Discovering the University of Puget Sound: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Puget Sound, a private liberal arts college nestled in Tacoma, Washington, has a rich history and a strong commitment to providing undergraduates with an outstanding academic experience. Recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduates, the university offers a diverse range of programs and opportunities for students to thrive. This article delves into various facets of the university, from its origins and academic offerings to its campus life and athletic programs.

Acknowledgment of Indigenous Lands

The University of Puget Sound acknowledges that it is located on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. The Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time, and continue to do so today.

Academic Excellence and Rankings

The University of Puget Sound consistently earns recognition for its academic quality. The Princeton Review included it in their guide to the Best 391 Colleges, praising its outstanding academic programs. The university also witnessed improvement in key rankings, with Best Athletic Facilities rising from No. 22 to No. 13 and Most Beautiful Campus moving from No. 20 to No. 18.

The university's commitment to academic excellence is further reflected in its small class sizes. This fosters ample open discussion and interactive engagement with course material, allowing undergrads to develop close student-professor relationships. Professors work hard to ensure their classes are challenging yet accessible, with open office hours that all students are encouraged to attend.

A Historical Journey

Founded in 1888 by the Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound's origins trace back to Charles Henry Fowler, a former president of Northwestern University, who envisioned a Christian institution of learning in the area. Two cities, Port Townsend and Tacoma, competed for the location of the school, with Tacoma ultimately being chosen. The institution's legal beginning is marked by the filing of its charter in Olympia on March 17, 1888.

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The early days of the school were characterized by a strong moral code, with students cautioned against various vices. The institution also faced financial challenges, struggling to pay its professors due to the lack of an endowment. It moved locations three times in 13 years and even merged with Portland University for a time.

Edward H. Todd's presidency (1913-1942) brought significant change, as he worked to establish financial and academic stability. The "Million Dollar Campaign" raised over $1 million for buildings, equipment, and endowment, enabling the campus to move to its current location in the North End of Tacoma in 1924.

President R. Franklin Thompson (1942-1973) oversaw a period of massive physical and institutional expansion, during which most of the institution's buildings were constructed. Phillip M. Phibbs, who presided from 1973 to 1992, shifted the institution's focus to undergraduate education, phasing out off-campus programs except for the law school and most graduate programs.

Susan Resneck Pierce (1992-2003) sold the law school to Seattle University, directing resources to the undergraduate campus. Her tenure saw almost $100 million in new construction and renovation, including Collins Memorial Library, four academic buildings, and Wyatt Hall. Trimble Residence Hall was also constructed, increasing on-campus student residency.

Ronald R. Thomas served as president from 2003 to early 2016. In February 2016, Isiaah Crawford was selected as the next president, succeeding Thomas upon his retirement.

Campus and Facilities

The campus is characterized by its primarily brick buildings in the Tudor-Gothic architectural style. The buildings are arranged into quads, with the main ones being the North Quad and South Quad, containing residence halls, and Karlen Quad, featuring Jones Hall, Collins Memorial Library, and the Music Building.

Harned Hall, dedicated in 2006, is a 51,000-square-foot building designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver Standard. Following its completion, the institution undertook a $38 million renovation of Thompson Hall, the "old" science building. Harned and Thompson Halls form the Science Center, connected by a courtyard.

Wyatt Hall, dedicated in 2003, houses the English, History, Foreign Languages & Literature, Politics & Government, Philosophy, and Religion departments. It features seminar-style classrooms to encourage discussion.

Other notable buildings include McIntyre Hall, home of the School of Business and Leadership; Howarth Hall, home of the School of Education; Jones Hall, home to theatre arts and administrative offices; and the Music Building. Kittredge Hall, the original student union building, now houses the art department and Kittredge Gallery.

Collins Memorial Library houses over 400,000 books and 130,000 periodicals. The William T. and Gail T. Weyerhaeuser Center for Health Sciences, opened in 2010, supports the study of health and behavioral sciences.

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Academic Programs and Opportunities

The University of Puget Sound offers more than fifty traditional and nontraditional areas of study in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as graduate programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and education.

The Pacific Rim/Asia Study-Travel Program (PRAST) is a unique program that allows students to spend two semesters traveling, studying, and researching in eight Asian countries.

Students have access to ample project-based learning opportunities such as relevant work study and summer research for all majors and interests.

The university is also home to the School of Education which meets the standards of the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) for professional certification of teachers and school counselors.

The School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The School of Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

Student Life and Activities

The University of Puget Sound fosters a vibrant campus community with a wide range of student activities and organizations.

KUPS 90.1FM (The Sound) is a student-run college radio station that broadcasts 24/7. "Crosscurrents" is the school's literary and arts magazine. "Elements" is the school's student-run science magazine.

The university is home to three fraternities and four sororities.

The campus has a notable recent history of sustainability. President Ronald R. Thomas signed the Talloires Declaration, committing the institution to certain standards regarding sustainability. The Sustainability Advisory Committee organizes the majority of sustainability efforts on campus.

Athletics

Puget Sound's athletic teams are nicknamed the "Loggers," and their mascot is "Grizz the Logger." The institution offers twenty-three different varsity sports teams, competing in the NCAA's Division III Northwest Conference.

The university also has men's and women's club soccer teams, as well as a men's club lacrosse team. The men's rugby club has achieved regional and national success. The Puget Sound Loggers hockey team is an ACHA division II team.

The men's basketball team won three straight Northwest Conference championships beginning in 2004. The women's swim team won the Northwest Conference championship for eleven consecutive years, from 1997 through 2007. The women's crew has earned a bid to compete at the Division III Rowing Championship every year since 2003.

Traditions

LogJam! is a campuswide celebration that ends the first week of fall classes. The Hatchet is the official symbol of sports teams at the University of Puget Sound.

Location and Accessibility

Located in Tacoma, Washington, the University of Puget Sound offers a blend of a residential campus and access to urban amenities. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 24 miles from campus, and transportation options include the Capital Aeroporter, Amtrak train service, and Greyhound Bus Lines.

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