Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Education (Colleges & Universities)
Featured Stories
We Meet Change with Curiosity
TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news:
* * *
We Meet Change with Curiosity
*
Artificial intelligence was once a futuristic curiosity, but it is now woven into the rhythms of daily campus life at the University of Puget Sound -- and students like Ella Tao '27 and Minnie Jellinek '27 have front-row seats to the shift.
"I'm relatively comfortable in using AI in various contexts, whether it is for work, school, or personal use," said Tao, a double major in business administration and communication studies. "However, from a broader perspective, it's ... Show Full Article TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news: * * * We Meet Change with Curiosity * Artificial intelligence was once a futuristic curiosity, but it is now woven into the rhythms of daily campus life at the University of Puget Sound -- and students like Ella Tao '27 and Minnie Jellinek '27 have front-row seats to the shift. "I'm relatively comfortable in using AI in various contexts, whether it is for work, school, or personal use," said Tao, a double major in business administration and communication studies. "However, from a broader perspective, it'sconcerning to see how fast AI is evolving, especially with recent speculations about how AI could take over the world through its autonomously self-improving system."
For Jellinek, who is majoring in religion, spirituality, and sociology, the perspective is somewhat different. "At this point I'm quite familiar with [AI] because I remember it coming into my consciousness kind of around my junior year of high school," Jellinek said. "But honestly, I kind of struggle to see the benefits at this point just because of all the negatives that I feel about it," including worries about the environmental effects of AI and data centers, among other concerns. Both students see distinct approaches to AI use in the classroom. Tao noted that it is mostly beneficial to let professors choose their own policies or collaborate with students to generate them, encouraging critical thinking. Jellinek shared a mutual understanding between professors and students. "I had a professor tell us that this might be the last time in your life that you can submit thoughtful work and someone will evaluate it deeply and give it back to you, so make use of that," she said.
A campus survey conducted by Puget Sound's AI working group in 2026 found that nearly 45 percent of faculty, staff, and students are already using AI in their daily work and studies. Among students, the majority report using it for feedback on their work, suggesting research ideas, and outlining writing assignments. Faculty members report primarily using AI for administrative tasks, research, and preparing class materials, with 52 percent allowing its use in their courses with some restrictions.
This isn't just a story about technology adoption, though. It's also a story about what comes next, which is one of the things to love about Puget Sound -- the university's commitment to meeting change with curiosity rather than fear. In the following pages, you'll meet some of the folks leading the charge. You will hear from a professor teaching students how to weigh AI's ethical implications, a young lawyer grappling with the unexpected demands of an AI-augmented practice, a tech leader rethinking how organizations can truly innovate, and a chief information officer helping to build the framework for responsible, secure usage on campus. Together, they demonstrate why a liberal arts education -- rooted in critical thinking and deep ethical inquiry -- is the most essential tool for navigating a future defined by AI.
Teaching AI and Human Values
As the director for Puget Sound's newly created interdisciplinary emphasis on AI and Human Values, Professor of Philosophy Ariela Tubert teaches students entering a workforce where AI is reshaping job descriptions and ethical boundaries. In her Ethics, Data, and AI class, she takes a values-based approach that examines how AI can further human values like privacy and creativity, and where it may present risks. "We look at different sets of values and think about whether AI can help us further those values or does it undermine them," Tubert said. "So we ask, 'when is AI useful and when is it not?'"
Tubert advises recent graduates not to let AI hype replace foundational skill-building. "Instead of using AI to simply go through the motions when you start a new job, focus on understanding why things are done the way they are because that depth of understanding is going to be needed as processes change," she said.
For alumni who have been in the workforce for decades and are now being told to integrate AI into their roles, Tubert's advice is both practical and philosophical: Know your work deeply enough to advocate for where AI belongs -- and where it doesn't. "People who have been on a job for a long time have an understanding of the work they do that maybe other people don't have," she said. "It's important for them to convey to others what parts of the job they think it's a bad idea to pass on to AI because these are tasks where human skill may still needed to be in charge."
She points to a liberal arts education as uniquely suited for this moment. "Our emphasis on critical thinking and ethical values helps students prepare for a future that is going to be changing," Tubert said. "What will work look like in four or five years? We don't know exactly. But we do know that people will need to know both how to interact with AI and what not to pass on to it."
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***
Original text here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/we-meet-change-curiosity (TNSmrp)
* * *
We Meet Change with Curiosity
*
Artificial intelligence was once a futuristic curiosity, but it is now woven into the rhythms of daily campus life at the University of Puget Sound -- and students like Ella Tao '27 and Minnie Jellinek '27 have front-row seats to the shift.
"I'm relatively comfortable in using AI in various contexts, whether it is for work, school, or personal use," said Tao, a double major in business administration and communication studies. "However, from a broader perspective, it's ... Show Full Article TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news: * * * We Meet Change with Curiosity * Artificial intelligence was once a futuristic curiosity, but it is now woven into the rhythms of daily campus life at the University of Puget Sound -- and students like Ella Tao '27 and Minnie Jellinek '27 have front-row seats to the shift. "I'm relatively comfortable in using AI in various contexts, whether it is for work, school, or personal use," said Tao, a double major in business administration and communication studies. "However, from a broader perspective, it'sconcerning to see how fast AI is evolving, especially with recent speculations about how AI could take over the world through its autonomously self-improving system."
For Jellinek, who is majoring in religion, spirituality, and sociology, the perspective is somewhat different. "At this point I'm quite familiar with [AI] because I remember it coming into my consciousness kind of around my junior year of high school," Jellinek said. "But honestly, I kind of struggle to see the benefits at this point just because of all the negatives that I feel about it," including worries about the environmental effects of AI and data centers, among other concerns. Both students see distinct approaches to AI use in the classroom. Tao noted that it is mostly beneficial to let professors choose their own policies or collaborate with students to generate them, encouraging critical thinking. Jellinek shared a mutual understanding between professors and students. "I had a professor tell us that this might be the last time in your life that you can submit thoughtful work and someone will evaluate it deeply and give it back to you, so make use of that," she said.
A campus survey conducted by Puget Sound's AI working group in 2026 found that nearly 45 percent of faculty, staff, and students are already using AI in their daily work and studies. Among students, the majority report using it for feedback on their work, suggesting research ideas, and outlining writing assignments. Faculty members report primarily using AI for administrative tasks, research, and preparing class materials, with 52 percent allowing its use in their courses with some restrictions.
This isn't just a story about technology adoption, though. It's also a story about what comes next, which is one of the things to love about Puget Sound -- the university's commitment to meeting change with curiosity rather than fear. In the following pages, you'll meet some of the folks leading the charge. You will hear from a professor teaching students how to weigh AI's ethical implications, a young lawyer grappling with the unexpected demands of an AI-augmented practice, a tech leader rethinking how organizations can truly innovate, and a chief information officer helping to build the framework for responsible, secure usage on campus. Together, they demonstrate why a liberal arts education -- rooted in critical thinking and deep ethical inquiry -- is the most essential tool for navigating a future defined by AI.
Teaching AI and Human Values
As the director for Puget Sound's newly created interdisciplinary emphasis on AI and Human Values, Professor of Philosophy Ariela Tubert teaches students entering a workforce where AI is reshaping job descriptions and ethical boundaries. In her Ethics, Data, and AI class, she takes a values-based approach that examines how AI can further human values like privacy and creativity, and where it may present risks. "We look at different sets of values and think about whether AI can help us further those values or does it undermine them," Tubert said. "So we ask, 'when is AI useful and when is it not?'"
Tubert advises recent graduates not to let AI hype replace foundational skill-building. "Instead of using AI to simply go through the motions when you start a new job, focus on understanding why things are done the way they are because that depth of understanding is going to be needed as processes change," she said.
For alumni who have been in the workforce for decades and are now being told to integrate AI into their roles, Tubert's advice is both practical and philosophical: Know your work deeply enough to advocate for where AI belongs -- and where it doesn't. "People who have been on a job for a long time have an understanding of the work they do that maybe other people don't have," she said. "It's important for them to convey to others what parts of the job they think it's a bad idea to pass on to AI because these are tasks where human skill may still needed to be in charge."
She points to a liberal arts education as uniquely suited for this moment. "Our emphasis on critical thinking and ethical values helps students prepare for a future that is going to be changing," Tubert said. "What will work look like in four or five years? We don't know exactly. But we do know that people will need to know both how to interact with AI and what not to pass on to it."
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CURRENT UG STUDENTS
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***
Original text here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/we-meet-change-curiosity (TNSmrp)
The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31
MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news:
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The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31
*
The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus.
ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun for ... Show Full Article MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news: * * * The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31 * The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus. ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun forall!
Event Details:
* All children must be accompanied by an adult.
* Children are asked to wear their Halloween costumes and provide their own bag or container for candy.
* Admission for the event is one non-perishable food item or $1 per child.
* Donations will be split between the Kitchen Table Food Shelf and the SMSU food pantry, Mustang Market.
Parking Information:
* Non-ticketed parking will be available around campus, and on the south side of Birch St.
* Please do not park in the Foundation Apartment lot or other reserved parking spots.
Check-In:
* Check-in for the event will be in Commons Central, where children receive an event wristband.
* Signs will direct visitors to Commons Central.
For any questions, please contact RHA@SMSU.edu.
***
Original text here: https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2026/01-23-2026_reshalloween-oct31.html
* * *
The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31
*
The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus.
ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun for ... Show Full Article MARSHALL, Minnesota, Oct. 24 -- Southwest Minnesota State University posted the following news: * * * The Annual Res HALLoween Set for Oct. 31 * The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween on Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in various residence halls on campus. ResHALLoween allows children from the community to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. All ages are welcome, with the program geared primarily for children in grades PreK-6. There will be a wide variety of themed houses, lots of candy, and fun forall!
Event Details:
* All children must be accompanied by an adult.
* Children are asked to wear their Halloween costumes and provide their own bag or container for candy.
* Admission for the event is one non-perishable food item or $1 per child.
* Donations will be split between the Kitchen Table Food Shelf and the SMSU food pantry, Mustang Market.
Parking Information:
* Non-ticketed parking will be available around campus, and on the south side of Birch St.
* Please do not park in the Foundation Apartment lot or other reserved parking spots.
Check-In:
* Check-in for the event will be in Commons Central, where children receive an event wristband.
* Signs will direct visitors to Commons Central.
For any questions, please contact RHA@SMSU.edu.
***
Original text here: https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2026/01-23-2026_reshalloween-oct31.html
Students Change the Institution for the Better
TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news:
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Students Change the Institution for the Better
*
Part of a Puget Sound education is the opportunity for a wide variety of experiential learning options, including internships, studying abroad, and more.
Always a Logger! Just because you're not still living on campus and visiting the Cellar for pizza doesn't mean you have to be disconnected from what's happening on campus!
In celebration of everything we love about our university community, we are spotlighting some of the unique ways individual donors, ... Show Full Article TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news: * * * Students Change the Institution for the Better * Part of a Puget Sound education is the opportunity for a wide variety of experiential learning options, including internships, studying abroad, and more. Always a Logger! Just because you're not still living on campus and visiting the Cellar for pizza doesn't mean you have to be disconnected from what's happening on campus! In celebration of everything we love about our university community, we are spotlighting some of the unique ways individual donors,foundations, and organizations have made it possible for students to pursue a life-changing Puget Sound education.
Four student awards -- the Lillis, Matelich, Neukom, and Posse scholarships -- provide full tuition (and in some cases, also room and board) for all four years to talented students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to realize the full breadth of their academic and leadership goals.
What follows in the next pages are first-person accounts of three esteemed alumni and one stand-out senior who say their life and career trajectories have been forever changed by their financial awards.
Each exemplifies not only the criteria and rigors required by the scholarships they received, but also the humanity-centered ethos of a liberal arts education.
"These are exceptional programs and even more exceptional people who we have been honored to have as students at Puget Sound," says Rebecca Harrison '01, associate vice president for University Relations. "They have all changed our institution for the better," she adds. "We are so lucky to call them Loggers."
