Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Since Dean John Simpson's departure on July 1, I have been serving as acting dean of the College. Four months into the job, it is very clear that both the opportunities and challenges facing the College are enormous. It is an exciting place to be.

As we head into the next century, perhaps our greatest challenge is to clarify our vision for the College and for higher education in general. The College of Arts and Sciences has a unique responsibility to engage in such a discussion precisely because it is, has been, and will continue to be the core of the University--the very foundation upon which the entire University rests.

To this end, the Dean's Office is now leading an effort to create, through consensus, an explicit vision of the value and most important fundamental elements of a liberal arts education within a research university. This vision will serve as our guide as we seek to creatively and constructively reshape our priorities and decisions. We are not only committed to clarifying what's most important but also committed to ensuring that our actions follow our words.

Such decisions cannot, of course, be made in a vacuum. Chairs and directors from most units in the College have met several times to discuss these issues. Now we are looking for input from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

I believe that alumni, in particular, are in a unique position to discuss the value of a liberal arts education. What aspects of the experience have proved most enduring for you? What knowledge gained during your college years do you value the most? We would love to hear from you.

Some alumni have already shared their thoughts. In this issue of A&S Perspectives, alumnus Michael Butler--now a managing director at Lehman Brothers--comments that "having a very general education-a liberal arts education-taught me how to think. ...If you can do that, you can pick up almost any subject." Butler is not the only alumnus featured in this issue. Also highlighted are four astronauts, all A&S alumni, who share their experiences in the space program. Astronaut Michael Anderson, who visited space station Mir in January, recently spent a busy day on the UW campus, meeting with students and friends of the College to discuss his space flight. We were thrilled that he took the time to return to campus.

Now it is your turn to revisit the campus, either literally or figuratively. I urge you to think about your UW experience and tell us what you think a liberal arts education in a research university is all about. Your thoughts, suggestions, and anecdotes are crucial to shaping our vision for the College.

Sincerely,

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

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