Summer Reunion Weekend gives us the chance to say, “Thank you!”
TACOMA, Wash. – Four remarkable alumni of University of Puget Sound were recognized at Summer Reunion Weekend for their outstanding personal contributions to the university. The 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented at a June 9 dinner that included remarks from President Ronald R. Thomas and Alumni Council President David Watson ’92. The awards and those recognized are highlighted in the upcoming summer issue of Arches alumni magazine and are detailed below.
Service to Puget Sound Award
Robert A. Trimble ’37, Hon.’93
This award is presented to alumni who have made long-standing volunteer contributions to the university.
Bob’s relationship with Puget Sound began nearly 80 years ago; the two have been going steady ever since. Bob journeyed to Tacoma in 1927 after his Methodist missionary family was forced to leave Communist-occupied China, where he was born. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Bob accepted a job offer from Theodore Evans ’27, working for the Shell Oil Company in California. Bob went on to enjoy a long and varied career, and Puget Sound continued to play an important role in his life. From his service on the committee to inaugurate President Ron Thomas, to his consistent presence at university events, to his thoughtful and impactful philanthropy, Bob Trimble has been a visionary partner. Following a trip in 1983 to China with then UPS President Phil Phibbs, Bob established an endowed scholarship for Puget Sound’s Asian Studies Program and continues to serve as a resource to the program with his extensive experience in the Pacific Rim. He also contributed generously to the construction of Harned Hall and to the university’s residence hall named in honor of his father, Charles Garnet Trimble. In 1993 Bob and his late wife, Genevieve, received honorary doctorates in philosophy from the university for their commitment to global education.
Service to Community Award
Russell Stoddard ’81
The Service to Community Award recognizes talents or skills in projects that improve quality of life through human service, the arts, recreation, education, or other pursuits.
Russ Stoddard is founder and chief executive officer of Oliver Russell, a marketing and brand management firm in Boise, Idaho. But he says his main gig these days is a technology startup he co-founded, where he serves at CEO, SocialGoodNetwork.com. The website turns online purchases into donations and rewards good actions such as donating, volunteering, sharing, and advocating. A devoted advocate for the arts, Russ is a founding board member of the True West Cinema Festival, a longtime board member of the Boise Contemporary Theater, and past-president of the board of directors for The Cabin, a literary society in Boise. An author of two full-length plays, Russ was selected to serve on the Literary Arts Grants Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts. Russ is a member of the Treasure Valley YMCA board of directors and volunteers for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. His commitment to service has been infectious, creating a culture of philanthropy at his company, as well. The Oliver Russell agency has given more than $1.5 million in cash and services to charitable organizations in and around Boise through the company’s O-pen Purse grant program. Russ is a past member of the UPS National Alumni Board.
Young Logger Service Award
Andrea Tull ’02
The Young Alumni Award recognizes alumni who make significant contributions to the university in regional alumni programs, student recruitment, fundraising, or career advising.
It might seem as if Andrea Tull never left the Puget Sound campus. Since graduating a decade ago, Andrea has shown a particular passion for encouraging younger alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater. Despite her busy career as director of government affairs for MultiCare Health System, Andrea has been a member of the Alumni Council since its inception and currently serves as coordinator for the Tacoma Regional Alumni Club. In this role Andrea has planned and implemented scores of volunteer-led alumni outings. Under Andrea’s leadership, the Tacoma Club has connected more than 1,000 alumni to one another and back to Puget Sound. Some of these alumni are serving as mentors to current students. A student mentor herself, Andrea is an advocate for the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network and has spoken to current students on numerous occasions, most recently welcoming the Class of 2015 to Puget Sound at Convocation. Andrea also has been active in the Student Alumni Association and supports a culture of volunteerism among current students. This year Andrea was a volunteer for the Class of 2002’s 10th reunion.
Professional Achievement Award
Randy Aliment ’77, J.D.’80
The Professional Achievement Award is presented to alumni who gain regional, national, or international recognition that reflects positively on both the Alumni Association and the university.
Randy Aliment is a partner at Williams Kastner in Seattle and has been called one of the Pacific Northwest’s most accomplished lawyers by Seattle Magazine, Washington CEO, and Seattle Business Monthly. Randy has been with Williams Kastner for more than 30 years, holding several leadership positions. Randy’s practice emphasizes commercial law advice, business litigation, and higher education law. He has represented clients in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and China. He collaborates extensively with Williams Kastner’s Chinese affiliate, Duan & Duan, working in their offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong and is on the board of directors of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle. In September 2010 he was invited by Gov. Christine Gregoire to join her trade delegation to China. Randy is the elected chair of the 25,000-member Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association and is the first person from the state of Washington to chair TIPS in its 79-year history. Through his leadership of TIPS, Randy has written about and been a frequent speaker throughout the U.S. on emergency preparedness in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In November he will speak on this topic in Dresden, Germany.
To learn more about upcoming alumni events and connecting with fellow Loggers visit: www.pugetsound.edu/gateways/alumni
To read current and back issues of Arches, the university’s alumni magazine: hwww.pugetsound.edu/arches
Photo on page: From left to right: Randy Aliment; Andrea Tull; Russ Stoddard; Bob Trimble. Photo by Ross Mulhausen.
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