New scholarship fund created in honor of Professor Emeritus William E. Dasher


TACOMA, Wash. – University of Puget Sound is pleased to announce a new veterans scholarship fund established in honor of Professor Emeritus William E. Dasher, a military veteran who recently retired from teaching after more than 30 years of service with the university.

The University of Puget Sound Veterans Scholarship Fund will provide eligible U.S. military veterans with the opportunity to attend the nationally recognized liberal arts college with the assistance of a scholarship. Awards will be made on the basis of financial need to veterans who have been in attendance at the university for at least one academic year.

The new fund was created in June 2012, upon Dasher’s retirement, with gifts from his family members, friends, and colleagues. The fund honors the chemistry professor’s contributions to Puget Sound and his military service to the country.

William Dasher is the son of Olin Dasher, a minister, and Lillian Dasher, a choir director and organist. He served as an infantry squad leader in the 4th Division of the United States Army in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, he returned to the area after his service and enrolled at Olympic Junior College in Bremerton, Wash. Later he attended Western Washington University in Bellingham. After graduating he went on to earn his doctorate in chemistry at the University of Washington. Dasher joined the Puget Sound faculty in 1980 and taught organic chemistry until his retirement.

The first University of Puget Sound Veterans Scholarship awards will be made for the 2014–15 academic year. In its current scope, the veterans fund is expected to continue to assist former military personnel at Puget Sound for a period of six to eight years. Inquiries can be made to Student Financial Services at sfs@pugetsound.edu.

Photos on page: Top right: Professor Emeritus William Dasher at his retirement party at the LeMay-America's Car Museum on Sept. 1, 2012. He is talking to Assistant Professor of Chemistry Amy Odegard. Above left: Faculty photo of Bill Dasher.

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