Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As dean of the College and a former department chair, I know how essential staff are to Arts and Sciences. Often they are a student’s first contact with a department. They manage fiscal matters, they advise students, they plan innovative programs. They have led the way in the College’s efforts to define its visions and goals. They continue to demonstrate a tireless commitment to improving the College and helping students succeed.

In 1997, the University began presenting a Distinguished Staff Award to focus special attention on the accomplishments of outstanding UW staff. Six A&S staff have been among those honored, and many more A&S staff are deserving of recognition.

In the past year alone, 18 individuals and 2 teams in the College were nominated for the Distinguished Staff Award by those who work with them. Nomination letters—written by colleagues, faculty, and students—describe unheralded good deeds and unwavering dedication to the job. The letters are heartfelt, moving, and uniformly inspiring.

I encouarge you to read our expanded awards section, which highlights 2002 Distinguished Staff Award recipient Felicia Hecker as well as A&S faculty, teaching assistants, and programs honored by the University this year for their exceptional efforts. Other dedicated staff are profiled in “Behind the Scenes in Arts and Sciences.”

The College’s Dean’s Medalists for 2002—the top graduates in each of our four divisions—are also profiled in this issue. They are an inspiring group, full of the curiosity that we hope to instill in all students. It is a pleasure to be able to introduce them to you.

Finally, I invite you to attend the UW Summer Arts Festival, beginning on July 16. Now in its third year, the Festival is a wonderful opportunity to sample the talents of UW faculty and students and visiting artists. More than a dozen lectures and readings further enrich the experience. I hope you will join me for some of these memorable events.

The Summer Arts Festival and the University awards serve as reminders of the tremendous talent in the College. It is a pleasure to work with the many exceptional individuals whose contributions make Arts and Sciences a world-class college. I extend my congratulations and thanks to those who received recognition this year—and to the many other individuals who work tirelessly for the College.

Sincerely,

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

[Summer 2002 - Table of Contents]