Stories related to campaign pillar about access to education
Becca Ebert '16, Lillis Scholar
I grew up in Eden Prairie, Minn., and I'm Midwestern to my core. When it came time to look at colleges, I knew I wanted to be in a place where I could explore -- ideally near mountains, the water, and in a small community where I'd actually know my professors. After applying to Puget Sound, I was invited to apply for the Lillis Scholarship. I remember flying in for the interview, seeing the Sound, looking at the mountains, and thinking, "I belong here." But I would not have gone to Puget Sound if not for the scholarship.
And I'm so glad I did. I played Ultimate Frisbee at Puget Sound, which immediately brought me into a community. I met the people who are still my best friends. I also got the opportunity to do so many different things: trips with Puget Sound Outdoors; being a Passages leader; taking scuba, mountaineering, and sailing classes; and being a Peer Ally to provide a safe place for survivors of sexual violence. By exploring outside and connecting with my peers, I got to feel part of a really special place.
I started college thinking I would be a doctor or do international development. But on the last day of linear algebra my freshman year, my professor stopped me and encouraged me to continue in math. Later, at a department party on Pi Day (March 14), I told him I'd decided to major in math. He set his pie down, shook my hand, and said: "Welcome to the department." I then explored abstract math, infinity, and the shape of space.
I also loved my classes in politics and government. I still think about the things I learned and the humanity my professors brought to the topics. It was in those classes that I realized my passion for the rule of law. I didn't want to let math go, and I didn't have to choose. I double majored in math and comparative politics with an emphasis in global development. I got to pursue what interested me. And I loved being in an environment where professors offered the structure and opportunity to be curious alongside my classmates.
After graduation, I had too many ideas of what to do next. While working as a personal assistant for a family that started the largest family law firm in the Pacific Northwest, I thought about sexual assault advocacy and realized I could do good work in family law.
I later worked in waste management in Antarctica before going to Georgetown University, earning my law degree and a master's in national security concentrating in terrorism and sub-state violence. After graduating, I worked at a nonprofit providing free legal representation to clients in immigration and family law. I currently clerk for a federal judge and am looking forward to a career in pursuit of justice and public service.
As I pay back my student loans for law school, I am immensely grateful for the Lillis Scholarship. The scholarship provided a level of freedom in thinking about what to do with my life. Lead expeditions in the backcountry? Be a crazed mathematician writing a proof on a chalkboard? Pursue international development? Advocate for survivors of sexual assault? Practice law? By not having to worry about student loans, the Lillis Scholarship gave me room to pursue what I'm most passionate about. Everything I gained from Puget Sound is a direct result of the generosity of Chuck Lillis P'05 and Gwen Lillis P'05. The tangible economic help is life changing. But more importantly, their kindness and genuine care for us is an example of the best parts of humanity.
Jensen Handwork '17, Matelich Scholar
Growing up in Denver, my dream was to go out of state for college. I had the Pacific Northwest in mind, but as a family, we weren't in a position to cover the full cost of college -- let alone out of state. It was understood that I'd have to pave my own way.
When my father and I took a road trip to visit some colleges, Puget Sound really stood out. I was drawn to the liberal arts and the campus community felt electric. Reflecting on that first visit, I realize I'd tuned into Puget Sound's secret sauce and what I've always said is the best (albeit sometimes challenging!) part of campus is that you cannot be anonymous. Students, staff, and faculty genuinely care for one another and actively seek to cultivate community. As former President Ronald Thomas would say: Puget Sound felt like "home" from the jump. I knew I had to figure out how to get to UPS.
When I got back to Denver, I was a man on a mission. I worked my butt off writing essays and applied for well over 50 scholarships. My wonderful English teacher at the time, Mr. Feld, was along for the ride. He helped review and edit nearly every essay I submitted. Just when I thought I was finished, I was invited to apply for the Matelich Scholarship. I got to work. A couple of days later, feeling proud of my writing, I sat down with Mr. Feld for one last read- through. He didn't make it through the second paragraph before setting it face down on the desk and sighing. "Jensen, this simply isn't good. You need to write it again." I was gutted, but he knew how high the stakes were. More importantly, he knew I could do better. It turned out to be one of the most important teaching moments of my life. I wrote it again, and this time, I wrote from the heart. Thankfully, it led to my being selected for the scholarship.
When I started college, I was immediately drawn to majoring in international political economy. I also pursued a second major in business administration through the Business Leadership Program and a minor in Spanish. The dual-major approach was fascinating as I knew I wanted to do mission-based work, but I also understood that speaking the language of business can help catalyze change. I loved the idea of straddling both worlds. I learned even more outside the classroom. I was deeply involved in several clubs and activities, both on campus and in Tacoma. I had the chance to do field research in both Chile and Spain, and I formed lifelong relationships with my peers, staff, faculty, and Tacoma community members.
After graduation, I moved back to Denver and got offered a job doing research on state-funded climate programs. Eight-and-a-half years later, I'm still working for the same team, now at a company called National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF), which is a B Corp that has developed some of the most innovative and successful energy efficiency and electrification energy financing programs in the nation in partnership with states, green banks, and energy utilities.
I continue to use the skills and lessons learned at Puget Sound. Most notably, I value that Puget Sound creates intrinsically motivated critical thinkers and problem solvers. I cherish my time on campus and am beyond thankful for receiving the Matelich Scholarship, which made it all possible. As I once told George Matelich '78 and Susan Matelich: This is a gift that will continue to bear fruit throughout my life. I'm so grateful that this scholarship exists and that so many students have benefited from it, both before and after my time at Puget Sound.
Kenovia Neely '25, Neukom Scholar
I grew up in Tacoma and have a younger sister who is nine, an older sister who is 26, and a twin sister named Kevoni (Neely '25). We went to Mason Middle School, which is very close to the UPS campus. It was interesting to have a college in our school's backyard.
We grew up playing softball, and I did a lot of leadership things in high school. I was always very busy. My parents are also very hard-working. My mom is a nighttime foreman at a bakery in Seattle, and my dad is an engineer and commutes to Federal Way. They did anything they could to make our lives better. I always knew I was going to go to college -- that was something my parents made very clear!
They didn't attend college, so it was a bit of a daunting process for them to navigate. My older sister went to University of Washington and got a lot of scholarships, but she was really into science. I wasn't sure what my options would be. I'd been on free or reduced lunch in high school, which meant I could apply to college without having to pay application fees. I applied to four schools: Penn State, Arizona State, Washington State, and Puget Sound. After receiving financial information on UPS, it felt like a better and easier opportunity. We made a family decision for me to stay in Tacoma and shoulder the financial burden of school.
I was part of a cool program called First Year Inside for local and/or first-generation college students. It allowed students to arrive on campus two weeks early and also to receive free books. My room wasn't unpacked. My roommate hadn't moved in yet. I didn't know what was going on! But the program gave me the opportunity to get more comfortable on campus. It was during this time I got a call saying I'd been awarded the Neukom Scholarship: a gift of $55,000 per year. I said, "What?!" I remember thinking, "I'm the luckiest girl ever." But I'd also put in a lot of hard work and effort to get there.
The scholarship was like a breath. "Ahhh...OK. I can do this." If I'd had to get a job, which I'd planned to, I wouldn't have been able to do cheerleading without constantly worrying about money. My twin sister Kevoni also attended Puget Sound, and we joined Alpha Phi together. I also became Panhellenic president. I couldn't imagine my life would get even busier in college, but somehow it did! I ended up getting a 4.0 my freshman year and went on to earn a double major in business and African American studies. Today, I am planning to go to medical school and become an OB-GYN. I want to help reduce the terrible mortality rates among Black mothers, which are largely preventable. I am going to be the first doctor in my family. A Black, female doctor! What is better than that?
Winston Zapet Bamac '27. Posse Scholar
I'm a first-generation college student from the East Bay of Northern California, from a small town called San Pablo. I found out about the Posse Scholarship in high school through a program called Magis, which supports students from minoritized backgrounds and/or lower socioeconomic statuses and provides resources to help first-gen students get into college.
Posse is a really cool system because it has different hubs around the U.S. that select around 10 students within a cohort system to attend a certain school together each academic year. From the moment we were selected until we got to the UPS campus, we had weekly meetings. This really helped me build friendships before we even started school. The curriculum also addressed a lot of important topics -- from managing a budget during college to how we identify culturally on campuses that have been traditionally mostly-white institutions. It's like being part of a really special family.
In high school, I was involved in a lot of social-justice causes, advocacy, and campus ministry. I think I have pretty good interpersonal skills. I really like talking to people! This led me to run for ASUPS president my junior year -- and I got elected. It's very important to bring students from diverse backgrounds to our campus because we have unique sets of experiences to share with each other. We also have different sets of skills that allow us to find our unique places within the school and really excel in them. I think that's a huge benefit to scholarship programs that are structured like Posse.
I wasn't 100 percent sure, but I had a feeling I'd go into the sciences. I started out as a natural sciences/biology major, then pivoted to biochemistry after taking and really enjoying my chemistry classes. I felt like I couldn't choose between the two! Now, I am in my senior year and I'm sticking with biochemistry. I've thought about doing med school after graduation; I'm also debating a Ph.D. program. Is my main goal to practice medicine and/or have a career doing research? I'm still deciding. Regardless, I really love serving my community. My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, so I'm lucky to be bilingual. I have been volunteering at the Tacoma Neighborhood Clinic during college. We get a lot of patients who speak only Spanish. It really speeds up the process for their treatment to have a native speaker on site to help instead of relying on a third-party translator. Being able to serve them is truly a bonus to the work.
I had originally never considered going to college out of state. It simply wasn't a possibility for our family. My mom is a full-time babysitter, and my dad primarily does house painting for work, so I had been planning to attend -- and had gotten into -- what was then my dream school: UC Davis. But I gave all of that up for the opportunity to attend Puget Sound through the Posse Scholarship. It was the best decision I ever made.
***
Original text here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/students-change-institution-better
* * *
Students Change the Institution for the Better
*
Part of a Puget Sound education is the opportunity for a wide variety of experiential learning options, including internships, studying abroad, and more.
Always a Logger! Just because you're not still living on campus and visiting the Cellar for pizza doesn't mean you have to be disconnected from what's happening on campus!
In celebration of everything we love about our university community, we are spotlighting some of the unique ways individual donors, ... Show Full Article TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news: * * * Students Change the Institution for the Better * Part of a Puget Sound education is the opportunity for a wide variety of experiential learning options, including internships, studying abroad, and more. Always a Logger! Just because you're not still living on campus and visiting the Cellar for pizza doesn't mean you have to be disconnected from what's happening on campus! In celebration of everything we love about our university community, we are spotlighting some of the unique ways individual donors,foundations, and organizations have made it possible for students to pursue a life-changing Puget Sound education.
Four student awards -- the Lillis, Matelich, Neukom, and Posse scholarships -- provide full tuition (and in some cases, also room and board) for all four years to talented students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to realize the full breadth of their academic and leadership goals.
What follows in the next pages are first-person accounts of three esteemed alumni and one stand-out senior who say their life and career trajectories have been forever changed by their financial awards.
Each exemplifies not only the criteria and rigors required by the scholarships they received, but also the humanity-centered ethos of a liberal arts education.
"These are exceptional programs and even more exceptional people who we have been honored to have as students at Puget Sound," says Rebecca Harrison '01, associate vice president for University Relations. "They have all changed our institution for the better," she adds. "We are so lucky to call them Loggers."
Stories related to campaign pillar about access to education
Becca Ebert '16, Lillis Scholar
I grew up in Eden Prairie, Minn., and I'm Midwestern to my core. When it came time to look at colleges, I knew I wanted to be in a place where I could explore -- ideally near mountains, the water, and in a small community where I'd actually know my professors. After applying to Puget Sound, I was invited to apply for the Lillis Scholarship. I remember flying in for the interview, seeing the Sound, looking at the mountains, and thinking, "I belong here." But I would not have gone to Puget Sound if not for the scholarship.
And I'm so glad I did. I played Ultimate Frisbee at Puget Sound, which immediately brought me into a community. I met the people who are still my best friends. I also got the opportunity to do so many different things: trips with Puget Sound Outdoors; being a Passages leader; taking scuba, mountaineering, and sailing classes; and being a Peer Ally to provide a safe place for survivors of sexual violence. By exploring outside and connecting with my peers, I got to feel part of a really special place.
