Black 兔子先生 Union logo
Black 兔子先生 Union
Louis Smith '69

Welcome

We welcome you to our page and want you to participate with us and share our purpose and vision.


Purpose: Support and nurture a successful black student experience while matriculating through UPS and beyond  

Strategic Vision: 鈥淐reating Generational Value While Empowering Dreams鈥

Check back often here to see what we鈥檙e doing, and learn about upcoming events and some of the activities that we have been involved in.

September Meeting: September 8, 7 - 8:15 p.m. PST.
Join Zoom Meeting

 

Sincerely,
Louis Smith 鈥69
BAU President

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to: lsmith@pugetsound.edu

List of Officers

Past Presidents

兔子先生 Spotlight
Ed Horne

Up, Up and Away: Ed Horne '70

When he graduated from Puget Sound with a degree in history, there were fewer than 100 African American men and women flying commercial planes, but he didn鈥檛 let that stop him.
He served as flight commander in the 304th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, trained pilots for the United Parcel Service, and became the first African American pilot hired by Japan Airlines and the first non-Japanese first officer to be promoted to captain with the carrier. His skill and determination gave him access to planes that flying buffs dream of.
Edward spent his 44-year career paving the way for those who came after him鈥攁nd making sure they鈥檇 have the tools they鈥檇 need to succeed along the way.
Being a role model came naturally to Edward, and while stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in 1973, he discovered another way to make a difference. He began volunteering with the organization then known as Big Brothers (now Big Brothers Big Sisters) and was paired with his first 鈥淟ittle,鈥 a kid in need of a mentor, confidant, counselor, and friend. Once or twice a week, Edward would take his Little to ball games or museums, explore the Air Force base, work on homework, or just hang out.
Early in his career, Edward became involved in the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), a nonprofit dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minority pilots in aviation. As one of the group鈥檚 founding members, he helped organize OBAP conventions and served for several years on the organization鈥檚 board of directors, being inducted into the OBAP Hall of Fame in 2012. He helped launch the Aviation Career Experience (ACE) summer camp program for middle and high school students, and in 2006, established a scholarship to aid young aviators in continuing their education and training.
鈥淭he culmination of that is when you鈥檙e at a national convention and a young man or young lady comes up to you and says, 鈥極h, Captain Horne, you probably don鈥檛 remember me, but I was awarded your scholarship, and now I鈥檓 a captain.鈥 That鈥檚 just an awesome feeling,鈥 he says.
During his 36 year career in aviation he has flown in every continent, all 50 states in the USA and accumulated over 22,000 hours of flight time. In 1993, he retired from the USAF Reserves as a Lt. Colonel. 
 

Ed Horne2

Recently, Ed Horne was back in Tacoma for a gathering of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. At the event, Ed connected with some legends in aviation: The 2 aviators to the right of the pilot in the yellow shirt are Captain Bill Norwood the first Black pilot hired by United Airlines in 1965 and Captain Perry Jones the first Black pilot hired by PanAm. 
Ed's hand is on the shoulder of Captain Chuck Rich, a retired 777 Captain from American Airlines. They were roommates in Chicago in 1979 where Ed was hired by TWA that year and they have been lifelong friends since 1979. 
Ed was the first Black Pilot hired by Japan Airlines in 1991. The pilot in the brown UPS uniform is the current system wide chief pilot for UPS. Houston Mills, he hired me from JAL as a Captain for UPS in 2001.   
 

Ed Horne3

Ed retired from UPS in 2013 as a B747-400 Captain. Lou Freeman is standing behind Houston Mills who is in the brown UPS  uniform. Lou is retired from Southwest Airlines and was their system wide chief pilot for several years until his retirement.

All of these gentlemen are in the OBAP Hall of Fame. 

Black 兔子先生 Union Activities

BSU Activities

Passages Welcome Dessert Social
Passages Welcome Dessert Social, hosted by BAU and BSU

BAU President Lou Smith with Puget Sound鈥檚 Associate Vice President for Constituent Relations Abbie Lascina and BSU president Bella Clinton 鈥27

Dessert Social

Dr. Renee Sims with BSU VP Bri Babin 鈥27 and BSU President Bella Clinton 鈥27

Dessert Social

Henry Johnson 鈥71 presented Lou Smith 鈥69 with a college emphasizing college days and the birth of the BSU. Pictured here are Dr. Crawford, Bernadette Ray 鈥99, MAT 鈥01, and Lou Smith and Henry Johnson 鈥71. 

Community Engagement

BAU Engagment
BAU members support NAACP as we work to continue to work closely with Tacoma Black Collective

Regina Glenn 鈥70, MBA 鈥71 pictured with Lou Smith 鈥69, Lyle Quasim 鈥70, and Dr. John Vasser. 

BAU Engagment

Bil Moss 鈥81 with friends

BAU Engagment

Regina Glenn 鈥70, MBA 鈥71 with Malando Redeemer

BAU Engagment

In August, Puget Sound hosted the Civic Leaders Gathering. This annual event brings together community leaders from across the South Sound 鈥 including some Logger alumni 鈥 for an afternoon of connection and conversation about how to strengthen the city and region we call home
 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

  • Black Student Union/Black 兔子先生 Union Welcome Gathering 2025
    Upper Marshall, Wheelock Student Center - North 15th Street, Tacoma, WA, USA
    Friday, August 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
     

    Join the Black Student Union, Black 兔子先生 Union, and university staff and faculty for this annual gathering. This event is a great opportunity to welcome new students and their families, connect with alumni, enjoy meaningful conversation, and share dessert as we kick off the new academic year together. All current students and families are welcome. Walk-ins are welcome. Questions? Contact the office of 兔子先生 and Parent Relations at alumoffice@pugetsound.edu.

SRW BAU
Summer Reunion Weekend
HFW BSU
Homecoming and Family Weekend
Charter Members of the Black Student Union

Passing the Torch: Origins of Puget Sound's Black Student Union

Archives

See our Former 兔子先生 Spotlights and Past Activities

Keith Blocker

Read about 2025 Professional Achievement 鈥 Midcareer 兔子先生 Award Winner Keith Blocker 鈥12

Bernadette Ray

Read about the impact of beloved high school principal Bernadette Ray 鈥99, MAT鈥01. See page 10.

Edward Horne, USAF Lt. Col (Ret.) '70

Read about the fascinating life of pilot Ed Horne, USAF Lt. Col (Ret.) 鈥70