Award renamed for outgoing trustee Phil Sharpe

Editor’s Note: After each Board of Trustees meeting, Western Today provides a recap of decisions and discussion.

Western’s Board of Trustees on Friday honored Trustee Phil Sharpe, whose second term of service on the board is ending, and recognized his outstanding service to Western.

The trustees also approved renaming the university’s annual Community Engagement Award the Philip E. Sharpe, Jr. Community Engagement Award and selected Sharpe as the first recipient of the new award.

Sharpe was first appointed in 2002 to the board by former Gov. Gary Locke. He was reappointed to a second term by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Several trustees and President Bruce Shepard spoke about Sharpe’s many contributions to Western during his 10 years of service as Western trustee. They also noted his many contributions to the local community.

Sharpe said he was “immeasurably enriched” by his association with Western, and honored to help in Western’s important and collective mission of education.

“In order to make a difference in the world, you have to be part of something bigger than yourself,” Sharpe said.

In other business, the trustees:

• Approved the 2013-15 Biennial Operating Budget Request.
• Recognized Dana Jack, Fairhaven College professor, who the American Psychological Association recently awarded the Ursula Gielen Global Psychology Book Award for Jack’s latest book, “Silencing the Self Across Cultures: Depression and Gender in the Social World.”
• Recognized the 2012-2013 Associated Students Board of Directors.
• Faculty expressed their appreciation for the trustees’ support of shared commitment to continuing excellence at Western.
• Approved a resolution welcoming new student trustee Joseph Meyer to the Board of Trustees.
• Recognized the many contributions of Western Dean of Libraries Chris Cox, who is leaving Western to take a position at the University of Northern Iowa.
• Heard presentations on the numerous projects and activities that happen at Western’s campus during the summer.
• Heard a presentation by Francisco Rios, Dean of Woodring College of Education, on the college’s many collaborations and partnerships, both across campus and in the community. Rios also introduced to the board Karen Dade, new associate dean at Woodring College.
• Heard a presentation and video on “Responding to Stem Challenges” by Jeff Wright, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology.
• Heard a presentation by Steve Swan, vice president for University Relations, on the many successes in marketing and branding at Western.
• Heard a presentation by Stephanie Bowers, vice president for University Advancement, on substantial progress in the comprehensive campaign for Western.
• Watched video clips of the WWU Ralph Munro Institute in June, as part of a luncheon thanking those who made the institute so highly successful.

Meeting documents are available at the Board of Trustees website.