UPP_mss108.xml Bill Baarsma collection on the University of Puget Sound University of Puget Sound, Archives & Special Collections
Collins Memorial Library 1500 N. Warner Street #1021 Tacoma 98416-1021 archives@pugetsound.edu http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/collins-memorial-library/explore-the-library/university-archives/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-07-18. Description is written in: English, Latin script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. University of Puget Sound, Archives & Special Collections Bill Baarsma collection on the University of Puget Sound MSS.108 .4 linear feet one archival box 1903-2021 Bill Baarsma was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Stadium High School and the University of Puget Sound, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. After graduating from Puget Sound, Baarsma attended George Washington University, where he earned his master's degree and doctorate. Baarsma went on to become a faculty member at the University of Puget Sound 1968 to 2001. From 1992 to 1999 Baarsma served on the Tacoma City Council, and then from 2001 to 2009 he served as the 37th mayor of Tacoma. This collection includes records collected by Baarsma about various departments and organizations at the University of Puget Sound. Subjects include athletics, the law school, the public affairs and administration program, the Sigma Nu fraternity, and the urban studies program. English .

Bill Baarsma was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Stadium High School and the University of Puget Sound, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. While at Puget Sound, Baarsma was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and was the editor of the student newspaper, the Trail.

After graduating from the University of Puget Sound, Baarsma was granted a Scottish Rite Masonic Fellowship for graduate study at George Washington University, where he earned his master's degree and doctorate. During this time, he held a student assistantship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and also worked on the staff of Senator Henry M. Jackson.

Baarsma went on to become a faculty member at the University of Puget Sound, where he taught courses in business management, public administration, political science, and urban studies from 1968 to 2001.

From 1992 to 1999, Baarsma served on the Tacoma City Council, and then, from 2001 to 2009, he served as the 37th mayor of Tacoma. While serving on the City Council and as Mayor, Baarsma played a key role in preservation efforts for several historical assets, including the Murray Morgan Bridge, the Tacoma Chinese Garden and Reconciliation Park, and McMenamins Elks Temple. Baarsma also worked on initiatives to clean up the Foss Waterway, to open the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Art Museum, and to launch the largest municipally-owned telecommunications system in North America.

Baarsma received the University of Puget Sound School of Business and Leadership Award of Distinction in 2010 and the university's Service to Community Award in 2014. In 2022, Baarsma was honored with the Robert Gray Medal from the Washington State Historical Society. At the University of Puget Sound's 131st Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 14, 2023, Baarsma delivered the commencement address and also received an honorary degree of Doctor of History, the highest distinction bestowed by the university.

This collection includes records collected by Baarsma about various departments and organizations at the University of Puget Sound. Subjects include athletics, the law school, the public affairs and administration program, the Sigma Nu fraternity, and the urban studies program. Materials include correspondence, newspapers and clippings, newsletters, program records, and other materials.

Collection is open for research.

[Name of document, date.] Bill Baarsma collection on the University of Puget Sound, Mss.108. University of Puget Sound Archives & Special Collections. Tacoma, Washington.

 Athletics 1903, 1966-1967, 1977-1978, 1985 Basketball 1967, 1976 1 1 Football 1903, 1967, 2021 1 2 Swimming 1966-1967 1 3 Title IX 1977-1978, 1982 1 4 Law School 1993-1994 Law school sale records 1993-1994 1 5 Newspapers and clippings, law school sale 1993-1994 1 6 Public Affairs and Administration Program 1965-1968, 1975-1978, 1981, 1987 Newsletter, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) 1976 1 7 Pi Alpha Alpha governing documents 1974, 1977 1 8 Pi Alpha Alpha chapter records 1975-1978, 1981 1 9 Program records 1965-1968, 1977-1978, undated 1 10 Sigma Nu c. 1948, 1950 Petition of Alpha Chi Nu Fraternity to Sigma Nu Fraternity c. 1948 1 11 "Progress with Sigma Nu at the College of Puget Sound" c. 1950 1 12 University Faculty 1962-1963, 1968,1977-1979, 1982, 1987, 2012, undated Bill Baarsma administrative records 1962-1963, 1968, 1977, 1987, 2012 1 12 Faculty code records 1978-1979, 1982, 1987, undated 1 13 Newspapers and clippings 1977-1979, undated 1 14 Urban Studies Program c. 1964, 1966-1967, 1969 Correspondence 1966-1967, 1969 1 15 Course list for career training in urban studies c. 1964 1 16