2021-22 Winter Insights

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Office of Marketing and Communications 5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey, WA 98503 www.stmartin.edu

saint martin’s university • winter 2021-22

news for alumni and friends

A HISTORIC GIFT FROM THE SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 21, 2022

The search for Saint Martin’s 11th President

3.21 GIVE is a day for

everyone who believes in the mission of Saint Martin’s University to make a difference in the lives of current and future students. The 24-hour, online event is the University’s annual day of giving, providing critical funding for a variety of needs across the campus.

Make your gift securely on March 21 by visiting www.stmartin.edu/321give and selecting your favorite area(s) to support: a specific scholarship, athletic team, student club or even your degree program.

For questions, contact advancement@stmartin.edu or 360-438-4366.

SHARE YOUR STORY #321GIVE

ABBEY

A record-breaking year for the 2021 Gala SAINTS Athletics making history

L A S T LO O K

IF YOU IDENTIFY AS A FIRST-GEN STUDENT, WE SUPPORT YOU AND ARE ROOTING FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS. Daisy Miranda Class of 2023 | Social Work

contents

saint martin’s university winter 2021–22

04 A historic gift from the Abbey 06 A record-breaking Gala

15 Dr. Kunder chosen for Swanson Promise Award 22 Nursing Ribbon Cutting

24 Saints Athletics making history 03 President’s Greeting 05 Search for the 11th President 10 Monastic Happenings 14 Campus News 26 Alumni Profile

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EDITORS Genevieve Canceko Chan Jocelyn Bonilla ‘21 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lillian Austin CREATIVE DIRECTOR Marki Carson

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CONTRIBUTORS Abbot Marion Q. Nguyen, O.S.B. Alyssa Nastasi, MBA Ann Adams, MBA Austin Byrnes Br. Boniface V. Lazzari, O.S.B. Cecelia Loveless Genevieve Canceko Chan Jaima Kortlever ‘21 Jaiza Wesley John Iglesias MBA’01 Katie Wojke Nate Peters MBA’19 Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D.

30 Donor Profile 31 Alum Notes 36 Alumni Events 42 First Generation

PRINTING Capitol City Press Insights is the official magazine of Saint Martin’s University. ©2021 All rights reserved.

We invite your comments and suggestions. Please email them to marcom@stmartin.edu.

Please send alumni news and address changes to: Institutional Advancement, 5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey, WA 98503; telephone 360-491-4700; email alumni@stmartin.edu.

Saint Martin’s University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Visit us online at www.stmartin.edu.

As a first-generation student, I’m still trying to figure it all out. The biggest piece of advice I can give to any firstgen student who is beginning their college journey or currently figuring it out like I am is that it’s okay to ask for help.

Alex Gonzalez Class of 2020 | Business Admin.

My experience at SMU was pretty awesome. Everyone around campus (staff and faculty) are always there to help and guide; they all want you to be successful.

Anahi Arenas Class of 2022 | Political Science

I would tell other first gen. to take advantage of the resources that the school provides, I have definitely benefitted from the writing center.

Also, go wherever there’s free stuff.

Katherine Jamerson Class of 2023 | Psychology

As a first-generation college student, I thought that the only thing I would have to prepare for was academic struggles. No one told me that I would have to be prepared to take care of my emotional health.

Yuan Angelo Fernandez Class of 2024 | Psychology

In reality, being a first-generation college student is difficult. Since you’re the first one to go to college in your family, you have to be the one to find your ways of finding scholarships, knowing the college application process, and finding a “home” within the college you go to.

However, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to have such a strong support system within my community that guided me to a path that I know I will thrive in.

Ace Adolfo Class of 2023 | Nursing

My advice for first-gen students would be: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Join clubs, and be involved with the campus as much as you can.

Shay Bonilla Class of 2024 | Elementary Ed.

Being a first-generation college student in my family definitely had its up and downs. The process of applying tocolleges, waiting for SAT/ ACT scores, what questions to ask, if playing at a collegiate level was an option, what is FASFA, WUE schools, what scholarships should I do, un/ subsidized loans, and it went on.

Vianeey Titla-Palalia Class of 2023 | Nursing

If you ever feel like giving up remember you have made it this far, don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Julie Prosser, Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor Department of Psychology

My experience as a first-gen student was quite non-traditional. I started taking college classes while I was at a vocational school before graduating high school. I went to the local community college first because I received a full-tuition scholarship and it made the most sense financially. Because of that, I missed the traditional dorm-room experience; we didn’t have a sports program to allow me to attend football games, etc. Although I may not have experienced some of the special early college moments that so many others have, the path I took led me to my PhD and my current position at SMU, and I met some amazing people along the way.

FAST FACTS: of undergraduate Saints identify as first-generation college students. of first-year Saints are first-generation college students.

Michelle Hudders DNP, MSN/Ed, RN, CNE Assistant Professor, Nursing

I am the second of nine children and a first-generation college graduate. My older brother received his BA after retiring from the Air Force and a younger brother completed a Bachelor’s in IT. I remember my dad saying, “An education is something no one can ever take away from you!”

I embraced my years in elementary and high school, wanting to make a difference in the world.

Chandini Lilla, LPN Student Health Center Care Team

I am a first-generation college graduate and first female in my immediate family to have earned a degree. My dad immigrated from India in 1974 to Oregon and moved his brothers, sisters and my mom here with him. Although he did not have a college degree he worked hard and was a true entrepreneur.

He saw the importance of a college degree and immigrated in order to provide his family with a better life with greater opportunities.

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all semester is wrapping up as I write this and spring looms not too far in the future. This is my final year as president, and it has been bittersweet with last-time events and long good-byes. I remain excited about this year’s goals,

including focusing on student success, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and our Year of Transformative Engagement. The remainder of my time here will be devoted to these important initiatives and to instilling a community commitment to continue these conversations after I depart.

At this year’s Gala, this greater community that we call Saint Martin’s stepped up in a tremendous, unprecedented way to support our students. This is a testament to our mission and to the graduates we send forth from this small university of scholars.

I will forever be grateful for this outpouring of generosity. I know our students feel the same way.

While we are all settling in to the new normal of this pandemic, I am proud to report that Saint Martin’s is doing well. Most of our classes are back in-person, and we have a record number of new first-year students and residential students. We have learned to be thankful for, and never take for granted, our time together. Many of you have reached out to ask how you can help today and in the future. Thank you! One thing that has remained constant throughout this pandemic is the desire for a Saint Martin’s education, a focused, personal approach to education including guidance for careers and life both. Your continued support can help guarantee that dream is fulfilled for many of our students.

Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D. President

@SMUPresident

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SAINT MARTIN’S ABBEY

CREATES HISTORIC MATCHING FUND FOR

T

ENDOWMENTS

his fall, Saint Martin’s Abbey created a $4.6 million matching fund to support gifts that will help grow Saint Martin’s University’s endowment. Endowments play a critical role both in terms of scholarship support for our students and in strategic program support in perpetuity. “Education is the abbey’s apostolate,” shared Abbot Marion Nguyen, O.S.B., Saint Martin’s University chancellor. “With the matching fund, we want to honor generous benefactors who share and support Saint Martin’s University’s work.”

