Welcome to the Class of 2011! I am delighted that you will be making Washington University your new home. You are talented and accomplished and you have the potential to become the world’s future leaders. We are fortunate to have you join us and we are pleased that you have selected one of the premier undergraduate research universities as your residence for the next four years.

Students are key stakeholders here and contribute to the culture and identity of the University. Indeed, students are at the heart of every great university. Students contribute to the intellectual foundations of the academic enterprise by sharing new ideas and engaging in critical thought and dialogue. I hope that you will take advantage of the many opportunities that will be presented to you to create and disseminate new knowledge. We are here to nurture your intellectual growth.

The University is also a place where you will grow socially and emotionally. Nearly all of you will spend your first year in one of Washington University’s residential colleges located on the South 40. You will belong to a community of students who come from many different backgrounds and experiences. This diversity is one of our greatest institutional strengths. I encourage all of you to be open to new ideas and let others challenge how you view the world in which you live. 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.

Washington University is a great University located at the geographic center of the vibrant and historic St. Louis Metropolitan area. Your free Metro Pass will allow you to visit St. Louis’ attractions via one of two MetroLink stations, conveniently located adjacent to the Danforth Campus. I hope you will also consider using your Metro Pass to find ways to engage in service to the greater community. The Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service and the Community Service Office are two of several Washington University programs that offer students the opportunity to contribute their time and talents to the community.

You join Washington University at a wonderful time in our history. Our student athletes are enjoying unprecedented success and you will have many chances to come out and cheer for the Bears. The recently dedicated Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum on the Danforth Campus showcases one of the greatest university art collections in the world. During your first year, the new University Center will be completed, providing you with an incredible new resource in the center of campus. This summer, Washington University announced the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES). This initiative, in collaboration with our recent hiring of an Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability, will provide undergraduate students with both an academic and programmatic focus on the environment and the challenges facing us in the years to come.

Again, welcome to Washington University. You have my very best wishes for continued success in our community of learning and discovery.

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