Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The College’s mission statement concludes with the statement that “we prepare our students to become leaders in an increasingly diverse society.” We include that sentence because we believe that preparing students to become engaged and educated citizens is one of the most important things we do.

Our efforts to create an educated citizenry benefit the region in both obvious and more subtle ways. A&S alumni have graced the halls of Congress and the state legislature. They head local nonprofits and national agencies. But many more work behind the scenes as volunteers, where they also make a lasting impact.

In this issue of A&S Perspectives, we are pleased to highlight a handful of alumni who have dedicated tremendous time and energy to helping others. One practices medicine in the nation’s poorest region. Another has worked in Bosnia and Kosovo. Still another created an innovative program for Seattle’s public schools. Their stories—and their motivations—differ greatly, but these alumni share an awareness that one person can make a difference.

For each story of citizenship highlighted in this newsletter, hundreds of other examples go unmentioned—due to both limited space and limited information. Sometimes we are simply unaware of the fine work our alumni are doing. I’d like to change that. If you are one of the thousands of Arts & Sciences alumni making a difference in the local or world community, I’d like to hear from you.

With more than 70 percent of all University of Washington alumni living in Washington state, it is clear that the College’s emphasis on citizenship will continue to have a dynamic, positive impact on the region. As the examples in this newsletter indicate, we are off to a promising start.

Sincerely,

David Hodge
Acting Dean
(206) 543-5340
hodge@u.washington.edu

[Autumn 1999 - Table of Contents]