The announcement of the matching fund has already inspired several Saints supporters, longstanding as well as new donors, to give.

• Christine Schaller ’93 and Christopher Kradjan added to the Ed Schaller, Jr. Scholarship Endowment, a fund that was established in honor of Christine’s father in 2001, as a way to honor her father’s memory and the Abbey.

“Education is the abbey’s apostolate. With the matching fund, we

want to honor generous benefactors who share

and support Saint Martin’s University’s work.”

— Abbot Marion Nguyen, O.S.B., Chancellor

• Gabe Wadsworth ’14 and Kira Milligan-Wadsworth ’17 created a new scholarship endowment to support students in the School of Business. Their decision to give back was influenced by being beneficiaries of scholarships when they were students at Saint Martin’s University and the belief that it is important to use your resources to help others.

• Joe HS ’62, ’64 and Betty Alongi established an estate gift along with their regular annual support. “As a Saint Martin’s High School and College alum during the 60’s, this was my home,” shared Joe Alongi.

“Our children and grandchildren, along with other family members, also attended, so it is important for our family to pay that forward.”

Shared President Roy Heynderickx, “Like many colleges and universities, we faced unprecedented challenges over the past year that forced us to examine why we are here and how we can better serve our students.

This matching fund will ensure that we continue to strengthen our academic offerings and structures of support while increasing access for current and future Saints.”

The Abbey’s match doubles gifts to existing or new endowments created through one-time, multiyear or estate commitments. Questions about the Abbey’s gift or how to add to or create an endowment can be directed to the Office of Institutional Advancement at advancement@stmartin.edu or 360-438-4366.

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SAINT MARTIN’S BEGINS SEARCH FOR

11 PRESIDENT th

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ast spring, President Heynderickx announced that he will retire at the end of the 2021-22 academic year. Over the summer, a search firm, RH Perry, was chosen and a presidential search committee was formed with representatives from the abbey, board of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students. The university is looking for a president who will lead Saint Martin’s to its next level of financial security and academic prominence through strategic vision; transparent servant leadership; and the passionate articulation of its Catholic Benedictine mission and values. After a national outreach effort, applications were received in November. Semi-finalists will be selected in December and interviewed off campus in January. The goal will be to invite three finalists to campus in February, with the plan to announce a new president by the end of February. The new president would take office in July 2022. More information about the search can be found at www.stmartin.edu/presidentialsearch.

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2021 $2.7 MILLION 2020 $1.6 MILLION 2019 $1.4 MILLION 2018 $1.3 MILLION 2017 $1.2 MILLION 2016 $1.2 MILLION 2015 $1.6 MILLION

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n Saturday, Nov. 6, friends and alumni reunited to help Saint Martin’s University raise a record-breaking $2.7 million for student scholarships at the Saint Martin’s Gala, held on the University’s Lacey campus. This year’s Gala, in-person after a one-year hiatus, featured Saint Martin’s alumna Bernadine Determan Griffin ’82, managing director of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, as emcee and James Beard Awardwinning chef and culinary legend Jacques Pépin and his daughter Claudine, who joined via livestream from Pépin’s home kitchen in Connecticut to share some of his favorite cooking techniques and recipes. Pépin’s lively cooking demonstrations were paired with an exquisite five-course menu inspired by Pépin’s recipes, live music by the Seattle-based band Mr. Pink, and an exciting destination trip-filled live auction.

“The Gala truly is a remarkable event,” shared President Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D. “Not only does it demonstrate our Benedictine values of community, hospitality and stewardship, but it also helps the University raise significant funds for student scholarships. It is thanks in part to our donors, sponsors and friends of the University that we are able to provide exceptional financial support to our students, some of whose families are needing even more support due to COVID.”

Moved by Katherine Jamerson’s remarks, guests raised

$1.9 MILLION

toward the University’s “Feed-a-Mind” scholarship funds.

As in years past, Saint Martin’s students played a major role in the event.

Katherine Jamerson ’23, a third-year student majoring in psychology with a concentration in research and a minor education, shared how grateful she was for the Saint Martin’s community for stepping up and supporting its students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first in her family to attend college, Jamerson is a member of Saint Martin’s first cadre of Act Six Scholars, a leadership and scholarship program that brings together diverse, multicultural urban leaders from across the Puget Sound. The current president of the Associated Students of Saint Martin’s University, she talked about the importance of the university listening and responding to students’ concerns and initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as mental health awareness. Said Jamerson, “When I walk around our beautiful campus, I embrace the fact that I get to be in a community where I belong, where I can be heard, and where I can make a difference.”

Moved by Jamerson’s remarks, guests raised $1.9 million toward the University’s “Feed-a-Mind” scholarship funds.

If you were unable to attend the Gala, or would like to make an additional gift, you can still support student scholarships by making a gift online.

To view photos from the event, visit Saint Martin’s Gala web page in the next few days.

Next year’s Gala will be held on Nov. 5, 2022. The format and celebrity host will be announced in the coming months. For more information about Gala 2022, visit our Gala website, www.stmartin.edu/gala. u

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Bernie Griffin ‘82, emcee

Thank you to the many sponsors, businesses and individuals who donated their time, auction items, in-kind goods and services towards the success of this year’s Gala.

Armandino Batali ’59

Lemon Family Dental

Aurora Lasik

MJR Development

Batdorf & Bronson

Moss Adams LLP

Bon Appetit

Olympia Federal Savings

Capital Business Machines

Olympia Orthopedic Associates

Capitol City Press

Olympia Tumwater Foundation

Chicago Title

Panowicz Jewelers

Chris ’80 & Lisa Thomsen

Perry ’84 & Susan Shea

Cliff & Jackie Quisenberry

Pho Bac

Coco Sherrie

Pope John Paul II High School

Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty

Providence

Columbia Hospitality Commencement Bay Brokers Diamond Technology Innovations / Jernigan Foundation Dr. Richard B. Hecker ’81 and Dr. Kelly Spence / Debbie Hodous and Pat Geiger Drees Olympia Drs. Attila HS’74, ’78 and Katalin Talaber ECS Composites Eola Hills Forma Construction Great Western Supply Hanson Subaru Harbor Wholesale Heritage Bank Heritage Distilling Co. Heye Family Joe & Liz Williams John & Michelle Riel Kathleen O’Grady Kathy & Gordon Beecher KCTS 9 Kell-Chuck Glass

Puget Sound Energy Rick & Pam Panowicz Rob Rice Homes Rockefeller Capital Management / Bloom Williams Group Saint Martin’s University Nursing Department Seattle Distilling Showcase Magazine South Puget Sound Community College Squaxin Island Tribe St. James Cathedral Sunset Air Tedi Reynolds ’71/ Mark Templeton ’69 The Creative Office The Rants Group Timberland Bank Toni Christy ’04, MBA ’06 Tovani Hart TwinStar Credit Union US Bank Virgil Adams Real Estate Waite ’65 & Patty Dalrymple WSECU

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Abbey News

by Boniface V. Lazzari, O.S.B.

