THE UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
VOL. I
taking root
1
I 2
WANNA
A
LIFE BE
LOGGER 3
Good to Know
11:1 STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO
100 + STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS IN MORE THAN 40 COUNTRIES
40,000 ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD
2,400 UNDERGRADUATES FUELED BY THE WIDE-RANGING EXPERIENCES OFFERED AT PUGET SOUND
4
1 of 40 COLLEGES INCLUDED IN COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES
23 NCAA DIVISION III MEN’S AND WOMEN’S ATHLETIC TEAMS
50 + AREAS OF STUDY
100 + STUDENT-RUN CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
46 STATES REPRESENTED
Harned Hall is part of Puget Sound’s Science Center, home to classrooms, labs, and the Slater Museum of Natural History. As you enter the building, you’ll be greeted by the skeleton of a juvenile gray whale found at the mouth of the Columbia River in 1973.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
16 /// MORE THAN JUST THINKING: R E F L E C T I O N AT P U G E T S O U N D
20 /// PUSHING BOUNDARIES: A N I M M E R S I V E O R I E N TAT I O N P R O G R A M
28 /// TA C O M A : L I V E L I K E T H E M O U N TA I N I S O U T
This cross-section of a Douglas fir was rescued from deep within the Puyallup River bed in 1993. Buried by an electron mudflow, the tree dates to approximately 1140. This nearly 900-year-old tree is part of Puget Sound’s Slater Museum of Natural History, one of the region’s significant repositories for bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and plant specimens from the Pacific Northwest and an important resource for students interested in research on biodiversity and geographic variation.
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PEOPLE AND IDEAS
07 ///
1 0 ///
THE POWER
R E S O U R C E S : WAT E R
OF INTERACTION
08 /// A W AY O F B E I N G T O G E T H E R
1 2 /// A PA S S I O N AT E L E A D E R
3 2 ///
09 ///
Q&A WITH
FILLED WITH (THE) SOUND
PUGET SOUND P R E S I D E N T, ISIAAH CRAWFORD
6
LETTER FROM A LOGGER
Hi. Welcome to PS magazine. While I recently graduated from Puget Sound, I still remember my own college search process. Looking through all my options was a little overwhelming, but the process also appealed to my sense of adventure. Each school that I applied to offered a different version of the college experience and life beyond. The challenge was to THE MAGAZINE ABOUT THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.
VOL. 1
taking root
find the place that connected with me the most. I knew one thing for sure: I didn’t want to go to a school that felt like everyone was in competition with one another. I wanted to be part of a diverse and tight-knit community where students supported and challenged each other
PS was created to introduce you to what it’s like to live, learn, and thrive as a member of the Puget Sound community and to the possibilities that await you here. This first edition introduces you to people and experiences you can expect to encounter here. While we intend to answer your questions about University of Puget Sound here, this particular edition of PS won’t answer all of them. We invite you to please visit pugetsound.edu to explore your interests.
and where my peers would be open to new
PS is published by the Office of Admission at University of Puget Sound four times per year in February, May, October, and December.
I belonged. I felt immediately welcomed here
All photography is owned and contributed by University of Puget Sound. Ross Mulhausen, Sy Bean, and Tom Galliher are the principal photographers.
How to Apply Apply as soon as you are ready. We invite you to apply online using the Common Application. We evaluate applicants through a holistic admission process, meaning that we look at more than just your grades or test scores, to identify students with wide-ranging interests who are intellectually engaged, motivated to actively participate in our community, and bring diverse worldviews and novel life experiences to campus.
Costs and Financial Aid U.S. News and World Report listed Puget Sound among Best Value Colleges in its 2019 rankings edition. While more than 90 percent of Loggers receive need-based financial aid or merit scholarships, the core value of a Puget Sound education runs deeper. It comes from enabling you to invest in your own growth as a person and citizen through practical rigor, deep reflection, and community engagement.
Visit pugetsound.edu/apply to review requirements and begin your application.
2018-19 Cost of Attendance Tuition: $49,510 Fees: $266 Room and Board: $12,540 Total: $62,316
Application Deadlines The university offers both early and regular decision application plans. Applications are due on the deadline by 11:59 p.m. in the candidate’s local time zone. Early Decision (Binding) Deadline: Nov. 15 Notification: By Dec. 15
All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships ranging from $13,000 to $24,000 per year. Competitive scholarships up to full tuition and talent-based scholarships in music, theater, art, and debate are available.
