You may have heard that at our 2010 Anniversary Gala, honorary chair William D. Ruckelshaus read a proclamation from Governor Christine Gregoire declaring June 14, 2010 Mark Emmert Day. As I was marking the day on our internal calendar and setting it to repeat every year - thereby adding it to our collective memory - I thought perhaps it would be nice to share the text of this proclamation with you!

WHEREAS, today CityClub is recognizing the importance of Washington’s entrepreneurial culture with its Gala focused on “Revolutionary Innovation;” and

WHEREAS, CityClub enjoys a long-standing partnership with University of Washington in support of building civic knowledge, connection, trust and action in the greater community; and 

WHEREAS, since June 2004, Mark Emmert, a native son of Fife, Washington, has served as President of the University of Washington, one of the state’s flagship research universities and a linchpin of the region’s economy and health care; and

WHEREAS, the University of Washington, under President Emmert’s leadership, strengthened its commitment to educational opportunity and accessibility by launching the Husky Promise, a guarantee to the state’s hardworking students that financial challenges will not stand in the way of a college education; and

WHEREAS, during President Emmert’s tenure, the University of Washington completed the most successful fundraising campaign in its history, garnering the support of nearly 300,000 donors; and 

WHEREAS, President Emmert has fostered a dynamic, collegial environment for growth and advancement at the University of Washington, exemplified by the creation of new initiatives in leading-edge fields, revitalized strategies for attracting a talented, diverse student body and providing a rich learning experience, and the expansion of the University’s reach across the globe; and

WHEREAS, under President Emmert’s direction, the University of Washington has built significantly upon its capacity for improving the health and welfare of people at home and around the world; and

WHEREAS, President has championed the University of Washington’s position as a world leader in environmental research, education, and practices; and

WHEREAS, President Emmert has advocated passionately and eloquently for the fundamental contributions research universities make to the quality of life and well-being of us all;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2010, as

Mark Emmert Day

in Washington State, and I urge all citizens to join me in this special observance.