I started college thinking I would be a doctor or do international development. But on the last day of linear algebra my freshman year, my professor stopped me and encouraged me to continue in math. Later, at a department party on Pi Day (March 14), I told him I'd decided to major in math. He set his pie down, shook my hand, and said: "Welcome to the department." I then explored abstract math, infinity, and the shape of space.
I also loved my classes in politics and government. I still think about the things I learned and the humanity my professors brought to the topics. It was in those classes that I realized my passion for the rule of law. I didn't want to let math go, and I didn't have to choose. I double majored in math and comparative politics with an emphasis in global development. I got to pursue what interested me. And I loved being in an environment where professors offered the structure and opportunity to be curious alongside my classmates.
After graduation, I had too many ideas of what to do next. While working as a personal assistant for a family that started the largest family law firm in the Pacific Northwest, I thought about sexual assault advocacy and realized I could do good work in family law.
I later worked in waste management in Antarctica before going to Georgetown University, earning my law degree and a master's in national security concentrating in terrorism and sub-state violence. After graduating, I worked at a nonprofit providing free legal representation to clients in immigration and family law. I currently clerk for a federal judge and am looking forward to a career in pursuit of justice and public service.
As I pay back my student loans for law school, I am immensely grateful for the Lillis Scholarship. The scholarship provided a level of freedom in thinking about what to do with my life. Lead expeditions in the backcountry? Be a crazed mathematician writing a proof on a chalkboard? Pursue international development? Advocate for survivors of sexual assault? Practice law? By not having to worry about student loans, the Lillis Scholarship gave me room to pursue what I'm most passionate about. Everything I gained from Puget Sound is a direct result of the generosity of Chuck Lillis P'05 and Gwen Lillis P'05. The tangible economic help is life changing. But more importantly, their kindness and genuine care for us is an example of the best parts of humanity.
Jensen Handwork '17, Matelich Scholar
Growing up in Denver, my dream was to go out of state for college. I had the Pacific Northwest in mind, but as a family, we weren't in a position to cover the full cost of college -- let alone out of state. It was understood that I'd have to pave my own way.
When my father and I took a road trip to visit some colleges, Puget Sound really stood out. I was drawn to the liberal arts and the campus community felt electric. Reflecting on that first visit, I realize I'd tuned into Puget Sound's secret sauce and what I've always said is the best (albeit sometimes challenging!) part of campus is that you cannot be anonymous. Students, staff, and faculty genuinely care for one another and actively seek to cultivate community. As former President Ronald Thomas would say: Puget Sound felt like "home" from the jump. I knew I had to figure out how to get to UPS.
When I got back to Denver, I was a man on a mission. I worked my butt off writing essays and applied for well over 50 scholarships. My wonderful English teacher at the time, Mr. Feld, was along for the ride. He helped review and edit nearly every essay I submitted. Just when I thought I was finished, I was invited to apply for the Matelich Scholarship. I got to work. A couple of days later, feeling proud of my writing, I sat down with Mr. Feld for one last read- through. He didn't make it through the second paragraph before setting it face down on the desk and sighing. "Jensen, this simply isn't good. You need to write it again." I was gutted, but he knew how high the stakes were. More importantly, he knew I could do better. It turned out to be one of the most important teaching moments of my life. I wrote it again, and this time, I wrote from the heart. Thankfully, it led to my being selected for the scholarship.
When I started college, I was immediately drawn to majoring in international political economy. I also pursued a second major in business administration through the Business Leadership Program and a minor in Spanish. The dual-major approach was fascinating as I knew I wanted to do mission-based work, but I also understood that speaking the language of business can help catalyze change. I loved the idea of straddling both worlds. I learned even more outside the classroom. I was deeply involved in several clubs and activities, both on campus and in Tacoma. I had the chance to do field research in both Chile and Spain, and I formed lifelong relationships with my peers, staff, faculty, and Tacoma community members.
After graduation, I moved back to Denver and got offered a job doing research on state-funded climate programs. Eight-and-a-half years later, I'm still working for the same team, now at a company called National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF), which is a B Corp that has developed some of the most innovative and successful energy efficiency and electrification energy financing programs in the nation in partnership with states, green banks, and energy utilities.
I continue to use the skills and lessons learned at Puget Sound. Most notably, I value that Puget Sound creates intrinsically motivated critical thinkers and problem solvers. I cherish my time on campus and am beyond thankful for receiving the Matelich Scholarship, which made it all possible. As I once told George Matelich '78 and Susan Matelich: This is a gift that will continue to bear fruit throughout my life. I'm so grateful that this scholarship exists and that so many students have benefited from it, both before and after my time at Puget Sound.
Kenovia Neely '25, Neukom Scholar
I grew up in Tacoma and have a younger sister who is nine, an older sister who is 26, and a twin sister named Kevoni (Neely '25). We went to Mason Middle School, which is very close to the UPS campus. It was interesting to have a college in our school's backyard.
We grew up playing softball, and I did a lot of leadership things in high school. I was always very busy. My parents are also very hard-working. My mom is a nighttime foreman at a bakery in Seattle, and my dad is an engineer and commutes to Federal Way. They did anything they could to make our lives better. I always knew I was going to go to college -- that was something my parents made very clear!
They didn't attend college, so it was a bit of a daunting process for them to navigate. My older sister went to University of Washington and got a lot of scholarships, but she was really into science. I wasn't sure what my options would be. I'd been on free or reduced lunch in high school, which meant I could apply to college without having to pay application fees. I applied to four schools: Penn State, Arizona State, Washington State, and Puget Sound. After receiving financial information on UPS, it felt like a better and easier opportunity. We made a family decision for me to stay in Tacoma and shoulder the financial burden of school.
I was part of a cool program called First Year Inside for local and/or first-generation college students. It allowed students to arrive on campus two weeks early and also to receive free books. My room wasn't unpacked. My roommate hadn't moved in yet. I didn't know what was going on! But the program gave me the opportunity to get more comfortable on campus. It was during this time I got a call saying I'd been awarded the Neukom Scholarship: a gift of $55,000 per year. I said, "What?!" I remember thinking, "I'm the luckiest girl ever." But I'd also put in a lot of hard work and effort to get there.
The scholarship was like a breath. "Ahhh...OK. I can do this." If I'd had to get a job, which I'd planned to, I wouldn't have been able to do cheerleading without constantly worrying about money. My twin sister Kevoni also attended Puget Sound, and we joined Alpha Phi together. I also became Panhellenic president. I couldn't imagine my life would get even busier in college, but somehow it did! I ended up getting a 4.0 my freshman year and went on to earn a double major in business and African American studies. Today, I am planning to go to medical school and become an OB-GYN. I want to help reduce the terrible mortality rates among Black mothers, which are largely preventable. I am going to be the first doctor in my family. A Black, female doctor! What is better than that?
Winston Zapet Bamac '27. Posse Scholar
I'm a first-generation college student from the East Bay of Northern California, from a small town called San Pablo. I found out about the Posse Scholarship in high school through a program called Magis, which supports students from minoritized backgrounds and/or lower socioeconomic statuses and provides resources to help first-gen students get into college.
Posse is a really cool system because it has different hubs around the U.S. that select around 10 students within a cohort system to attend a certain school together each academic year. From the moment we were selected until we got to the UPS campus, we had weekly meetings. This really helped me build friendships before we even started school. The curriculum also addressed a lot of important topics -- from managing a budget during college to how we identify culturally on campuses that have been traditionally mostly-white institutions. It's like being part of a really special family.
In high school, I was involved in a lot of social-justice causes, advocacy, and campus ministry. I think I have pretty good interpersonal skills. I really like talking to people! This led me to run for ASUPS president my junior year -- and I got elected. It's very important to bring students from diverse backgrounds to our campus because we have unique sets of experiences to share with each other. We also have different sets of skills that allow us to find our unique places within the school and really excel in them. I think that's a huge benefit to scholarship programs that are structured like Posse.
I wasn't 100 percent sure, but I had a feeling I'd go into the sciences. I started out as a natural sciences/biology major, then pivoted to biochemistry after taking and really enjoying my chemistry classes. I felt like I couldn't choose between the two! Now, I am in my senior year and I'm sticking with biochemistry. I've thought about doing med school after graduation; I'm also debating a Ph.D. program. Is my main goal to practice medicine and/or have a career doing research? I'm still deciding. Regardless, I really love serving my community. My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala, so I'm lucky to be bilingual. I have been volunteering at the Tacoma Neighborhood Clinic during college. We get a lot of patients who speak only Spanish. It really speeds up the process for their treatment to have a native speaker on site to help instead of relying on a third-party translator. Being able to serve them is truly a bonus to the work.
I had originally never considered going to college out of state. It simply wasn't a possibility for our family. My mom is a full-time babysitter, and my dad primarily does house painting for work, so I had been planning to attend -- and had gotten into -- what was then my dream school: UC Davis. But I gave all of that up for the opportunity to attend Puget Sound through the Posse Scholarship. It was the best decision I ever made.
***
Original text here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/students-change-institution-better
Spooky Season at Alfred State
ALFRED, New York, Oct. 24 -- The Alfred State College posted the following news:
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Spooky Season at Alfred State
*
Alfred State is getting in the Halloween spirit with multiple events that the local community can take enjoy.
Gamma Theta Gamma and Live to Fight are hosting a Haunted House on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 at 52 North Main Street. Admission is $5 with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. The Haunted House will run from 6 - 10 PM both evenings.
Last year, the event raised over $2,000 for the cause.
The Hinkle Library is hosting a discussion of horror ... Show Full Article ALFRED, New York, Oct. 24 -- The Alfred State College posted the following news: * * * Spooky Season at Alfred State * Alfred State is getting in the Halloween spirit with multiple events that the local community can take enjoy. Gamma Theta Gamma and Live to Fight are hosting a Haunted House on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 at 52 North Main Street. Admission is $5 with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. The Haunted House will run from 6 - 10 PM both evenings. Last year, the event raised over $2,000 for the cause. The Hinkle Library is hosting a discussion of horrormovies, cinema, and monsters entitled, "Let's Talk: Scary Movies" on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 5 PM. Panelists will share their knowledge, ideas, and experiences, and audience members will have a chance to ask and answer questions. The event will be held in the Hinkle Library classroom.
The Terrace is throwing their annual Halloween Lunch on Friday, Oct. 30 from 11 AM - 2 PM. ACES invites you to their "Love at First Bite" event, where everything is to die for.
Dinners will enter a world of vampires, moonlit feasts, and devilishly good food, where every corner holds a delicious surprise. From hauntingly good entrees and wickedly tasty sides to decadent desserts and enchanting drinks, there is something to tempt every appetite.
The Center for Civic Leadership in a collaborative service event is opening the doors of the Student Leadership Center (SLC) to the local community for a fun and family friendly indoor trick-or-treat event on Friday, Oct. 30. Clubs and organizations will decorate and set up and pass out candy or Halloween themed swag to the community.
The event will take place between 5-7 PM on the third floor of the SLC.
***
Original text here: https://www.alfredstate.edu/news/articles/2026-10-24/spooky-season-alfred-state
* * *
Spooky Season at Alfred State
*
Alfred State is getting in the Halloween spirit with multiple events that the local community can take enjoy.
Gamma Theta Gamma and Live to Fight are hosting a Haunted House on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 at 52 North Main Street. Admission is $5 with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. The Haunted House will run from 6 - 10 PM both evenings.
Last year, the event raised over $2,000 for the cause.
The Hinkle Library is hosting a discussion of horror ... Show Full Article ALFRED, New York, Oct. 24 -- The Alfred State College posted the following news: * * * Spooky Season at Alfred State * Alfred State is getting in the Halloween spirit with multiple events that the local community can take enjoy. Gamma Theta Gamma and Live to Fight are hosting a Haunted House on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 at 52 North Main Street. Admission is $5 with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. The Haunted House will run from 6 - 10 PM both evenings. Last year, the event raised over $2,000 for the cause. The Hinkle Library is hosting a discussion of horrormovies, cinema, and monsters entitled, "Let's Talk: Scary Movies" on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 5 PM. Panelists will share their knowledge, ideas, and experiences, and audience members will have a chance to ask and answer questions. The event will be held in the Hinkle Library classroom.
