What a Year

Wow, what a year it’s been. At Seattle University it’s been an exciting and transformational one, from a celebrated return to the West Coast Conference and the establishment of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences to Cornish College of the Arts becoming part of the university and a one-time Redhawk star baseball player now an MLB powerhouse winning the Cy Young in a repeat! These are just a small sampling of the year that was (well, almost…).

Here’s a look at some of the top news stories, newsmakers and social media moments of ’25.  

Newsworthy

(Top Stories from The Newsroom)

Strike Up the Band

Top School for Student Experience

A Top Green School

New Era of Excellence

Back Where We Belong—SU Returns to WCC

A Cy Young Repeat

Cornish at SU is Here

Welcoming Pope Leo XIV

In Conversation with the Governor

A New Era of Care

Quadstock Rocks On

Congrats to the Class of 2025

Top SU in the News Hits

Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University is established:

• The Seattle Times: Seattle University will acquire Cornish College of the Arts
• Inside Higher Ed: Seattle University to Absorb Cornish College of the Arts

Pope Francis passes away and Pope Leo is elected:

• KUOW: Vice President for Mission Integration Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos discusses the legacy of Pope Francis.
• The Seattle Times: In Seattle area, Catholics react to new pope with ‘collective gasp’
• The Seattle Times: In praise of a pope who embraced humility and technology

The Year of Skubal:

• Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal takes heartfelt trip to Seattle University
• The New York Times: A business card, an offer and K-Swiss sneakers: In ALDS Game 5, Tarik Skubal’s Seattle story comes full circle
• ESPN: Tigers’ Tarik Skubal, Pirates’ Paul Skenes win Cy Young Awards

President Peñalver to leave SU for Georgetown:

• The Washington Post: Georgetown University has named its next president. Meet Eduardo Peñalver. 

SU hosts Seattle Mayor debate:

• KOMO: Harrell, Wilson spar in debate over experience, housing and police

State Supreme Court’s Mary Yu Retires:

• The Seattle Times: Justice Mary Yu’s career left mark on court, state, Seattle community

Professor Eric Gilbertson’s mountain study:

• Outside Magazine: New data suggests this Colorado mountain is a 14er. Not everyone is convinced.

Faculty experts in the news:

• New Day Northwest: Patrick Schoettmer on what to expect from Trump’s first 100 days
• KING 5: Seattle University communications professor Chris Paul weighs-in on Generation Alpha Slang
• The Seattle Times: What Trump tariffs mean for Amazon, Boeing and WA’s very global economy
• KING: 5: Seattle professor discusses possible deportation of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil
• KING 5: The real-world impacts of U.S. Supreme Court ruling on deportation
• KING 5: Consumers may pay more as grocery stores absorb new tariffs
• FOX 13: First Amendment expert weighs in on Jimmy Kimmel Live! And broadcast companies
• The Seattle Times: ‘Politics of the End’ is a Seattle U class. It could be a study of last week’s news
• The Seattle Times: Latest tariffs on India will hurt WA business, industry
• The Seattle Times: Seattle crime survey reveals a decade of shifting safety concerns
• The Seattle Times: Seattle U men shock Huskies, snap 19-game skid vs. UW
• FOX 13: SU’s Championship Field getting a makeover in advance of hosting FIFA World Cup ’26 practices.
• KOMO: Inside the Arena: Seattle U’s big jump, Mariners’ playoffs, and World Cup 2026

In Memoriam: Notable Passings

• The Seattle Times: Johnny O’Brien, a Seattle U legend and ex-MLB player, dies at 94
• The New York Times: Leo Hindery Jr., Dealmaking Power in the Cable TV Industry, Dies at 77
• The Seattle Times: Seattle U legend Pat Lesser Harbottle, 1955 U.S. Women’s Amateur winner, dies at 91

Surging Social Media

It was a big year for Seattle University’s socials, from SU’s night at the Mariners to the release of the first art renderings of the Museum of Art and the ever-popular De-Stress with Dogs to the celebration of the Class of 2025 at Commencement.

Instagram
At least they’re really good at helping us de-stress.
Labubus on campus.
Championship Field prepares for the FIFA World Cup.

Facebook
Julie Woodward and Ken Griffey Jr.
Tarik Skubal pays a visit to Seattle University.
Seattle University and Seattle Preparatory School sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

X
SU Night at the Mariners.
(Seattle) Mayoral Debate.
SU Night at the Mariners.
Redhawk graduates.

LinkedIn
Seattle University Museum of Art renderings.
Seattle University grads.
The Redhawks of the moment.

Threads
Pike Place Market at sunset.
We’re thankful for this view.
Seattle University and Seattle Preparatory School sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

TikTok
We’ve got you, Emma.
Anna Faris’s advice to the Class of 2025.
Labubus on campus.