As the 2008-09 academic year neared its end, President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., took time to reflect on the year that was and gaze ahead at the one that will be. He also shared his plans for the summer and a little inside information on life at the Arrupe House. How will you remember the 2008-09 academic year?
Father Sundborg: It was the toughest of my 12 years as president, and the sole reason for that is the economic recession and the way that impacts an institution like ours every day in every way. There hasn’t been a half-hour the entire year that I haven’t been focusing on and dealing with and responding to the recession in some way. At the same time, I think we get kind of addicted to the recession. It’s right there every day in the paper. Our attention gets held there and held there and held there. We don’t appreciate all of the great things going on, and this was an extraordinary year at Seattle University. What were some highlights for you?
This was the year of the new provost—Isiaah Crawford is doing a great job of leading us through the academic strategic planning process. It was the year of smashing our campaign goal and breaking ground on our new library and learning commons. It was the year of our mission coming to fruitfulness: Our Opus celebration, both at Benaroya Hall and here on campus, was a knock-out. Our graduate programs were ranked highly. We had another Truman Scholar, and we are among the top 15 institutions in the nation in terms of how many Trumans we’ve had over the past seven years. This year, we will have twice as many of our graduates going into a year or two of service. Five students of our Fostering Scholars program are graduating, too. We had a tremendous debut in our return to Division I athletics—I don’t think anyone expected the success we had. This was a very gratifying year for me personally, too. I’ve now become the oldest person ever to hold the office of president at SU (Fr. Sullivan was the next oldest), and I realized this year that I’ve really come to enjoy what I do as president and I’m happy about what I do. This was also the year your father passed away.
Yes, he was almost 96 (my mom was 100½ when she died). It was kind of a year for me and my brothers and sisters to pull together, and I think a lot people experience that. The most personallytouching thing about this year for me was the communications and the cards and the support I received from people here on campus and outside the university. It took about three weeks just to go through and read the expressions of sympathy and support. It’s truly something I’ll never forget and that was extraordinarily helpful to me. What will the new Lemieux Library and Learning Commons mean to SU?
It’s the academic heart of a university that is becoming much more aggressive about its academic quality. My image is that all the colleges and schools encircle the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons like spokes on a wheel, and the library and learning commons functions as the place where all that comes together. It will rival the Student Center for being the most active hub on campus and it will be our academic hub. We’ve raised two times as much for the library and learning commons as we have for any other building. We’ve never built anything close to this. We put it out there as the heart of Seattle University, and people responded. When Charles Currie, S.J., president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, was visiting campus this spring, he remarked that of all the Jesuit institutions in the country, SU was most fully living out its mission. Why do you think that is?
Slowly, through a variety of programs and projects, this university is developing a critical mass of faculty and staff who are more deeply knowledgeable about our Jesuit Catholic character. So far, 120 people have participated in the Arrupe Seminar, a year-long independent study of the educational philosophy of Jesuits. I don’t know of any other university that would equal us in this regard. Our Colleagues program is also contributing to the critical mass, as is true of our immersion programs. We also support a number of faculty and staff each year in the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life program. What I see emerging is a group of colleagues who are capable of, and confident in, carrying forward our Jesuit Catholic ideals. Jesuits will always be involved as catalysts, but we’re becoming less dependent on them. Looking ahead at the next academic year, what do you see as some focal points?
Next year is the year of accreditation review at SU. Our self-study is on track and going well. This is an important process. I believe you can’t move forward in life unless you can name where you are. Can we prove that we deliver the kind of education we say we do? That’s what we’ll be asking ourselves in what I would call a “naming year.” Next year will also be a big year for our academic strategic plan, which I see as the main force to carry us forward into the next decade of academic advancement. We will also move ahead with our Community Engagement Initiative, which will guide how the whole university can engage with our neighbors, particularly the youth in central and south Seattle. I see this initiative as something more than what we do—this is something that will go a long way in defining who we are as a university. Those of us who don’t live at the Arrupe House might wonder if there’s one Jesuit in particular who hordes the remote control?
(Laughs) I can tell you that Fr. Tom Murphy is our encyclopedia. If we have any questions, we just ask Tom. And Fr. Jim Reichmann, at 86 years old, is our university historian. He knows just about everything that’s taken place at Seattle University in the past 50-plus years. How about you—what’s your role?
I’m the guy who gets the newspaper and makes the coffee in the morning. I make sure it’s ready at 5 a.m. for anyone who wants a strong brew. There’s two pots—either French roast (I’m a French roast guy) or another daily brew. It’s my job to caffeinate the community so they’ll be charged up for the work they do. It’s the way we get the most out of them. What are your plans for the summer?