Early Action Deadline: Nov. 15 Notification: By Jan. 15
experiences—and lifelong friendships. At Puget Sound, I knew I’d found a place where by a community of individuals who refused to be categorized and accepted me for who I am. The college’s approach to learning exposed me to fields of study and a broader worldview that I might never have considered otherwise. The best part was the professors, who trusted my ideas, challenged me to go deeper, and cared about my personal growth. As you explore Puget Sound, you’ll find almost limitless possibilities and ways to engage with the world around you, from academic interests and student clubs to off-campus connections. You will find your path and your people just like I did. Because no matter who you are or what you love, there’s a place for you here. Sincerely,
Regular Admission Deadline: Jan. 15 Notification: Begins March 15 Non-Discrimination Statement University of Puget Sound does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
Anna Goebel ‘18 Boise, ID
7
AREAS OF STUDY
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES ANTHROPOLOGY ART & ART HISTORY
It’s not something you get,
it’s something you do.
ASIAN LANGUAGES & CULTURES (CHINESE, EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES, JAPANESE) ASIAN STUDIES BIOCHEMISTRY BIOETHICS BIOLOGY BUSINESS (BUSINESS LEADERSHIP, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS) CHEMISTRY CLASSICS (GREEK, LATIN) COMMUNICATION STUDIES COMPUTER SCIENCE ECONOMICS EDUCATION STUDIES ENGINEERING, DUAL DEGREE ENGLISH ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & DECISION MAKING EXERCISE SCIENCE FRENCH STUDIES GENDER & QUEER STUDIES GEOLOGY GERMAN STUDIES GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES HEALTH PROFESSIONS (PRE-MED, PRE-DENTAL, PRE-VETERINARY) HISPANIC STUDIES HISTORY HONORS PROGRAM INTERDISCIPLINARY HUMANITIES EMPHASIS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES LATINA/O STUDIES MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE MUSIC (MUSIC BUSINESS, MUSIC EDUCATION, MUSIC PERFORMANCE)
At Puget Sound, you can create a degree plan from more than 50 academic majors, including areas of study in our renowned School of Music.
NATURAL SCIENCE NEUROSCIENCE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PHILOSOPHY PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICS POLITICS & GOVERNMENT PRE-LAW PSYCHOLOGY RELIGIOUS STUDIES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY SOCIOLOGY SPECIAL INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR THEATRE ARTS
Visit pugetsound.edu/learning to explore these and other academic offerings.
Professor of Physics Amy Spivey appreciates the opportunities for collaboration at Puget Sound.
The Power of Interaction
A M Y S P I V E Y, professor of physics
Amy’s experiences teaching and mentoring students reinforce her belief in the power of interaction between Puget Sound faculty and students that she sees everywhere on campus. One of her favorite things about working at Puget Sound—and one of the things that makes Puget Sound such a dynamic place— is the collective opportunity for collaboration among all members of the community. “Students really have a chance to get to know their professors,” she explains, “and their professors get to know them as well.” Faculty, she says, “see their students as their partners in the classroom and tend to structure their classes so that students play an active role in their own learning and in their classmates’ learning.” The benefits of this active approach to learning affect all of the interactions and encounters that students
and see what being a Logger is all about.”
experience at Puget Sound. As Amy notes, Puget Sound students are active learners and thinkers, no matter what classes, clubs or projects they pursue. “Just among our physics majors, there are university athletes, top-notch musicians, students with offcampus jobs, and people with hobbies like stand-up comedy, martial arts and foreign languages. Puget Sound students work hard on their studies, but coursework is usually not the only thing they are doing. That makes them fun and interesting people to get to know.” That’s why Amy encourages prospective students to visit campus: “Meet the people here, sit in on a class or two, and see what being a Logger is all about,” she says.
PEOPLE AND IDEAS
“I like getting to know my students as people and helping them develop their skills as physicists and as thinkers and communicators during their college years.”
In her research, Amy Spivey, professor of physics, studies how quantum dots, very small semiconductor particles, transmit and release energy in the form of light. Amy finds energy in studying physics, as well as working with students, both in the classroom and beyond. For 13 years, Amy has taught students in Puget Sound’s physics department through first-year seminars on energy and electrical power and in upper-level lab courses on nuclear decay and subatomic particles. “When I first thought about teaching at the college level,” she says, “I decided that I wanted to teach at a place like Puget Sound because of the small classes and the chance to do research in my own laboratory with undergraduate students. I like getting to know my students as people and helping them develop their skills as physicists and as thinkers and communicators during their college years.”
