October 2026

Dear Campus Community:

Spending time on campus during this vibrant time of year is always a highlight for the Board of Trustees. As autumn colors illuminate our campus and our students’ energy fills our classrooms, athletics competitions, clubs, and event spaces, it serves as a powerful reminder of the vitality and warmth of the Puget Sound community.

The Board of Trustees recently concluded our fall meetings, which began with virtual committee sessions on Oct. 14-15 and brought us together on campus from Oct. 21–23. On behalf of the entire board, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our students, faculty, and staff for your warm welcome, your hospitality, and your continued dedication to advancing the mission of Puget Sound.

Key Actions and Discussion Items

Our time together was marked by inspiring celebrations and productive discussions across several key areas:

  • Trustee Retreat: Trustees began their time in Tacoma with a board retreat focused on the university’s goals for the academic year and an update on the fall 2026 enrollment cycle. We also welcomed Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman, who serves as the Director, Education and Executive Secretary, University Senate for the United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Gieselman provided trustees with a thoughtful overview of what it means to be a United Methodist Church-related institution.
  • Enrollment & Student Success Committee: The committee received a briefing on the fall 2027 recruitment cycle and an update on the broader implementation of our strategic enrollment plan.
  • Campaign Steering Committee & University Advancement Committee: These two committees held a joint meeting, in which they discussed our strategic fundraising goals in alignment with the public launch of the Greater, We Ascend campaign.
  • Finance & Facilities Committee: The committee received a briefing on the close out of FY 2025-26 and projections for the FY 2026-27 budget cycle, along with reports on our progress with the implementation of our campus development plan, operations within Technology Services, and Human Resources’ preparations for the university’s forthcoming benefits enrollment period.
  • Academic & Student Affairs Committee: The committee heard reports and updates on the start of the academic year from Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity.

In addition, at its Business Meeting on Friday, the Board took action on the following items:

  • Fiscal Stewardship: The Board approved a recommendation from the Finance & Facilities Committee setting parameters for the FY 2027-28 budget.
  • Corporate Governance & Faculty Bylaws: The Board approved proposed amendments to the Faculty Bylaws as recommended by the Academic & Student Affairs Committee, which included technical changes approved by the faculty at their October 7, 2026 Faculty meeting, and updated language related to the faculty’s responsibilities related to modality of instruction for graduate programs, which were approved by the faculty at their April 15, 2026 Faculty meeting.
  • Campaign & Advancement: The Board approved the university’s Naming and Commemorative Recognition Policy, as jointly recommended by the Campaign Steering Committee and University Advancement Committee. The policy is designed to ensure the university has a clear and consistent framework for donor recognition and naming opportunities.

Institutional Matters of Interest

  • Presidential Search Update: In my role as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, I updated the trustees on the presidential search process, and we welcomed our search partners from DSG Storbeck in that conversation as well. In follow up to my October 6 campus message, I want to affirm that the Search Committee remains excited about the remaining candidates and their ability to advance the university as described in the prospectus. I am grateful for the exceptional engagement and collegial input from all members of the Search Committee as we move forward in the search. We are still on track with our timeline as described on the presidential search website.
  • The Greater, We Ascend Public Launch: We were thrilled to conclude our on-campus meetings with the spectacular public launch of the Greater, We Ascend campaign on Friday evening. Reaching this important milestone is a noteworthy achievement for the campaign and Puget Sound, and we were honored to celebrate the moment with so many of you.
  • Homecoming & Family Weekend: It was a joy to see our students, alumni, families, and friends gathering for Homecoming traditions, Logger Athletics events, LoggerFest, and the many other community activities that were underway.

Campus Engagement Highlights

One of the most rewarding aspects of our fall meeting is the opportunity to connect directly with the people who make this institution thrive. Throughout the week, trustees were grateful to participate in several formal and informal campus programs:

  • Visiting classes across disciplines and joining a special session in the Collins Memorial Library archives focused on the history of women in science at Puget Sound. Thank you to Professors Nila Wiese, Jiayu Sun, and Jennifer Utrata for letting us visit your classrooms, and to Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Olivia Rouse for inviting us into the Archives to learn more about Puget Sound’s history.
  • Meeting with Career and Employment Services students and staff over lunch to learn more about the good work the university is doing to prepare our students to step confidently in the world of work upon the completion of their studies at Puget Sound. Thank you to Director of Career & Employment Services Lisa Garza for a fantastic presentation.
  • Attending a reception in Kittredge Gallery to meet International Artist-in-Residence Luis Alonso Sánchez and help celebrate the opening of the "Between Supposed Lovers and Sweet Dreams Exhibitions Vol. 2" exhibit, which will be on display through December 11. We are grateful to Mr. Sánchez, Professor Kriszta Kotsis and Gallery Manager Peter Stanley for this special opportunity.
  • Sharing a collegial breakfast with members of the Faculty and members of the Staff Senate.

Thank you again for making this fall meeting so memorable and productive. We look forward to our continued work together and to seeing you again for our winter meeting in February.

To the Heights!

Beth M. Picardo ’83, J.D. ’86 | Chair of the Presidential Search Committee | Chair of the Board of Trustees