FROM THE PR ESIDENT
A NEW ER A for SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
“Ten years ago, people used to say, ‘Seattle University is the best-kept secret.’ This is no longer the case. We are widely recognized as a university on the rise, shaped by hard work, driven by our mission and committed to providing the best education and personal transformation possible.” —President Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
2009/2010 President’s Report
President Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
A UNIVERSITY on the RISE As president of Seattle University I had the opportunity last summer to take a sabbatical, my first after 12 years in office. I was in Rome and England and had wonderful experiences with ample time for personal reflection. During this period I spent some time reviewing the past decade at Seattle University and looking ahead to the start of a promising new era for the university. It is an exciting and fulfilling time for all of us who are committed to supporting and providing an excellent education for our students. After a period that began in 2000 and what our Strategic Plan called “A Decade for Distinction,” we are now moving into a new era of education. As a Jesuit Catholic university we have accomplished much over the past 10 years, reaching milestones that have allowed us to arrive at where we are today—a premier independent university.
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A New Era for Seattle University
Seattle University sits at an elevation high enough to see what our educational future can be, a future defined by what I call our “educational commons.” This will be marked by even greater aspirations and achievements, such as the opening of the new Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons next fall, and the progress and development of important initiatives. There will also be a stronger focus on global education, an unwavering commitment to community service and greater scholarship by our faculty and students. With this new era upon us we are building on past successes that continue to influence us going forward. Before I get ahead of myself, I would like to share some of what has been done during this “Decade for Distinction.” There are many things I am proud of as president of Seattle University. This was the decade of the new mission statement and significant growth in undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, since 2000, we have had a 30 percent increase in overall students, a 75 percent rise in our graduate students and a doubling of our applications. This period was a rich time for the creation of educational, engagement and learning centers including the Center for Service and Community Engagement, Magis: Alumni Committed for Mission, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. During this time we established Mission and Ministry; we witnessed the growth in nursing education; the recognition of our College of Education as the best in the state; premier national rankings of our schools of business and law; the much stronger centrality of science, math and engineering in our mission; technological advancements; and a greater presence, service, visibility and reputation in the city and throughout the region. I am especially proud of our dedication to serving and assisting diverse and underserved populations in our community through concerted service projects. These efforts have been greatly bolstered by the Center for Service and Community Engagement, which serves as the central hub to coordinate the many service initiatives in which our students and campus participate. Each year this service amounts to 185,000 hours, which in economic terms translates into nearly $7 million annually.
2009/2010 President’s Report
One of the greatest achievements that began in 2003 but will profoundly benefit our efforts in this new era is the capital campaign, For the Difference We Make. Originally we set an ambitious goal to raise $150 million to develop and expand a range of programs and educational offerings such as scholarships, professorships, endowments and facilities. When the campaign came to a close this past June we far exceeded expectations, raising $169 million. We were able to meet and surpass our fundraising goals because of the generosity of 21,000 contributors. The outcome of the campaign affords us opportunities to support the bright and gifted students we attract and educate, students such as our Costco Scholars and Fostering Scholars.
“I want us to be faithful to our kind and quality of education— what we mean by a ‘Seattle University education,’ a true Jesuit education.”
Students come to Seattle University because of the quality of education, our mission, our Jesuit Catholic identity and what we stand for—we know this from our retention of students from their freshman to sophomore years, which has increased from 80 percent to 90 percent. Our graduation rates have risen from 61 percent to 73 percent. National fellowships have been awarded to 82 students. We have had unparalleled growth in underrepresented minorities and first-generation students in this decade and underrepresented minority graduation rates have climbed sharply, from 30 percent to 77 percent. When I look ahead beyond this year I want our already quality education to grow and to be even more in touch with the real issues confronting our country and our world. There will be new emphasis and resources for scholarships and research
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A New Era for Seattle University
so our faculty have the tools to do this. Four key areas that we, as a university, will focus on this coming year center on our community, global engagement, an Academic Strategic Action Plan, which includes the design of a new Jesuit-based Core Curriculum, and the overall student experience. I want us to be faithful to our kind and quality of education—what we mean by a “Seattle University education,” a true Jesuit education. It requires us to look at how we educate students for ever-changing realities in even the most trying of circumstances. We need to educate our students about healthcare and the more than 45 million individuals in America without it; about issues facing the unemployed,
“I want my legacy to be not only a strong, confident university but also a confidently Catholic and thoroughly Jesuit one. Being Catholic and Jesuit is our essence as a university.”