“Meet the people here, sit in on a class or two,
9
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
A Way of Being Together
10
Gerard Morris, director of bands and associate professor of music, came to Puget Sound in 2009 as an interim conductor after completing his D.M. in conducting at Northwestern University. He quickly fell in love with the people and ideas at Puget Sound, and when presented with the opportunity, chose to stay and can’t imagine being anywhere else. Gerard describes his interactions with students as really fun and very rewarding, but he says that the connections between people—“their way of being together”—is what makes his work at Puget Sound so valuable. While he witnesses these connections on a daily basis, one recent experience showed him how the spirit of togetherness between students and professors at Puget Sound engages people even beyond campus. The College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) holds a conference each year featuring performances from the nation’s top college bands. The selection process is notoriously tough: Bands must anonymously submit a recorded audition of a difficult piece chosen by the CBDNA, which is blindly judged to avoid bias. One year, the Puget Sound Wind Ensemble had to play a particularly difficult piece by twentieth-century German composer Arnold Schönberg, that Gerard describes as “very intellectual.” They were chosen to perform at the conference, and the evaluators told him that the Puget Sound Wind Ensemble’s audition recording “blew everyone away.” Ultimately, he says, they “stole the conference,” impressing band directors and students from bigger programs with their mastery of the piece. Gerard credits the students’ ambition and drive for their monumental success: “I facilitate the process,” he says, “but they make it a success. They’re all outstanding musicians.” He adds that Puget Sound’s emphasis on reflection helps students “realize that everything they’re doing here has a purpose.”
“Everything students are doing here has a purpose.” GERARD MORRIS, director of bands and associate professor of music
PEOPLE AND IDEAS
Filled with (the) Sound For Savannah Schaumburg ’20, music was at the core of her decision to apply to and attend Puget Sound. Originally from Salem, Ore., the music education major and French horn player knew that she wanted a small school that would offer her big opportunities in music and academics, but it was the depth of the personal faculty connections that hooked her on Puget Sound’s School of Music in particular. “One of the things I’ve noticed is the extent to which the faculty is committed to my learning outside the classroom. I would not have had the chance to sit in the pit of the Pacific Northwest Ballet if I didn’t have Rodger Burnett as a teacher,” she says. Savannah found close community from interactions with her professors, as well as the students in the School of Music. She works in the music office and participates in multiple student clubs, including serving on Gerard Morris’ advisory council. “I’ve not only learned how to be a better musician but have built strong relationships with the people I perform and work with,” she says. “The School of Music has provided me with numerous leadership opportunities outside of the rehearsal room that have enhanced my overall experience on campus.” Savannah says attending
Puget Sound has given her the chance to practice, perform, and lead that would only have been available to her elsewhere as a junior or senior. “At a big school, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to be principal horn of both Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble since my first semester at Puget Sound, let alone get the chance to perform major works by composers like Mahler or work with living composers one on one.” Recently, Puget Sound hosted the national conference of the Society of Composers, Inc., which featured renowned composer Joel Puckett. Savannah credits Professor Gerard Morris’ personal relationship with Joel for bringing him to campus, which allowed the Wind Ensemble to collaborate with him on his new piece, that secret from the river.
“It was so valuable to work with Joel, and it transformed the ensemble’s performance because we knew so much more about the piece from having the living composer here,” she said. “It’s so inspiring to be at a place that offers these kinds of hands-on learning opportunities.”
“It’s so inspiring to be at a place that offers these kinds of hands-on learning opportunities.” S AVA N N A H S C H A U M B U R G ’ 2 0 , S A L E M , O R E .
11
It may rise this year higher than man has ever known it.”
– H E N RY D AV I D T H O R E A U , WA L D E N
“The life in us is like the water in the river.
R E S O U R C E S : WAT E R
E X P LOR I NG T H E SOU ND
Look for Cole in this photo depicting his research in the Puyallup River. Hint: he’s face down in the water.
12
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
RESOURCES
“I had a ton more extracurricular experiences with my professors here than I would have had anywhere else.” COLE JACKSON ’17, PORTLAND, ORE.
