Black Alumni Union

Black Alumni Union logo
Black Alumni Union
Louis Smith '69

Welcome

We welcome you to our page and want you to participate with us and share our purpose and vision.


Purpose: Support and nurture a successful black student experience while matriculating through UPS and beyond  

Strategic Vision: “Creating Generational Value While Empowering Dreams”

Check back often here to see what we’re doing, and learn about upcoming events and some of the activities that we have been involved in.

We meet the first Monday of each month from 7 - 8:15 p.m. PST.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85985352946?pwd=N2XxPKzDcWyz1jjvVUujZIMo4wzyCj.1
Meeting ID: 859 8535 2946
Passcode: 795042

Sincerely,
Louis Smith ’69
BAU President

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to: lsmith@pugetsound.edu

List of Officers

Past Presidents

Alumni Spotlight
Ed Horne

Ed Horne, USAF Lt. Col (Ret.) ‘70 

If you are seeking advice about anything concerning aviation, look no further than Captain Ed-ward L. Horne. Class of 1970, he majored in history and minored in aviation studies. He was in ROTC and left for the Air Force after graduation. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel twenty-three years later. Horne then became a commercial pilot and flew internationally for TWA, Japan AirLines, and United Parcel Service. “I have traveled around the world and visited eighty-seven countries.” As a Logger, Horne was a founding member of the Black Student Union. He played tenor and baritone saxophone in the Concert Band. Edward Horne was one of the first Black students to join the Theta Chi fraternity. In fact, Horne is a man who has accomplished many firsts. He was the first Black pilot and captain hired by Japan AirLines. Horne was a founding member of the Organization of Black AirLine Professionals (OBAP). He remains active and is in the organization’s hall of fame and established a scholarship to help student pilots get their commercial licenses. Edward Horne has worked closely with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to encourage students to consider aviation careers. He retired from UPS in 2013, did some traveling, and played a lot of golf.

Black Alumni Union Activities

BAU Activities

BAU Activities
BAU Activities
BAU Activities
BAU Activities

BSU Activities

BSU Activities

AFAM Thesis Presentations with Taj Phillips family

BSU Activities

AFAM Thesis Presentations.  Kevoni Neely, NJ Sarmiento, Kevonia Neely, Jaden Francis, Sophie Halloway, Sofia Cunningham, & Taj Phillips.

BSU Activities

Graduating Students of Color Keynote Speaker Tacoma City Council Member Tamika Scott.

Community Engagement

BAU Community
BAU Community
BAU Community
BAU Community

Tacoma panel came on campus to share their resources and commitment to the black students

BAU Community
BAU Community
Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

BSU Events
  • Black Student Union/Black Alumni Union Welcome Gathering 2025
    Upper Marshall, Wheelock Student Center - North 15th Street, Tacoma, WA, USA
    Friday, August 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
     

    All incoming Black students and families, members of the Black Alumni Union and Black Student Union, and university staff and faculty are invited to attend this Welcome gathering. Join us for connection, conversation, and dessert as we kick off the new academic year together. This event is part of Passages Orientation at Puget Sound. Find your community and support, meet new friends, and glimpse everything campus has to offer you! Current students and families are welcome. Walk-ins are welcome. Questions? Contact the office of Alumni and Parent Relations at alumoffice@pugetsound.edu.

Register Here!
SRW BAU
Summer Reunion Weekend
HFW BSU
Homecoming and Family Weekend
Charter Members of the Black Student Union

Passing the Torch: Origins of Puget Sound’s Black Student Union

Archives

See our Former Alumni Spotlights and Past Activities

Keith Blocker

Read about 2025 Professional Achievement – Midcareer Alumni Award Winner Keith Blocker ’12

Bernadette Ray

Read about the impact of beloved high school principal Bernadette Ray ’99, MAT’01. See page 10.