Speeches

September 20, 2017

Thank you, Allison, for your kind introduction. It has been an honor to work with you, last year’s Senate President Kristen Larson, and the Faculty Senate leadership during my first year as Western president. The Faculty Senate, and the more than 900 faculty it represents, are at the center of our shared aspirations for Western Washington University. I want to thank you—our faculty, for your work to educate our students and help them realize their greatest potential.

I am pleased to be joined by leaders with whom I serve the university:…

I want to thank the conference committee of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force for inviting me to speak with you today. It’s a privilege. The work that the Task Force does, and that all of you do as educators, advocates, and agents of change has never been more important.

This is an especially significant day of remembrance for the life and legacy of Dr. King, the first after the 2016 election. Dr. Martin Luther King’s message of equality, justice, humanity and social change is especially meaningful this year as we recommit to the process of healing and bringing together our…

Thank you for being here today at the Western Leadership Forum.  Still being new to Bellingham, I see many new faces in the audience, in addition to familiar ones who have already graciously welcomed Uzma and me to Bellingham.  I look forward to learning more from all of you about our community’s needs, and how Western can be a stronger partner in helping to meet them.     

I’ve been thinking about the many dimensions of leadership that bring us together today.  At the top of the list, of course, is the opportunity to learn from one…

CONVOCATION 2016

September 16, 2016

Good morning!

Thank you, Kristen, for your kind introduction.

It is a special privilege to speak to you today as we recognize our distinguished faculty and staff colleagues for their accomplishments. Congratulations to our honorees.

It is a tremendous honor to lead Western. I would like to start by expressing my thanks to the Board of Trustees, members of the search committee, and to all of you for the trust you have placed in me. Over the past six weeks, Uzma and I have…