The Terrace is throwing their annual Halloween Lunch on Friday, Oct. 30 from 11 AM - 2 PM. ACES invites you to their "Love at First Bite" event, where everything is to die for.
Dinners will enter a world of vampires, moonlit feasts, and devilishly good food, where every corner holds a delicious surprise. From hauntingly good entrees and wickedly tasty sides to decadent desserts and enchanting drinks, there is something to tempt every appetite.
The Center for Civic Leadership in a collaborative service event is opening the doors of the Student Leadership Center (SLC) to the local community for a fun and family friendly indoor trick-or-treat event on Friday, Oct. 30. Clubs and organizations will decorate and set up and pass out candy or Halloween themed swag to the community.
The event will take place between 5-7 PM on the third floor of the SLC.
***
Original text here: https://www.alfredstate.edu/news/articles/2026-10-24/spooky-season-alfred-state
Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil
PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news:
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Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil
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Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climate ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news: * * * Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil * Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climatechange.
The map, detailed in a paper published today in Environmental Research Letters, provides a clear overview of the depth of groundwater in Brazil, which has the largest supply of renewable freshwater resources in the world. Groundwater helps sustain 90% of Brazil's rivers and supplies more than half its municipalities. It supports Brazil's growing agriculture industry with irrigated areas expected to grow by more than 70% by 2040. But monitoring is limited - Brazil is slightly larger than the continental U.S., but is home to fewer than one-fifth as many well observations.
First author Maria Fleury ('22, *26), a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, spent a year assembling data from those wells along with statistics on factors that can affect groundwater such as elevation, slope, proximity to streams, rainfall, temperature, soil composition and hydraulic conductivity, which refers to how easily water moves through soil, rock and other underground materials. She then spent an additional year completing the project, including training, testing and understanding the model using explainable AI techniques.
For Fleury, a native of Rio de Janeiro, doing research on her home country was meaningful enough to make her want to come back to Princeton for her graduate work with Reed Maxwell, her mentor and one of the authors of the study. Maxwell is the William and Edna Macaleer Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton and a professor of civil and environmental engineering and the High Meadows Environmental Institute.
"In my research journey, it's been really important to me to study something that I care about. Staying connected to Brazil has been a key part of that," she said.
The model created a digital map with a resolution of 90 meters, meaning that it divides the map of Brazil into approximately two-acre grids and estimates the groundwater depth for each grid. The end product is made up of more than one billion separate grids.
Researchers used modeling experiments to show that the location of a well can matter more than the number of wells. The map was able to encompass Brazil's widely different climates, from the rainforests with their rich diversity of plants and animals, to the savanna of the Cerrado region, which has both a long dry season and a wet season.
The model found that half of Brazil has groundwater within 39 feet (12 m) of the surface, but estimated depths vary widely with the deepest groundwater estimated at 1,380 feet (420 m). The map uses techniques pioneered by Maxwell's research group. He and other researchers used similar techniques in a January 2026 study of the groundwater of the United States that produced a detailed map. Yueling Ma, a former postdoctoral researcher who worked with Maxwell, was the lead author of the U.S. study and co-author of the Brazil paper.
"Most of the equatorial and subtropical world has very few groundwater measurements, so a technique like this gives us a real path to understanding water availability in places we couldn't before."
Fleury said she plans to continue studying groundwater in Brazil and would like to expand her research. "Understanding the hidden system of groundwater is critical, especially in a changing climate," Fleury said. "As we see more extended dry periods, humans are increasingly relying on groundwater. Having information about how much groundwater there is, and how it is being impacted, is essential if we are to manage it."
The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator Program.
***
Original text here: https://environment.princeton.edu/news/researchers-develop-first-high-resolution-map-of-groundwater-across-brazil/
* * *
Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil
*
Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climate ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 24 -- The High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University posted the following news: * * * Researchers Develop First High-Resolution Map of Groundwater Across Brazil * Princeton researchers used machine learning to construct a map of groundwater levels across the entire 3.29-million-square-mile (8.5 million km2) expanse of Brazil, from its rainforests to its alternately dry and rainy savanna. It is the first national-scale high resolution overview of groundwater depth and could help scientists study the effects of both farmland irrigation and climatechange.
The map, detailed in a paper published today in Environmental Research Letters, provides a clear overview of the depth of groundwater in Brazil, which has the largest supply of renewable freshwater resources in the world. Groundwater helps sustain 90% of Brazil's rivers and supplies more than half its municipalities. It supports Brazil's growing agriculture industry with irrigated areas expected to grow by more than 70% by 2040. But monitoring is limited - Brazil is slightly larger than the continental U.S., but is home to fewer than one-fifth as many well observations.
First author Maria Fleury ('22, *26), a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, spent a year assembling data from those wells along with statistics on factors that can affect groundwater such as elevation, slope, proximity to streams, rainfall, temperature, soil composition and hydraulic conductivity, which refers to how easily water moves through soil, rock and other underground materials. She then spent an additional year completing the project, including training, testing and understanding the model using explainable AI techniques.
For Fleury, a native of Rio de Janeiro, doing research on her home country was meaningful enough to make her want to come back to Princeton for her graduate work with Reed Maxwell, her mentor and one of the authors of the study. Maxwell is the William and Edna Macaleer Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton and a professor of civil and environmental engineering and the High Meadows Environmental Institute.
"In my research journey, it's been really important to me to study something that I care about. Staying connected to Brazil has been a key part of that," she said.
The model created a digital map with a resolution of 90 meters, meaning that it divides the map of Brazil into approximately two-acre grids and estimates the groundwater depth for each grid. The end product is made up of more than one billion separate grids.
Researchers used modeling experiments to show that the location of a well can matter more than the number of wells. The map was able to encompass Brazil's widely different climates, from the rainforests with their rich diversity of plants and animals, to the savanna of the Cerrado region, which has both a long dry season and a wet season.
The model found that half of Brazil has groundwater within 39 feet (12 m) of the surface, but estimated depths vary widely with the deepest groundwater estimated at 1,380 feet (420 m). The map uses techniques pioneered by Maxwell's research group. He and other researchers used similar techniques in a January 2026 study of the groundwater of the United States that produced a detailed map. Yueling Ma, a former postdoctoral researcher who worked with Maxwell, was the lead author of the U.S. study and co-author of the Brazil paper.
"Most of the equatorial and subtropical world has very few groundwater measurements, so a technique like this gives us a real path to understanding water availability in places we couldn't before."
Fleury said she plans to continue studying groundwater in Brazil and would like to expand her research. "Understanding the hidden system of groundwater is critical, especially in a changing climate," Fleury said. "As we see more extended dry periods, humans are increasingly relying on groundwater. Having information about how much groundwater there is, and how it is being impacted, is essential if we are to manage it."
The research was funded by the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator Program.
***
Original text here: https://environment.princeton.edu/news/researchers-develop-first-high-resolution-map-of-groundwater-across-brazil/
Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy
MARYVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 24 -- Maryville College posted the following news:
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home
Key Takeaways
* Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit.
* The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future.
* Alumni donations were acknowledged, including ... Show Full Article MARYVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 24 -- Maryville College posted the following news: * * * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home Key Takeaways * Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit. * The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future. * Alumni donations were acknowledged, includinga significant $1 million gift that established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts.
* The Homecoming Choir Concert marked the retirement of long-time conductor Stacey Wilner, celebrating her impact on the choir and fostering community through music.
* Future initiatives include the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music to enhance educational and cultural connections to the region.
Oct. 23, 2026
For 207 years, the story of Maryville College has been written by generations of students, academics, supporters and steadfast alumni whose affection for their alma mater endures long after they leave College Hill.
On Friday evening, that shared devotion took center stage during a trio of Homecoming celebrations that honored the College's remarkable history, celebrated its growing momentum and offered a poignant reminder that some of its most enduring legacies are measured not in dollars or decades, but in the lives touched along the way.
The annual President's Welcome Reception, Founder's Day Showcase and - new for 2026 - a separate Homecoming Choir Concert brought alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends together at the Clayton Center for the Arts for an evening that balanced reflection with recognition, philanthropy with performance, and the familiar comforts of coming home to College Hill with an undeniable sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
For Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker, the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the institution's journey from a modest seminary established by the Rev. Isaac Anderson in 1819 to a thriving liberal arts college whose ambitions continue to grow, even as many small, independent institutions face an increasingly uncertain higher education landscape.
"Founder's Day offers a natural opportunity to reflect on our history, from our very humble beginnings to our perseverance through wars, recessions, social upheavals and other conflicts," Coker told the assembled Founder's Day audience in an address from the stage of the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. "More importantly, it's a time to celebrate the years of growth and vitality, when Maryville College achieved far more than the most ardent optimists among us could have even imagined.
"In its 207 years, Maryville College presidents have led in times of austerity and prosperity - and when you leave here at the end of this Homecoming Weekend, I hope you feel, as I do, that Maryville College is not only defying the challenging trajectory for many small, liberal arts colleges these days, but positioning ourselves for even brighter days ahead."
In his remarks, Coker honored alumni celebrating milestone reunions, including the Classes of 1966, 1976 and 1986, marking 60, 50 and 40 years, respectively, since their graduation from Maryville College.
Generosity across generations
The evening began with the President's Welcome Reception, where nearly 100 individuals and organizations were recognized for qualifying for membership in the Isaac Anderson Society during the 2025-26 fiscal year or advancing to a higher level of lifetime giving.
The society recognizes donors whose cumulative contributions to Maryville College total at least $10,000, with successive giving tiers honoring increasingly significant commitments to the institution's mission and future.
Christy McDonald-Slavick, co-interim vice president for institutional advancement and interim executive director of the Clayton Center, welcomed attendees and emphasized the essential role philanthropy plays in sustaining the College's academic programs, supporting its students and preserving the distinctive educational experience that generations of Scots have come to cherish.
"I don't think I have to tell this crowd that Maryville College is a very, very special place," she said. "On a weekend like this, 'magical' may even be the appropriate descriptor. A beautiful, historic campus makes it so. Lifelong friends make it so. Invested faculty and staff, transformational experiences, and a mind-broadening education make it so. And philanthropy makes it so."
The evening's highest recognition went to Drs. John and Margaret "Peggy" Cowan, whose $1 million gift established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts and qualified the couple for the Founder's Circle, the Isaac Anderson Society's most prestigious level of recognition, reserved for those whose lifetime giving reaches $1 million or more.
Their investment supports faculty scholarship, sabbaticals and curricular innovation while also providing permanent funding for an award honoring academic excellence in the College's liberal arts core curriculum. Already, Dr. Phillip Sherman, professor of religion, and Dr. Karen Beale, professor of psychology, are benefiting from opportunities made possible by the initiative.
For Peggy Cowan, a Maryville College professor emerita and member of the Board of Directors, the gift reflects a conviction that the strength of a liberal arts education rests in its ability to prepare students not merely for careers, but for lives of intellectual curiosity, independent thought and meaningful engagement with the world.
"We were really pleased with the first recipients of both the sabbatical and the summer fellowship. Phillip Sherman and Karen Beale are superb faculty members, and for them to be the ones who were awarded those opportunities, I was really, really pleased," Cowan said. "I look forward to hearing more about what they've done, and I'm excited to see what the next round (of faculty funding) looks like."
The reception also celebrated the impact donors have had on Maryville College Athletics, a program whose own history reached a milestone this year with the 150th anniversary of Scots baseball, the College's oldest sport.
Dr. Andrew Wu, director of Athletics and co-interim vice president for institutional advancement, turned the spotlight on several recent investments, including a new scoreboard at Scotland Yard made possible through contributions from former MC baseball coach Pat Murphy (now manager of the Milwaukee Brewers), local company Anderson Lumber, and alumni Landon Coleman '99 and Judge Fred Morrison '61.
Wu also recognized improvements to the women's soccer locker room in Cooper Athletic Center, funded through support from couple Chelse Neiri Stevens '09 and Scott Stevens '08, along with alumnae Jenny Jett Erwin '68 and Crissy Wieck '00.
Among the most substantial investments is a $1.5 million pledge from the family of the late Joseph R. Zappa, a longtime supporter of the College, to renovate the football practice field and create the Joe Zappa Football Complex. Described as the largest gift in the history of Maryville College Athletics, the commitment will provide a vastly improved practice facility for future generations of Scots football players.
