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.

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.

This spring, the University of Puget Sound campus will get moving for a meaningful cause—public health awareness and workforce development. Hosted by the Public Health Student Association (PHSA), the Walk, Run, & Roll 5K and Data Walk invites students, faculty, and staff to take part in an event that blends physical activity, community building, and public health education.

Kevoni Neely ’25, outgoing president of the Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound (ASUPS), is wrapping up her final semester after serving as a key student leader on campus. Neely, who is graduating with a major in African American Studies and a minor in Crime, Law, & Justice Studies, reflects on her time advocating for her fellow students and the university.

Washington state Speaker Laurie Jinkins JD’90 will deliver the keynote address for the 133rd Commencement Ceremony at the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, May 11, 2025, and receive an honorary degree alongside long-serving and groundbreaking Tacoma education leader Willie C. Stewart Sr.

The University of Puget Sound will launch an Interdisciplinary Data Analytics minor in Fall 2025, equipping students with the skills needed to navigate the growing world of big data, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making.

The traditional college experience is often seen as a four-year journey of self-discovery and academic exploration. But for some, there is an opportunity and a drive to obtain the degree in just three years.

Producer and Podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway will be the featured speaker of the Spring 2025 Susan Resneck Pierce Lecture in Public Affairs and the Arts.

Hrishikesh Hirway is an acclaimed musician, producer, and podcast host. He is the host, creator, and executive director of the popular podcast Song Exploder, which was adapted into a Netflix series, and has co-hosted podcasts such as The West Wing Weekly, Home Cooking, and Partners. Hirway will explore the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence during the Spring 2025 Susan Resneck Pierce Lecture.

Sara Protasi, University of Puget Sound associate professor of philosophy, will expand her research on how courage and fear shape character and moral behavior thanks to a Teacher-Scholar Grant from the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University. The grant will support her project, “Cultivating Courage in an Age of Fear,” and will help researchers understand how courage is acquired, especially in the context of intense political division.

Aspiring lawyers in the South Sound will have greater access to immersive legal education and opportunities thanks to a new partnership between the University of Puget Sound and Seattle University School of Law. 

An event to inaugurate the partnership will be held on Puget Sound’s campus in Tacoma on Wednesday, March 26. More details to be announced soon.