October 2025 Newsletter

Perspectives is a monthly newsletter that highlights the accomplishments and latest news from the College of Arts & Sciences community. Learn about unusual courses, student projects, faculty research, alumni careers, and more.

Featured Stories This Month

MIguel Morales photographed on the UW campus.

Demystifying Quantum

In a physics course for non-STEM majors, Professor Miguel Morales teaches quantum mechanics without the advanced mathematics most quantum courses require.
 

Mary Brunkow sitting at table in her home

UW Biology Alum Awarded Nobel Prize

Mary E. Brunkow (BS, Biology, 1983) was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Frederick J. Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi.

Zev Handel photographed on the UW campus

The Curious Journey of Chinese Characters

Several Asian countries adapted the Chinese writing system — the oldest writing system still in use — for their own languages. In a new book, Professor Zev Handel shares how that happened.

  • Carved "story pole" on UW campus

    New Story Pole Installed on UW Campus

    A story pole celebrating the Coast Salish peoples was recently installed outside Denny Hall, thanks to the efforts of Professor Sven Haakanson (Sugpiaq/Alutiiq).

    UW News

Opportunities to Explore

  • Henry Art Gallery exterior of entrance

    Meet Me at the Henry

    October 25
    Henry Art Gallery

    Join the Henry Art Gallery for this twice-a-year celebration of contemporary art and ideas. Explore new exhibitions, catch captivating performances, get hands-on with an all-ages art-making workshop and museum bingo, and discover rarely seen works from the Henry’s collection. Free. 

  • David Baker headshot

    Frontiers of Physics Lecture: Nobel Laureate David Baker

    October 28, 7:30 pm
    130 Kane Hall

    Nobel laureate David Baker — UW professor of biochemistry, HHMI investigator, and director of the UW’s Institute for Protein Design — will discuss advanced protein design software and its use in developing molecules to address challenges in medicine, technology, and sustainability. Free. Presented by the Department of Physics.

  • The soaring pipes of the UW's Littlefield Organ

    Halloween Organ Concert

    October 31, 7:30 pm
    Walker-Ames Room (Room 225), Kane Hall

    It’s a Halloween tradition! Stephen Price, head of organ studies in the School of Music, will be joined by organ studies students and guests to perform spooky organ works and Halloween-themed favorites in this festive concert. Free. Presented by the School of Music.

  • Exterior of Intellectual House on the UW campus

    Healing Heart Speaker Series

    Thursdays through November 20, 11 am – noon
    wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ– Intellectual House, UW Seattle Campus

    This lecture series is presented in preparation for a February 2026 UW Symphony performance of “Healing Heart of the First People of This Land,” a project developed in response to 9/11 and first performed in 2006. Lecture series speakers include UW faculty and community members, with topics ranging from the revitalization of the Lushootseed language to various aspects of the Healing Heart project. Free.

  • Detail from Music for New Bodies photo, showing someone laying down surrounded by percussion instruments.

    Music for New Bodies

    November 1, 7:30 pm
    Meany Hall – Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater

    With stirring symphonic intensity and thought-provoking lyrics, “Music for New Bodies,” performed by the American Modern Opera Company, offers a deep and urgent meditation on the challenges we face as a species. This ambitious work by Matthew Aucoin is directed by Peter Sellars with a libretto based on the poetry of Jorie Graham. Presented by Meany Center for the Performing Arts.

  • headshot of Michael Rothenberg, Katz Lecture Series speaker

    Katz Distinguished Lecture

    November 4, 6:30 pm
    210 Kane Hall

    Why do we turn to the past to confront the crises of the present? In this Katz Distinguished Lecture, “Comparison Controversies: Historical Analogy and the Politics of Holocaust Memory,” Michael Rothberg (UCLA) approaches this question from the perspective of “comparison controversies” that occur when impassioned public debates emerge from provocative historical comparisons, and the possibilities and pitfalls of historical analogy. Free. Sponsored by the Simpson Center for the Humanities.

Looking for more events? Visit ArtsUW and the UW Alumni Association website

In The News

Editor

Nancy Joseph
nancyj@uw.edu