C
ole Jackson ‘17 will never forget the sound of the river he waded in during long hours conducting salmon research alongside Peter Wimberger, professor of biology and director of Puget Sound’s Slater Museum of Natural History, and Kristin Williamson ‘02, a habitat biologist from the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group. Sound resonates with Cole because, in addition to graduating with a degree in biology, the Portland, Ore., native also studied music. Cole chose to attend Puget Sound because he wanted to be able to combine his love of science with his passion for music. “I knew that at college I would want to keep playing music and singing, and also that I wanted to become a biologist, but every other institution I applied to would have told me to pick one,” he says. “At Puget Sound, I was able to embrace and be actively involved in these very different passions with complete support from students and faculty alike.” When he began his college career, Cole had no idea that he would be spending so much time in rivers. But soon enough, introductory courses on ecology and environmental studies piqued his interest in field research opportunities. “The interdisciplinary focus, team teaching style, real-life application and amazing field trips [of the environmental studies course] were a huge inspiration for me,” he says. Cole decided to undertake a summer research project on salmon habitat restoration in the nearby Puyallup River Watershed under Peter’s guidance, who taught his Introduction to the Environment course. Peter notes that “Cole was interested in the intersection of science and policy. The Environmental Policy and Decision Making program is designed to reach students interested in environmental issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Classes exposed him to multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to problems and he had the initiative to create a research project that fulfilled his interests.”
Puget Sound Research Scholars learn how to write grant proposals in order to secure funding for their projects. After his hard work and preparation, Cole was awarded a grant, and he was headed to the river. Puget Sound’s location affords students like Cole exceptional opportunities for hands-on study and research. “I think that all undergraduate institutions can provide opportunities for highimpact undergraduate research,” says Peter, “but Puget Sound has the tremendous advantage for students interested in some field work in that we are within pipetting distance to Puget Sound, the Cascade and Olympic mountains, the sagebrush of eastern Washington, and great additional lab resources in Seattle.” That summer research turned into one of the most unforgettable experiences of Cole’s college years— and there were so many more. During his time at Puget Sound, Cole balanced his deep studies of aquatic habitats (along with his research on salmon, he also conducted research on marine birds) with participation in several of Puget Sound’s award-winning music ensembles on campus. “I chose Puget Sound for a variety of reasons,” he explains, “but the biggest factor in my decision was the university’s drive to let students be and do what they want.” As Cole delved deeply into his scientific and music interests, he was also able to take advantage of extracurricular and leadership opportunities, like guiding a group of new students during the outdoor adventure portion of Orientation, and serving as an assistant instructor in the same environmental studies course that first inspired him. For Cole, the best part about being a student at Puget Sound was the mentorship and guidance that students receive from faculty members. “The professors are some of the best teachers and most intelligent individuals,” he says. “They are all invested in their students and love what they do. I had a ton more extracurricular experiences with my professors here than I would have had anywhere else.”
“At Puget Sound, I was able to embrace and be actively involved in these very different passions with complete support from students and faculty alike.”
13
14
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
PEOPLE AND IDEAS
AMANDA DÍAZ: A PA S S I O N AT E L E A D E R
Managing a budget of more than $600,000 and overseeing a staff of more than 25 would be a daunting task for anyone, but for Amanda Díaz ‘18, it was simply a part of her Puget Sound experience and one that helped shape and inform her future career as an immigration lawyer. In fact, the experiences that she shaped for herself at Puget Sound uniquely prepared her to meet that goal.
I
n addition to serving as president of Associated Students of University of Puget Sound (ASUPS), Amanda founded Advocates for Detained Voices, a student-run club that visited the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma on Saturdays, and she had an integral role in contributing to Tacoma’s Immigrant and Refugee Task Force, which created a legal fund that supports immigrant detainees. Born and raised in San Mateo, Calif., she describes herself as an approachable person, driven by her passion for social justice. During her time at Puget Sound, she built up an impressive résumé of skills and experiences, as well as a reputation as a popular and effective change maker and leader. Amanda was a trailblazer in the academic realm, too. Seeking an alternative field of study that would fit her career goals, she created a Special Interdisciplinary Major— a distinctive feature of the Puget Sound
curriculum—that she called American Border Studies. It combined American Studies, Political Science, Latino/a Studies, and Sociology and Anthropology to explore the broad and complex topic of immigration. Amanda’s cross-cultural and interdisciplinary academic interests led to an opportunity to do summer research with history professor Andrew Gomez. Speaking about his research partner, Andrew says, “One of the real strengths of Amanda’s work was her ability to provide a multifaceted snapshot of immigration detention in the United States. Using the Northwest Detention Center as the focus of her work, she was able to create an oral history series that underscored how this issue affects the lives of detainees, families, and grassroots activists who are looking to enact lasting change in the nation’s immigration system.
