In many ways, the scholarship was more than 50 years in the making, as it reflects the deep and abiding relationship the Leavitt family enjoys with Puget Sound. That relationship began when Tom Leavitt visited campus as a high school debate student in the 1960s and blossomed when he enrolled. Studying political science and English literature, he quickly immersed himself in campus life and was elected ASUPS president. This role led him to be among the first students ever invited to address the board of trustees—an experience that foreshadowed his own future service as a trustee. Meanwhile, Darcy Goodman attended Colorado College, studying both math and sociology with the intent to pursue a career in social work.
Tom and Darcy were both raised in families in which parents and siblings were active volunteers in community and professional organizations. That shared experience significantly influenced their paths and drove them both to apply to—and ultimately attend—the newly created University of Puget Sound School of Law, where they met. Upon marrying in 1976, the couple moved to Seattle and launched careers as lawyers with a common mission many fellow Loggers share: providing assistance to underrepresented communities. For Darcy, the journey began in an assistant city attorney role and evolved into a judicial position in King County that spanned 20 years, including leadership positions such as presiding judge of the county system. For Tom, it was initially a private law practice, and then real estate development, alongside board memberships with nonprofit community organizations and, eventually, a foray into business.
Beyond their generous philanthropy and professional contributions, Tom, Darcy, and their children give back to the community and to Puget Sound in countless volunteer leadership roles. Darcy has served as president of Washington Women Lawyers, and Tom served on the university’s board of trustees for 25 continuous years, beginning in 1990, before being elected trustee emeritus. It is no surprise that their two children, Adrien and Alex ’10, who attended Smith College and Puget Sound, respectively, have followed in their parents’ footsteps, each giving back through their own passions.
