There is something about the Olympics that always gets to me. Like the pull of the planets around the sun that marks the changing of the seasons or the spin of the Earth that regularly turns day to night, the arrival of the Olympic Games—the winter version followed inevitably by the summer—offers the assurance of a rational rhythm in the order of things. And here they are again. This time just up the road in Vancouver, B.C. You can almost hear the hiss and whoosh of ski on snow, blade on ice, right here in Tacoma.

University of Puget Sound Press Release

At the University of Puget Sound, Thomas urges liberal education as the foundation for civic engagement and a more secure world.

Ronald R. Thomas, President
February 2005

Defining Moments was created by President Thomas in consultation with University of Puget Sound faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees for presentation and discussion at the February 2005 meeting of the Board of Trustees. It builds upon the university’s mission and core values, and provides the foundation for a new strategic plan to be completed in 2006.

Every once in a while, a sliver of sunlight bursts through. These waning days nearing the winter solstice in the Great Pacific Northwest can be pretty dreary. The nights linger into midday, and long shadows reappear before afternoon has had a chance to take off its hat and show its face. “It’s always darkest,” a good friend of mine said to me just the other day, in a grim twist on an old phrase, “just before it’s pitch black.” That’s how it often seems to me these days.

• 2003-2016 Ronald R. Thomas

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and creativity in meeting the challenges posed by the unusual run of inclement weather. It is good to have campus fully back up and running today!

As a residential campus community, we never truly “close,” and I write today to especially acknowledge our staff members' exceptional work charged with providing essential services to sustain the campus community in very challenging circumstances. Please know how much you and your efforts are appreciated.

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

With a heavy heart, I reach out to you, once again, following horrific acts of terrorism and violence in the world.

There are no words to express the grief we share for the victims of the mass shootings that took place earlier today at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

Thank you again to all who attended open forums about the provost search process last month. I am pleased to share that the advisory search committee is hard at work and making good progress.

Dear Members of the Campus Community,