15
A PA S S I O N AT E L E A D E R
“I thought this was a good position to take on those issues on a larger and more institutional level.” AMANDA DÍAZ ’18, S A N M A T E O , C A L I F.
“Amanda focused on the issue of immigrant rights for nearly all of her education at University of Puget Sound, and her knowledge and connections to this issue allowed for a rich series that captured the complexity and nuances of immigrant detention.” Amanda’s culminating paper from that work, “The American Creed: Immigration and Detention in Tacoma,” earned a 2017 Summer Research Award. Beyond the classroom and summer research, her work with Tacoma’s Task Force on immigration became a defining experience of Amanda’s college career. On campus, she served as president for Latinx Unidos, a student organization dedicated to advancing Latinx culture on campus. Her experience with Latinx Unidos influenced Amanda to run for ASUPS president. As ASUPS president, Amanda served on a committee that guided the creation of Puget Sound’s strategic plan, the blueprint that outlines the major goals of the university over the coming decade.
16
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
When she started at Puget Sound, Amanda hadn’t envisioned herself in such an influential position. But when her friend and former ASUPS president Noah Lumbantobing ‘17, a politics and government major from Lake Oswego, Ore., approached her about running, she was persuaded to step up. “I always tried to find ways to make the campus safer and more inclusive for everyone,” she says, “so I thought it was a good position to take on those issues on a larger and more institutional level.” Her platform focused on the core values of student government at Puget Sound through the lens of equity and justice. Andrew links Amanda’s academic research to her leadership role: “Amanda always looked to effect change, and her role as ASUPS President allowed her to pursue ideas and pathways that would lead to a more equitable, empathetic university. She was able to take the theoretical work she studied regarding social movements and political theory and put it into practice as ASUPS president.” In this position, Amanda’s goal was to encourage students to think deeply about issues of social justice and to invite people who she says wouldn’t otherwise be having those conversations to participate in dialogues. Amanda says her deepest passion is “helping people, not only with finding their voices, their identities, and their passions, but also with being confident and proud of the persons they are.”
EQUITY, JUSTICE, COMMUNITY, TRANSPARENCY, VOICE: A S S O C I AT E D S T U D E N T S OF UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
Apart from being the college’s student council, ASUPS is Puget Sound’s hub of extracurricular activities on campus. Its executive board not only manages a large budget and staff, but it is also responsible for appointing student representatives to universitywide committees. These students work alongside faculty, staff, and administrators to make key decisions about campus operations.
LIFE AT PUGET SOUND IS FULL
Garden Club Global Brigades Public Health
You’ll find plenty of opportunities to engage with others, to serve in the community, and to explore new ideas. With more than 100 clubs and organizations, including fraternities and sororities, Loggers act, think, and do with curiosity and determination.
Hiveminders Jewish Student Union Kayak Club Lighthouse Model UN Muslim Students Association Peer Allies Photographers of Puget Sound
Adelphian Concert Choir
Pre-Health Club
Advocates for Detained Voices
Pre-Law Society
Alpine Ski Club
Puget Sound Investment Club
Anime Club
Puget Sound Pep Band
Asian American Pacific Islander Collective
Queer Alliance
Beta Coders
Repertory Dance Group
Black Student Union
Rugby
Climbing Club
Songwriting Club
Entrepreneur Club
The Gaming Society
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Women in Politics
Fencing Club
Writers Guild
Film and Media
Yoga Club
Visit pugetsound.edu/getinvolved to explore the many other opportunities for campus engagement.
17
MORE
THAN
JUST
THINKING REFLECTION AT P U G E T S O U N D
19
As a student at Puget Sound, you will have many opportunities to learn actively.
Y
ou might choose
conduct research independently or by working closely with your faculty and fellow students. Or, you can elect to work as an intern in Tacoma or Seattle at places like Boeing or the office of Tacoma Weekly. You can readily find meaningful volunteer work in our community. In fact, 75% of Puget Sound students invest their time in community service and development—one of the highest participation rates in the country. And you may venture beyond campus by studying abroad in one of the more than 100 programs available in over 40 countries. to
Many schools promise these opportunities to you, but few will ensure that you make the most of them.
It all comes down to reflection: encouragement from professors and peers to think deeply about the person you are and the impact you make on the world around you. At Puget Sound, each class or activity includes reflective thinking. “We’re working to build a culture of reflection on our campus,” says Alana Hentges, director of career services.
