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Celebrating a year of impact

At the University of Washington, we measure our success by our impact on the world and our communities. By that yardstick, 2018 has been a truly incredible year. I continue to be moved and inspired by the creative and powerful ways in which our community consistently rises to the occasion, especially under challenging circumstances.

Each of us — with our unique talents and perspectives — makes the UW the remarkable place it is. Together in 2018, we celebrated everything from welcoming our largest incoming class of first-year and transfer students to outstanding achievements by our faculty, staff and students that set new standards for excellence, innovation and creativity. We have rejoiced in our wins together, but I’m just as grateful that we also came together to mourn our losses. There have been so many amazing and inspirational UW stories this year — more than I could ever convey in a single message — and I hope you will explore a few of them through the features below.

As we close this year and begin the next, I’m reflecting on the words of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, whom I again had the chance to speak with this year. She describes herself as “an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.” Whatever brought you to the UW — a desire to learn, to earn a degree, to teach, to discover, to make a difference — I know that together, you and this community will create the extraordinary opportunities and experiences with which we will change the world.

I wish you a joyful new year, and I thank you for the impact you had in 2018.

EOY features