I’ll be taking a 10-week sabbatical. The trustees recommended I do this at the conclusion of my 12th year. I’ll be leaving the day after Commencement. I’ll spend the first six weeks in Italy and England, doing a lot of reading, hopefully getting renewed and articulating a vision for Seattle University moving forward. I’ll be spending the last four weeks in a Carmelite monastery in England before coming back to campus at the end of August. So here’s the most important question of all—who’s going to make the coffee while you’re gone?
I don’t know who will take on that very important responsibility, so you might see some very drowsy, slow-moving Jesuits walking around campus during the summer.
With construction on the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons underway, Seattle University's interim library, at 1313 E. Columbia, is now open. Students, faculty and staff can access books, electronic journals, videos and more at the interim library, which will operate until the new library opens in fall 2010. Learn more about the interim library.
Fashion as art and for philanthropy took center stage at the Lee Center for the Arts for the second annual "On My Block" fashion show presented by Seattle University's fashion club. While models strutted the latest fashionable finds in clothing and accessories down the catwalk the audience could take heart knowing that proceeds from the evening benefited Dress for Success Seattle, an organization that provides clothing and pointers for women to put their best selves forward on job interviews. Learn more about SU's fashion club.
Andrew Swanson gets a hug from Maureen Niland, acting dean of the Seattle University College of Nursing, after receiving bachelor's degrees from the nursing school and Matteo Ricci College during Sunday's commencement at KeyArena. This weekend's activities saw 1,100 undergraduate and 700 graduate students walk across the stage as the Class of 2009. View a photo slideshow from the event.
Senior Theadora Rupp explains a human-powered electrical generator that she and her team designed to address the needs of villagers in rural Zambia who are largely off the national power grid. The group was among teams from the College of Science and Engineering to present their senior capstone at the Project Center's Projects Day. Students showcased their work—and solutions to real dilemmas—for area businesses, government and non-profit sponsors. The center also focuses on one international project each year. Learn more about the Project Center.
Students (l-r) Le'Fondria Scroggins, Laura Rogalsky and Erin Boniface were among the more than 300 SU students, alumni and friends who were part of a roaring cheering section—organized by the College of Education—at the Seattle Mariners salute to Latin American Beisbol Day on June 6. A share of proceeds from the game benefit the Martinez Foundation, which is funding scholarships for our Masters in Teaching and Special Education and Literacy for Special Needs students. Learn more about the scholarships.
Sophomore ROTC cadet Matthew Frix lowers himself into an L-shape as he hangs off the roof of the Casey Building—65 feet above ground—and prepares to repel down. About 40 cadets participated in the ROTC exercise aimed at building confidence. Learn more about Seattle University's ROTC program.
From the Daily Journal of Commerce June 4, 2009 By KATIE ZEMTSEFF
Journal Staff Reporter A Seattle University spokesperson said the library and commons project shows "we are a university on the rise." Seattle University broke ground yesterday on the largest capital project in the university's history: the $55 million renovation and extension of the A.A. Lemieux Library. This is just one of many projects in the works on the campus. Crews will renovate six floors of the original library and construct a new 33,000-square-foot section called the McGoldrick Learning Commons, for a total of 120,000 square feet. The new construction will become an extension of the library on the east side of the building, transforming the look of the building and that part of campus. The McGoldrick space will provide more computer stations, computerized touch-sensitive walls, study rooms, group instructional areas, a cafe, and a multimedia development center with production, editing and screening space. Casey Corr, spokesperson for SU, said the traditional function of a library in providing books, periodicals and quiet space for students is still important, but the school wants to provide an area where students can focus on new technology and connect with people in other states or countries. "Increasingly, there's a premium on collaborative work and collaborative gathering of information." The project, supported by a $10 million gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is funded through a $160 million school campaign, which has raised $164 million to date. Corr said this project is the "big enchilada" in the campaign and reflects the school's continued improvement as an educational body. "This is the most significant representation of the fact that we are a university on the rise." This $7 million building at 12th Avenue and East Marion Street is due to open in August and will house admissions and alumni relations. The school now has about 7,400 students. The project should be complete in the fall of 2010. It was designed by Mithun and Pfeiffer Partners of Los Angeles. Mortenson is general contractor. Michael Kerns, associate vice president for facilities administration, said the sixth floor of the library will be turned into usable space for library materials and offices. It is currently storage. He said the library represents "a reinvestment in learning and in our students." Seattle University set a goal that new construction be certified LEED gold, and that is the target for this building. Kerns said this is not something the school is willing