“WE’RE WORKING TO BUILD A CULTURE OF REFLECTION ON OUR CAMPUS.” A L A N A H E N T G E S , director of career services
20
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
You can find plenty of places for reflection on campus, including the intimate 250-seat Norton Clapp Theatre in Jones Hall.
R
eflection is not only valuable for students’ personal and academic development, it’s also extremely practical. As students progress through their college education, they need to think about how they articulate the narrative of their learning outside of the campus community, says Alana. Puget Sound graduates possess strong critical-thinking and career-building skills. They are able to explain to potential employers, “here’s what I learned, what I did, and how that’s valuable to your company,” she explains. Renée Houston, associate dean for experiential learning and civic scholarship and professor of communications studies, supports the entire Puget Sound community in embracing the practice of reflection as a critical component of deep learning. “The transformation that happens in experiential learning is the process of reflection, alchemy really. We can put students in classes and give them experiences, but unless there is time and process for reflection, they don’t deepen their learning. They don’t synthesize.” Renée provides a hypothetical example: You might take a trip to the Chilean mountains to sample snow. You might know that your study of the snow is important, but if you can’t say why it’s important, the work does not yield true understanding. You might not know the value of your knowledge. Reflection at Puget Sound takes many forms. From group discussions and journaling activities to photo journals and e-portfolios, from writing assignments to one-on-one dialogue, students gain the ability to process their experiences, maintain open and curious minds, and create their own paths. In doing so, Puget Sound students are distinctively equipped to understand the true value of their education right away.
Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Puget Sound students “raise the roof” by building a tiny house for local residents. Students (and President Crawford) take up hammers, lay flooring, and shingle the roof, all to benefit our wider community.
MORE THAN JUST THINKING
21
PUSHING
An immersive orientation program
BOUNDARIES 23
F
OR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, new Loggers have participated in Orientation, the ultimate bonding experience to kick off their Puget Sound journey. The week-long program includes a three-day small-group experience, as well as discussions on a common set of readings, connections with professors and other students, and a chance to become familiar with campus life and Tacoma before their classes begin. On a Saturday in August, incoming students move into their residence halls and begin to meet their future roommates, classmates, and friends. Students and families are officially welcomed by President Isiaah Crawford with the Convocation address in Baker Stadium. When parents leave, new students begin the exciting week with an Immersive Experience of their choosing. From a base camp on the Hood Canal, you can choose to explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest as part of an overnight canoeing trip, embark on a three-day hike through the Olympic Mountains, or from campus, you can participate in an introduction to the local theater arts scene, city transportation, urban farming, or queer communities. Each adventure is led by experienced student leaders at the helm, with teams of 10 to 15 first-years starting their college experience by exploring who they are, how they want to make the most of the resources around them, and what to expect during the next chapter in their educational careers. As Marta Cady, associate dean of students and director of orientation notes, “Orientation changes your trajectory about what you think you can do at Puget Sound.”
24
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
“ORIENTATION CHANGES YOUR TRAJECTORY ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN DO AT PUGET SOUND.” M A R T A C A D Y, associate dean of students and director of orientation
New Loggers wear ripcord bracelets from their orientation experience long after they return to campus.
You might choose canoeing on the Hood Canal or overnight camping as your Orientation Immersive Experience.
An immersive orientation program
“As a first-year, I felt the pressure to explore everything. I wish someone had taken me away from the bustling crowd to tell me that stillness can be an excellent complement to motion.” E L E N A F U LT O N ’ 1 9 , D E N V E R , C O L O .
Orientation Leaders The opportunity to become an Orientation leader after your first year cements the experience as central to the Puget Sound tradition. Student leaders say that leading an experience brings it full circle for them and allows them to reflect back on their own participation, including what they might have done differently. “As a first-year, I felt the pressure to explore everything. I wish someone had taken me away from the bustling crowd to tell me that stillness can be an excellent complement to motion,”
explains Elena Fulton ‘19, a molecular and cellular biology major from Denver, Colo. Once she became an Orientation leader, Elena had the chance to carry that insight forward: “I had the opportunity to do that for my group. My advice to them was: ‘give yourself time to figure yourself out in this new space,’” she explains. The effect of this advice was instantaneous. “I watched each member of my group sit up a bit taller and breathe a little deeper.”
