Dear Members of the Campus Community,

I am thrilled to announce this year’s Commencement speaker and the honorary degrees that will be conferred at Puget Sound’s 130th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 15, 2022. 

G. Helen Whitener
Washington State Supreme Court Justice G. Helen Whitener will deliver the Commencement address and receive the honorary degree Doctor of Laws. Justice Whitener is the first Black woman to serve on the Washington Supreme Court and the first Black LGBTQ+ judge in the State of Washington. She is known for her passion for human rights, access to justice, and the responsibility of the judiciary to ensure the right of all who appear before the court to basic dignity and respect in judicial proceedings. Before becoming a judge, Justice Whitener litigated both civil and criminal cases as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and managing partner of the law firm of Whitener Rainey Writt PS.

Justice Whitener’s many honors include the Washington State Bar Association’s Charles Z. Smith Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, the King County Washington Women Lawyers President’s Award, being named by the 400 Years of African American History Commission as 2020 Distinguished 400 Awardee, and the American Bar Association’s Stonewall Award. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Justice Whitener earned her B.A. degree in Business Administration and International Marketing from Baruch College, New York, and received her J.D. degree from Seattle University School of Law.  Justice Whitener lives in Pierce County, and she and her wife, attorney Lynn Rainey (CSM-US Army Ret), enjoy visiting campus and speaking with students. Justice Whitener was nominated by Professor Jeffrey Matthews.

Miriam Barnett
Miriam Barnett, long-serving CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County YWCA and director of the Fund for Women and Girls for the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, will receive the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters. During her time leading the YWCA, Ms. Barnett’s many contributions include leading two major housing development projects serving people fleeing domestic violence and experiencing housing instability and homelessness. Many of our Puget Sound students and alumni have gained valuable internship and work experience with the YWCA under her leadership.

Over a long and distinguished career, Ms. Barnett has selflessly exemplified what it means to live a life of service. She has served on many boards, including the Washington State Department of Commerce Building Communities Fund, the Pierce County Human Services Coalition, the Washington State Arts Commission and the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force. A community educator and artist, she has been named “Citizen of the Year” by South Sound Magazine and received the “Ruby Award” from the Pride Foundation. Ms. Barnett was nominated by Professor Carolyn Weisz.

I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates and our honorands in May.

With congratulations to the Classes of 2022,

Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President