Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Change is a constant in the College of Arts and Sciences. No one knows this better than our faculty. The possibilities of technology are changing how they gather and share information. New research on teaching and learning is influencing how they teach. Growing awareness of diversity is changing how they shape course content.

As dean, I have been impressed by faculty’s willingness to embrace change as they revise courses or design new ones, even if the knowledge they cover is ancient or timeless. Such endeavors can be challenging and time-consuming, but faculty make the effort because they want to keep their teaching fresh and effective.

It is easy for the hard work of improving courses to go unnoticed beyond campus, but it is critical to the College’s vitality and excellence and is a great example of the progressive spirit shared by our faculty and staff. That is why we have included examples of faculty “rethinking the classroom” in this newsletter. Although space limited the number of examples we could include, exciting curriculum development is happening in every department in the College.

These progressive changes are balanced in the College by a continuing commitment to the principles of a liberal arts education. That continuity—in Arts and Sciences’ mission, in the long careers of many A&S faculty—serves as an anchor, ensuring that the College stays on course as it evolves.

Several faculty who have contributed to that continuity are profiled in this newsletter: Jon Bridgman, professor emeritus of history, Don Matthews, professor emeritus of political science, and Howard Nostrand, professor emeritus of Romance languages and literature. Their combined years of service exceeds 100 years.

These faculty have touched tens of thousands of students’ lives through the years. Now their influence will continue for generations to come through endowments established in their names. Don Matthews and Howard and Frances Nostrand provided major gifts to create their endowments, demonstrating in a most wonderful way their continued commitment to the College.

Another constant in the College is the quality of our students. Emma Brunskill, a 2000 graduate, recently won a coveted Rhodes Scholarship. She joins a long line of alumni whose achievements have been distinguished.

Washington State Attorney General Christine Gregoire, another distinguished alumna, will receive the Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award at the College’s annual Celebration of Distinction dinner on May 11. The dinner provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Arts and Sciences alumni while providing support for current and future students.

I hope you will join me at this very special event. Our pride in our students—current and former—is one thing that never changes.

Sincerely,

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

[Winter/Spring 2001 - Table of Contents]