Posted on January 29, 2025
January’s new moon signals the beginning of the Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated throughout Asia. Whether you celebrate by eating ddeokguk (rice cake soup) or oranges, watching lion dances, cleaning, getting new clothing, exchanging hóngbāo, or any other tradition around the holiday, I hope you enjoy your evening and the season.
As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we are reminded of the powerful themes of reflection, growth, and personal transformation that this Lunar New Year brings. The Snake, known for its wisdom, adaptability, and strategic approach, encourages us to embrace new opportunities and navigate challenges with grace and resilience.
At the College of Built Environments, these themes resonate deeply with our mission to foster innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Just as the Snake sheds its skin to embrace new phases, we too have the chance to reflect on our journey and adapt to the evolving needs of our students, faculty, and the communities we serve. This year offers an opportunity to continue our collective growth—personally, professionally, and as a community—building on the strength and resilience that define us.
As we embark on this new year, we remain committed to prioritizing inclusivity, relationship-building, and creating opportunities for all members of our CBE community. Our work together is rooted in a shared vision of building a more sustainable, just, and equitable future through design, research, and education.
Let us approach this year with the Snake’s wisdom, embracing change and charting a path toward continued success, innovation, and impact. Together, we will reach new heights and unlock the full potential of our College and its people.
Wishing you a prosperous and transformative Lunar New Year. May the wisdom and adaptability of the Snake guide us in the year ahead.
For those who don’t traditionally celebrate Lunar New Year and would like to learn more, here are some events happening in and around UW:
CIRCLE New Year Celebration at the Intellectual House (January 31)
Lunar New Year at the Seattle Art Museum (February 1)
Lunar New Year Night Market (February 8)
Chinese Student Association Lunar Gala (February 15)
Seattle International District Lunar New Year Celebration (February 22)
Be well,
Ken
Ken P. Yocom, PhD
Interim Dean + Professor
College of Built Environments