Letter from the Dean

Sometimes it seems like the College of Arts and Sciences is all over the world. With Exploration Seminars in 24 countries, dozens of study-abroad programs, and research projects around the globe, the College has become increasingly international in scope. Many of these activities would not be possible without federal or private support.

Consider the Kuril Biocomplexity Project. This five-year project involves faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates from four UW departments, collaborating with Russian and Japanese colleagues in the study of isolated islands in the Pacific. Their research explores the interaction between climate change and human activity over several millennia. The research is made possible through a major grant from the National Science Foundation, which allows faculty to conduct field research in an isolated region. Students on the research team have an unparalleled opportunity to participate in research that is both international and interdisciplinary.

Such federally funded projects are critical to the continued success of the College. Arts and Sciences faculty attract nearly $100 million in federal funding annually—about 30 percent of the College’s budget. Grant funding allows faculty and students to participate in a wide range of research and scholarship, while the state-funded portion of the budget supports basic instruction. Private support, although a much smaller part of the College budget, also inspires innovation and exploration.

One example of this is an unusual scholarship established by a donor to the Department of Communication. Through the Journalism Foreign Intrigue Scholarship, students have the opportunity to intern at newspapers abroad during the summer. This year’s recipients interned in China, Indonesia, and Sierra Leone. See "Journalism Goes Global" for more about their experiences.

The College’s 2006-2007 Report to Contributors highlights more examples of private giving. A retired UW staff member, knowing that unpaid internships can be academically beneficial but financially challenging, has created a scholarship for students participating in such internships. A foundation that promotes U.S.-Danish relations has funded an undergraduate summer program in Copenhagen and graduate fellowships for UW students studying in Denmark. A group of arts supporters has combined resources to create the Chihuly Chair, which will allow students in the School of Art to study glass.

All of these gifts provide opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. And all of them are personal. The magic of our development efforts is that our staff is able to match donor interests and College needs, leading to exciting—and sometimes unexpected—educational and research opportunities.

As you read A&S Perspectives, you will learn more about these and other College activities. The newsletter is our way of sharing Arts and Sciences news with faculty, staff, and friends of the College. We’re interested in your thoughts about the publication and therefore have included a brief online survey so that you can provide feedback.

I hope you will take a moment to complete the survey, ensuring that the newsletter reflects your interests. As always, we look forward to hearing from you.

Ron Irving
Interim Dean
rsi@u.washington.edu

Return to Table of Contents, Autumn 2007