seniors and youth; and the men and women who face discrimination and social injustices. As a university we will do even more to educate our students about these realities. In this new era we must look at preparing our students to be good citizens of the world in an evolving global marketplace and with emerging players such as China and India. We must also be committed to their concerns and the causes most important to them, such as sustainability and protecting the planet. We are more than ready for the challenges ahead. As a religious university, we are educating students to find their free place to stand in accordance with their beliefs. To be Jesuit means to be Catholic— inclusively Catholic. It means to be ecumenical, inter-religious and unafraid to
2009/2010 President’s Report
engage with religious atheism, agnosticism or indifference, to stand up for the sanctity of life from beginning to end, to respect all and to know, find and be committed to one’s own belief. The benefits of a Jesuit education are lasting and far-reaching. This is evident in the work of our current students and alumni, who are putting their mark on the world and changing it at the same time. I want my legacy to be not only a strong, confident university but also a confidently Catholic and thoroughly Jesuit one. Being Catholic and Jesuit is our essence as a university. Seattle University will respect this heritage in its rich intellectual, spiritual and sacramental traditions. Ten years ago, people used to say, “Seattle University is the best-kept secret.” This is no longer the case. We are widely recognized as a university on the rise, shaped by hard work, driven by a mission and committed to providing the best education and personal transformation possible. This conviction of mine is confirmed by a recent Seattle Times editorial about Seattle University, which read in part: “A fine university can rightfully celebrate a moment when a history of achievement combines with thoughtful planning and financial capacity to create extraordinary opportunities. A bright light illuminating amazing possibilities.” It was very valuable for me to take that sabbatical this past summer, to be grateful for all that God has made possible in the last decade and to ask for God’s blessing as we confidently yet humbly move ahead into a new era.
President Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
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A New Era for Seattle University
AGENDA for a NEW ER A As president I’d like to share with you four key areas, animated by our Jesuit Catholic mission, that will help shape this new educational era at Seattle University. These priorities will allow us to reach even higher and ensure our success as a university.
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Academic Excellence
Global Engagement
Academic success, professional and personal
I want all of our students to see themselves as
formation and empowering leaders for a just and
“international students” for that is what they truly
humane world are the cornerstones of a Seattle
are. Global education is key to an SU education.
University education. To this end an Academic
This year we will confidently and boldly expand
Strategic Action Plan will be the main fulcrum
our global engagement with resources designated
for the kind of academic future that is attainable.
by a generous donor. We do not need to travel
Central to this will be the development of a
far to immerse ourselves in international commu-
new Jesuit-based Core Curriculum.
nities—they are all around our campus and we can learn from them.
2009/2010 President’s Report
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4.
Building Community
Student Experience
We are competing nationally for the best and
Seattle University is more than an institution of
brightest students, those who will most benefit
higher education. The overall student experience
from a Jesuit education. As a premier indepen-
at SU goes beyond the classroom. But there is
dant university known for its diversity, we will
more to do to assess and address the needs of our
strengthen programs for student recruitment so
students to ensure their experiences are enriching
we attract the most gifted students and those
and integrated within a Jesuit education. Addi-
with the greatest need.
tionally, we will deepen the Catholic character of our educational experience through curricular and co-curricular activities.
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A New Era for Seattle University
A YEAR of DISTINCTION New faculty and facilities. High retention rates and national rankings. Engaging programs and professorships. These are but a few of the many milestones, initiatives and outcomes of a period of transformation for Seattle University during “A Decade for Distinction.� As we embark on a new era for the university, here are highlights of the past academic year.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In June, Seattle University concluded its six-year capital campaign, For the Difference We Make, with great success, raising $169 million for scholarships, academic enhancements, professorships and facilities.