Monastic HapPeNings

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ur old year, with its joys and beauty, as well as its worries and burdens, is now drawing to a close. As we look toward a new year, let us do so with a renewed happier state of mind. Let us look toward a blessed and productive year. A year which brings peace and contentment to us and our loved ones, and peace and blessing to our nation. Our monastic community began the present year with a post-New Year gathering at Lambert Lodge on the Sound. A New Year repast was prepared by Novice PACHOMIUS HAMOR, with some assistance from this writer, and much enjoyed by all.

On February 1st, Emeritus ABBOT NEAL ROTH returned from a mini-sabbatical in Alaska, where he was acting pastor of a small parish. On his return, ABBOT MARION NGUYEN appointed ABBOT NEAL Novice Master, a not unfamiliar role for our retired abbot. Shortly thereafter, ABBOT MARION received two young men into the novitiate: NOVICE THERIE (JESSE) PASCUA and NOVICE SIMEON (KENJI) GOODSON. Under the direction of the Novice Master, BROTHERS THERIE and SIMEON join the professed monks in their prayer and work. In addition, they receive special classes related to the monastic life taught by several members of their monastic community.

In late May, the monastic community mourned the loss of two long-time confreres, Emeritus ABBOT ADRIAN J. PARCHER and FATHER BEDE CLASSICK. ABBOT ADRIAN had served in many areas of the Abbey’s apostolates, and for a few years he was on loan to our congregation of monasteries, and served as Prioradministrator of Saint Mark’s Priory in Kentucky. During his tenure as abbot, beginning in 1980, the Abbey’s annual concert/lecture series, Abbey Church Events, was established, and the Abbey’s Martin of Tours Collection of PNW Art was formalized. He also was a popular retreat master. After stepping down as abbot in 1986, ABBOT ADRIAN exercised his priestly ministry in Southern California and Eastern Washington before returning to the Abbey.

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FATHER BEDE, at the time of his death, was serving as an appointed member of the Abbey’s Board of Directors & Senior Council; was Treasurer of Saint Martin’s University; and was an ex officio member of the University board of Trustees. FATHER BEDED formally transferred his stability to St. Martin’s in 2003 from St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton, New Jersey. He had held many positions at St. Paul’s. For many years, FATHER BEDED exercised his priestly ministry at Sacred Heart Church, Lacey, where he was a great favorite of many of the parishioners.

Our confreres were given a double funeral, the first in memory at the Abbey. Due to Covid restrictions, attendance was limited to the monastic community and family and close friends of the deceased. FATHER BEDE’S twin sister, Pat Classick, of Plano, Texas, attended with a family friend. R.I.P. During the Summer of 2021, we opened the Abbey Church once more to the public, while following all of the COVID-mandated requirements. Mid-summer, the community joyously celebrated the first vows of BROTHER PACHOMIUS, which were received by ABBOT MARION in the presence of the community and guests. Mass was followed by a luncheon in the open air of the courtyard.

BROTHER PACHOMIUS is continuing his college studies at Saint Martin’s this semester as well as fulfilling various assignments in the Office of Student Services.

On the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, ABBOT MARION received the Solemn Vows of BROTHER DAMIEN-JOSEPH in the presence of his confreres, family members and friends. A festive luncheon followed the Mass of Profession in the Courtyard. BROTHER DAMIENJOSEPH’S many contributions to his community include the planning and cooking of this year’s annual 4th of July celebration (this year transferred to July 5th) at Lambert Lodge. BROTHER DAMIEN-JOSEPH is studying theology at Mount Angel in Oregon.

Warm good wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with good health and God’s Peace! u

ABBEY CHURCH EVENTS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 8 p.m.

Friday, April 22, 2022 at 8 p.m.

THOMAS MESA, cello ILYA YAKUSHEV, piano www.chambermuse.com www.thomasmesacello.com www.ilyayakushev.com Masterclass in Kreielsheimer Hall www.yca.com www.trionfoflute.com ETIENNE GARA, violin SUNG CHANG, piano www.chambermuse.com www.etiennegara.com THE QUEENS SIX www.chambermuse.com www.thequeenssix.com

Abbey Church Events, an annual concert/lecture series, has been presented by the monks of the Abbey since 1980. All concerts are held in the Abbey Church, and seating is limited.

Presentation is subject to the CDC guidelines current at time the concert is scheduled. All musicians and attendees will be asked to conform to these guidelines.

THE QUEEN’S SIX was established in 2008, the 450th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth I, from whom they take their name.

Based at Windsor Castle, the members of The Queen’s Six make up half of the Lay Clerks of St. George’s Chapel, whose homes lie within the Castle walls.

The Chapel Choir, which consists of boy trebles and twelve professional adult singers, performs some eight services a week, as well as at private and state occasions, often before the Royal Family. In 2018, their duties with the Chapel Choir included singing for the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, now The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Queen’s Six has sung at a number of prestigious festivals and venues, including the MET Cloisters in New York City, the Salzburg Bachgesellschaft, the Bermuda Festival, Bayreuth’s Margravial Opera House and St. Louis Cathedral Basilica.

Upcoming tours include return trips to the USA, Germany, the Baltic States and Poland, and first visits to China and Bulgaria.

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IN MEMORIAM

REMEMBERING THE ALUMNI OF SAINT MARTIN’S

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Kenneth Bragg, ’42 January 14, 2020

