This WWU Give Day the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education is honoring the legacy of Ralph Munro with a heartfelt appeal.
This spring, we mourn the loss of Ralph Munro, a towering presence in state politics and a visionary leader whose commitments made Washington State better in countless ways. Ralph served as Secretary of State for over two decadesclosely advised Governor Dan Evans, and deeply believed in civic engagement, good governance, political voice, and working across party lines. In his determination to confront complex problems in our midst, he never lost sight of our common humanity.
At the Munro Institute, we are committed to continuing Ralph's legacy through activities on and off campus. These include
- Hosting our first Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI), which has brought 25 young from 11 different countries to study society and governance alongside Western students and local community members. This initiative resonates deeply with Ralph’s commitment to global engagement and his efforts on behalf of Southeast Asian refugees.
- Sparking conversations about historic milestones and contemporary challenges through movie screenings and panel discussions. This spring we will host a viewing and panel discussion of “Finding Common Ground,” a documentary that details collaborative leadership to protect the watershed. This event, open to the full campus and broader community, reflects Ralph's broad leadership values and commitment to natural resources.
- Hosting annual seminars that bring together scholars, public officials and community leaders to discuss the key issues of our time, from housing affordability and substance use to the practice of democracy itself.
- Responding quickly and working with campus partners to offer teach-ins on current events like the Ukraine conflict, Iranian protests and 2024 election.
Through these and all our initiatives, we aim to be nimble and responsive to the events of the day, providing open platforms for candid, nuanced and difficult discussions.
We are dedicated to doing our best to honor Ralph's legacy through the activities of the Munro Institute. Your support this WWU Give Day will help us continue this important work and ensure that Ralph's vision for civic engagement and good governance lives on. Thank you.
