Newsletter Archives; Winter 1999
Comments Presented to the Board of Regents
by Assistant Professor Ann MescherI joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UW as an assistant professor in fall of 1996. I came to the State of Washington from one of the more distant states in the US. My first academic position was in the state of Massachusetts.
Since I arrived here, there has not been a moment of disappointment for me in this University and the people who make it what it is. It has been everything and more than I dared to believe it would be.
I've experienced other top-ranked state universities and seen how they work. I'm a graduate of Ohio State, and I know faculty in universities across the country. This University of Washington is a jewel - not because it's a pretty campus or because you can see Mt. Rainier on a sunny day. The people make this University. Nowhere else that I've seen is there such an exciting, challenging, supportive, and rewarding academic environment. I am one woman in a department with 26 male colleagues. But every single one of them from the youngest to the oldest wants me to succeed. I've collaborated with faculty in the college of engineering and met people from other disciplines, and I believe the supportive environment is close to pervasive. I don't know how the culture here has evolved the way it has - but this university has a heartbeat, a life like none other I've seen. And where the environment is not limiting, tremendous academic advances can be made.
I've struggled in one way since I've come here.
When I traveled from Massachusetts, I crossed the US with my books and belongings in a Chevy Nova. It didn't take long to find out that besides the obvious geographic distance, the states of Massachusetts and Washington feel almost as far apart in terms of public attitude towards higher education and diversity. They are very far apart in terms of state support for higher education. In Massachusetts where there are some of the best private institutions in the world, there is more appreciation for their 5 state research universities than this state has for its 2.
I went on the faculty field tour to find out why. I want to know who the people in this state are, where they are from, their backgrounds and needs. I have to know if the public and legislature are willing to listen and understand. Are they willing by mutual understanding to increase even further the value of the university in this state?
If the University of Washington is going to be everything it can be - if it's going to contribute as much as it can academically for the overall health of the state and the world, then this state has to be more supportive. The public and legislature must understand and appreciate that we educate people who not only adapt to, but develop new technology in our changing world. Research at this university is world class, opening the way for new developments in our future. I know only too well that if someone or something is not appreciated for what it is, it will be lost.
The faculty field tour did something special for me - it made me sink my teeth in. I'm not letting go of this university without a fight. It didn't happen suddenly or at any place in particular. As we traveled across the state to Boeing, Microsoft, farms and orchards, a migrant workers clinic and along the Columbia river, I occasionally found myself stepping back a little, just so that I could take it all in. As I spoke with my colleagues through the week, I was awed by the collective knowledge across our range of disciplines. I was exhilarated by our diversity - our backgrounds and places in the world from which we had come. I heard our questions. I was touched by the sincerity with which we tried to understand the people in this state and how we could help. We can add even greater value by mutual understanding. I've never in my life had an experience quite like it. Never before was I so honored and proud to be a part of us, the University of Washington.
That wasn't just me. Everyone on the bus was together. We give our lives to learning and discovery. We want to share that with those who also desire learning. As long as our leadership believes we can meet the challenge and increase the level of support for higher education in this state, we want to work with you.
From June 15-19, 1998 Professor Mescher and 34 collegues who recently joined the UW faculty toured the state. The purpose of this tour, led by UW President Richard L. McCormick was to familiarize new faculty with the state and give them the opportunity to meet the people of this state and to hear their thoughts on a variety of subjects. Professor Mescher delivered this report on the tour to the Board of Regents at their meeting on July 17, 1998.
From June 15-19, 1998 Professor Mescher and 34 collegues who recently joined the UW faculty toured the state. The purpose of this tour, led by UW President Richard L. McCormick was to familiarize new faculty with the state and give them the opportunity to meet the people of this state and to hear their thoughts on a variety of subjects. Professor Mescher delivered this report on the tour to the Board of Regents at their meeting on July 17, 1998.
