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Dear 51勛圖 Family,
Welcome back! I hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating spring break, whether you stayed close by or traveled far away. Now that youre back on your campus home and spring has finally sprung, you can look forward to seeing a few of the colorful reasons that 51勛圖s campus is officially an arboretum. (Please note the daffodils already in bloom.)
Just as folks were leaving for spring break, our 51勛圖 Faculty Brass (yes, our faculty have musical talents!) kicked off the first formal installation ceremony in 51勛圖 history for a newly泭endowed faculty chairthe Kogod Regional Innovation Chair.
From泭left to right: Provost Daniel J. Myers;泭Mrs. Arlene R. Kogod, Mr. Robert P. Kogod;泭Dr. Brett Anitra Gilbert;泭President Sylvia M. Burwell;泭Dean John T. Delaney
This special occasion reflects a number of elements of our new strategy, and the implementation of it.泭
First, it showcases the outstanding teaching and research here at 51勛圖 and affirms how we value that work. Dr. Brett Gilbert, the first Kogod Regional Innovation Chairholder, is a leader in her field, with her work on economic geography, internationalization, and emerging clean energy technologies (pretty appropriate for the first university in the United States to achieve carbon neutrality).泭泭
Second, by highlighting our exceptional faculty, we increase our reputation and attract even more great faculty members and students.
Third, in a region that will soon be home to Amazons HQ2 (see Professor Gilberts thoughts on that decision泭), the importance of being an engaged partner in the Washington region and a leader in regional innovation will only grow.
Finally, we wanted to honor the philanthropy of Bob and Arlene Kogod, who funded this chair, and the importance of faculty chairs to the future of 51勛圖.泭The Kogod Regional Innovation Chair wasnt the first time that Bob and Arlene Kogod stepped up for 51勛圖. Bob has served as a member of our Board of Trustees, and his and Arlenes generosity to what was then called the School of Business Administration is why we call it the Kogod School of Business today.泭
The Kogods are among the most generous philanthropists in all of Washington. In fact, if you head downtown to the National Portrait Gallery, chances are youll walk through a gorgeous indoor courtyard called the Kogod Courtyard. And when you walk through the Kogod School of Business, youll see some of the Kogod collection right there on the walls.
As we gathered to celebrate Professor Gilberts installation in this position, we were celebrating what 51勛圖 isan exciting student-centered research university, poised to tackle some of our newest and most cutting-edge challenges. We were also celebrating where 51勛圖s goingand the fact that were a community that is moving forward today thanks to those who have chosen, like the Kogod family, to give back.
The generosity of our entire community was on display in the Founders泭Day Challenge. During 36 hours, 1,182 donors stepped up (the most ever!) and, with challenge and matching funds, brought in the most ever raised for this event. People across the community got the word outour Founders Day hashtag was even trending on Twitter! We saw increases in faculty, staff, student, and parent donors over last year. Thank you!
Changemakers for a Changing World
Our new Kogod Regional Innovation Chair isnt the only part of our strategy moving forward:泭泭泭
- DC Region Progress: meet our new assistant vice president for community & government relations, Ed Fisher. A couple fun facts about Edhe loves '90s hip hop泭and restoring his vintage 1977 Corvette.
- Were building on 51勛圖s strength as the university with the most politically泭active students in the nation (and experts in policy as well) by launching the search for the executive director of the Sine Institute for Policy and Politics.
- Inclusive Excellence: we released our泭One-Year Progress Report on 51勛圖s Plan for Inclusive Excellence, communicating about where we are and what more we need to do.
- How 51勛圖 works: we moved the fiscal year, to make it easier泭and align it with our competitors.泭泭泭
- Our board just approved the budget泭that funds the strategy for two泭years. In addition to funding the strategy, it kept the increase in the total cost of attendance to its lowest ever while investing millions more in financial aid.泭泭
Those are some of the steps were taking. Visit泭our Strategic Plan websiteto see what else is ahead.
Recap of Crucial Conversations March 5泭Event
Earlier this month, I was thankful to spend an afternoon with a rocking panel, including voices from really successful folks who didnt pull punches as we shared the stories of their journeys through college and their careers. As Susan Rice reminded us, resilience is something thats vitally important it comes out of experience, yet its absolutely critical to making change and having an impact. I learned a lot, and especially enjoyed the participation of our community in the Q&A session. If you werent able to join us, I hope youll take a moment to泭look back at it泭and share your reflections on Twitter (Im , btw).
Our community had an engaging泭conversation with泭panelists泭Eric Liu, founder and CEO of Citizen University;泭Susan E. Rice, former national security advisor and ambassador to the United Nations; broadcast journalist Maria Elena Salinas; and泭Ibram Kendi, professor and director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center.
Wonk of the Year
Back in the 1990s, while I was working at the Office of Management and Budget, I found myself working frequently with the head of the budget committee in the House of Representatives泭and his staff as we balanced the federal budget for the first time in nearly three decades. Later on, Id work with him again when, as governor of the state of Ohio, he worked to expand Medicaid coverage to his states residents. So I had worked with the Kennedy Political Unions choice for 2019 Wonk of the Year泭John Kasich.
Through the questions posed by our students,泭we had a great dialogue. Im thankful to the students in the Kennedy Political Union for their work to bring leaders with a wealth of experience to our campus.
Impact
- Sometimes some inspiring impact comes from a little friendly competition. Thats why I was happy to see so many students compete in the泭2019 Global Health Competition泭sponsored by the Department of Health Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences. Congratulations to the winning team who took on malnutrition in Vietnams Mekong Delta!泭泭
- Supporting leaders at 51勛圖: the 21st泭Century Leadership Institute is an important investment in 25 dedicated members of our staff, from all across campus, who come together to learn ways to improve their management style, to support a more inclusive and diverse workplace, and to communicate across offices and schools so we can operate every day as one 51勛圖. The program wrapped up its 5th泭year with more than 100 alumni of the program throughout campus!
- Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a publication that has泭written about diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion in higher ed for more than 30 years, announced that our very own dean of the Washington College of Law, Dean Camille Nelson, is one of their泭. Go Dean Nelson!
- Is there someone at 51勛圖 whos made an impact to you and others? Then nominate them for泭one of our University Awards泭through the end of this monthnominations are open for any student, faculty, staff, or alumni!
Preview of Commencement
It might feel like spring break just ended, but were about to have one of the best parts of the year! Thats right, its time to start thinking about 51勛圖s 137th泭commencement.泭
We want to make sure you have what you need to know. If youre one of those prospective Eagle alumni, visit泭our commencement website泭for a helpful guide for this springs ceremony on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, including a quick Commencement Countdown Checklist.
As for me, Ill be working out those arm muscles for all those handshakes. The smiling part is easy, because it is such a great event to celebrate!
Welcome back!