Zappa's daughter, Kelly Zappa Thompson, was recognized during the reception for her family's generosity and its decision to honor his life and legacy through the gift, announced on Thursday and designed to strengthen the student-athlete experience.
"I've gotten some texts from people far and wide that I didn't know read about Maryville College, because many of them don't even live here," she said. "It's been remarkable. I've gotten lots of great accolades so far about what a great opportunity it is for Maryville College and for the Scots family. I think it's going to be a really good thing for all parties involved."
Wu also highlighted the newly established Swordbearer Society and the ongoing Scots Wha Hae fundraising campaign, both of which provide additional opportunities for alumni and supporters to invest in Maryville College Athletics.
A future built on a storied past
The celebration continued in the Nutt Theatre, where the Founder's Day Showcase combined musical and theatrical performances with alumni honors and an address by Coker that traced the College's recent accomplishments and its aspirations for the years ahead.
Introduced by emcee the Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown '15, Maryville College associate chaplain and director of the MAST program, Coker reflected on the generations of leaders, educators and benefactors who have helped the institution endure wars, economic upheavals and profound societal changes, all while remaining committed to its founding mission.
Among the initiatives he highlighted was the Parks Cowan gift, which complements another major investment in teaching and learning: the Sondra and Dorsey Ellis Center for Faculty and Student Excellence, established through the generosity of alumnus and former Board of Directors chair Dr. Dorsey "Dan" Ellis Jr. '60, whose gift equally honors his late wife, Sondra Wagner Ellis '60.
Together, the initiatives underscore a renewed emphasis on faculty development, student achievement and the close relationships between teachers and learners that have long distinguished the Maryville College experience.
"The work in that center is underway, and with the addition of the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts, I am especially excited about our ability to really invest in the educational experience of our students," Coker said.
Coker also celebrated the first cohort of students enrolled in the Myrtle Coker Wilkinson '53 Honors Program, established through a $1 million gift from Jerry Wilkinson and his family in memory of his mother, a longtime Blount County educator who first attended Maryville College in 1932 and worked for years while raising a family before finally earning her degree. Designed to attract academically accomplished students who also demonstrate a commitment to servant leadership, the program welcomed its inaugural class this fall.
Those students joined a growing campus community, Coker noted: Fall 2026 enrollment reached 1,191, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year, while the College also reported increases in retention and graduation rates of 3.7% and 7.3%, respectively, above those of the 2025-26 academic year. Such progress, he emphasized, is especially remarkable at a time when smaller liberal arts institutions across the country continue to confront demographic, economic and enrollment challenges.
"Progress begets progress, and success in one area leads to success in other areas - all of it resulting in momentum," Coker said after the showcase had concluded. "Our progress, success and momentum are being noticed by prospective students and their families, as well as by generous donors and philanthropic foundations. I am grateful for all those who are choosing Maryville College. Without a doubt, these are exciting days for us."
And, he added, the College's plans extend beyond enrollment and academic programming as several significant investments promise to deepen Maryville College's connections to the culture and communities of Southern Appalachia. Among them is the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music, made possible by a $3 million gift from the Mike Curb Foundation and announced earlier this week, with a planned completion in time for the 2027-28 academic year. The center will include a recording studio in the Clayton Center, a professorship in Appalachian music and a permanent endowment supporting its work.
By connecting music education with fields such as history and sociology, the center will preserve and celebrate the region's rich musical heritage while expanding opportunities for students across academic disciplines.
"As we position the College to be more 'of and for the region,' this center will help us preserve and celebrate the rich musical heritage of Southern Appalachia, and we couldn't be more thankful to the Mike Curb Foundation for supporting our efforts here in East Tennessee," Coker said. "Our Curb Center will be linked to the Tracy and Bill Frist Center for Appalachian Wellness, when that center becomes a reality after the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences ultimately opens.
"Construction documents for the Institute were completed a few weeks ago, and gifts and pledges are being made for this multi-million-dollar project that will be truly transformational for Maryville College and our region."
Planned as a center for education, research and community partnership, the Institute will bring together academic rigor, conservation leadership and a deeper appreciation and exploration of the natural world, with facilities and programs designed to serve both Maryville College students and East Tennessee as a whole. A mock-up model outside Pearsons Hall, constructed in part to demonstrate how sustainably sourced wood will weather, offered Homecoming visitors an opportunity to envision the future facility, Coker noted.
In terms of historic milestones, Coker also called attention to another campus celebration during Homecoming Weekend: that of Crawford House, which turns 150 this year. Built for the family of Gideon Stebbins White Crawford 1871, the historic building is home to the Mountain Challenge program, and its perseverance through the decades stands as a reminder of the generations whose leadership, service and stewardship helped shape Maryville College overall.
Crawford returned to teach mathematics, served on the College's Board of Directors and helped establish the Maryville College Alumni Association, becoming its first president and preserving much of the institution's early history, Coker noted ... becoming one of many alumni who took to heart Anderson's exhortation to "do good on the largest possible scale."
Doing good on the largest possible scale
Two of those alumni were honored during the showcase on Friday evening as part of the Founder's Day ceremonies. Every year, the presentation of the College's annual Alumni Awards recognizes graduates whose achievements and service have brought distinction to their alma mater.
Dr. William "Denney" Zimmerman '09 received the Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni, which honors a graduate within 20 years of commencement whose life reflects the extraordinary dedication of Kin Takahashi 1895 to the advancement of his college, community and society.
Dr. Michael Roberts '85 received the Maryville College Alumni Citation, the College's oldest alumni award, first presented in 1961, which recognizes exceptional leadership, initiative or service in an alumnus's community, profession or other endeavors.
Both recipients were honored with video tributes before accepting their awards from Coker and addressing the audience.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the award, especially because I've seen some of the previous winners in the past and the accomplishments of those who have received this award before me," Zimmerman said. "When I think about my time at Maryville College and how much this place shaped my life, I just had no idea what it was preparing me for after my four years here. The College gave me the foundation to really pursue a career in medicine, because it taught me how to think critically, how to work hard, how to adapt, and how to, perhaps most importantly, treat people."
"I want to, first of all, thank Maryville College for the special place that it is," Roberts added. "It has a very important place in my heart, and it is responsible in no small part for everything that I've been able to accomplish to date. More important than just the College itself is the community that it built. This is a special place, not only because of its location here in East Tennessee and near the Smoky Mountains, which are near and dear to my heart, but it attracts the student body and community and alumni who are dedicated to education, and that is as true today or more true today than it was when I was here in the '80s."
The College's 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. John Nichols '65, was honored earlier in the semester during the August Convocation ceremony.
The sounds of Scottish spirit
Intertwined with the evening's announcements and presentations were performances by students and alumni representing the Maryville College Division of Fine Arts, who offered an artistic celebration of the talent and traditions that continue to unite the campus community.
The Off Kilter Reunion Ensemble performed the traditional Scottish ballad "Loch Lomond," with siblings and fellow MC staff members Jordan McCullough '18, chief of staff to Coker, and Alex McCullough '19, director of community standards and support and associate director of residence life, bringing their bond to life as brothers whose separation lies at the heart of one interpretation of the song's enduring legend.
Kathryn Bornhoeft '28 presented a monologue from the Maryville College Theatre Department's recent production of "Detroit," directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Andy Vaught, while the Tartanband and Pom Squad energized the audience with a performance of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a classic by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys.
The Maryville College Concert Choir, whose history dates to 1917, performed "Danny Boy" and Michael John Trotta's dramatic "Dies Irae," before alumni singers joined current students for the traditional singing of the College's Alma Mater.
For those gathered in the Nutt Theatre, however, the evening's music was far from finished.
Following an intermission, the stage filled once more with familiar faces and voices for a special Homecoming Choir Concert - a beloved annual tradition that carried particular significance this year as longtime MC Director of Choral Activities Stacey Wilner prepares to conclude a remarkable tenure at the College.
A lifetime of music, a legacy of love
After 27 years directing the College's choral program and 44 years in education, Wilner will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year, making Friday's performance her final Homecoming Choir Concert as director.
More than 60 choir alumni returned to sing alongside current students, approximately twice the usual number, offering a stirring testament to the relationships Wilner has cultivated and the enduring sense of belonging that has brought generations of singers back to College Hill.
Some were recent graduates, while others returned to a choral tradition that has connected Scots across decades, all united by the familiar experience of taking their places among fellow singers and finding, once again, the harmony they first discovered as students.
"The rehearsal I had yesterday was so emotional," Dr. Marvin Beard '67 said on Friday afternoon, during a Homecoming Choir rehearsal. "It was definitely the most wonderful rehearsal and musical experience I've ever had in my life - and I'm a graduate of Harry Harter! But I'm telling you, this was better. It was just unbelievable."
Harter directed the MC Concert Choir from 1947 to 1982, and his tenure was considered the high-water mark of the College's choral program ... until Wilner's arrival, at least. Shortly after Wilner came to Maryville College in 1999, she met with Harter and bonded over the idea of "esprit de corps," she recalled recently ... and the similarities between her style of conducting and Harter's make her final year an emotionally difficult one, Art '72 and Gail Bradley Hafner '60 said during the President's Welcome Reception.
"I'm not sure how she holds it together," said Art, who, like his wife and other alums, wept openly during this weekend's rehearsal process. "Just watching her up there and hearing her coach everyone through a song, it's like she's carried that passion from the very beginning of her career here to the very end, and it's admirable."
During the various rehearsals on Thursday and Friday, alumni were invited to leave Wilner messages on notepads near the front of the Nutt Theatre stage. Art penned one, and at the top, he wrote a single word: joy.
"I said, 'This is what you bring to everyone you're directing,'" he said.
Beard and the Hafners joined in with the rest of the choir for a concert that featured performances by the Lassies, Lads and Off Kilter ensembles, along with the combined Homecoming Choir and an Off Kilter reunion ensemble, whose selections reflected both the College's musical heritage and the bittersweet emotions surrounding Wilner's approaching retirement.
The program included traditional favorites such as "The Skye Boat Song" and "The Parting Glass," as well as choral works including "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal," Anton Bruckner's "Locus Iste," Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven" and Moses Hogan's "Ride On, King Jesus."
The Off Kilter ensembles also revisited "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," a signature selection dating to the group's beginnings in 2002, while the program included a special surprise sendoff from alumni in recognition of Wilner's years of service. Katie Wagner Philips '03, who now serves as choir director at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville, took over the podium to present Wilner with a bouquet of flowers and a speech that left the retiring choir director in tears and nearly speechless.
"For many of us here on this stage tonight, as well as many countless others who could not be here this evening, Stacey Wilner's choral program has been our primary connection to our alma mater," Philips said. "This is a testament to the profound impact she has made on all of our lives over the past 28-plus years. As choir alumni, some of our most cherished college memories were made singing together.
"And just as importantly, many of the lessons that we carried with us long after graduation are lessons that we learned from Stacey. We could never fully repay her for all she has given us or express just how much she means to us. But tonight, we hope a small token of our gratitude is a reminder of the lasting impact she has had on all of us, and how deeply she is appreciated."
Beyond the memories and music, the concert also looked toward the next generation of singers, as Wilner encouraged supporters to contribute to the "Adopt-a-Singing Scot" initiative, which helps students prepare for an upcoming Concert Choir trip to Scotland in May 2027.
It was a fitting reminder that the choral program she's nurtured for almost three decades will continue to evolve, even as her own time at the podium draws to a close.
"I think Maryville College choir students are alike from generation to generation and class to class: They care and they work hard," said Wilner, who added that she hopes to return in some capacity to lend her support to the Music Department, perhaps as an adjunct instructor. "And I think between the students and the alums, they're such great support. They support each other, and because of that, it will all just continue like clockwork once I step down."
As the evening drew to its conclusion, Wilner invited additional choir alumni to join the singers onstage for the traditional Lutkin Benediction, bringing together voices from different eras of Maryville College history in one final expression of shared gratitude. Her farewell offered a sentiment that extended well beyond the choral program, capturing the spirit of an evening devoted to honoring the past, celebrating the present and entrusting the future to those who will follow.
"It is not easy to say farewell," she told the audience. "This choral program has never been merely a job or an assignment. It has been a calling, a source of joy, a place of growth, and a community that has given me far more than I could ever have given in return.
