Longtime health educator and advocate Regan Nelson ’02 is the host of the Clean & Green Living podcast, which guides listeners on lifestyle changes to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals. 

Rachel Gross ’08 notices those logos on your clothing. Your Patagonia rain jacket, REI hiking pants, and Chaco sandals are more than just pieces of equipment to her. Gross, assistant professor of history at the University of Colorado, Denver, is an outdoor gear historian who studies the business and culture of brands.

GUITAR HEROES 

You recently were named to the Presidents’ Council for the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. What made you decide to play a leadership role in that effort? 

University of Puget Sound Professor Kristin Johnson has been awarded the prestigious Founders’ Medal by the Society for the History of Natural History. Johnson serves as professor and director of the Science, Technology, Health & Society program at Puget Sound. She is a highly respected scholar whose work has enriched the understanding of natural history and the naturalist tradition in North America. 

Before I get into my speech I just wanted to say that I’m so beyond grateful to be here on this stage. I invited my family here this weekend to participate in commencement activities. One thing they weren’t expecting, however, was to see me up here. For the last month or so, I’ve kept this little secret of being the Commencement Speaker, so little do you all know you were all part of a bit of a surprise today. I just wanted to extend my thanks and graciousness to them.

University of Puget Sound has named a new university librarian and director of the Collins Memorial Library. Annie Downey will assume the role starting July 2024. Working closely with Puget Sound’s library staff, faculty, students, and leaders across campus, Downey will lead the development of a cohesive and inclusive vision for the library as a central place on campus, fostering vibrant intellectual exchange, building community, and promoting student success.

When finishing high school in 2014, I didn’t know what I wanted to do after I graduated, but I knew I didn’t want to stay in my hometown of Auburn, CA while I figured it out. Because of this, I joined the Army, and JBLM was my first duty station after finishing training. It meant a lot to be stationed here, as my grandfather was also assigned to Fort Lewis many years ago. I just wish he would have mentioned how much time I’d be spending trying to keep my gear dry. 

University of Puget Sound student Julia Kaeppel ’24 has always been interested in computer programming. As a kid, she was a member of her elementary school robotics team and got hooked on programming in middle school as a pathway toward making video games. Kaeppel’s lifelong interest in operating systems and programming later led to an exciting research opportunity at Puget Sound.