Dear Western Alumni and Friends,
This has been yet another remarkable year for Western in many ways. Before touching upon the many successes and momentum
reflected in this Annual Report, however, I would first like to provide a sense of the dynamic learning and living environment that
continues to evolve on our campus.
Western’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), led by Dr. Anne Ryter (Chemistry), creates opportunities for faculty members to
gather for seminars and discussions on best practices for undergraduate teaching and learning. I attended the October CTE meeting
and participated in roundtable discussions focused on 21st Century learning outcomes.
The meeting was attended by over half of our full-time faculty, representing twenty-one different academic disciplines. Ideas were
shared on various strategies for integrating important higher order thinking skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, written
and oral communication, quantitative literacy, creativity, innovation, and leadership throughout the curriculum.
This meeting underscored the commitment of Western’s faculty to the foundations of 21st century learning and followed upon a series
of roundtable discussions last year that also included staff members from throughout the College. This kind of momentum is inspiring
and necessary for the dynamic living and learning experience that we offer Western students. And students seem to be responding.
I recently hosted a reception for a group of freshman honors students. I asked Laura from Greeley, Colorado to share with me
how things were going and how she chose Western. She told me that she narrowed her college choices to three schools: Purdue
University, University of Denver, and Western. She chose Western because of class size, the faculty, and because she knew that there
would be a great opportunity to be fully engaged in her education.
Susan from Oklahoma, Nadia from New Mexico, and Jeffery from Olathe, Colorado shared similar stories about choosing Western
and about their learning experiences here. In each conversation the sense of excitement and fulfillment was palpable. It is, I believe, all
part of the momentum that is building at our College.
In a recent letter Steve Borick shared with me the elation felt by him and his family in making possible a building
“that was desperately needed . . . and thousands of students will prosper from the education for years to come.”
All gifts to Western make possible, in one way or another, learning experiences for remarkable young
people like Laura, Susan, Nadia and Jeffery.
It is with deepest gratitude that I extend my thanks to all of you for supporting Western’s important
mission of educating students in the fullest most enriching ways possible. Your partnership assures
that students will continue to thrive at our College.
Sincerely,
Jay Helman, President