The passing of a decade is one of those bookmarks in history. We talk about the 30s, 40s, 50s, and so on. Each is often associated with famous events or people or trends that touched our lives. Alumni undoubtedly could weigh in on a discussion about the University of Windsor as it passed through each 10-year milestone. Whether it is the fashion or technology of the day, or the effects of political events that change the world, you can see it all at a university. As we transition to the second decade of the 21st century, I have started to wonder how history will weigh in on the first one.
The past decade saw the University of Windsor become “wired” and “wireless”, enabling our students, faculty and staff to be at the leading edge of information flow and communication. We were, in fact, one of the first fully wireless campuses in Canada. Our researchers, artists and students contributed to our understanding of a wide range of issues that caught the world’s attention, from the Arctic environment to development in Africa, to natural disasters. We also saw our institution go from the bulge brought on by the double cohort to the fiscal leanness necessitated by the global recession.
It may be a bit early to know what history will deem to be the defining features of the decade, but I am sure each of us has things that stand out in our minds. What stands out for me is that it was a time when the consequences of how we live on our planet really started to sink in. This awareness was powered by the internet and social media, through which we acquired a lightning speed reflex to breaking news on human achievements and human suffering. We came to accept the importance of global warming and renewable energy to our future. We came to appreciate more fully how connected we all are by economic globalization, conflict and disaster, and how rapidly they can affect our industries and the well-being of each of us. In facing the realities that crystallized over the last ten years, we re-envisaged what the road ahead should be. We did a reality check.
This issue of VIEW continues the important tradition of acknowledging the great achievements and contributions of alumni and the community of the University of Windsor. It highlights some of the things we are doing about one of the realities we now see more clearly - the need to protect our environment. A world that is cleaner, natural habitats and agricultural lands that are preserved, and energy production and utilization that are more sustainable are along the road we must travel. The University of Windsor has a responsibility to do all it can to contribute solutions. It is a priority for us.
Alan Wildeman
President and Vice-Chancellor
VIEW Magazine is produced by the University of Windsor Office of Public Affairs in tandem with the Office of Alumni and Donor Communications. Our goal is to connect and inspire the UWindsor community through news and stories that build pride in our alumni, current students, faculty, staff, donors and friends.
