The University of Puget Sound has awarded scholarships to 10 outstanding undergraduate students for the 2025–2026 academic year. These faculty-nominated scholarships recognize academic excellence, financial need, and dedication to a specific field of study.

“Beyond recognizing their hard work and dedication, these scholarships are an investment in the transformative potential of these students to become impactful leaders and thinkers within their respective fields,” said Provost Drew Kerkhoff. “We are excited to see all that they will accomplish.”

It’s summer in Tacoma and school may be out of session, but for the middle and high school students enrolled in the University of Puget Sound’s Summer Academic Challenge, it’s the perfect time to gain new skills and stave off summer learning loss. A group of students are gathered around computers, learning how to code by building a website from scratch.

Sports have always been a core part of Kaila Bonawitz’s identity. Growing up in an athletic family first in Hawai`i and later in Washington, she played soccer and volleyball, but an ACL and meniscus injury threw her plans of pursuing college athletics in doubt. She recovered, but had to switch gears to a new sport—golf. It was a decision that would ultimately lead her to the University of Puget Sound.

Brendan Lanctot, professor of Hispanic studies at the University of Puget Sound, has been recognized by the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Nineteenth Century Section for his chapter, “Civic Festivals, Popular Spectacles, and the Art of Drawing Republics.” He earned an Honorable Mention from the organization, highlighting Lanctot’s innovative exploration of how 19th-century public spectacles shaped political identities in Latin America.

The University of Puget Sound has earned a STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), recognizing the university’s progress in sustainability across academics, operations, engagement, and planning.

University of Puget Sound is a learning community where students benefit from faculty and staff mentorship to develop a lifelong love of learning. Whether standing in front of the classroom or working behind the scenes, this year’s retirees have a shared commitment to supporting students and promoting intellectual curiosity. Together, they represent over 300 years of service to the university and an invaluable resource to the community.

Good afternoon, Class of 2025, faculty, family, and friends.

Today, we celebrate not just an achievement but a transition, a moment where we take everything we’ve learned at Puget Sound and step into the world beyond. Over the years, we’ve challenged ourselves, expanded our perspectives, and grown into the people we are today. As we look to new opportunities and uncertainties, I want to remind each of you: we are ready.

Good afternoon. My name is Avi Matan Whinkin. I’m glad to be here today, and I’m glad that you’re here, as well.

During his internship in an acute psychiatric care facility, University of Puget Sound Occupational Therapy student Conner Kankelborg OTD’25 noticed Indigenous patients falling through the cracks of the healthcare system. Oftentimes, they were discharged without being referred to specific tribal health resources. The care they received didn’t always consider traditional knowledge and healing—factors that greatly improve tribal clients’ health outcomes.

University of Puget Sound will honor its graduates on Sunday, May 11, at 2 p.m. as part of its 133rd Commencement. The ceremony at Baker Stadium will celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, including both undergraduates and students completing one of Puget Sound’s five graduate programs.