"Choir alumni - you are living evidence that the music never really ends when the final concert is over. You have carried a part of this choir with you into your families, your careers, your churches, your communities and your lives. You may no longer stand in the same rows or sing from the same music folders, but you will always remain part of this family.
"As I prepare to step down, I do so with a deep understanding that no one person owns a tradition," she added. "We are all caretakers of it for a season. We receive it from those who came before us, nurture it while we are here, and pass it on to those who will follow."
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Original text here: https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/news/2026/maryville-college-founders-day-2026-celebrates-generosity-legacy/
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy
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Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home
Key Takeaways
* Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit.
* The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future.
* Alumni donations were acknowledged, including ... Show Full Article MARYVILLE, Tennessee, Oct. 24 -- Maryville College posted the following news: * * * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, legacy * Maryville College Founder's Day 2026 celebrates generosity, achievement and the voices the bring Scots home Key Takeaways * Maryville College celebrated its 207th Founder's Day with a focus on generosity, achievements, and the enduring community spirit. * The evening featured performances, recognitions, and a speech by President Dr. Bryan Coker reflecting on the College's history and future. * Alumni donations were acknowledged, includinga significant $1 million gift that established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts.
* The Homecoming Choir Concert marked the retirement of long-time conductor Stacey Wilner, celebrating her impact on the choir and fostering community through music.
* Future initiatives include the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music to enhance educational and cultural connections to the region.
Oct. 23, 2026
For 207 years, the story of Maryville College has been written by generations of students, academics, supporters and steadfast alumni whose affection for their alma mater endures long after they leave College Hill.
On Friday evening, that shared devotion took center stage during a trio of Homecoming celebrations that honored the College's remarkable history, celebrated its growing momentum and offered a poignant reminder that some of its most enduring legacies are measured not in dollars or decades, but in the lives touched along the way.
The annual President's Welcome Reception, Founder's Day Showcase and - new for 2026 - a separate Homecoming Choir Concert brought alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends together at the Clayton Center for the Arts for an evening that balanced reflection with recognition, philanthropy with performance, and the familiar comforts of coming home to College Hill with an undeniable sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
For Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker, the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the institution's journey from a modest seminary established by the Rev. Isaac Anderson in 1819 to a thriving liberal arts college whose ambitions continue to grow, even as many small, independent institutions face an increasingly uncertain higher education landscape.
"Founder's Day offers a natural opportunity to reflect on our history, from our very humble beginnings to our perseverance through wars, recessions, social upheavals and other conflicts," Coker told the assembled Founder's Day audience in an address from the stage of the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. "More importantly, it's a time to celebrate the years of growth and vitality, when Maryville College achieved far more than the most ardent optimists among us could have even imagined.
"In its 207 years, Maryville College presidents have led in times of austerity and prosperity - and when you leave here at the end of this Homecoming Weekend, I hope you feel, as I do, that Maryville College is not only defying the challenging trajectory for many small, liberal arts colleges these days, but positioning ourselves for even brighter days ahead."
In his remarks, Coker honored alumni celebrating milestone reunions, including the Classes of 1966, 1976 and 1986, marking 60, 50 and 40 years, respectively, since their graduation from Maryville College.
Generosity across generations
The evening began with the President's Welcome Reception, where nearly 100 individuals and organizations were recognized for qualifying for membership in the Isaac Anderson Society during the 2025-26 fiscal year or advancing to a higher level of lifetime giving.
The society recognizes donors whose cumulative contributions to Maryville College total at least $10,000, with successive giving tiers honoring increasingly significant commitments to the institution's mission and future.
Christy McDonald-Slavick, co-interim vice president for institutional advancement and interim executive director of the Clayton Center, welcomed attendees and emphasized the essential role philanthropy plays in sustaining the College's academic programs, supporting its students and preserving the distinctive educational experience that generations of Scots have come to cherish.
"I don't think I have to tell this crowd that Maryville College is a very, very special place," she said. "On a weekend like this, 'magical' may even be the appropriate descriptor. A beautiful, historic campus makes it so. Lifelong friends make it so. Invested faculty and staff, transformational experiences, and a mind-broadening education make it so. And philanthropy makes it so."
The evening's highest recognition went to Drs. John and Margaret "Peggy" Cowan, whose $1 million gift established the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts and qualified the couple for the Founder's Circle, the Isaac Anderson Society's most prestigious level of recognition, reserved for those whose lifetime giving reaches $1 million or more.
Their investment supports faculty scholarship, sabbaticals and curricular innovation while also providing permanent funding for an award honoring academic excellence in the College's liberal arts core curriculum. Already, Dr. Phillip Sherman, professor of religion, and Dr. Karen Beale, professor of psychology, are benefiting from opportunities made possible by the initiative.
For Peggy Cowan, a Maryville College professor emerita and member of the Board of Directors, the gift reflects a conviction that the strength of a liberal arts education rests in its ability to prepare students not merely for careers, but for lives of intellectual curiosity, independent thought and meaningful engagement with the world.
"We were really pleased with the first recipients of both the sabbatical and the summer fellowship. Phillip Sherman and Karen Beale are superb faculty members, and for them to be the ones who were awarded those opportunities, I was really, really pleased," Cowan said. "I look forward to hearing more about what they've done, and I'm excited to see what the next round (of faculty funding) looks like."
The reception also celebrated the impact donors have had on Maryville College Athletics, a program whose own history reached a milestone this year with the 150th anniversary of Scots baseball, the College's oldest sport.
Dr. Andrew Wu, director of Athletics and co-interim vice president for institutional advancement, turned the spotlight on several recent investments, including a new scoreboard at Scotland Yard made possible through contributions from former MC baseball coach Pat Murphy (now manager of the Milwaukee Brewers), local company Anderson Lumber, and alumni Landon Coleman '99 and Judge Fred Morrison '61.
Wu also recognized improvements to the women's soccer locker room in Cooper Athletic Center, funded through support from couple Chelse Neiri Stevens '09 and Scott Stevens '08, along with alumnae Jenny Jett Erwin '68 and Crissy Wieck '00.
Among the most substantial investments is a $1.5 million pledge from the family of the late Joseph R. Zappa, a longtime supporter of the College, to renovate the football practice field and create the Joe Zappa Football Complex. Described as the largest gift in the history of Maryville College Athletics, the commitment will provide a vastly improved practice facility for future generations of Scots football players.
Zappa's daughter, Kelly Zappa Thompson, was recognized during the reception for her family's generosity and its decision to honor his life and legacy through the gift, announced on Thursday and designed to strengthen the student-athlete experience.
"I've gotten some texts from people far and wide that I didn't know read about Maryville College, because many of them don't even live here," she said. "It's been remarkable. I've gotten lots of great accolades so far about what a great opportunity it is for Maryville College and for the Scots family. I think it's going to be a really good thing for all parties involved."
Wu also highlighted the newly established Swordbearer Society and the ongoing Scots Wha Hae fundraising campaign, both of which provide additional opportunities for alumni and supporters to invest in Maryville College Athletics.
A future built on a storied past
The celebration continued in the Nutt Theatre, where the Founder's Day Showcase combined musical and theatrical performances with alumni honors and an address by Coker that traced the College's recent accomplishments and its aspirations for the years ahead.
Introduced by emcee the Rev. Paul Earheart-Brown '15, Maryville College associate chaplain and director of the MAST program, Coker reflected on the generations of leaders, educators and benefactors who have helped the institution endure wars, economic upheavals and profound societal changes, all while remaining committed to its founding mission.
Among the initiatives he highlighted was the Parks Cowan gift, which complements another major investment in teaching and learning: the Sondra and Dorsey Ellis Center for Faculty and Student Excellence, established through the generosity of alumnus and former Board of Directors chair Dr. Dorsey "Dan" Ellis Jr. '60, whose gift equally honors his late wife, Sondra Wagner Ellis '60.
Together, the initiatives underscore a renewed emphasis on faculty development, student achievement and the close relationships between teachers and learners that have long distinguished the Maryville College experience.
"The work in that center is underway, and with the addition of the Parks Cowan Initiative for the Liberal Arts, I am especially excited about our ability to really invest in the educational experience of our students," Coker said.
Coker also celebrated the first cohort of students enrolled in the Myrtle Coker Wilkinson '53 Honors Program, established through a $1 million gift from Jerry Wilkinson and his family in memory of his mother, a longtime Blount County educator who first attended Maryville College in 1932 and worked for years while raising a family before finally earning her degree. Designed to attract academically accomplished students who also demonstrate a commitment to servant leadership, the program welcomed its inaugural class this fall.
Those students joined a growing campus community, Coker noted: Fall 2026 enrollment reached 1,191, an increase of 4.1% over the previous year, while the College also reported increases in retention and graduation rates of 3.7% and 7.3%, respectively, above those of the 2025-26 academic year. Such progress, he emphasized, is especially remarkable at a time when smaller liberal arts institutions across the country continue to confront demographic, economic and enrollment challenges.
"Progress begets progress, and success in one area leads to success in other areas - all of it resulting in momentum," Coker said after the showcase had concluded. "Our progress, success and momentum are being noticed by prospective students and their families, as well as by generous donors and philanthropic foundations. I am grateful for all those who are choosing Maryville College. Without a doubt, these are exciting days for us."
And, he added, the College's plans extend beyond enrollment and academic programming as several significant investments promise to deepen Maryville College's connections to the culture and communities of Southern Appalachia. Among them is the Mike Curb Center for Appalachian Music, made possible by a $3 million gift from the Mike Curb Foundation and announced earlier this week, with a planned completion in time for the 2027-28 academic year. The center will include a recording studio in the Clayton Center, a professorship in Appalachian music and a permanent endowment supporting its work.
By connecting music education with fields such as history and sociology, the center will preserve and celebrate the region's rich musical heritage while expanding opportunities for students across academic disciplines.
"As we position the College to be more 'of and for the region,' this center will help us preserve and celebrate the rich musical heritage of Southern Appalachia, and we couldn't be more thankful to the Mike Curb Foundation for supporting our efforts here in East Tennessee," Coker said. "Our Curb Center will be linked to the Tracy and Bill Frist Center for Appalachian Wellness, when that center becomes a reality after the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences ultimately opens.
"Construction documents for the Institute were completed a few weeks ago, and gifts and pledges are being made for this multi-million-dollar project that will be truly transformational for Maryville College and our region."
Planned as a center for education, research and community partnership, the Institute will bring together academic rigor, conservation leadership and a deeper appreciation and exploration of the natural world, with facilities and programs designed to serve both Maryville College students and East Tennessee as a whole. A mock-up model outside Pearsons Hall, constructed in part to demonstrate how sustainably sourced wood will weather, offered Homecoming visitors an opportunity to envision the future facility, Coker noted.
In terms of historic milestones, Coker also called attention to another campus celebration during Homecoming Weekend: that of Crawford House, which turns 150 this year. Built for the family of Gideon Stebbins White Crawford 1871, the historic building is home to the Mountain Challenge program, and its perseverance through the decades stands as a reminder of the generations whose leadership, service and stewardship helped shape Maryville College overall.
Crawford returned to teach mathematics, served on the College's Board of Directors and helped establish the Maryville College Alumni Association, becoming its first president and preserving much of the institution's early history, Coker noted ... becoming one of many alumni who took to heart Anderson's exhortation to "do good on the largest possible scale."
Doing good on the largest possible scale
Two of those alumni were honored during the showcase on Friday evening as part of the Founder's Day ceremonies. Every year, the presentation of the College's annual Alumni Awards recognizes graduates whose achievements and service have brought distinction to their alma mater.
Dr. William "Denney" Zimmerman '09 received the Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni, which honors a graduate within 20 years of commencement whose life reflects the extraordinary dedication of Kin Takahashi 1895 to the advancement of his college, community and society.
Dr. Michael Roberts '85 received the Maryville College Alumni Citation, the College's oldest alumni award, first presented in 1961, which recognizes exceptional leadership, initiative or service in an alumnus's community, profession or other endeavors.
Both recipients were honored with video tributes before accepting their awards from Coker and addressing the audience.
