A Newsletter for Friends and Alumni of the University of Washington
Feature: All-Star Volunteer Lineup Fuels Campaign UW Success

When Campaign UW: Creating Futures comes calling, don’t be surprised if the caller is a former mayor, a technology superstar, or a world-famous entrepreneur.

Some of the Pacific Northwest’s most influential citizens are inspiring friends, neighbors, and associates to join them in supporting the University of Washington’s $2 billion fundraising campaign to create better futures for the region and beyond.

With the October 2004 public launch of the Campaign behind them and more than $1.35 billion in commitments secured, these dedicated leaders are fanning out to the larger community to keep the momentum rolling in the Campaign’s second half.

“A lot of a campaign is about connecting to people, and volunteers are some of the best connectors we have,” says David Hodge, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which has a Campaign Executive Committee co-chaired by community leader Maggie Walker (‘74, ‘87) and retired Ford Motor Corporation CEO Donald Petersen (‘46). The committee, Hodge says, has been “very important in shaping the case (for support) for the College.” Overall, volunteers are crucial to the Campaign’s success. “All of these people walk the talk, and that’s really important.”

When perusing the leadership roster (see sidebar below), one might ask who isn’t involved in this race to excellence. Venture capitalists, timber industry executives, educators, and technology moguls are working side by side with public servants, arts and culture patrons, full-time philanthropists, and a Nobel Laureate. The Campaign’s general chair, William H. Gates (‘49, ‘50), is joined by four general co-chairs: former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice (‘72, ’74); former UW President William Gerberding, Delta Airlines CEO Gerald Grinstein, and Seattle attorney Judith Runstad (‘74).

“None of these folks have to do this,” says Connie Kravas, UW’s vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. “They have very busy lives; they’re doing important things elsewhere, and yet they are willing to commit countless days and nights to the effort.”

Why do they do it? For Costco Wholesale co-founder and CEO Jeffrey Brotman (‘64, ‘67), chair of UW Medicine’s campaign (and president of the UW Regents), the reason is twofold: “UW Medicine not only saves lives,” he says, “but it also is good business, with an economic impact to our state of more than $3 billion per year.”

Norm Rice says giving to the effort is simply the right thing to do. “I believe in the University as an institution of change, opportunity, and knowledge,” he says, adding that he and his wife, Constance (‘70), give back to their alma mater as a way to express their gratitude. “The University opened the door for me to rise to where I am today,” he says.

Whatever the motivation for giving of their time and talent, volunteer leaders are making a convincing case for supporting Campaign UW. “Whoever I approach for the Campaign, I tell them that the UW is one of the best investments one can make,” says Rice. “The return on that investment is a better quality of life.”

To learn more about Campaign UW: Creating Futures, visit www.uwfoundation.org.

Above Image From Left to Right: Former Gov. Dan Evans with UW staff member Eric Godfrey; Arts and Sciences Campaign Executive Committee Co-Chair Maggie Walker; Information School Advisory Board member Donald Horowitz. Below: Arts and Sciences Campaign Executive Committee Co-Chair Donald Petersen. Page four sidebar, from left to right: Architecture and Urban Planning Campaign Commitee Chair Lee Copeland, Campaign Communication Council member Jonathan Roberts, Campaign Chair William H. Gates.

Volunteer Leadership

CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE General Chair: William H. Gates; Co-Chairs: Bill Gerberding, Jerry Grinstein, Norm Rice, Judy Runstad; Members: David Bonderman, Jeff Brotman, Susan Brotman, Arthur Buerk, Dan Evans, Jeremy Jaech, Scott Redman,
Jon Runstad

CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL Chair: Jeremy Jaech • PRESIDENT’S CLUB & ANNUAL GIVING Chair: Scott Redman • SCHOLARSHIPS AND STUDENT PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIPS Co-Chairs: Dan Evans, John Meisenbach; Diversity Scholarships Chair: Bill Neukom

ARCHITECTURE & URBAN PLANNING Chair: Lee Copeland • ARTS & SCIENCES Co-Chairs: Don Petersen, Maggie Walker • BUSINESS SCHOOL Co-Chairs: Neal Dempsey, Ed Fritzky, Mike Garvey • DENTISTRY Co-Chairs: Bryan and Linda Edgar • EDUCATION Co-Chairs: Kerry and Linda Killinger • ENGINEERING Chair: Steve Rogel • EVANS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Co-Chairs: Nancy Evans, Norm Rice; Honorary Co-Chair: Dan Evans • FOREST RESOURCES Co-Chair: Cassie Phillips • FRIDAY HARBOR LABS Chair: Tom Cable • GRADUATE SCHOOL Co-Chairs: Lee Hartwell, Alvin Kwiram • INFORMATION SCHOOL Honorary Founding Board Members: Arthur Buerk, Beverly Cleary • INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Chair: Ron Crockett • LAW Chair: Stan Barer; Honorary Chair: William H. Gates; Honorary Co-Chairs: Roland Hjorth, Jack McDonald • UW MEDICINE Chair: Jeff Brotman • NURSING Co-Chairs: Eli and Rebecca Almo; Honorary Co-Chairs: Peter and Sandy Dyer, Bob and Jean Reid • OCEAN & FISHERY SCIENCES Co-Chairs: Bill Corbin, Rick Krochalis • PHARMACY Co-Chairs: SuAnn Bond, Donna Dockter, Mark Holzemer, Doug Mendenhall, Ray Wilson; Honorary Co-Chair: Shirley Bridge • PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY MEDICINE Chair: J. Michael Rona • SOCIAL WORK Co-Chairs: Lynn Pigott Mowe, Susan Ward Potts • UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Chair: Joe McKinstry • University PRESS Chair: Nan Hahn • UW BOTHELL Chair: Max Gellert; Honorary Chair: Lois Worthington • UW TACOMA Chair: Ray Tennison

Return to June 2005 Campaign Newsletter