James McCarthy, ’61 January 20, 2021

Joan Castaneda, ’74 June 27, 2020

Margaret Lowney-Rock, ’95 February 16, 2020

Max Gambee, ’49 March 5, 2020

Richard Scott, ’61 June 16, 2021

J. Evans, ’74 February 14, 2021

Renate Bertoia, ’96 April 26, 2020

David Hughes, ’49 September 20, 2020

Robert Barber, ’62 January 7, 2020

Robert Shaw, ’74 January 6, 2021

Kenneth Bottemiller, ’97 October 27, 2020

Leo Bordeaux, ’50 January 30, 2020

William Frank, ’62 June 20, 2020

Ronald Bates, ’75 June 4, 2021

Curtis Brown, ’09 June 17, 2020

Donald Ditz, ’50 January 6, 2021

Allan Kimbel, ’63 December 20, 2020

Phillip Hansen, ’75 June 29, 2020

Laura LeMoine, ‘15 March 31, 2020

Patrick Maher, ’50 March 22, 2021

Frederick Dorn, ’65 February 21, 2020

John Spiller, ’75 January 21, 2021

Perry McNamar, ‘15 Jaunuary 4, 2020

John Augustavo, ’51 July 1, 2020

James Murphy, ’65 June 19, 2020

Brends Patnude, ’75 September 5, 2021

Joseph Bray, ‘15 October 30, 2020

Dale Becker, ’51 June 6, 2021

Edward Stevens, ’66 June 21, 2020

George McNelly, ’76 February 20, 2021

Cameron Campbell, ’19 January 20, 2020

George Pifer, ’51 January 20, 2020

Jose Torrella, ’66 June 5, 2021

Dennis Deaton, ’77 November 3, 2020

Raymond Webber, ’48, ’59 January 2, 2020

Walter Neiman, ’52 June 12, 2020

Robert Whittle, ’66 January 5, 2020

Phillip Reed, ’77 January 4, 2020

Adrian Parcher, ’51, ’55 May 20, 2021

Bernard Whalen, ’52 November 22, 2020

Donald Pakele, ’67 January 4, 2021

Steven Reynvaan, ’77 May 25, 2020

James Ouillette, ’51, ’56 August 13, 2020

Bernard Steckler, ’53 September 23, 2020

Donald Wilson, ’67 August 31, 2020

Charlotte Richards, ’78 January 26, 2020

William Doyle, ’52, ’58 September 16, 2020

Erwin Braun, ’54 January 8, 2021

Daniel Dugaw, ’68 August 25, 2021

Valerie Casey, ’80 February 24, 2020

Robert Gleason, ’53, ’55 July 23, 2021

John Lahm, ’55 May 31, 2020

David Cook, ’69 April 29, 2020

Geoffrey Harris, ’80 November 25, 2020

Kenneth Ryan, ’55, ’59 October 5, 2020

Carroll Heffron, ’57 April 20, 2020

Noel Palmer, ’69 June 13, 2020

Stephanie Bucich-Fuller, ’81 May 31, 2021

Gerard Kirsch, ’61, ’65 March 21, 2020

William Amburgey, ’58 January 27, 2020

Christine Schoonover, ’69 November 13, 2020

Patrick Burke, ’84 October 16, 2020

Anthony Andrews, ‘10 October 10, 2021

Alnoth Krier, ’58 May 6, 2021

Thomas Treves, ’69 May 28, 2020

Gregory Feuchter, ’85 January 15, 2020

Ward Rockey, ‘50 October 22, 2021

James Tobin, ’58 October 10, 2020

Angela Wilson, ’69 May 4, 2021

Diane Wainright McMurdie, ‘85 Jeff Tingelstad, ‘91 September 4, 2021 August 17, 2021

Richard Damitio, ’59 November 26, 2020

Michael Brown, ’71 April 4, 2020

Laura O, ’Neal, ’85 July 30, 2020

Brenda Patnude, ‘75 September 5, 2021

David Rausch, ’59 March 27, 2020

Thomas Keller, ’71 August 18, 2020

Robert Phillips, ’88 July 8, 2021

Jason Turner, ‘07 September 10, 2021

Edward Seeberger, ’59 July 21, 2021

Barbara Munn, ’71 March 23, 2020

Ann Ryan, ’89 May 25, 2021

Donald Scarberry, ‘73 September 19, 2021

Edward Wack, ’59 March 6, 2020

Doris Backholm, ’72 July 11, 2020

Rodolfo Lopez, ’91 May 29, 2021

R. Wayne McAferty, ’60 November 2, 2020

Virginia Trowbridge, ’72 July 21, 2021

Thomas Davis, ’93 June 10, 2020

Larry Duchateau, ’61 August 12, 2021

Gary Allin, ’73 February 15, 2020

Harriet Wehnes, ’93 April 18, 2021

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DR. KUNDER CHOSEN FOR

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aint Martin’s University’s Andrea Kunder, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, was recognized with the prestigious Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The award honors junior faculty members who demonstrate exceptional potential to establish exemplary, productive, and sustainable research programs.

“Every student has pushed me to think about my research in a deeper

way. Every student has

challenged me to think

“It is an honor to be recognized with this award,” shared more deeply about what Dr. Kunder. “It is so rewarding to watch my students begin to understand difficult concepts it means to be a student, and develop new skills as they a professor, and member focus on trying to solve one unknown problem of society today.” over the course of — DR. ANDREA KUNDER, PH.D. the summer. Every student has pushed me to think about my research in a deeper way. Every student has challenged me to think more deeply about what it means to be a student, a professor, and member of society today.”

The Murdock Trust posted this video to highlight Dr. Kunder’s work and impact here: https://vimeo. com/646104238.

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SAINT MARTIN’S FACULTY ARE BEING AWARDED AND RECOGNIZED! Teresa Winstead, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology

Dr. Teresa Winstead, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Sociology, has been involved in public health research related to treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) during her sabbatical this last academic year.

Dr. Winstead’s project is a collaboration with the University of Washington, Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute and the The Olympia Bupe Clinic (OBC), and is focused on evaluating the impact the clinic’s OUD treatment approach has for its

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patients. The evaluation project, funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, is one of six partnerships across the country focused on helping community treatment models, like OBC, evaluate their services and broaden their impact.

Winstead’s role has focused on creating and facilitating the qualitative part of the evaluation, which includes semi-structured interviews and staff and patient focus groups. The research team hopes to document the model’s most impactful practices and to identify ways the clinic can increase healthcare effectiveness.

The interviews highlight the positive impact access to Buprenorphine treatment has for patients in terms of personal health and wellbeing, community and family relationships, and economic and housing stability.

The team hopes that sharing patient’s stories will decrease stigma toward patients in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder, and will contribute to an increased understanding of and better access to Buprenorphine treatment. It can be a vulnerable experience to share one’s experiences in treatment and recovery, and Dr. Winstead says she is indebted to and inspired by the staff and the patients who

have shared their experiences in treatment and their perspectives on the OBC model with her. The project runs through 2022, and dissemination of results will follow.

David Wacyk, D.M.A. Assistant Professor of Music, Department Chair for Fine and Performing Arts

The Saint Martin’s University Music Department continues to grow and enjoys artistic success, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

In addition to the choral traditions held dear to the university through the work of the SMU Chorale (Professor Darrell Born, Director), the department has grown through the creation of the new Saint Martin’s University Band Program.

The SMU Bands, under the direction of Dr. David Wacyk (Assistant Professor of Music),

began their work in the fall of 2019 following Dr. Wacyk’s arrival, and a generous estate gift from Ruth Lewis in memory of her late husband, Johnny Lewis, in support of the music program and instrument library. The Wind Ensemble was able to perform three concerts, and the Saints Pep Band played for the men’s and women’s home basketball seasons before the pandemic shut-down. Since that first season, the band program has grown in membership to nearly double, despite the changed rehearsal methods during the pandemic.

During the 2020/2021 academic year, the SMU Wind Ensemble and Chorale embarked on a new and creative project, recording performance videos that also featured the beautiful outdoor spaces on campus. These videos were released virtually to wide acclaim, both locally and nationally.

This academic year marks a return to in-person performances. The Music Department celebrated with a fall concert in the Abbey Church. ♬

supporting orientation, Ackerman assisted the Director of Campus Life, Alexis Nelson, in starting a research project focusing on redesigning Summer Orientation and Incipio Welcome Weekend to better serve first-generation college students.

Through a first-generation lens, the Campus Life team analyzed the current orientation programming to redesign and implement strategies that improved the transition journey for first-generation college students. Prior to orientation, they provided first-generation resources and training to the Orientation and Incipio Leaders. The team was very intentional in the way they cultivated a culture of accountability by modeling the strategies they were enforcing. During Summer Orientation, Ackerman led a workshop called Transitioning to College where she shared her journey as a first-generation college student and held space for students to dive deeper into their journey by focusing on how they can best prepare to thrive.

Ackerman’s qualitative research focuses on gathering stories from incoming and returning firstgeneration college students at Saint Martin’s. The students shared the significance of peer mentorship and guidance during their first year on campus; the confusion and panic they felt navigating the nuances of higher education, primarily around terminology and logistics; and the immense pressure to succeed. The information they shared will be used as a framework on how to support first-generation college students at Saint Martin’s.

