Tiana Wood-Sims ’24 chose the clear nail polish flecked with gold glitter. That little bit of bling might be a small pleasure for someone outside the razor-wire fences of the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, but inside, it was momentous. With the facility’s ban against nail polish lifted for one day, the 10 women picked from an array of bottles spread out on the table of the prison classroom. Wood-Sims had chosen gold for this celebration—it matched her perfect 4.0 college GPA.

In the lowlands of Nepal, near the Indian border, humans and tigers have coexisted for centuries. After years of declining numbers, tiger populations are now growing, putting pressure on resources like food, water, and land that are shared with nearby farms and villages—and leading to increased conflict between humans and tigers. Nepal Tiger Trust is a nonprofit group that tracks tiger populations in Chitwan National Park and tries to educate local communities about their wild neighbors.

Professor of History Katherine Smith studies what scholars sometimes refer to as “the long 12th century,” encompassing the social and political events from around 1050 to 1200 CE. As a member of the faculty since 2005, Smith has taught a range of classes in the History department. Both of her books, War and the Making of Medieval Monastic Culture and The Bible and Crusade Narrative, were inspired by classroom discussions. She’s now working on a book that examines life in the Middle Ages through everyday objects.

With the 2024 presidential election hitting the home stretch, we asked Robin Jacobson, professor of politics and government, about trends in polling, the challenges of battling disinformation, and just how polarized we really are.

Participants in Puget Sound’s first-ever alumni trip to Qatar will be visiting during the best time of the year. In Doha, travelers will encounter one of the safest and cleanest cities in the world. From our home base in the gorgeous and boisterous bazaar known as Souq Waqif, we’ll adventure all over the city and beyond. The full trip itinerary promises all sorts of experiences and adventures, but here are some of the most exciting highlights that travelers will encounter.

Tacoma, WA — University of Puget Sound will welcome Kevin Riordan as director of institutional research, effective Sept. 4, 2024. Riordan brings a wealth of experience in institutional research and assessment to Puget Sound, having spent 25 years in the field. 

The University of Puget Sound has received a $1 million gift from 1991 graduate Christi Offutt and the Offutt Family Foundation. This generous donation establishes the Offutt Family Foundation Endowed Fund for Women Athletes' success, with a focus on promoting wellness and leadership.

Tacoma, WA — University of Puget Sound is one of the nation's best colleges for students seeking a great education with excellent career preparation at a relatively affordable price, according to The Princeton Review®. The education services company named Puget Sound as one of its Best Value Colleges for 2024 on June 20. 

The University of Puget Sound has been recognized by Colleges of Distinction for its strong undergraduate business program and exceptional career development program. This is a testament to Puget Sound's commitment to going beyond traditional education, fostering an active learning environment that prepares students for success in their chosen careers.

Professor of Biology Leslie Saucedo has been on a mission to understand what causes unregulated cell growth in the body—a hallmark of cancer. She’ll retire this summer after sharing her passion for cellular biology with students at Puget Sound for 21 years. Her most recent book, Getting to Know Your Cells (Springer), was published in July 2023. We asked Saucedo about her career path, collaborating with an alumna on the illustrations for her book, and the benefits of studying fruit flies.