The Puget Sound Fund is the university's super power. With support from Loggers like you, the fund fuels the innovative programs, scholarships, and resources that make this place exceptional, and it propels us toward our purpose—to liberate each person's fullest intellectual and human potential, and to assist in the unfolding of creative and useful lives.

When you give to the Puget Sound Fund, you empower exceptional students to reach great heights.

Watch the stories of these Alumni Fund Scholarship recipients who are reaching for the heights:

Grace Friedman '18

"I want to advocate for young people with learning challenges."

Grace is a senior studying psychology and communications and an advocate and mentor for youth with ADHD and other learning disabilities. At Puget Sound, she’s had the opportunity to study the psychology of ADHD and apply that science to her advocacy work as well as a new book she has co-written. When you make a gift to the Alumni Fund Scholarship, you empower exceptional students like Grace to reach new heights.

Grace Friedman's Story

Max Assael '18

"I want to make the world a better place."

Max is a senior who plans to combine his passion for environmental science and desire to make the world a better place into a career as an environmental accountant. Thanks to Loggers like you, Max now has the curiosity, confidence, and skills to make extraordinary contributions in this emerging field.

Max Assael's Story

Emma Ferguson '18

"I want to make a difference in the world."

Emma is a senior with a passion for Middle Eastern politics. She spent her summer learning about conflict resolution at a mediation center in Tacoma. Now she hopes to influence public policy to create positive change on a global scale. When you make a gift to the Alumni Fund Scholarship, you empower exceptional students like Emma to reach new heights.

Emma Ferguson's Story

Miles Carlson '20

"I want to give back to my community."

As a summer-camp football coach, Miles taught kids how to translate the skills they learned on the football field to life. As an international business major, he hopes to make a positive impact on a global scale. Thanks to Loggers like you, this Alumni Fund Scholarship recipient is on the path to changing the world.

Miles Carson's Story

Avery Steffen '20

"I didn’t think I would be able to afford college."

Avery is a Tacoma kid. He graduated from Wilson High School and lives in Old Town with his grandmother. He enjoys taking classes across all areas of study, but hopes to study Politics and Government in preparation for his dream of becoming a lawyer. He credits the Alumni Fund Scholarship with helping him be here at Puget Sound pursuing his dream!

Avery Steffen's Story

Zach Gelacio '20

"I wanted to go away to school, but still feel close to home."

Zach is the first person in his family to attend college. Coming from Hawai’i, he appreciates Puget Sound’s small class sizes and playing college basketball. He appreciates alumni support that allows Hawai’i kids like him to come have a Puget Sound experience.

Zach Gelacio's Story

Joel Hefty '86

"We have experienced, firsthand, the transformative power of a Puget Sound education."

While the full impact of this global crisis is unknown, we do know that a Puget Sound education is valuable and must continue. Your support offers the flexibility needed to guide students, and the campus community, through this global crisis.

Joel Hefty's Story

Sophie Semenjik ’22

"Puget Sound supports me in the pursuit of my passions. I never felt like I needed to stop one thing in order to do another."

Sophie is a double major in politics and government, and international political economy. She is also a swimmer and tour guide, and is involved in Greek life and a number of clubs on campus.

Sophie Semenjuk's Story

Professor of Chemistry Dan Burgard

"Puget Sound faculty members are working with students to ask really big questions about the world. Supporting faculty members supports students."

Dan Burgard has been a chemistry professor at Puget Sound for 14 years. Earlier this year, he published student-supported research that was covered by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other media outlets.

Dan Burgard's Story

Carly Dryden '19

"Puget Sound has taught me to stand up, to speak out, and to fight for what is right."

Carly is a theatre arts major and an emerging national leader with It’s On Us, a social movement that is raising awareness and fighting against sexual violence on college campuses.

Carly Dryden's Story

Kevin Le ’19

"Helping develop leaders and helping students be the best they can be... it’s almost indescribable how good that makes me feel and how much I want to continue doing that for the rest of my life."

Kevin is a natural science major and a dynamic student leader. He currently serves as president of the Interfraternity Council and works in the dean of students office.

Kevin Le's Story

Sunil Kukreja

“Our students have significant ability to analyze, empathize, listen, and dialogue constructively, which prepares them to foster conversations at a broader community level when they leave Puget Sound.”

Sunil is a nationally regarded researcher, editor, and higher education leader. He encourages his students to be fearless in their exploration of difficult questions and endlessly curious in their inquiry and ideas.

Sunil Kukreja's Story

Jess K Smith ’05

"It’s pretty easy to feel discouraged about the world, but all you have to do is visit a class and meet some Puget Sound students to feel inspired and find a renewed sense of hope. They remind you that we have a bright future."

Jess is a proud Puget Sound alumna and professor. After Ivy League graduate school and directing plays all over the country, Jess chose to return to her alma mater because, she says, “Puget Sound changed my life.”

Jess Smith's Story