Students Change the Institution for the Better

Student scholarships. Illustration by Daria Lada.

Four student awards — the Lillis, Matelich, Neukom, and Posse scholarships — provide full tuition (and in some cases, also room and board) for all four years to talented students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to realize the full breadth of their academic and leadership goals.

What follows in the next pages are first-person accounts of three esteemed alumni and one stand-out senior who say their life and career trajectories have been forever changed by their financial awards.

University of Puget Sound Bridges Financial Gap for Students Following State Aid Cuts

Red brick building with red vines

Following the Washington State Legislature’s recent decision to uphold significant cuts to state student aid programs, the University of Puget Sound has announced it will reallocate institutional funding to ensure affected students can continue their education without additional financial burden.

The move reaffirms Puget Sound’s long-standing dedication to making a world-class liberal arts education affordable and accessible to all scholars, regardless of their financial background.

First Year Inside: A Head Start on College Life at Puget Sound

First Year Inside (FYI) program students, 2025.

Looking for a smoother transition from high school to college? The University of Puget Sound’s First Year Inside (FYI) program helps incoming students begin their college journey with confidence, connection, and support. 

Dr. Hajung Lee, associate professor of religion, spirituality, and society and bioethics and director of FYI, has worked closely with the program and witnessed its impact firsthand. 

University of Puget Sound Launches a Hybrid MEd Counseling Program to Meet Growing Demand

fall leaves

The University of Puget Sound is proud to announce the launch of its new Hybrid Master of Education (MEd) Counseling Program, strategically designed to fill a widening gap in regional clinical mental health and school counseling education and provide aspiring counseling professionals with the flexibility and accessibility to advance their careers while balancing work and personal commitments.

From the Hardwood to the Page: A Student's Summer of Service

books on a table

For Tdohasan Chastang Sunray ’27, the summer wasn't about rest — it was about giving back. The University of Puget Sound English major spent his summer in the realm of creative writing, embarking on a mission to inspire the next generation of storytellers throughout the state of Oklahoma. Funded by a Matelich Summer Challenge Grant, the project was his way of serving a part of his community often overlooked.