October 5, 2023
Dear Colleagues,
As the leaves begin to fall and the days grow shorter, I am reminded that change
is often a requirement and a precursor for growth. These days, there is no shortage
of change happening in and around the system.
Thanks to the collective efforts of faculty and staff, we have seen a significant
increase in the level of investment from our donors, our corporate partners, the
state, and the federal government over the last year. While this support is often
allocated for specific areas or initiatives, it all contributes to our greater
mission: to provide an accessible, exceptional education and improve the quality
of life for Washington residents.
A large part of ensuring we can fulfill that mission hinges on our ability to
provide adequately equipped spaces for the university community to work, learn, and
conduct cutting-edge research. This fall, I am especially proud of our progress in
laying the foundation for a brighter future across the WSU system and the state at
large.
To kickstart a lengthy list of achievements, we recently held a ribbon cutting
for the renovation of the Medicine Building at WSU Spokane at the start of the
semester. The successfully renovated facility marks an incredible milestone in the
growth of the health sciences campus and will go a long way in supporting the
education of future healthcare professionals who will provide transformative care
to communities across the state.
Since August 1, we have also broken ground on three new facilities that will be
housed on the Pullman campus:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Plant Sciences Building
was funded entirely by the federal
government and promises to be a hub for discovery and a resource for farmers in
the Palouse and beyond.
- The Taylor Sports Complex, paid for entirely by
private donations, will be a state-of-the-art facility that will set our
student-athletes up for success on and off the field.
- The Schweitzer Engineering Hall will better
prepare WSU engineers and architects to meet the evolving needs of their
industries for decades to come. This $80 million building was made possible
through a unique public/private partnership that required the support of the
Washington State Legislature, corporate sponsors, and donors alike.
The Life Sciences Building on the Vancouver campus is also more than
60% complete, on target to open in late spring of 2024. Funded predominantly
through support from the Legislature, there is a concurrent and ongoing
philanthropic campaign to support the construction of a greenhouse, provide
student scholarships and faculty fellowships, and add additional research and
teaching laboratory equipment.
Each of these spaces will transform the landscape of our campuses and serve
as the setting for an entirely new set of stories about Washington State
University. Stories that will feature lessons learned and discoveries made as
a result of having access to these facilities and the equipment they will house.
Stories that will showcase our incredible research portfolio, talented faculty,
and excellent student support services. Stories that will underscore our
commitment to our mission.
I look forward to incorporating these accounts into the larger narrative of
what can be achieved with a WSU education.
As the academic year progresses, I will relay a few of the many highlights
taking place across the university system. I hope you read them and recognize
that while change may sometimes bring unexpected challenges, WSU is continuing
to adapt and move in the right direction.
Thank you for all you do, and as always, Go Cougs!
Kirk
Kirk H. Schulz
System President
Washington State University