Longtime health educator and advocate Regan Nelson ’02 is the host of the Clean & Green Living podcast, which guides listeners on lifestyle changes to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals. 

Rachel Gross ’08 notices those logos on your clothing. Your Patagonia rain jacket, REI hiking pants, and Chaco sandals are more than just pieces of equipment to her. Gross, assistant professor of history at the University of Colorado, Denver, is an outdoor gear historian who studies the business and culture of brands.

GUITAR HEROES 

You recently were named to the Presidents’ Council for the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. What made you decide to play a leadership role in that effort? 

When finishing high school in 2014, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I graduated, but I knew I didn’t want to stay in my hometown of Auburn, CA while I figured it out. Because of this, I joined the Army, and JBLM was my first duty station after finishing training. It meant a lot to be stationed here, as my grandfather was also assigned to Fort Lewis many years ago. I just wish he would have mentioned how much time I’d be spending trying to keep my gear dry. 

TACOMA, Wash. — University of Puget Sound will welcome Abbie Lacsina as associate vice president for constituent relations, effective May 2024. Working closely with Victor Martin, vice president for university relations, and senior leaders across the institution, Lacsina will act as a liaison between internal and external constituents, while fostering a culture of volunteerism and philanthropy across generations of Loggers.