Sharing space with these students reminded Ackerman of her own experience as a first-generation college student. Their resiliency and determination were elements that are important to highlight when discussing first-generation support services. Ackerman is excited to continue her research with the Office of Campus Life and their efforts to redesign programming that embraces first-generation college students.

Rebecca Ackerman Masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs ‘23 This summer, Rebecca Ackerman, had the opportunity as a graduate student in Saint Martin’s Higher Education and Student Affairs program to intern under the Office of Campus Life. Her role as a graduate intern focused on providing programmatic support to Summer Orientations and Incipio Welcome Weekend. In addition to

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SAINT MARTIN’S FACULTY WHO WERE AWARDED GRANTS: Lori Sirs, D.S.W., L.I.C.S.W (Assistant Professor of Social Work) and Shandeigh “Nikki” Berry, Ph.D., RN, CNOR (Assistant Professor, Nursing)

Drs. Sirs and Berry have been awarded the Student Civic Leader Fellowship grant, a year-long fellowship program which offers financial support, an online learning community, and in-person training to foster confidence and success in student leaders. The grant will support two student research assistants during the 2021-2022

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academic year to Drs. Sirs and Berry in their interprofessional collaborative research project.

During their intervention study, Drs. Berry and Sirs will address a critical healthcare gap regarding complicated grief in men following perinatal loss by using an innovative therapeutic movement modality, poi spinning.

Elisabeth Power, Ph.D., MBA Assistant Professor of Business

Dr. Lisa Power, a professor in the school of business, received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, to enhance cultural competency skills development within the school of business.

Drawing on the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Model, a globally recognized way of assessing and improving effectiveness in culturally diverse situations, her program will train Saint Martin’s

business community how to adapt behavior to social and cultural surroundings.

New course content in BA 305: Business Communication class will focus on domestic CQ, or improving the way we work with people in our own country­—for example, people from different regions, generations, ethnicities, or job functions. Students in BA 420: International Business and Economics will learn to do business across ten international cultural cultures. In both courses, students will learn about their own values by completing a self-assessment that measures their cultural competency by evaluating cognitive, metacognitive, motivational and behavioral factors. They will then learn more about how their values compare to others in the class, in business careers and around the world. Finally, they will create a short-form video interview or discussion with a businessperson from a different culture. As students complete the videos, their work will be added to an ever-growing video library.

This award is provided by a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education known as CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research). The CIBER Consortium for MinorityServing Institution (MSI) and Community College (CC) (CMCC) acts as a resource multiplier in connecting schools across the CIBER network with MSIs and CCs nationwide for the goal of internationalizing business education. u

CALL FOR INTERNSHIPS! Internships are amazing experiential learning opportunities students can complete to apply what they have learned from their professors and prepare for their careers post-graduation.

Last fall, Saint Martin’s University was awarded a $2.25 million Title III grant to create a culture of experiential learning through internships.

Since then, the Career Center has hired three full-time staff, with two of them working solely on helping students find internships and developing connections with the community. Saint Martin’s Internship Navigators are: • Alysia Bean, Internship Navigator for College of Arts & Sciences • Carina Bissett MED ’20, Internship Navigator for Business, Engineering/Computer Science & Education • ‘Ula Kamaka ’20, Program Coordinator

These Internship Navigators are located in a brand-new space in Harned Hall! The Internship Hub is a space for current students to get support in their exploration, search and registration process of an internship.

This year, Saint Martin’s goals revolve around increasing internship opportunities, students enrolled in for-credit internships, faculty advisors, and professional development curriculum into internship courses. Multiple faculty members have partnered with staff in the Career Center and Internship Hub to include additional professional development work for the students in their for-credit internship courses.

Have an internship opportunity? Want to help our Saints? There are many internship opportunities organizations can create for students.

They can be as short as week-long “micro-internships,” as long as a full semester (15 weeks), summer, or even up to a year-long opportunity.

Internships can be in-person, remote, or a hybrid version. It all depends on the kind of work and support the organization is looking for. These academic-rich experiences have set goals and learning outcomes that the student can expect to achieve, highlighting what they will gain from the internship.

If your organization is interested in creating or advertising an internship experiences for current Saints, you can reach our Internship Navigators at internships@stmartin.edu. We are ready to support you! u

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SAINT MARTIN’S FACULTY AND STAFF IN ACTION: Ramon Luzarraga, Ph.D.

Susanna Southworth, J.D., Ph.D.

Jackie Clark, Ph.D., M.A.Ed.

Theology and Religious Studies

and Political Science

Education and Student Affairs

Associate Professor and Chair of

Dr. Ramon Luzarraga, Associate Professor and Chair of Theology and Religious Studies at Saint Martin’s University, published an article “The Charism of Companionship: John Henry Newman’s Adventure in Religious Life” in the Newman Studies Journal. Dr. Luzarraga was also elected Vice President of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States.

Adjunct Faculty of History

Dr. Susanna Southworth, Adjunct Professor in Political Science at Saint Martin’s University, presented a paper at the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, entitled, “The Clash of Constitutional Rights and Liberties and Legal Pluralism in Abortion” on the Panel: Women’s Lives and Constitutional Rights.

Dr. Southworth is an attorney

and co-counsel with The Law Office of Erik L. Bauer. She is a part of a team of attorneys for the plaintiff in the federal case, M.L. v.

Craigslist et. al. This case is the first case in the country to survive the motion to dismiss stage against craigslist for their facilitation of child sex trafficking.

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Program Director of M.Ed. in Higher Interim Program Director of Ph.D. in Leadership Studies

Dr. Jackie Clark, Program Director of M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Saint Martin’s University, was selected to attend the Leadership Educators Academy, a selective training academy sponsored by the International Leadership Association. Each year, 80 leadership educators are chosen

for this intensive 6-day training on leadership curriculum, pedagogy, theory, and program leadership.

Dr. Clark will continue to work with her affinity group of faculty during the year to share best practices and build stronger programs. Dr. Clark also attended the Education Law Association’s annual conference where she led a pre-conference training program on best practices in higher education law. Attendees

worked with faculty leaders from K-12 and Higher Education to build syllabi, develop strong pedagogy, and consider how to engage students with the law.

Kael Moffat

Information Literacy Librarian

This summer, Kael Moffat and John Hopkins and co-presented at the 8th annual Lifelong Information Literacy Virtual Conference on the concept of desettling, a concept they have been working on as a way to describe how non-

Indigenous persons can address concerns about Indigenous rights.

Indigenous peoples have taken to using the term “decolonization” to sum up their strategies and acts of resistance to colonial structures and cultural and physical violence. For those of us who are non-Indigenous and have settled on Indigenous lands, we cannot really decolonize because we are the colonizers. Kael and John use

the term “desettling” to describe complementary strategies and actions that settlers can take to start to challenge colonial structures and colonial violence. Their presentation was on the concept of desettling and how libraries can start to incorporate a desettling framework. Kael also had his poem, Polar Route, published on the website for Creative Colloquy, a local literary journal.

Julie Prosser, M.A., Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology

Dr. Julie Prosser, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Saint Martin’s University, co-authored and presented a paper at the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) conference. The paper is called “Gendered beliefs and behaviors in couple relationships as predictors of physiological stress functioning”.