"I'm incredibly honored to receive the award, especially because I've seen some of the previous winners in the past and the accomplishments of those who have received this award before me," Zimmerman said. "When I think about my time at Maryville College and how much this place shaped my life, I just had no idea what it was preparing me for after my four years here. The College gave me the foundation to really pursue a career in medicine, because it taught me how to think critically, how to work hard, how to adapt, and how to, perhaps most importantly, treat people."
"I want to, first of all, thank Maryville College for the special place that it is," Roberts added. "It has a very important place in my heart, and it is responsible in no small part for everything that I've been able to accomplish to date. More important than just the College itself is the community that it built. This is a special place, not only because of its location here in East Tennessee and near the Smoky Mountains, which are near and dear to my heart, but it attracts the student body and community and alumni who are dedicated to education, and that is as true today or more true today than it was when I was here in the '80s."
The College's 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. John Nichols '65, was honored earlier in the semester during the August Convocation ceremony.
The sounds of Scottish spirit
Intertwined with the evening's announcements and presentations were performances by students and alumni representing the Maryville College Division of Fine Arts, who offered an artistic celebration of the talent and traditions that continue to unite the campus community.
The Off Kilter Reunion Ensemble performed the traditional Scottish ballad "Loch Lomond," with siblings and fellow MC staff members Jordan McCullough '18, chief of staff to Coker, and Alex McCullough '19, director of community standards and support and associate director of residence life, bringing their bond to life as brothers whose separation lies at the heart of one interpretation of the song's enduring legend.
Kathryn Bornhoeft '28 presented a monologue from the Maryville College Theatre Department's recent production of "Detroit," directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Andy Vaught, while the Tartanband and Pom Squad energized the audience with a performance of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a classic by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys.
The Maryville College Concert Choir, whose history dates to 1917, performed "Danny Boy" and Michael John Trotta's dramatic "Dies Irae," before alumni singers joined current students for the traditional singing of the College's Alma Mater.
For those gathered in the Nutt Theatre, however, the evening's music was far from finished.
Following an intermission, the stage filled once more with familiar faces and voices for a special Homecoming Choir Concert - a beloved annual tradition that carried particular significance this year as longtime MC Director of Choral Activities Stacey Wilner prepares to conclude a remarkable tenure at the College.
A lifetime of music, a legacy of love
After 27 years directing the College's choral program and 44 years in education, Wilner will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year, making Friday's performance her final Homecoming Choir Concert as director.
More than 60 choir alumni returned to sing alongside current students, approximately twice the usual number, offering a stirring testament to the relationships Wilner has cultivated and the enduring sense of belonging that has brought generations of singers back to College Hill.
Some were recent graduates, while others returned to a choral tradition that has connected Scots across decades, all united by the familiar experience of taking their places among fellow singers and finding, once again, the harmony they first discovered as students.
"The rehearsal I had yesterday was so emotional," Dr. Marvin Beard '67 said on Friday afternoon, during a Homecoming Choir rehearsal. "It was definitely the most wonderful rehearsal and musical experience I've ever had in my life - and I'm a graduate of Harry Harter! But I'm telling you, this was better. It was just unbelievable."
Harter directed the MC Concert Choir from 1947 to 1982, and his tenure was considered the high-water mark of the College's choral program ... until Wilner's arrival, at least. Shortly after Wilner came to Maryville College in 1999, she met with Harter and bonded over the idea of "esprit de corps," she recalled recently ... and the similarities between her style of conducting and Harter's make her final year an emotionally difficult one, Art '72 and Gail Bradley Hafner '60 said during the President's Welcome Reception.
"I'm not sure how she holds it together," said Art, who, like his wife and other alums, wept openly during this weekend's rehearsal process. "Just watching her up there and hearing her coach everyone through a song, it's like she's carried that passion from the very beginning of her career here to the very end, and it's admirable."
During the various rehearsals on Thursday and Friday, alumni were invited to leave Wilner messages on notepads near the front of the Nutt Theatre stage. Art penned one, and at the top, he wrote a single word: joy.
"I said, 'This is what you bring to everyone you're directing,'" he said.
Beard and the Hafners joined in with the rest of the choir for a concert that featured performances by the Lassies, Lads and Off Kilter ensembles, along with the combined Homecoming Choir and an Off Kilter reunion ensemble, whose selections reflected both the College's musical heritage and the bittersweet emotions surrounding Wilner's approaching retirement.
The program included traditional favorites such as "The Skye Boat Song" and "The Parting Glass," as well as choral works including "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal," Anton Bruckner's "Locus Iste," Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven" and Moses Hogan's "Ride On, King Jesus."
The Off Kilter ensembles also revisited "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," a signature selection dating to the group's beginnings in 2002, while the program included a special surprise sendoff from alumni in recognition of Wilner's years of service. Katie Wagner Philips '03, who now serves as choir director at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville, took over the podium to present Wilner with a bouquet of flowers and a speech that left the retiring choir director in tears and nearly speechless.
"For many of us here on this stage tonight, as well as many countless others who could not be here this evening, Stacey Wilner's choral program has been our primary connection to our alma mater," Philips said. "This is a testament to the profound impact she has made on all of our lives over the past 28-plus years. As choir alumni, some of our most cherished college memories were made singing together.
"And just as importantly, many of the lessons that we carried with us long after graduation are lessons that we learned from Stacey. We could never fully repay her for all she has given us or express just how much she means to us. But tonight, we hope a small token of our gratitude is a reminder of the lasting impact she has had on all of us, and how deeply she is appreciated."
Beyond the memories and music, the concert also looked toward the next generation of singers, as Wilner encouraged supporters to contribute to the "Adopt-a-Singing Scot" initiative, which helps students prepare for an upcoming Concert Choir trip to Scotland in May 2027.
It was a fitting reminder that the choral program she's nurtured for almost three decades will continue to evolve, even as her own time at the podium draws to a close.
"I think Maryville College choir students are alike from generation to generation and class to class: They care and they work hard," said Wilner, who added that she hopes to return in some capacity to lend her support to the Music Department, perhaps as an adjunct instructor. "And I think between the students and the alums, they're such great support. They support each other, and because of that, it will all just continue like clockwork once I step down."
As the evening drew to its conclusion, Wilner invited additional choir alumni to join the singers onstage for the traditional Lutkin Benediction, bringing together voices from different eras of Maryville College history in one final expression of shared gratitude. Her farewell offered a sentiment that extended well beyond the choral program, capturing the spirit of an evening devoted to honoring the past, celebrating the present and entrusting the future to those who will follow.
"It is not easy to say farewell," she told the audience. "This choral program has never been merely a job or an assignment. It has been a calling, a source of joy, a place of growth, and a community that has given me far more than I could ever have given in return.
"Choir alumni - you are living evidence that the music never really ends when the final concert is over. You have carried a part of this choir with you into your families, your careers, your churches, your communities and your lives. You may no longer stand in the same rows or sing from the same music folders, but you will always remain part of this family.
"As I prepare to step down, I do so with a deep understanding that no one person owns a tradition," she added. "We are all caretakers of it for a season. We receive it from those who came before us, nurture it while we are here, and pass it on to those who will follow."
***
Original text here: https://www.maryvillecollege.edu/news/2026/maryville-college-founders-day-2026-celebrates-generosity-legacy/
Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom
TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news:
* * *
Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom
*
The Chiricahua Mountains, in southeastern Arizona, are home to some 6,500 animal species. Known as a "sky island" range, the topography changes dramatically as you climb; many of the species can't survive in the low desert climates, so they're essentially stuck on their "island" mountain.
Sophia Haynes '27 spent three weeks this summer researching one of these species: the striped plateau lizard. Living and working out of the Southwestern Research Station, located ... Show Full Article TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news: * * * Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom * The Chiricahua Mountains, in southeastern Arizona, are home to some 6,500 animal species. Known as a "sky island" range, the topography changes dramatically as you climb; many of the species can't survive in the low desert climates, so they're essentially stuck on their "island" mountain. Sophia Haynes '27 spent three weeks this summer researching one of these species: the striped plateau lizard. Living and working out of the Southwestern Research Station, locatedabout 5,400 feet above sea level, Haynes studied how the cold-blooded lizard thermally regulates in the heat of the Arizona mountains, and more specifically, whether the lizards take refuge in trees when it's hotter in order to regulate their temperature.
Every day, she and her faculty advisor, Professor of Biology Stacey Weiss, would catch lizards, take their body temperature and a series of measurements, and document where they were found.
Haynes was one of 106 students who received grants in 2026 as part of Puget Sound's 10-week summer research program. With funding of at least $4,000 each, students researched everything from better manufacturing procedures for pharmaceutical waste to the evolution of homophobia in Western religion. While the program has been around for decades, it has become an increasingly important component of Puget Sound's experiential learning requirement, which went into effect in 2022 and also includes study abroad, internships, and community-based learning.
And while students and their faculty advisors naturally hope the work validates whatever research question they're studying, professors involved say the value extends far beyond results. That includes Associate Professor of Exercise Science Kirsten Coffman, who has been advising students nearly every summer since she started at Puget Sound in 2019.
"For most students, it's about the experience of learning how to run equipment, troubleshoot, interact with subjects, deal with stressful days," she said, adding that she asks early on what students want out of the experience -- and how much day-to-day support they prefer -- and then calibrates accordingly.
Students start thinking about their research in the fall, working closely with a faculty advisor to draft a five-page proposal outlining what they want to study, how they plan to go about it, and what existing research will inform their process.
"The biggest challenge is [students who come to me and say,] 'I have this idea.' [Then I ask,] 'OK, how are we going to test that?'" said Coffman. "That's kind of the initial piece: How do we turn this interest you have into something we can do?"
She works with students to sharpen both the research question and the methodology, especially given that it can be difficult to get human test subjects during the summer.
Associate Professor of Psychology Melvin Rouse agreed, citing a past student who was researching how adults learn about pleasure in the context of sex education. "[Methodology] was a big part of our conversation in the fall," he said. "Because from my perspective, I'm thinking about who's going to be reading this? Who's the reviewer? They're going to be assessing whether this is a feasible project, and if they don't see that there's a clear plan for getting the numbers necessary to have a significant finding, that's going to be a stumbling block."
When envisioning research projects, it's natural to picture a lab, and, historically, science and math students made up a large portion of summer research students. But in recent years, there has been a push to bring more Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) students into the fold, according to Experiential Learning Program Manager Elize Hellam. Those efforts are working: In 2026, the 106 students were evenly split between AHSS and Science and Mathematics.
The program is set up to provide structure and community for students, even as they work on projects individually. There are cohort meetings every week, where students present their progress to peers. Hellam also teaches a class where student researchers reflect on their research experiences, and she coordinates professional development and social opportunities for students throughout the summer as well.
In July, there's an epic dessert competition, where groups of students come up with concoctions that showcase their research. (Haynes lit up when talking about plans for a lizard-themed dessert. "It's my favorite," she said.) In the fall, the school holds a symposium for students to present their research, which is usually done with a poster.
While Hellam said most students only take on a project for one summer, Haynes' time in the Chiricahua Mountains marked her second year with the program. Last summer, she lived in Mount Rainier National Park, working closely with its Aquatic Ecology Program on a stable isotope analysis of mountain lakes: essentially measuring carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios to see how non-native fish impact aquatic food webs.
Haynes, who's a double major in Environmental Policy & Decision Making and Earth & Environmental Sciences, with a minor in music, plans to do a statistical analysis of the data from Mount Rainier for her senior thesis. She'll use her own data as well as data several other Puget Sound students have collected. She said both research projects underscore how much she values collaboration.
"When you're doing independent research, it feels like it's going to be like an independent thing," she said. "But it has never been, in my experience, actually all that independent."
At both research locations, she was working alongside people from all walks of life who were exploring different facets of biology and ecology. "[In Arizona], it was like a little sampling -- almost a buffet -- of being able to see all the options out there."
Rouse emphasized this part of the Puget Sound experience, particularly for setting students up for success in scientific fields.
"The days of the solo scientist, that's really not how science is done anymore," he said. "Science is really collaborative, and if students don't have that idea going in, that 'I will be working with people, I will have to talk with folks and answer hard questions about the things I'm interested in,' I think that can put them at a disadvantage."
