University of Puget Sound Welcomes New Trustees

At its spring business meeting in May 2023, the University of Puget Sound’s Board of Trustees elected trustee and non-trustee officers for the coming year, including formally electing Beth Picardo ’83, J.D.’86, to serve as chair effective July 1, 2023. The board’s previous chair, Robert Pohlad P’07, was elected as Immediate Past Chair and will continue to serve on the board in this capacity through June 30, 2024. The board also elected five new trustees and recognized four outgoing members who have completed nine years of service on the board.

The following five individuals were unanimously elected to a three-year term as trustees:

Maria Arellano ’86 

Maria Arellano is a retired procurement professional with more than 30 years of experience in the tech industry, including Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, and Intuit. During her time at Puget Sound, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish, and was involved in intramural sports.

Combining her expertise in business and technology with her ardent advocacy for diversity and inclusion, Arellano is the founder of the Latinx employee network at Intuit, which fosters Latinx talent and community and provides essential resources for Latinx employees to feel empowered in the workplace. She serves on the board of Downtown College Prep and works with the Latino Business Student Association at San Jose State University. Arellano draws inspiration from her favorite Puget Sound professor, Mike Veseth, and President Emeritus Philip Phibbs, who served as her advisor, when she works with students, encouraging them to have fun while they learn.  

Ryan Dumm ’07

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government with minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Puget Sound, Ryan Dumm went on to graduate magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law. During his time at Puget Sound, Dumm was a member of Beta Theta Pi, the track team, and the Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound (ASUPS), and received multiple Student Affairs Leadership Awards for his involvement on campus.

He is an experienced construction litigator and partner with Seyfarth Shaw L.L.P., representing developers and general contractors navigating the legal issues that arise in complex construction projects such as high-rise commercial offices, multi-family residences, public infrastructure, and structures utilizing alternative energy. Drawing from his education at Puget Sound, Dumm brings a pragmatic and business-oriented approach to each new project. Prior to joining the Board of Trustees, Dumm served on President Crawford’s work group on strategic planning.

Betsy Campbell Stone ’79, P’14

Betsy Campbell Stone is a writer and an independent strategy and marketing consultant who helps organizations achieve their missions through the development and implementation of strategic and marketing plans. Having honed her skills through senior-level roles at Blue Shield of California, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, and Sutter Health, and served as president of her national professional association, she now focuses her energies on safety-net non-profits and educational institutions and advocates for equitable access to healthcare and education.

She graduated from Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Writing before pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Most recently she completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from Bennington College. While a student, she served as president of Pi Beta Phi, was active in Spurs, received academic recognition as a member of Phi Kappa Phi, and wrote for The Trail.

After their son Thom matriculated at Puget Sound, Stone and her husband Todd chaired the Parents & Families Council. She later chaired the Career and Employment Services Committee of the Alumni Council and participated as a member of the steering committee for the University’s recent comprehensive program review.

In 2021, Stone funded a pilot program that provides financial support for students with demonstrated need who would otherwise be unable to participate in unpaid internships. Previously, the Betsy Campbell Stone ’79 P ’14 and Thom Stone ’14 Annual Scholarship granted four years of financial aid to a Puget Sound student in need with good academic standing.

For her years of volunteering, service, and commitment to the university, Stone was selected as the 2023 recipient of the Service to Puget Sound Award. The education, experience, knowledge, and friends garnered during her time at Puget Sound fuels her firm belief that Puget Sound students have the potential to change the world.

Bruce Titcomb ’80, P’13

A longtime K-12 educator, Bruce Titcomb graduated from Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He met his wife, Katy, at Puget Sound, and he was also involved with the campus radio station, KUPS, and Sigma Nu. Following his undergraduate degree, he moved into education, teaching in the Shoreline School District and later serving as principal of Ridgecrest Elementary School for six years. In 2001, he earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Seattle Pacific University.

His son, Blake, graduated from Puget Sound in 2013. Titcomb currently serves on the board of directors of the Rock Island Company and previously served on the University of Puget Sound’s Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2022.

Nicholas Vasilius ’07

Nicholas Vasilius is a data science executive with over 15 years of experience leading teams of data scientists, data engineers, and cloud engineers to deliver insights and predictive solutions. He majored in Computer Science and Business and International Political Economics at Puget Sound, where he was a member of Sigma Chi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternities. He was also involved with the campus radio station and worked as a campus visit assistant during his time at Puget Sound.

His love of international business and economics inspired him to attend the Thunderbird School of Global Management for a Master of Business Administration in Global Finance. His passion for data and analytics led him to pursue a certificate in Business Intelligence from the University of Washington before receiving his Master of Science in Business Analytics from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

He currently works for DAF Trucks NV in the Netherlands, where he manages the company’s Digital Transformation team. He serves on the board of the Kaimas Foundation and previously served on the University of Puget Sound’s Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2022.

In addition to electing new trustees, the board re-elected the following trustees to the class of 2026:

Second 3-Year Term

• Mitzi Carletti ’78
• Scott Higashi ’91
• Sarah Lee ’94

Third 3-Year Term

• Ken Willman ’82, P’15, P’18

At the meeting, trustees Laura Inveen ’76 and Erin Shagren ’88, P’17 were elected as trustees emeriti in honor of their significant contributions and years of service to the university. The board also recognized the longstanding and excellent service of Bill Canfield ’76, P’08, and Fred Grimm ’78, who will return to trustee emeritus status. The board also recognized Carla Cooper ’72 and Justin Graham ’90 as they concluded their service.

Puget Sound’s Board of Trustees supports the mission and values of Puget Sound by providing governance, oversight, and policies. Board members include alumni, parents, community members, and the president. The board supports Puget Sound’s recruitment of students, faculty, and staff; the development of a rigorous curriculum grounded in the liberal arts and sciences; supports maintaining and growing campus facilities; and secures gifts and other resources to enable the university to reach its goals.

About Puget Sound

A nationally ranked residential liberal arts and sciences college in Tacoma, Washington, University of Puget Sound enrolls 1,800 undergraduate students from across the country and around the world, as well as 300 graduate students in education, counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty members who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 50 areas of study. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Luce scholars, notables in the arts and culture, scholars and scientists, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A top producer of Fulbright U.S. Students, Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society.