News Magazine of the UW Department of Communication
Adam Eucker, COM 361
University of Washington President Mark Emmert made his annual address on campus Tuesday, urging the University to plan not just for the short term, but to look ahead to the future.
“What do we do, looking forwards not two years, but two decades to make sure we’re at the right place at the right time?” Emmert asked the crowded audience in Kane Hall.
Emmert identified establishing a College of the Environment, focusing on alternative fuels, urban development, the future of health care, as well as the next wave of information technology as keys to the University’s continued success. He said the UW must be well positioned for these and other new trends and opportunities in the future.
He talked about the success of the UW’s capitol campaign which came to a close this year. During that campaign, which began in 2000, the University raised $2.7 billion with over 300,000 people donating from 87 countries, Emmert announced.
He also spoke on more current issues facing the University, including the current state of the UW’s finances. Emmert addressed the University’s lawsuit with Northern Trust over mismanaged money, and acknowledged all resources had been retrieved.
A large portion of the speech consisted of Emmert praising the University for the achievements its’ faculty, staff and students had earned in the past year.
Emmert said that the University accomplished nearly everything a university can set out to do this year. UW led the nation in federal grants and contracts earned, and finishing in the top 16 of the Global 500 University Rankings again.
He also spoke of the several individuals who won prestigious awards throughout the year including many new members of the National Academies.
He thanked the University as a whole for the continued achievements and accolades UW has earned.
“You don’t hear it enough,” Emmert said, “but you need to know that I appreciate it and the rest of the state appreciates it and you need to hear thanks for a great performance.”