Dr. Prosser is a member of an interdisciplinary group of

researchers at Colorado State University. Their research provides the first investigation connecting gender role ideology and a specific dimension of marital equity with patterns of diurnal cortisol production. The study involved 62 heterosexual couples who completed several questionnaires and who provided several saliva samples on two consecutive school or work days. Results showed that men’s traditional gender ideologies are associated with dysregulated (i.e., unhealthy) cortisol patterns for both men and women. Additionally, for women who have more traditional gender ideologies, their cortisol patterns were more regulated (i.e., healthy), but only when those women also performed a greater number of traditional feminine tasks.

The conference is organized by the International Association for Relationship Research, which is a non-profit interdisciplinary organization that encourages collaboration between students and scholars of all experience levels to promote their research in the scientific study of personal and social relationships. The current projects being presented at this conference were supposed to be held in London in 2020, but because of COVID, they transitioned it to a virtual conference. IARR members come from a variety of disciplines, including family studies, psychology, communication, sociology, child/lifespan development, gerontology, education, clinical work, philosophy, and anthropology. Its members also come from six of the seven continents!

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N RSING Dedication

On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, Saint Martin’s University held a long-awaited dedication for the Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation Nursing Education Center. Representatives from the Betti family and foundation were in attendance, along with members of the Saint Martin’s Abbey and University communities, Saint Martin’s Trustees, alumni, and community partners including those healthcare and nursing. Following Abbot Marion Nguyen, O.S.B.’s blessing, guests took self-guided tours of the simulation labs, classrooms and other spaces necessary to support nursing education at Saint Martin’s University.

The Department of Nursing at Saint Martin’s University has a current enrollment of 183 nursing students and 27 pre-nursing students, and prepares nursing graduates who are committed to evidence-based practice, social justice and lifelong learning to meet the needs of the global community in the 21st century.

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MAKING HISTORY!

For the first time in program history, the Saint Martin's women's basketball team has an All-American. Voted an honorable mention by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Claire Dingus ‘22, made history in 2021. " This year, The junior from Spokane Valley, WA earned the historic honor after averaging a double-double on the season.

Dingus led the team in just about every statistical category. Averaging 17.5 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and a 55.9 field goal percentage.

we had a The awards began to pile up in the season, with her earning three GNAC Player of the Weektarget awards, moston in our the conference. There were no All-Conference or All-Region awards announced during the 2020-21 season.

Dingus’ remarkable season began with a stellar six point, 15 rebound performance against Division-I back Seattle andU. The rebounding mark tied her career-high and after averaging 7.0 points, and 10.5 rebounds against Seattle Pacific, Dingus became an unstoppable force. everybody She claimed her first GNAC Player of the Week after scoring 25-points, and a career-high 16 rebounds against Northwest Nazarene. She followed it up with a 28-point effort on 13-for-16 shooting, settingwanted a new career-high to in points scored.

Over the course of the next four games, Dingus averaged 21.4 points per game, while grabbing 9.3 rebounds, beat us.” leading to two more GNAC Player of the Week awards.

—Jordan Kitchen

In the final weekend of the season, Dingus led the Saints to two key victories to secure the program’s second straight winning season. The forward was good for a total of 47 points, and 21 rebounds.

The award marked a historic moment for the Saints, and Dingus as she became the first NCAA All-American selection in program history. She is the first Saint to earn any All-American honor since Olivia Carillo earned NAIA All-American in 1996.

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Did someone say "history"? will go down in history as one of the great Saints teams.

However, the work was not done for the Saints. Just two weeks later, the Saints were back out at The Home Course, hosting the NCAA West/South Central Super Regional. Competing against the best 16 teams in the super region, the Saints eyed one of the top four spots that would automatically send them to the NCAA National Championship.

More drama and suspense filled the tournament as it came down to the wire on who would advance. In the end, Saint Martin’s managed to place second overall, the highest finish in program history, and punched their ticket to the National Championships in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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GNAC Championship, the GNAC Player of the Year, NCAA Super Regional Runner-Up, and a trip to the NCAA National Championship.

The 2021 Saint Martin’s men’s golf team will go down in history as one of the great Saints teams.

Entering the year, the Saints understood 2021 could be a special year, and had one goal in mind. Winning the GNAC Championship, something a Saint Martin’s team had never done before.

Playing at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington, Saint Martin’s entered the tournament as a favorite to clinch. Drama filled the three rounds, but the Saints never wavered. Holding off Western Washington by two strokes, Tyler Fitchett clinched the championship with a 5-foot putt on the 18th green.

The GNAC Championship trophy wasn’t the only hardware the Saints brought home that weekend. Fitchett was named the GNAC Player of the Year, and the GNAC Individual Champion. Head Coach Kevin Bishop was named GNAC Coach of the Year, and Nick Baker was selected as the GNAC Newcomer of the Year.

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Max Turnquist led the Saints in the Regional, placing sixth overall, with Fitchett earning 11th out of 86 golfers. Later, Fitchett and Turnquist were each named to the PING All-Region team, honoring the best golfers in the region.

For the first time since 2005, the Saints were represented at the NCAA Men’s Golf National Championships. Playing at the PGA National Course, Saint Martin’s finished 15th overall, tied for the highest finish in program history.

“ This last season was a special year where many things fell into place on and off the golf course,” said Bishop. “As a coach, I really couldn’t have asked for a better group of eight players to create awesome memories with.”

Hoku Nagamine

Kathryn Crimp

Crimp and Nagamine shine at GNAC Championships athryn Crimp ’23, who was the individual champion at the GNAC Championships, and Hoku Nagamine ’23, who earned runner-up at the GNAC Championships, were both named 2021 GNAC first team All-Conference selections.

averaging 82.6 strokes on the year.

The sophomore also was playing her best golf at the end of the season, shooting a season-best 77-78-155 at the GNAC Championships.

Her second-place finish in the event was also best on the year for her.

Crimp, who was also a second team selection in 2019-20, finished fifth in the GNAC in stroke average at 81.4.

She caught fire down the stretch, finishing second overall in the final regular season tournament, Western Washington Invitational, before capturing the individual title at the GNAC Championships.

Nagamine led the Saints in their second tournament of the year, RJGA Palm Valley Classic, shooting a team-best 78 in the opening round, and finishing with an 82 in the last round.

She became the first Saint in program history to earn the honor, narrowly edging out her teammate Nagamine by two strikes. Crimp shot a season-low 7776-153, and her 76 in the final round, was tied for the lowest of any golfer in the GNAC Championships.

Nagamine, playing in four of the Saints' five tournaments this season,

The honor marks the first for Nagamine in her career. The pair also make Saint Martin's history in becoming the first two golfers to earn first team All-Conference honors in the same season.

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Alumni Profile

JOHN IGLESIAS MBA’01

By Jaima Kortlever ’21, Alumni Engagement Manager

Iglesias first became acquainted with Saint Martin’s through its extension program at McChord Air Force Base. Back then Iglesias was a technical sergeant in the Air Force Reserves and employed as an NW Regional Marketing Manager with Bank of America.

