go in search of themselves through service to others. We are grateful for the good work our students have done thus far. Let’s be proud of the work they will do in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2016!

Sincerely,

Ed Taylor's Signature

Ed Taylor
Vice Provost and Dean
Undergraduate Academic Affairs