Best of 2023 story round up at UW Tacoma

Together, We Are Doing Great Things

Published on December 22, 2023 / Published by

Twelve stories from 2023 illuminate a year of growth and accomplishments at UW Tacoma.

As we reach the end of 2023, we wanted to share some of the stories that we feel best illustrate UW Tacoma’s enduring commitment to the success of our students and the well-being of the South Sound region.

The dozen stories highlighted below are just the beginning. You can take a deep dive into our 2023 archive here.

Our heartfelt thanks to all those who join with us to build a bright future for Tacoma, our region and the world!

Enrollment Turns the Corner on Pandemic Recovery

UW Tacoma enrolled 4,790 students at all levels in 2023, marking a shift that signals a post-pandemic recovery.

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Partnership with Follett Brings New Campus Retail

The UW Tacoma Shop will sell course materials, text books, campus-branded merchandise, apparel, technology and more — online and on Pacific Avenue.

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New Grant Will Expand Access to Native Knowledge

$225,000 from the Mellon Foundation will support American Indian and Indigenous (AII) community-building events, bring more AII voices to campus, and power a summer institute on Indigenous humanities.

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Not Your Average Joe

Joe Davis is the first alum from either UW Tacoma or UW Bothell to be named president of 60,000-member UW Alumni Association.

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The Class of 2023

In 2023, we are celebrating the incredible achievements of almost 1,900 newly-minted UW degree holders.

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Encouraging Financial Wellness

Several new initiatives are helping instill financial literacy and resiliency into the UW Tacoma student body.

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New Display Honors Timber, Tribal Connections

A new display and permanent land acknowledgement in Milgard Hall celebrate our partnership with the Puyallup Tribe.

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Celebrating our Community with 'Dawg Bites'

UW Tacoma and the Milgard School of Business hosted the first ever Dawg Bites, a community event open to all.

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“Simply Something I Do”

Dr. Sharon Laing is being recognized by the American Public Health Association for the excellence and impact of her mentoring.

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A Ph.D. for Tacoma

With its first cohort of students, UW Tacoma’s Ph.D. in computer science is already making a big impact on students, research and the South Sound community.

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Bioinformatics Team Powers International Effort to Map Gene Function

Dr. Ka Yee Yeung’s research group is making a key contribution to a historic effort to understand the function of every human gene.

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Getting Ready to Rock

A behind-the-scenes look at Theater at UW Tacoma's first musical, "Rock of Ages," produced in partnership with Tacoma Little Theatre.

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Feature illustration by Alex Volkman

Academic Affairs

Advancement

Alumni

Community partnerships

Community support

Milgard School of Business

Research

School of Education

School of Engineering & Technology

School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership

School of Social Work & Criminal Justice

School of Urban Studies

Student Affairs

UW Tacoma in the News

UW Tacoma faculty member discusses the field of 'bioinspiration' with The New York Times

Assistant Professor Cassandra Donatelli was quoted in a New York Times story that explores how research on plants and animals has inspired numerous technological innovations.

The New York Times

November 10, 2025

Students start a mini forest on the UW Tacoma campus

Northwest Public Broadcasting published a story about a student-led initiative to build a micro-forest on the UW Tacoma campus.

Northwest Public Broadcasting

October 28, 2025

Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange Featured on KBTC’s Northwest Now

In an episode of KBTC's Northwest Now, Chancellor Lange reflected on her professional journey, UW Tacoma’s transformative impact on the South Sound, and exciting developments ahead for the campus.

KBTC Public Television

October 17, 2025

More UW Tacoma in the News