A mentor at Bank of America suggested Iglesias get an MBA to help him achieve a higher position in banking. The Saint Martin’s program was very convenient for him as a working professional: he was able to attend courses at night and on the weekends both at Saint Martin’s Lacey and Joint Base Lewis-McChord campuses.

“S

ince a very young age, I have been interested in leadership,” shares John Iglesias MBA’01, Chief Executive Officer at Northwest Community Credit Union and a member of the second cohort of Saint Martin’s University’s doctoral program in leadership studies. “My mother l ed her family of seven young boys to develop strong values in faith, family, and serving our community.

She taught me early on the value of hard work and to never neglect my learning.”

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Iglesias originally had intended to start a Ph.D. program in business right after he completed MBA. However, at that time, Iglesias and his wife were finally able to start the family they had been dreaming and praying for more than 12 years, so he put his doctorate plans on “parental hold” until further notice.

Fast forward 20 years. With his daughter now grown and away at college and his foster son in the Air Force, Iglesias has returned to Saint Martin’s to finally pursue that doctorate degree, but this time choosing to focus on leadership.

Says Iglesias, “I was born and raised on the tiny island of Guam, and in my culture, the cycle of learning-doing-giving sustains what you can give to others and your community.” The Leadership Studies program spoke to his sense of giving back.

Iglesias points to the Saint Martin’s caring faculty for being important partners in his educational journey.

It was his professors in the MBA program who helped him balance the demands of a degree program with the responsibilities of being a manager, a new officer in the Reserves, and a new father. He has never stopped appreciating the guidance he has received from his Saint Martin’s faculty and classmates.

That supportive community is there too in his Ph.D. cohort, which he compares to a metaphoric life preserver. The “seas” of the Ph.D. program are super demanding— it’s one of the most significant challenges he’s ever undertaken in his life. The ability to call on his cohort, composed of individuals from a variety of sectors, including profit and non-profit, and at various stages of their careers, has been invaluable. Learning comes alive in class conversations and the exchange of real-life examples of applied knowledge.

“There is a dynamic aspect of leadership that either powers up your strategy or blocks it, depending on how prepared you are to respond to your environment,” adds Iglesias.

“Saint Martin’s Leadership Studies program has energized me to unlock even more of the potential of our employees, our products, and our services to meet the real needs of families today. It’s never a dull moment because the things we do daily are critical for people’s financial well-being.”

Says Iglesias, reflecting on his work and his studies, “Leadership, the key to leading a large organization, is not only anticipating the best course of action, but it truly is also about opening the pathways to each leader.” u

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Donor Profile

Pat Skeel Giving

and the gift of

By Kiyomi Kishaba

P

at grew up one of nine children in a family and watched her older brothers and sister be able to achieve their dreams through scholarships offered to them by their universities. She recalls one Christmas where her mother could not afford presents or a Christmas dinner for the children and a family in their church graciously purchased presents and gave her mother money for food. Pat was given a rubber doll that she has to this day. That display of kindness instilled a drive for generosity in Pat’s heart.

The first time she toured the Saint Martin’s campus, Pat Skeel felt immediately connected to the students and mission of the university.

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Pat and her late husband Bill began saving for retirement early in their careers in the bank industry, and when Bill passed away Pat decided it was time to start giving back. At the behest of Joe HS ’62, ’64 and Betty Alongi, she donated a golf cart to Saint Martin’s athletics in exchange for season tickets to home basketball games. She quickly became an avid fan and a friendly face recognized by many students and athletes. Her first major gift to Saint Martin’s came when she supported the Science Initiative and the eventual building of the Ernsdorff Center, when Pat created a pledge at a leadership level in Bill’s memory.

Education continues to be very important to Pat: she wants to give students the same life-changing opportunities given to her brothers and sister, especially her brother Jeff who has been an inspiration to her throughout her entire adult life. She recently decided to create a scholarship endowment and continue her incredible legacy as a Saint Martin’s donor.

Her generosity is an inspiration to the Saint Martin’s community. u

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ALUM NOTES

1970’s

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Terrence Burke Jr. (Terry) ‘75 is the head of the Bioorganic Chemistry Section in the Chemical Biology Laboratory Center at the National Cancer Institute.

On December 9, 2020, Terrence Burke received the Hillebrand Prize, which is awarded annually for original contributions to chemistry by a member of the Chemical Society of Washington.

The Hillebrand Prize is the most prestigious honor given by the CSW and is recognized nationally as a mark of significant accomplishment in chemistry.

During Burke’s acceptance lecture, he acknowledged Fr. Bede Ernsdorff’s essential contributions to his career.

David Pust (Dick) ‘75 was as the recipient of the Washington State “Broadcaster of the 1 Year” award. He’s also been recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters as one of the nation’s top radio personalities. Pust has spent his entire professional career in Broadcasting-all of that in local radio. His morning show became the longest running radio show in the State of Washington.

1980’s

1: Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Patrick McDonald ‘84 formally retired from the Army Reserves on his 60th Birthday, February 26, 2021. He completed his last duty assignment as the CSM of the Fort Shafter, Hawaii based 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade.

Even though McDonald has retired from the Reserves, he still continues as a Manager in the Secretary of State’s office where he started in 2000. He considers his time as St. Martin’s the most fulfilling in his life and remembers his mentors, Fr. John Scott, Fr. Kilian Malvey, Mary Law, Fr. George Sidel, Fr. Minerad Gaul, and Dr. Mike Contris, among others, as pivotal in helping him develop a critical and compassionate mindset.

2: Billie Goodrich Mazzei ‘89 released her second book “Fat, Faithful, and Fairly Flirty Stories from My Life.” Her book is available at Orca & Browers Books in Olympia and can be bought online on Amazon and Kindle.

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2000’s Capital High School teacher Kristina Cummins ‘01 was recognized for her role as a leader in theatre education. Cummins was awarded the state level of the Outstanding Speech/Theatre/ Debate Educator Award from the National Federation of State High School Associations. She was one of 13 educators nationwide who earned the state-level award.

5: After volunteering with the West Thurston Fire Department since 2018, Sarah Dean ‘04 was recently offered a career position as a firefighter/EMT.

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4: Shanelle Pierce ‘01 completed her MBA at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington in June 2021.

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1990’s 3: Patricia Babbitt ’97 married Daniel Freedman July 12, 2019.

Daniel and Patricia met at Saint Martin’s University when Daniel was working for Public Safety.

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Casey Winchell ‘04 joined MOD Pizza as their Controller.

MOD Pizza is one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the nation and thrives on a purpose led culture. MOD exists to serve people; Casey is thrilled to join a company working to make a difference in the lives of people and its employees.

6: Fr. Matthias Lambrecht ‘04 was ordained a Discalced Carmelite Priest in the Catholic Church Sept. 8, 2018. He has been assigned to Mount St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery in San Jose, CA) as the Vocation Director & Postulant Master.

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Carrie Ann Ooms ‘07 and her husband Edgar Ooms recently opened a new storage facility in Rainier, WA called Self Access Storage. City of Rainier ClerkTreasurer Tami Justice was thrilled the Ooms chose to build in town.

Justice wrote in an email to the Nisqually Valley News “The City of Rainier is very excited to welcome Self Access Storage to our city. It seems storage facilities are in high demand right now, so we are pleased the Ooms decided to build here”.