English major and Matelich Scholar Tdohasan Sunray '27 also spent the past two summers doing research, but his projects were distinct. In the summer of 2025, he served Indigenous youth by leading creative writing workshops, which he said were influenced by English Professor Tiffany MacBain's course on Native American literature. She advised him on that project.
In the summer of 2026 -- this time advised by English Professor Priti Joshi -- he researched Indigenous identity in Washington tribes -- although that's not where his proposal started.
He realized early on that his initial thesis question, which focused on Indigenous activism, needed to change. "What I found was that the idea of identity was intrinsically attached to all these movements of tribal activism, and so I became more and more interested in literally what does it take to even defend the notion of an Indigenous identity?"
His project took on a new shape, looking at tribal identity through two specific lenses: the federal recognition process -- a designation that provides access to funding, healthcare, and a range of other federal resources -- and disenrollment, which is when tribes remove from their rolls members who are not deemed "Indian enough," Sunray said. Using that framework, he's also researching the people and entities that are pushing back against these "tribal identity injustices" in Washington.
It could be no small thing to shift gears after spending months researching and writing a proposal, especially when it meant changing the tribes that he was looking at. But he said his advisor, Joshi, wasn't fazed.
"Her philosophy regarding research is that it's something that is supposed to grow and change over time," he said. "And so when I told her I had concerns that my project was maybe shifting to something that I hadn't proposed entirely, she said, 'That's exactly what I wanted to hear.'"
Sunray spent the summer studying five Washington tribes and made nearly a dozen site visits, attending powwows, participating in a canoe journey practice, and visiting elders at the Duwamish Longhouse.
"[They aren't] the focus of the project, but they do set the grounds for being able to have conversations with people there," he said. This is critical, as his project was qualitative in nature: attending happenings, poring over documents, and interviewing people at the sites. "The project is looking at who gets to be Indian and who's making those determinations for who is and who isn't. It's hard to quantify identity."
The project has piqued his interest in both journalism and law, and he's considering careers in both after graduation.
Surya Kalaimani '24 knows first-hand the value of the summer research program after graduating. She also spent two summers doing research -- one in science, where she looked at the effect of the chemical BPA on neuroendocrine systems in snails, and one in AHSS, where she analyzed the archeological findings of a particular biblical site.
"I was somewhat indecisive with what I wanted to do [after graduation]," said Kalaimani, who double majored in anthropology and neuroscience. "Being able to do two research projects in very different disciplines taught me that I simply enjoy research environments."
In the last few years, Kalaimani has worked in development and research for several museums; she recently started working at Stanford Law School in development and corporate relations. Graduating into an unstable job market, she said she heard a lot about the importance of being flexible and having nonlinear career paths; she didn't realize until later how much the research program had reinforced that.
"There was something in the air [at Puget Sound] where everyone was so on board with me pursuing multiple paths of study, even if they were completely unrelated," she said. "That experience, and the freedom to pursue those different things, definitely contributed to my ability to be more nimble now and open-minded."
Kalaimani said she's spoken to peers who attended other universities who are "shocked that my undergraduate opportunities were almost all funded."
Haynes said when she was applying to colleges, she thought smaller liberal arts schools like Puget Sound might not have the same opportunities as the R1 research institutions she was also considering. But as it turned out, she said the inverse has actually been true.
"The reason I'm doing [my] research right now is because I had a good relationship with my professor," Haynes added. "And that's not impossible, because the class was small, so we all had good relationships with her. I feel like there are a lot more opportunities here for me at this small school, because I am not competing with 30,000 people."
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***
Original text here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/learning-extends-beyond-classroom
* * *
Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom
*
The Chiricahua Mountains, in southeastern Arizona, are home to some 6,500 animal species. Known as a "sky island" range, the topography changes dramatically as you climb; many of the species can't survive in the low desert climates, so they're essentially stuck on their "island" mountain.
Sophia Haynes '27 spent three weeks this summer researching one of these species: the striped plateau lizard. Living and working out of the Southwestern Research Station, located ... Show Full Article TACOMA, Washington, Oct. 24 -- The University of Puget Sound posted the following news: * * * Learning Extends Beyond the Classroom * The Chiricahua Mountains, in southeastern Arizona, are home to some 6,500 animal species. Known as a "sky island" range, the topography changes dramatically as you climb; many of the species can't survive in the low desert climates, so they're essentially stuck on their "island" mountain. Sophia Haynes '27 spent three weeks this summer researching one of these species: the striped plateau lizard. Living and working out of the Southwestern Research Station, locatedabout 5,400 feet above sea level, Haynes studied how the cold-blooded lizard thermally regulates in the heat of the Arizona mountains, and more specifically, whether the lizards take refuge in trees when it's hotter in order to regulate their temperature.
Every day, she and her faculty advisor, Professor of Biology Stacey Weiss, would catch lizards, take their body temperature and a series of measurements, and document where they were found.
Haynes was one of 106 students who received grants in 2026 as part of Puget Sound's 10-week summer research program. With funding of at least $4,000 each, students researched everything from better manufacturing procedures for pharmaceutical waste to the evolution of homophobia in Western religion. While the program has been around for decades, it has become an increasingly important component of Puget Sound's experiential learning requirement, which went into effect in 2022 and also includes study abroad, internships, and community-based learning.
And while students and their faculty advisors naturally hope the work validates whatever research question they're studying, professors involved say the value extends far beyond results. That includes Associate Professor of Exercise Science Kirsten Coffman, who has been advising students nearly every summer since she started at Puget Sound in 2019.
"For most students, it's about the experience of learning how to run equipment, troubleshoot, interact with subjects, deal with stressful days," she said, adding that she asks early on what students want out of the experience -- and how much day-to-day support they prefer -- and then calibrates accordingly.
Students start thinking about their research in the fall, working closely with a faculty advisor to draft a five-page proposal outlining what they want to study, how they plan to go about it, and what existing research will inform their process.
"The biggest challenge is [students who come to me and say,] 'I have this idea.' [Then I ask,] 'OK, how are we going to test that?'" said Coffman. "That's kind of the initial piece: How do we turn this interest you have into something we can do?"
She works with students to sharpen both the research question and the methodology, especially given that it can be difficult to get human test subjects during the summer.
Associate Professor of Psychology Melvin Rouse agreed, citing a past student who was researching how adults learn about pleasure in the context of sex education. "[Methodology] was a big part of our conversation in the fall," he said. "Because from my perspective, I'm thinking about who's going to be reading this? Who's the reviewer? They're going to be assessing whether this is a feasible project, and if they don't see that there's a clear plan for getting the numbers necessary to have a significant finding, that's going to be a stumbling block."
When envisioning research projects, it's natural to picture a lab, and, historically, science and math students made up a large portion of summer research students. But in recent years, there has been a push to bring more Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS) students into the fold, according to Experiential Learning Program Manager Elize Hellam. Those efforts are working: In 2026, the 106 students were evenly split between AHSS and Science and Mathematics.
The program is set up to provide structure and community for students, even as they work on projects individually. There are cohort meetings every week, where students present their progress to peers. Hellam also teaches a class where student researchers reflect on their research experiences, and she coordinates professional development and social opportunities for students throughout the summer as well.
In July, there's an epic dessert competition, where groups of students come up with concoctions that showcase their research. (Haynes lit up when talking about plans for a lizard-themed dessert. "It's my favorite," she said.) In the fall, the school holds a symposium for students to present their research, which is usually done with a poster.
While Hellam said most students only take on a project for one summer, Haynes' time in the Chiricahua Mountains marked her second year with the program. Last summer, she lived in Mount Rainier National Park, working closely with its Aquatic Ecology Program on a stable isotope analysis of mountain lakes: essentially measuring carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios to see how non-native fish impact aquatic food webs.
Haynes, who's a double major in Environmental Policy & Decision Making and Earth & Environmental Sciences, with a minor in music, plans to do a statistical analysis of the data from Mount Rainier for her senior thesis. She'll use her own data as well as data several other Puget Sound students have collected. She said both research projects underscore how much she values collaboration.
"When you're doing independent research, it feels like it's going to be like an independent thing," she said. "But it has never been, in my experience, actually all that independent."
At both research locations, she was working alongside people from all walks of life who were exploring different facets of biology and ecology. "[In Arizona], it was like a little sampling -- almost a buffet -- of being able to see all the options out there."
Rouse emphasized this part of the Puget Sound experience, particularly for setting students up for success in scientific fields.
"The days of the solo scientist, that's really not how science is done anymore," he said. "Science is really collaborative, and if students don't have that idea going in, that 'I will be working with people, I will have to talk with folks and answer hard questions about the things I'm interested in,' I think that can put them at a disadvantage."
English major and Matelich Scholar Tdohasan Sunray '27 also spent the past two summers doing research, but his projects were distinct. In the summer of 2025, he served Indigenous youth by leading creative writing workshops, which he said were influenced by English Professor Tiffany MacBain's course on Native American literature. She advised him on that project.
In the summer of 2026 -- this time advised by English Professor Priti Joshi -- he researched Indigenous identity in Washington tribes -- although that's not where his proposal started.
He realized early on that his initial thesis question, which focused on Indigenous activism, needed to change. "What I found was that the idea of identity was intrinsically attached to all these movements of tribal activism, and so I became more and more interested in literally what does it take to even defend the notion of an Indigenous identity?"
His project took on a new shape, looking at tribal identity through two specific lenses: the federal recognition process -- a designation that provides access to funding, healthcare, and a range of other federal resources -- and disenrollment, which is when tribes remove from their rolls members who are not deemed "Indian enough," Sunray said. Using that framework, he's also researching the people and entities that are pushing back against these "tribal identity injustices" in Washington.
It could be no small thing to shift gears after spending months researching and writing a proposal, especially when it meant changing the tribes that he was looking at. But he said his advisor, Joshi, wasn't fazed.
"Her philosophy regarding research is that it's something that is supposed to grow and change over time," he said. "And so when I told her I had concerns that my project was maybe shifting to something that I hadn't proposed entirely, she said, 'That's exactly what I wanted to hear.'"
Sunray spent the summer studying five Washington tribes and made nearly a dozen site visits, attending powwows, participating in a canoe journey practice, and visiting elders at the Duwamish Longhouse.
"[They aren't] the focus of the project, but they do set the grounds for being able to have conversations with people there," he said. This is critical, as his project was qualitative in nature: attending happenings, poring over documents, and interviewing people at the sites. "The project is looking at who gets to be Indian and who's making those determinations for who is and who isn't. It's hard to quantify identity."
The project has piqued his interest in both journalism and law, and he's considering careers in both after graduation.
Surya Kalaimani '24 knows first-hand the value of the summer research program after graduating. She also spent two summers doing research -- one in science, where she looked at the effect of the chemical BPA on neuroendocrine systems in snails, and one in AHSS, where she analyzed the archeological findings of a particular biblical site.
"I was somewhat indecisive with what I wanted to do [after graduation]," said Kalaimani, who double majored in anthropology and neuroscience. "Being able to do two research projects in very different disciplines taught me that I simply enjoy research environments."
In the last few years, Kalaimani has worked in development and research for several museums; she recently started working at Stanford Law School in development and corporate relations. Graduating into an unstable job market, she said she heard a lot about the importance of being flexible and having nonlinear career paths; she didn't realize until later how much the research program had reinforced that.
"There was something in the air [at Puget Sound] where everyone was so on board with me pursuing multiple paths of study, even if they were completely unrelated," she said. "That experience, and the freedom to pursue those different things, definitely contributed to my ability to be more nimble now and open-minded."
Kalaimani said she's spoken to peers who attended other universities who are "shocked that my undergraduate opportunities were almost all funded."
Haynes said when she was applying to colleges, she thought smaller liberal arts schools like Puget Sound might not have the same opportunities as the R1 research institutions she was also considering. But as it turned out, she said the inverse has actually been true.
"The reason I'm doing [my] research right now is because I had a good relationship with my professor," Haynes added. "And that's not impossible, because the class was small, so we all had good relationships with her. I feel like there are a lot more opportunities here for me at this small school, because I am not competing with 30,000 people."
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Stories related to the GWA campaign pillar about experiential learning
CURRENT UG STUDENTS
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FACULTY & STAFF
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***
Original text here: https://www.pugetsound.edu/stories/learning-extends-beyond-classroom