Gift to Create UWT Lecture Series

Received via email:

TACOMA, Wash. – Beginning in 2008, UW Tacoma will host a lecture series featuring prominent speakers on the UW Tacoma campus, thanks to a $1 million pledge by Arthur R. Paulsen, a native Tacoman and University of Washington alumnus.

The gift will create an endowed fund, called the Arthur R. and Anna Mae Paulsen Visiting Chair in Public Affairs, to support bringing well-known public figures to campus each year to enhance the intellectual life of UW Tacoma students and the South Sound community. Visiting lecturers will address a range of political and social issues.

“This generous donation will help us bring distinguished lecturers to our campus and expand what we can offer to our students and the community,”Chancellor Pat Spakes said. “We were surprised and delighted when Mr. Paulsen came to us with this offer. UW Tacoma has wanted to launch a lecture series for a long time, but we have lacked the resources to make it happen.”

Paulsen, who graduated from the University of Washington in 1940 and received his juris doctor degree from the UW School of Law in 1946, has fond memories of hearing British Labour Party Leader Harold Laske speak at the UW in 1939 as part of the Walker Ames Lecture Series. He wants students to benefit from a balanced presentation of viewpoints on world affairs through this series. Anna Mae Paulsen passed away in 2000.

The first lecture in the series will coincide with the opening of the new Assembly Hall in 2008. Currently in the design phase, the $12 million, 500-seat Assembly Hall will replace the old “Dawg Shed” building on Pacific Avenue and serve as a theater, large classroom and study space for UW Tacoma students, staff, faculty and the community. The project is partially funded by a $7.5 million appropriation from the Legislature. UW Tacoma is just beginning a public campaign to raise an additional $4.75 million to complete the building.

UWT is getting stronger every day.  I look forward to the beginning of this series.