I am pleased to welcome you, the Class of 2010, to what will be your home for the next four years. You come to Washington University at a wonderful time in our history, and I thank you for choosing our community from among the many fine institutions of higher learning in the world. Many people are working hard to make your time here productive, enjoyable and life changing. You will leave here in four years a different person, and it is our hope that the University will also be changed because of your presence here. Our students have proven that to be true year after year, so we have much confidence in the Class of 2010!

At the heart of every great university are its students, and so we welcome you with enthusiasm as our newest community members. We are here to nurture your intellectual, emotional and social growth. It is my hope that over the next four years you will learn and experience the power of a research university. Perhaps you will even take part in the creation and dissemination of new knowledge, as many of your fellow students have already done. Being a contributor to new knowledge adds to your intellectual development in vital ways and is a key element of the student experience at a research university.

Here you will meet new people from a variety of backgrounds. Here you will test yourself and your system of beliefs. Here you will establish rewarding and lasting friendships that will make the rest of your lives more enjoyable and productive. Here your lives will be changed. Your education begins in our classrooms, studios and labs, but it extends quickly to the many and varied opportunities for personal and social growth and service to the community. You will learn a great deal from your classmates, both inside and outside the classroom. This is one of the rewards of a residential college experience. I encourage you to take full advantage of this wonderful time of your life.

Early in the academic year we will be dedicating our Hilltop Campus as the “Danforth Campus” in honor of the contributions of Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth and his family. Even though this man and the impact he has had on our university may be unknown to you, I hope you will choose to join us for some of the upcoming activities celebrating this important event. There are an abundance of other happenings on campus this fall, too, including the opening of the new Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, which will showcase one of the greatest university art collections in the world.

Finally, with our new free Metro Pass Program for faculty, staff and students, I hope you will get out and enjoy the St. Louis community. There is much to see and do, and we are fortunate to have a vibrant St. Louis community around us, with great institutions such as the St. Louis Art Museum, Science Center and Zoo all within walking distance and all providing free admission!

Again, welcome to Washington University! Welcome to the beginning of your future, and best wishes for continued success in our community of learning and discovery.

Mark Wrighton is the Chancellor of Washington University.

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