A Note from Chuck

Washington Weekend is off to an excellent start! With a huge crowd in “Red Square” at lunchtime, today’s UW Community Celebration was an even bigger success than anyone anticipated. As someone who developed a connection to the University of Washington when I was a young child, I was thrilled to see everyone come together to celebrate.

The crowds I have seen all over campus today demonstrate the feeling I have had for many years: that the UW means a lot to the community. It is heartwarming to see so many people here, learning, exploring, engaging with the University.

But remember that we have a full schedule of activities lined up for tomorrow, including the Husky Generations Photo Booth, the UWAA / Big “W” Pancake Breakfast before the Spring Football Game and lots more. I hope you will join us for another great day on the UW campus!

Chuck Blumenfeld, '66, '69
UWAA Executive Director

Time Capsule Surprise

Last night, I was at the “Who Gets the Last Word?” lecture with Dr. Mary Pat Wenderoth. While her lecture to the senior class that had voted her as its favorite professor was fantastically funny and even a little risqué, it was likely no match for what happened at the Department of Communication event, where they opened a time capsule from 1957.

A nude centerfold. Condoms. Underwear. All pranks from some students who broke into the time capsule back in the late ’70s or early ’80s (estimated, I understand, from the date on the Playboy Magazine placed amongst the true artifacts). I hear the 1957 alumni who had packed the original capsule – septuagenarians by now - were good-natured at these finds. After a few gasps, I hear the crowd was too.

I tend to think college pranks are really, really funny. While I wish the pranksters’ items weren’t X-rated, I find myself laughing when I try to picture the preparation and the execution decades ago. How did these students break into the box? Was it pre-planned or spontaneous? Had they gone to the Duchess beforehand?

And I wonder: Did any of the culprits read the Seattle PI article this morning? Did they spit out their morning coffee once they saw the article? Maybe they had forgotten about their shenanigans until just that minute. Maybe they felt badly once they saw the older folks who found their naughty surprises. Maybe they still thought it was pretty darned funny.

We’ll probably never find out. But I’ll bet this year’s time capsule, which the Communication department plans to conceal for another 50 years, will be tamper-proof. In a way, I hope it isn’t. But let’s keep the hijinks a bit more appropriate this time.

-- Courtney

It's Friday!

It's the second day of the third annual Washington Weekend! There's quite an array of events to choose from: tours, open houses, exhibits, lectures, demonstrations...

...Having trouble deciding what to do? Stop by at one of the Washington Weekend Information Booths where friendly, helpful experts will guide you to what interests you most.

...Want to see some celebrities? Head to Red Square between 11:30 and 1:30 and you might see Pres. Emmert flipping burgers, or Provost Wise dishing out dogs.

...Take in the broad scope of everything UW does -- start with the health sciences on south campus, then move up to forest resources at Anderson Hall, then check out engineering clustered around Loew Hall, then immerse yourself in dance, music and visual arts up around the Quad and the northern part of campus.

It's Thursday!

Washington Weekend is underway! There's 22 events happening today - something for everyone in the family.

See the Thursday schedule to help plan your day. The weather is ... well, Seattle in the spring, but it's a comfortable 50 degrees at the moment. See you on campus!

Early WA Weekend event - Botanic Gardens Open House

While Washington Weekend officially gets started on Thursday, there's fun event on Wednesday for anyone with an interest in gardens, native plants or who just wants to meet Ciscoe Morris!

The UW Botanic Gardens is holding its Open House from 3 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday. There will be talks by Ciscoe Morris and Marty Wingate, tours and fun activites for kids.

Find out more...

Events Not Listed in Print Brochure & Corrections

You may have received a copy of our print brochure. Or you can pick one up at any of the information booths during Washington Weekend. There's plenty of great things to see listed, but we wanted to note those events that were not listed or have been updated:

Naval Science (Navy ROTC) Open House
Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Perspectives in Public Health
Thursday, 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Samuel E. Kelly Lecture: From Dis-Placement to Dis-Ease
Thursday, 7 - 9 p.m.

Earth & Space Sciences Open House
Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Astronomy Open House
Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m.
(Correction - was listed as 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the brochure)

College of Forest Resources Centennial Open House
Saturday, 12 - 3:30 p.m.

College of Forest Resources Centennial Crow Talk
Saturday, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

'Life Under I-200' -- Forum Presented by Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP)
Saturday, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Welcome to the Washington Weekend Blog

Check back here as WA Weekend approaches for the latest updates, corrections and suggestions from UW Alumni Association staff. We'll note changes from the print brochure and more.

Comments and suggestions? Please write to alumni@u.washington.edu.