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A new year, full of new beginnings

Dear UW Community,

Welcome to the start of a new academic year at the University of Washington! Whether you’re returning to campus or, like me, just beginning your UW journey, I hope the energy of the new year fills you with excitement and purpose. I am honored to be serving as the 34th president of this great University. Perhaps like you, I chose the University of Washington because I believe in its incredible power to create opportunity, impact and good for each of us, as individuals, as a community and for the future of all.

As a new face at the UW and in Washington state, I’d like to share a bit about myself. I have served in public higher education for more than 40 years, but my love of learning and discovery goes back even further. I was the first person in my family to go to college, at the historically Black university, Fort Valley State in Georgia, where I studied agronomy. In college, I discovered that my curiosity and hard work were a ticket to graduate school and eventually a Ph.D. in crop physiology from the University of Missouri. I went on to do research, teach and become a leader at several more institutions, most recently as the chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

What drew me to Washington, however, was the opportunity to join this amazing community that is so uniquely equipped to make an impact for students, families and communities. I’ve spent my career working to expand access to education, foster excellence, and build environments where innovation thrives and community engagement flourishes. The UW’s reputation for academic excellence, research leadership and public service is already admired around the world — but what excites me most is what lies ahead. Even as we face challenging times, I believe our greatest impact is still to come, and I know that together, we will write the UW’s next outstanding chapter.

As we begin this new year together, I want to share three priorities that will guide my presidency:

First, I’m deeply committed to ensuring that every student — no matter their background — has access to a world-class UW education and the support they need to thrive. Access to excellence should not be a privilege — it should be our promise.

Second, I am committed to building on the UW’s incredible strengths in multidisciplinary research and innovation by fostering collaborations that bring together experts, students, industry and community partners to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

And third, I want to erase any barriers that separate the University from the communities we serve. Whether it’s through partnerships or public engagement, volunteerism, student internships, the performing arts or rooting for the Huskies, there are so many points of connection between the University and the community. I pledge to deepen and expand these important ties.

Along with opportunities, of course, we face challenges, but I know we are equal to them. I’m incredibly energized by the road ahead, and by the chance to get to know you, and all of the people who make this institution so exceptional.

To help us get to know each other, I hope you will join me for my Inaugural Address on Wednesday, October 15, at Meany Hall. I look forward to sharing more about my vision and hopes for the future of the UW, and to celebrating our community and our mission of excellence and service. You will receive an invitation with more details about the event in the near future.

On behalf of my wife, Dr. Lynn Hassan Jones, and myself, we thank everyone who has already made us feel so welcome here. All of us and each of us has a part in making the University of Washington the extraordinary place it is. I look forward to working with you, learning with you, and building a future that strengthens the UW and all that we serve.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Jones signature

 

 

 

 

 

Robert J. Jones
President
University of Washington