Behind the Scenes

It’s a few days before Commencement and BrieAnna Bales is up early. The University of Washington Tacoma Director of Events and Sponsorships arrives on campus as the sun makes its way up the Grand Staircase. At this hour sprinkler's hiss, bird's chirp and Pacific Avenue is largely quiet save the occasional car. There’s a lot to do and Bales wants to get a jump on things.

In her role Bales manages institutional events like Commencement and Convocation. She also overseas fundraising events like Paint the Park Purple that generate money for student scholarships. The work requires someone who is detail-oriented and has the ability to think on their feet. “I’m a problem solver,” said Bales. “Say, someone has an outdoor event scheduled for late June and it starts raining. It’s my job to come up with alternatives and make it happen.”

Bales came to UW Tacoma from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) where she worked as a major gifts officer for what was then KPLU (now KNKX).  This October marks Bales’ tenth anniversary on campus. She originally worked as an executive assistant for Josh Knudson, the university’s vice chancellor for advancement. In 2010 Bales became the manager for events and conference services.  “I was the first person in this position,” she said. “Before me events were coordinated within units and were one aspect of a person’s job.”

The chance to build something is part of what drew Bales to UW Tacoma. “I’d heard about this university in downtown Tacoma that was doing some really wonderful things,” she said. “This place was so young and I wanted to be a part of helping it grow.”

Bales grew up in Columbia Falls, Montana. The small town of roughly 5,000 people is about 30 minutes south of Glacier National Park. “Everybody knew everybody,” she said. Bales spent her formative years dancing. “I took ballet when I was five but fell in love with tap,” she said. “I did tap for 12 years.”

Bales also swam competitively throughout her childhood and teenage years. In high school she managed both the girl’s soccer team and the boy's basketball team. During her freshman year Bales took a job at a local water park. Over time she worked her way up from cashier to office manager.

Bales is a first-generation college student. Her father spent 30 years at a timber company. Her mother worked for the City of Columbia Falls. When it came time to choose a school Bales opted for PLU. “I wanted to experience life in a ‘big city,’ plus PLU offered a degree in sports administration,” she said.

The first few years in college were difficult. Bales had a challenging roommate. Her chosen major ended up being dropped by the university, but this pales in comparison to what happened during Bales’ sophomore year. In May of 2001 a gunman walked on campus and killed a faculty member before turning the gun on himself.

The incident happened just outside Bales’ dorm. “I wasn’t in my room at the time,” she said. “I was on lower campus when a facilities worker pulled me inside a building and told me there was an active shooter.” Bales and the employee stayed hidden until authorities gave the all clear.

Bales considered leaving school. “I thought a lot about what happened and how I was going to live in that building,” she said. Bales ultimately decided to stay. She went on to earn a business degree and a master’s in business administration from PLU.

Passion Never Rests

The motion activated lights flicker to life. Bales sits at her computer, goes over the 14-page Commencement planning timeline she created. The office is otherwise empty. Bales’ coworkers won’t arrive for another hour or two. “I have a passion for our students and want to ensure that we’re student focused in the decisions we make,” she said. “For Commencement I have to take into consideration the student experience, the guest experience and everything we might need for an offsite event.”

Bales patrols the ceremonies wearing a headset. “It’s very much a production,” she said. “I’m continually talking with volunteers, Tacoma Dome staff, and the people who run the audio visual equipment.” Afterwards, Bales takes the day off. When she comes back it will be time to start the process over again. “We were talking about Commencement 2019 before this year’s Commencement happened,” said Bales.

School starts September 26. The year kicks off with Convocation. “This is an academic tradition that universities across the country participate in,” said Bales. “It’s a chance to welcome students.” The event includes food, t-shirts and a drumline. Bales will be up early. This time of the year the sun isn’t up at that hour and it’s raining so the sprinklers are silent, yet Bales is here.