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
25
“It’s just so much deeper here.” M A R T A C A D Y, associate dean of students and director of orientation
Faculty seminars during Orientation take place on and off campus in places like the Chinese Reconciliation Park, just blocks away.
Faculty-Led Seminars Another hallmark of Orientation at Puget Sound is the faculty-led seminar, in which small groups of students discuss key ideas and learn about critical thinking and writing skills that they will develop and refine during their time at Puget Sound. The seminar is followed by programs and conversations about advising, student employment, visual art, diversity and inclusion, social justice, consent and bystander intervention, campus safety, and other areas. These primers introduce students to the resources and services available at Puget Sound and orient students to the things they’ll need to know about the campus before classes start. The week-long program is full of activities intended to encourage students to leave their comfort zones and embark upon new and exciting adventures. While all colleges offer an orientation program of some sort, Marta takes pride in how Puget Sound puts thought and care into transitioning students into their new community. “It’s just so much deeper here,” she says.
26
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
An immersive orientation program
Matriculation Ceremony The week of activities wraps up with the Matriculation Ceremony, where students are invited to write letters to their future selves that are to be read four years later during Commencement. That evening, Orientation concludes with a closing campfire commemorating stories, friends, and lessons from the week that will last a lifetime.
THE COLOR POST All new students participate in the Matriculation Ceremony that begins at the Color Post with high-fives and handshakes from staff, professors, and President Crawford, signaling the official start of their becoming Puget Sound students. The original Color Post was an obelisk cut from a large fir tree and erected in 1917. Today, the modern version is made of stone and sits in the middle of Karlen Quad, each side of the four-sided post painted in colors that represent different areas of study: white for the liberal arts, yellow for science, purple for law and government, and red for religion. The four sides also represent the four years of a student’s college experience. Every graduating class year is engraved on one of the sides, dating back to the University’s founding in 1888.
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
27
!
TOTHE HEIGHTS Our motto (πρὸς τὰ ἂκρα in Greek) suggests the spirit you’ll find at Puget Sound. We see possibilities and opportunities everywhere that ignite our enthusiasm and shape our ambitions. We are energized by what’s up ahead—what can be—and we apply ourselves to achieving what’s never been done before. Of course, everyone in our community brings different heights to pursue. Individuality—whether in background, personality, belief, or perspective—makes our collective engagement all the more interesting. Our diversity brings useful texture to discovery that we celebrate at Puget Sound. If you identify with the call to more that pushes you forward, we invite you to join us.
28
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
LET’S SEE HOW HIGH WE CAN CLIMB TOGETHER.
pugetsound.edu/belong
LOGGERS PERSIST.
W I T H 2 3 N C A A D I V I S I O N I I I AT H L E T I C T E A M S , plus a wide range of club sports, Puget Sound athletics prepares students to meet challenges, be part of a team, and grow through physical well-being and community mentorship. Visit loggerathletics.com to find out more about Puget Sound’s athletic programs.
29
30
AND THE SOUTH SOUND 31
S E AT T L E
C O M M E N C E M E N T B AY
N
Po tD
O
in
H T T S R EA
E WE N S D T
m
iu ar qu A & o Zo ce an efi tD m in rk eu Po us Pa ly M ce al ry an qu o is st N Hi rt g Fo ivin L
efi
Browns Point
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Ruston Way
NORTH END
P
PROCTOR DISTRICT
UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND
“ L I V E L I K E T H E M O U N TA I N I S O U T ” is more than just a saying about clear skies; it’s our way of thinking and living.
R
Wright Park
T H E AT E R D I S T R I C T Titlow Beach
O
CENTRAL TACOMA
F
PU
Union Station
Cheney Stadium
O
T
A
C
O
M
A
NEW TACOMA
Tacoma Art Museum
Museum of Glass
DOWNTOWN AND THE MUSEUM DISTRICT
T
YA
Tacoma Dome
LL
U
P
R
IV
E
R
32
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
SOUTH TACOMA
LINCOLN DISTRICT
SOUTH END
W
46 miles of shoreline, a downto-earth vibe, and a culturally and economically diverse community, Tacoma is a gritty city that represents the heart and soul of the Pacific Northwest. We’re connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Puget Sound, surrounded by the majestic evergreen forests, and bordered by the mountains, the highest of which is Mount Rainier. We take pride in forging our own trails, and we find beauty and inspiration in places where others find none. We recognize that we are on the traditional land of the Puyallup People. We resist the urge to hibernate when the sky isn’t clear and the sun isn’t shining. We reject the status quo and umbrellas. As people are fond of saying around here, we live like the mountain is out. ith
EAST SIDE
MOUNT RAINIER
TACOMA "G R IT C IT Y "
A city of 200,000 with a rich history and roots in international shipping, we’re home to one of the largest ports in North America. We’re also the birthplace of sweet treats including the Almond Roca candy and the Milky War bar. A proudly progressive and inclusive commuity, Tacoma has been regularly ranked on The Advocate’s annual list of most gay-friendly cities in the country. The DIY entrepreneurial spirit of Tacoma shows in the multitude of locally owned businesses, including galleries, restaurants, food trucks, and pop-up shops.
