Keep your focus on attaining excellence, pursuing strategic goals and working together as a team — that was the core message Tuesday afternoon, when President V. Lane Rawlins gave his annual fall address.
The current fiscal situation could create a “destructive internal fight for scarce resources” and deter us from achieving our goals, Rawlins said. But if we all work together we can raise more resources and better manage what we have — which he referred to as a “spirit of abundance.”
“I think it is more a matter of choice,” he said, “than circumstances.”
The key to succeeding, he contended, is to “work together as a community” and follow the university’s strategic plan, which he pointed to as a “stabilizing force.”
“Of course we would do better with more state support, but we have set a course.” He then compared the situation to sailing. “It helps to have a good wind, but we can reach our destination even if the winds are against us,” emphasizing the importance of charting a course and staying with that plan.
“There will always be some competition for resources, but we must not let that be the defining element of our community,” instead he said we must strive to work as a “team.”
As an example, he pointed to similar challenges that were successfully tackled by the University of California at Berkeley.
Rawlins then outlined four major university goals:
• “First, we are committed to excellence in everything we do. This is to be taken seriously. If we cannot do it well, let’s consider not doing it at all…
• “Second, we must develop greater trust and respect across the university…
• “Third, we must conduct world-class research and graduate education and be engaged with the community in a transformational way… To pursue these goals we will have to put our resources where they really make a difference and understand what it takes to be a world leader in key fields of our choosing.” If we do this, he said, the support will increase.
• “Finally, we make a commitment to our students … to give them an education second to none. They should leave here with the tools and confidence to succeed and contribute to society.”
Rawlins referred to these as “big promises” that demonstrate our intention to be “center stage in the next generation of prominent universities.” These efforts will build on a “long history of great expectations and accomplishments” at WSU. He then paid tribute to a number of alumni and faculty who, in years past, have achieved some of these goals and laid the foundation for WSU’s future:
• Philip and Neva Abelson. Philip was a key player in the development of the nuclear submarine, president of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C., and long-time editor of “Science” magazine and leader at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Neva was the co-researcher in the discovery and development of the Rh blood factor and test, which has saved millions of lives worldwide. Abelson Hall was recently named after this couple.
• Herbert Eastlick, a prominent WSU zoology teacher and mentor to many aspiring health care professionals for several decades.
• Weldon “Hoot” Gibson, a businessman who co-founded the Stanford Research Institute and helped lead the establishment of the WSU Foundation.
• E.A. Bryan, an early president of WSU for 23 years, who pointed the university in the direction of becoming a comprehensive research university with graduate studies.
Rawlins then listed, in reverse order, what he viewed as the top 10 accomplishments of the university during the past year:
10. Hiring the leaders necessary to completing the university’s administrative team.
9. Raising nearly $43 million through the foundation and alumni affairs offices.
8. Completion of the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, pursuit of a new energy plant, and beautification of Stadium Way.
7. Increased recognition of WSU as a “first-class” university — academically and athletically.
6. Handling the ongoing budget crisis as a “team.”
5. Continued development of branch campuses, extension services and university outreach.
4. Increasing faculty strength and recognition.
3. Handling the Sept. 11 tragedy through service, education, understanding and a calm strength.
2. An 18 percent growth in research expenditures, demonstrating the university’s strength as a research university. This marked a $20 million increase over 1999 – 2000.
1. Achieving a record high enrollment, including a record number of high-achieving academic students, the largest freshman class in history, and a record high graduate student enrollment.
Looking toward the future, Rawlins outlined several plans. He said the university is creating a Center for Biotechnology, to be directed by Dr. Michael Skinner, who is currently the director of the Center for Reproductive Biology. The center is designed to “encourage work across the colleges and departments” and to help further WSU’s position as a “West Coast destination for key research and education” in related areas of science.
He also noted that the university has plans for a “very aggressive public campaign” that joins the University of Washington in asking the Legislature for an increased budget base. That money would be targeted for salary increases, the enhancement of priority programs, and the protection of educational quality.
For a complete transcript of Rawlins remarks or to see a rebroadcast of his speech online, see the president’s website at www.wsu.edu/president/2002-fall-address.html.