to compromise on, even considering the state of the economy. "That's something that we're not going to value-engineer out." The building is intended to be 30 percent more efficient than a comparable building, with water-efficient features, under-floor air distribution and lots of daylight. Mike Omura, principal at Mithun, called this building the new model of the 21st century library, citing the cafe as one example of the change. "Traditional libraries didn't have food as part of the library but I think it's more and more the culture of today's students." SU has five other projects in various stages of construction, planning or pre-planning. They are: • An 11,000-square-foot building at 12th Avenue and East Marion Street due to open in August. The $7 million building will house admissions and alumni relations. It is designed to LEED gold. James Cary is architect. Charter Construction is general contractor. • A building at 1313 E. Columbia is being transformed into an interim library while the Lemieux Library is under construction. The 45,000-square-foot renovation is costing $12 million and should open in three weeks. After the building is no longer needed as a library, it will become a home for the school's facilities department. Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects is the architect. Rafn Co. is general contractor. • The school is planning to renovate the Seaport Building at 1215 E. Columbia into classroom and office space for its law school. After that $10 million renovation, the 17,000-square-foot building will be 20,000 square feet. OSKA is the architect. Bids for a contractor will be released next week. SU hopes to start the project in August. It will likely have a new name. • The school is planning a 19,000-square-foot addition to the Connolly Center to provide more fitness and recreation opportunities. OSKA is the architect. The school will probably seek a contractor in the fall. • SU is working on a new residence hall for a site at 12th Avenue and Cherry Street. It hopes to work with a private developer and is in discussions with different candidates. The goal is to open the new dorm in September of 2011. These projects are funded through a variety of means including bonds, the capital campaign, reserves and student fees. But SU has been affected by the economic downturn. Kerns said the school has had to pull back on some projects and there have been "pauses" on others. For example, SU had originally planned to start work on its new residence hall in the fall of 2008 and to start work on its law school extension in January of 2009. Kearns said the university's overall thinking is not as bold as it was a year ago. But he said the projects that are planned need to happen to support the school's growth. "We're really addressing the needs that are there today for the current student body but this is also really about the future," he said. "The economy is obviously very challenging but students are here and our numbers are increasing, so we've got to make sure that we're dealing with those issues." Katie Zemtseff can be reached by phone at (206) 622-8272.
For a university on the rise, it was a day to start digging. With President Sundborg (center), community members Rita Daubenspeck, Anne Farrell, Ann Wyckoff, David Bley and John Meisenbach officially break ground on the university's largest capital project. When finished in fall 2010, the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons will showcase an extensive collection of books and resource materials and the latest technology. View a photo slideshow from the event and take a peek at what's to come.
Standout softball player, senior Jamie Foote, has earned a spot on ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The honor, a first for an SU softball player, recognizes Foote's impressive work on the field—she led the team with a .381 batting average—and in the classroom. Read more about Jamie and the team.
Center for Service and Community Engagement Director Kent Koth (pictured here with SU students) acknowledges members of the campus and community partners for their meaningful service work at the 5th Annual Spirit of Community Celebration. Education Professor Jeffrey Anderson and seniors Danica Blanca Iglopas and Geralyn Mangahas received 2009 Founders Awards in recognition of their leadership within the center. Learn more about the Center for Service and Community Engagement.
The Lemieux Library is getting a modern makeover starting on June 3, when the university officially breaks ground on its largest capital project ever. Be part of this historic moment beginning at noon in front of the library, which when finished in fall 2010 will become a tech-driven library and learning commons. Get the scoop on the transformation and a sneak peek of what's to come.
New men's basketball Coach Cameron Dollar threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game on May 22. Learn more and see pictures from his outing on the mound. And be sure to check out Dollar's plays as the men's hoops coach when his team takes up court at KeyArena next season. Get your tickets today.
While most have lost money in the market the same can't be said of the stock portfolios managed by Seattle University's Student Investment Club, which is actually making money. Through wise investments of $50,000 given to them by D.A. Davidson Company the club landed in the top 3 of 20 universities nationwide competing to grow portfolios. Read the King 5 story and watch the video.
Freshman Allie Lambert grooves to the beats and rhymes of rapper and MC Talib Kweli, who headlined this year's Quadstock. A throng of students turned out to soak up the sun and music while celebrating the 20th anniversary of Seattle University's largest music and entertainment festival. Check out highlights of the day in our photo gallery.
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