In fact, the influx of makers and artisans taking over warehouses and storefronts scored the city the designation of Etsy Maker City in 2016, and it was no surprise to Tacomans when, in 2018, Sunset magazine named Tacoma the Best Place to Live in the Northwest. Each of the city’s 15 districts has its own character, but what unites them all is their sense of pride in the community they call home. Read about some of our favorite parts of the city and why we are South Sound Proud. Better yet, experience them for yourself.
PROCTOR District Here, in Puget Sound’s North End neighborhood, you will find plenty of green space, quaint Victorian and Craftsman style houses, and great restaurants and shops on 6th Avenue. Plus, the Proctor District farmer’s market is Tacoma’s only all-season outdoor market and features local produce, live music, and artisanal goods.
TH EATE R District Opened in 1918, the Pantages and Rialto theaters host a wide variety of shows and concerts, from performances of the City Ballet, Tacoma Opera, and SymphonyTacoma to contemporary concert series and live theater and comedy shows. The nonprofit Grand Cinema shows the latest independent films from around the world and every October, hosts the Tacoma Film Festival.
LINCOLN District Also known as the International District, this charming and revitalized neighborhood is home to the first Asian market in the region and is known for its diverse cultural offerings. Students flock to the area to indulge in Mexican torta sandwiches, comforting Vietnamese pho, and other delicious eats.
D OWN TOWN
and
the Museum District Downtown is home to a thriving museum district, including the Museum of Glass which features a hot shop, where visitors can watch glass artists at work, and includes installations by internationally renowned glass artist and Puget Sound alumnus Dale Chihuly. Right next door is the Tacoma Art Museum, a striking modern structure that houses the premier collection of Northwest art, a strong collection of Japanese woodblock prints, and encyclopedic collections of American and European art. Admission to the Tacoma Art Museum is free for Puget Sound students, who also have the opportunity to get involved in the museum’s exhibits and events. A few steps away, you’ll find the Washington State History Museum, America’s Car Museum, and the Foss Way Seaport.
PO IN T DE FIA N C E
Park
At 760 acres, Point Defiance is one of the country’s largest urban parks, with miles of forest trails, beaches, and incredible views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Visitors can wander through several gardens in the park, or see wildlife up close at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. On weekends, Five Mile Drive is closed to cars, and cyclists and runners take over.
TACOMA AND THE SOUTH SOUND
33
Q&A
PRESIDENT ISIAAH CRAWFORD 01
President Crawford volunteered alongside students during a recent collaboration between Puget Sound and Habitat for Humanity.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness would be to live in a world in which we all, inherently, respect and value each other. 02
Why Puget Sound?
It is Puget Sound for me because our students are at the center of everything we do and try to accomplish. 03
Who are your heroes?
My heroes are my mother, grandmother and aunt. 04
What is your favorite place on the Puget Sound
07
campus? Why?
I am currently reading Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, which was written by Hans Rosling with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling RÜnnlund.
My favorite place on the Puget Sound campus is Kilworth Chapel. When I walk into this lovely space, I experience calm and serenity. 05
What do you like best about Tacoma?
I like the people of Tacoma and their strong sense of community.
34
What are you currently reading?
THE PUGET SOUND EXPERIENCE
08
Fill in the blank with one word: University of Puget Sound is ______________ inspiring .
T HE ON LY P L ACE I N T HE WOR L D TO F I N D T HE S E IS U N I V ERSI TY OF
PU G ET SOUND. Come discover them yourself.
Schedule a campus visit to see us up close:
PU G ETSO U ND. EDU/VIS IT
35
Office of Admission 1500 N. Warner St. #1062 Tacoma, WA 98407-1062
36
P U G E T S O U N D . E D U / A P P LY
admission@pugetsound.edu 253.879.3211 @univpugetsound
