Opening Convocation

Western Washington University

Bruce Shepard, President

Sept. 16, 2011

Welcome

Cyndie joins with me in offering a warm welcome to our returning friends and colleagues. And a special welcome to our newest colleagues and friends-to-be. This morning, we share that rich emotional brew of anticipation, energy, and readiness. The pleasure of simply being back together. The excitement of a new year ahead.

Opening convocation is a time for us to reflect: on the year just concluded, on the year ahead. Looking back, there were challenges. As I thought about the long list, I found a curious common denominator: yes, we faced each challenge forthrightly, even successfully. But, also, we emerged in each case stronger – most often emerging stronger because we were closer, together as a campus and a community.

Precisely for that reason, when looking forward I am optimistic about our shared future. Yes, challenges lie ahead. My optimism is firmly rooted in having seen you who are the university so superbly responding to tests and stresses the severity of which I have not previously encountered in my, now, forty years of serving in the academy.

Acknowledgements

But, then, at no time in my career have I encountered such pervasively extraordinary university colleagues: faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents community and philanthropic supporters. This morning we celebrated outstanding examples of what, at Western, is our broadly based excellence. Congratulations to all the award winners. Cyndie and I look forward to celebrating with you and your significant others at our home tonight.

Later in my remarks I will report on a legislative session that, all things considered, was positive, even of historical significance for public higher education. I have invited our local legislative leaders to join with us so that we could express our appreciation. On the Senate side, we are particularly indebted to Senator Doug Erickson, who is with us this morning, and to Senator Kevin Ranker, who had a prior commitment. Both gave us major chunks of their time to help them deeply understand the issues, and then worked diligently on behalf of higher education, Western in particular, helping forge the bi-partisan Senate approach that, in the end, prevailed. In the House, Representative Jeff Morris was there for us, like a rock, working very hard on our behalf, and mobilizing key colleagues to do the same. He joins us today. Representative Kristine Lytton and Representative Vincent Buys were similarly committed and, while they regret that they cannot be here this morning, they will join in the celebration for our award winners later today. I ask Senator Ericksen and Representative Morris to please stand so that we can show our appreciation to them and, through them, to the many legislators who helped protect brighter futures for Washington.

We build upon the foundations others have solidly laid. Each convocation, I invite former presidents to attend. Joe and Karen Morse are travelling but send their best wishes; we are fortunate to have with us President Emeritus Ken Mortimer and his wife, Kay Nagle and President Emeritus Jerry Flora and Rosemary Flora. Let us show our appreciation to them, and through them, to so many others who are responsible for the gift of this fine university of which we are all so proud.

How fine a university? Our Annual Report, just out, is made thick in cataloging the evidence. To save trees – and dollars – we are not handing out copies, but its URL is noted in the program insert. Please check it out. Looking back at so much that was accomplished, so much that you accomplished, I hope you share my deep pride in the people who are this university.

Next page: The Year Just Passed

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