2009/2010 President’s Report
2008 OPUS PRIZE In fall 2008, Seattle University hosted the Opus Prize, one of the world’s largest faith-based humanitarian awards, which went to Marguerite Barankitse (Maison Shalom) of Burundi.
TRUMAN SCHOLARS With the selection of Aerica Banks as the 2009 Truman Scholar, Seattle University has produced 13 winners of the prestigious public service-oriented scholarship.
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A New Era for Seattle University
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT When it comes to living the mission through service, our students and campus community prove themselves in action. Three out of four SU students serve the community. And for the second consecutive year, we have made the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
ACADEMIC RIGOR Seattle University attracts and retains the best and brightest students. For the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report recognized Seattle University among the Top 10 best universities in the West.
2009/2010 President’s Report
LIBR ARY AND LEARNING COMMONS This year we broke ground on the $56.5 million Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, which will serve as SU’s “intellectual community square” when it opens in fall 2010.
ATHLETICS In our first full year in Division I play, student-athletes continue to impress with their work in competition, in the classroom and in the community.
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A New Era for Seattle University
Administration President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. EXECUTIVE Vice President Timothy Leary Provost Isiaah Crawford
Vice President, Finance and Business Affairs Ronald Smith
Associate Provost, Enrollment Management TBD
Dean, College of Science and Engineering Michael Quinn
Vice President and University Counsel Mary Petersen
Dean, Albers School of Business and Economics Joseph Phillips
Dean, Matteo Ricci College Michael Andrews Dean, School of Law Annette Clark (interim)
Vice President, Planning; Vice Provost Robert Dullea
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences David Powers
Associate Provost, Academic Affairs Charles Lawrence
Dean, College of Education Sue Schmitt
Associate Provost, Academic Affairs Jacquelyn Miller
Dean, College of Nursing Azita Emami
University Librarian John Popko
CHAIR Phyllis Campbell
BOARD MEMBERS Michael Bayard, S.J.
Kent Johnson
Peter Rose
Patrick Kelly, S.J.
David Sabey
VICE CHAIR Maureen Lee
Scott Coble, S.J.
Michael McCarthy, S.J.
Mick Schreck
Theodore Collins
Gordon McHenry, Jr.
James Sinegal
Marta Dalla Gasperina
John Meisenbach
Betty Woods
Thomas Ellison
Carol Nelson
Anne Farrell
Stephen Privett, S.J.
EMERITi Rhoady Lee, Jr.
Patrice Fersch
Robert Ratliffe
Ann Wyckoff
Hon. Donald Horowitz
Rick Redman
Patrick Howell, S.J.
Stuart Rolfe
Vice President, Mission and Ministry Peter Ely, S.J. Vice President, Student Development Jacob Diaz Vice President, University Advancement Mary Kay McFadden
Dean, School of Theology and Ministry Mark Markuly
Board of Trustees
EX OFFICIO/ SU PRESIDENT Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
[ As of December 2009 ]
Seattle University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in the administration of any of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered policies and programs, or in its employment related policies and practices. All university policies, practices and procedures are administered in a manner consistent with Seattle University’s Catholic and Jesuit identity and character. Inquiries relating to these policies may be referred to the university’s Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Officer at (206) 296-5870. Consistent with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, Seattle University has designated three individuals responsible for coordinating the university’s Title IX compliance. Students or employees with concerns or complaints about discrimination on the basis of sex in employment or an education program or activity may contact any one of the following Title IX coordinators: Gerald Huffman, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, Equal Opportunity Officer, University Services Building 107, (206) 296-5870, huffmaje@seattleu.edu; Dr. Michele Murray, Associate Vice President of Student Development, Student Center 140B, (206) 296-6066, mmurray@seattleu.edu; Dr. Jacquelyn Miller Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Administration 104, (206) 296-5446, jcmiller@seattleu.edu. Individuals may also contact the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.
“A fine university can rightfully celebrate a moment when a history of achievement combines with thoughtful planning and financial capacity to create extraordinary opportunities. A bright light illuminating amazing possibilities.” —The Seattle Tımes
office of THE PR ESIDENT 901 12th Avenue, P.O. Box 222000, Seattle, WA 98122-1050, (206) 296-6000