The University of Puget Sound will host its first DataFest, a weekend-long data analysis competition, from March 27–29, 2026, in Trimble Hall. Students are invited to solve a real-world puzzle using a secret dataset that will be revealed at the kickoff event.

DataFest is a nationwide event organized by the American Statistical Association, bringing together undergraduate students to analyze a curated, real-world dataset. Students compete in teams of two to five and use the tools they know best to uncover insights and present their findings.

Faculty at the University of Puget Sound have published a paper in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, one of the field’s top journals, showcasing a novel climate model designed not for advanced researchers, but for undergraduate students. The paper, published on Jan. 1, 2026, identifies a major gap in climate education, and presents "Cambio," a simplified yet robust climate model that fills that gap.

University of Puget Sound Associate Professor Hajung Lee, an expert in religion and bioethics, recently participated in a prestigious Harvard Medical School bioethics delegation to Asia. A key insight from her trip is that building a global bioethics framework requires bridging deep cultural and religious divides through conversation, not by imposing Western standards.

The single most important piece of equipment in the world’s most popular game is less than nine inches wide and weighs just under a pound, yet its flight has brought euphoria to entire nations while plunging others into anguish. Such a crucial ingredient in soccer had better fly true. I am a physicist whose main research domain is sports, and investigating the aerodynamics of soccer balls, particularly those used in the World Cup, has been a true delight.

Chelsea Herman says one of the best parts of her new job as Director of Athletics at the University of Puget Sound is getting to walk around practices and see the student-athletes in action, under the guidance of coaches she describes as “tremendous masters of their craft.” Her goal, she said, as they develop in the classroom and competition, is for them to know she is their No. 1 fan. Herman knows from experience how formative and fun intercollegiate athletics can be for scholar-athletes, their institutions, and their communities.

Looking for a smoother transition from high school to college? The University of Puget Sound’s First Year Inside (FYI) program helps incoming students begin their college journey with confidence, connection, and support. 

Dr. Hajung Lee, associate professor of religion, spirituality, and society and bioethics and director of FYI, has worked closely with the program and witnessed its impact firsthand. 

For four weeks, University of Puget Sound students received a unique glimpse into the future of neuroscience when scientists from the Allen Institute brought cutting-edge, hands-on training to Professor of Biology Siddharth Ramakrishnan's advanced neuroscience class.

It’s been yet another incredible year at the University of Puget Sound. From launching innovative new programs to celebrating the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, there are so many Logger stories that highlight the power of a liberal arts education to transform lives. Here are 10 stories from 2025 that you may have missed.

It wasn't a fictional plot twist but a real-life 19th-century cold case that had Mia Steiner ’27 and her classmates huddled around a whiteboard, mapping out suspects and motives. The students were investigating the infamous 1880 Donnelly family murders — an unsolved case that took place in Canada more than a century ago. Their work was part of a Puget Sound class, Murder and Mayhem Under the Microscope, taught by Amy Fisher, professor of Science, Technology, Health, and Society.