University of Puget Sound

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{{Infobox_University |name = University of Puget Sound |image = Image:Ups southquad.jpeg |motto = pros ta akra (to the heights) |established = 1888 |type = Private |president =Ronald R. Thomas |city = Tacoma |state = Washington |country = USA |undergrad = 2,576 |postgrad = 209 |staff = 219 |free = $190.2 million |free_label = Endowment |campus = Suburban, 97 acres |mascot = Loggers |colors = Maroon and White |website= ups.edu }} The University of Puget Sound (UPS) is a private liberal arts college which is located in the North End of Tacoma, Washington.

It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music, master of arts in teaching, master of education, master of occupational therapy, and doctor of physical therapy degrees. As of 2006, it has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,576 and a graduate enrollment of 209.

In the 1980s the university was widely known for its freewheeling social life, but throughout the 1990s, the focus increasingly shifted to academics. Now Puget Sound is a nationally ranked institution enjoying top academic marks from third party evaluators and college guides. In 2006, US News ranked it 81st in a list of top liberal arts colleges in the United States. The college radio station, KUPS, was ranked the 12th best college station in the country by the Princeton Review.

For thirty years, UPS has held a unique one-year study abroad program known as the Pacific Rim/Asia Study-Travel Program on a three-year rotation.

1 History
2 Tuition and finances
3 Fraternities and sororities
4 Notable alumni
5 External links and references

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History

The University of Puget Sound was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888 in downtown Tacoma. The character of the school changed dramatically during the presidency of Edward H. Todd (1913-1942), who brought financial and academic stability. During his tenure, the campus moved in 1923 to its current location in the residential North End of Tacoma, with 5 buildings, setting a stylistic tone for the institution.

President Franklin S. Thompson (1942-1973) led a massive physical and institutional expansion: during this era all of the university's buildings save three were constructed. Phillip H. Phibbs presided from 1973 to 1992 and endeavored to change the tone of Puget Sound. In 1980, the university divested its attachment with the Methodist Church, and an independent board of trustees assumed full fiscal responsibility of the University. Also during this time, the university began to focus on undergraduate educational excellence, phasing out all off-campus programs except the law school, and most graduate programs. During this time the library collections were broadened and the faculty greatly expanded.

With the advent of President Susan R. Pierce (1992-2003), the law school was promptly sold to Seattle University, in a move that was calculated to focus the University's resources on its undergraduate campus, but angered many alumni. Also during her tenure, the Collins Memorial Library was renovated, and Wyatt Hall was constructed to house the growing class and office space needs of the Humanities. Trimble Residence Hall was also constructed, bringing on-campus student residency to 65%. Puget Sound's newest President is Ronald R. Thomas, affectionately called "Ron Thom" by many students, a scholar of Victorian Literature, and the former vice-President of Trinity College.

Currently the campus is undergoing a renovation of Thompson Hall [1], home of sciences studies. The two year plan includes the construction of a new wing (to be called Harned Hall) on the northern side against Union Avenue, with extensive renovations to the current wings and courtyard to allow for upgraded labs and facilities. The hall is scheduled to be open for the fall semester of the 2006-2007 school year.

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Tuition and finances

University of Puget Sound's cost is on par with most of its peer institutions. Costs for the 2005-2006 school year were $28,270 for tuition, $7,140 for room and board, and $190 in various student fees, making the total cost $35,600.

Although the college is viewed as expensive by most students, it has a reputation for being very generous with financial aid. There are four scholarships attainable by incoming freshman based on statistics alone:

Wyatt Trustee Scholarship: $9,000/year
Trustee Scholarship: $8,000/year
President's Scholarship: $6,000/year
Dean's Scholarship: $3,000/year

All of the above scholarships require no additional applications and are renewable provided a student maintains a 2.5 GPA and fails no more than 25% of their classes.

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