Derek Siesser ‘07 was named a “Top 50 Golf Coach in the Country”.

Siesser is the head of the Indian Canyon Golf Academy, has been honored by Operation 36, whose stated mission is to create one million new golfers over the next five years.

2010’s 7: Michael Grosso ‘10 MBA ‘14 welcomed a precious baby girl into his family in November 2020.

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8: Melissa Jankanish ‘12 and Kyle Van Santen ‘12 were married in July 2020. Their wedding party included two alumni Angel Sanchez ‘12 and Devon Demoss ‘14.

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10: Aubree Fudge ‘13 was named a “30 under 30” by South Sound YMCA and YMCA of the USA. Fudge, who is the Senior Director of Branch Operations for South Sound YMCA has worked for the YMCA for 8 years now. Her fellow colleague shared “she is a force for diversity and inclusion, is a highly talented operator, and very effective mentor/supervisor”.

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9: Cherish Leialoha ‘12 and Walton Lum ‘11 were married August 1, 2015. Their wedding party included Chason Yamaguchi ‘12 and Wenzie (Aguiran) Gery ‘12. They welcomed a beautiful baby girl on January 21, 2020, named Chasity Lum.

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Jennifer Nicole Arleen Crooks ‘14 earned a master’s degree in History at Central Washington University in 2017. Her thesis was entitled, “‘No Other Agency: Public Education’: (K-12) in Washington State During World War I and the Red Scare, 19171920.” She co-authored Images of America: DuPont (2019) with her father historian Drew Crooks.

Her first solo book, “Images of America: Washington State Capitol Campus” was published

by Arcadia Publishing in 2021. She currently writes history articles for Thurston Talk.com, where she interned while at SMU. John Smigaj ‘14 and business partner Morgan Misek had their start up business called Trxstle a

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CRC system funded by Thurston Investment Network (ThiNK) in 2018. Today, Trxstle is used in a nationwide retail chain for Scheels All Sports.

Clarissa Strayer ‘15 co-founded a non-profit organization called RISE Santa Barbara, which supports high school students from low-income families and first-generation students through the college application process. Their goal is to make the confusing college application process more equitable and help historically underrepresented students prepare for several pathways after high school graduation. To learn more, like RISE on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, connect with us on LinkedIn, or check us out at www.risesb.org.

11: Mallory Dobbs ‘16 is an employee with an engineering service named SCJ Alliance. In her free time, she is a professional racer. Dobbs has been racing for 4 years in Washington and Oregon.

She plans on competing at the national level in 2022.

12: Elizabeth Brueske ‘18 and her parents Dave and Tammy Brueske own a pet shop called Yelm Farm and Pet which they showcased in December 2020.

Elizabeth who mostly runs Yelm Farm and Pet believes customer interactions are her greatest joy.

She shared “I enjoy talking to customers because it keeps it interesting. Every day is different, and you meet new people and form relationships with them”.

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2020’s Kelsey Dana Buckles ‘20 Started her new job as Aerospace Engineer for NASA. Leopoldo Sanchez Villalpando MIT ‘20 Is a recent master’s in teaching graduate of Saint Martin’s University. He is now working as a full-time teacher/educator.

Karen Compher ‘21 Was hired as a Fish Sampler at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Eldika Luisa McFarlane ‘21 Recently started working at the Providence St. Peter Hospital as a RN-BSN. Bradley Michael Poerio ‘21 Became an Infantry Officer in the United States Army.

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Alumni Events Reunion Weekend

38th ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

$54,000

WAS RAISED IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES!

Niko Nunogawa ’07, Kaelen Moore ’05, Thomas Rowswell ’06, Kevin McCrossin

Jen Liedes ’16, Keith Liedes, Sarah Salvatori ’16, MBA ’17, Anne Bahr

Bob Whitney ’71, Jim Guerci ’72, Walt Wolery ’71, Lanny Wagner (not in order)

Christopher Thomsen ’80, Shelton Louie, Joe Hille, Bob Donati. (not in order)

The 38th annual Saint Martin’s University Golf Classic was held Aug 6, 2021, at the Capitol City Golf Course.

The Golf Classic is the University’s largest fundraiser for Saint’s Athletics, raising critical funds for student-athlete scholarships. The event draws alumni, businesses, sponsors, and donors of Saint Martin’s University together for some friendly tournament competition! Save the date for the 39th annual Golf Classic on Aug. 5, 2022!

We are grateful for all the support of our additional sponsors, alumni, volunteers, families, and friends of Saint Martin’s University who helped make the tournament a success!

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FR. KILIAN MALVEY’S

85 BIRTHDAY th

CELEBRATION

Fr. Killian turned 85 this summer! We celebrated his 85th birthday during Reunion Weekend, Sunday Aug. 8. In addition to celebrating his birthday, this event was a wonderful gathering where friends and classmates were able to reconnect with each other.

There was an outpour of gifts made to Fr. Kilian’s Scholarship Endowment to support Saints students in need! Over $90,000 was raised which exceeded the anonymous $70,000 gift match totaling $160,000 in honor of Fr. Kilian’s Scholarship Endowment.

E N O R U N I Weekend 2021

Class of ’71

Saturday Aug 7, the Saint Martin’s College class of 1971 celebrated its 50th class reunion. The ′ 71 was able to reconnect, reminisce, and reflect on their time here as a student during a casual lunch and campus tour highlighting recent renovations and buildings.

Steve Boedigheimer, Bob Whitney, Walt Wolery, Gery Gerst, Marilyn Wilfong, Jim Vosper, Kathie Perz, Tedi Reynolds, Sue Slingerland

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Saint Martin’s Baseball Team

Hawaii

1 ST ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT IN

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ug. 18 the Saint Martin’s University Baseball team and community hosted their 1st annual Golf Tournament in Hawaii. This fundraiser provided direct support to student-athletes. In the upcoming year, the Saints Baseball program will be able to travel to Hawaii to play in February 2022, make improvements to their home field, and provide a better overall experience to all players. On behalf of the Baseball team community, they would like to specially thank Garret Matsunami who served as the main event coordinator. Save the date for the 2nd annual Baseball Tournament on Aug. 19, 2022, in Hawaii stay tuned for registration!

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THANK YOU TO ALL THE LEAD EVENT AND PLATINUM SPONSORS! • Coastal Construction Company • Design Partners Incorporated • Ironworkers Union • Ivan Lui-Kwan ‘67 • Matson

• Pacific Appliance Group • Park Engineering

• Royalty Contracting

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AND HALL OF FAME For more than 20 years, Saint Martin’s has awarded alumni who have made major impacts on their communities, the University, and for accomplishments made in their professions. These men and women are awarded with honors for exceeding societal expectations, breaking the mold, and helping to

make the world a better place. Last year, we honored and celebrated these individuals during our Virtual Homecoming via Zoom. Visit Saint Martin’s Alumni webpage or email alumni@stmartin.edu to submit a nomination.

The 2021 Hall of Fame inductees

The 2021 Hall of Honor inductees

Lacey McGladrey (Softball)

2008 Women’s Golf Team

Fr. Meinrad Gaul, O.S.B. ’27†

Meltarrus “Sam” A. Washington Jr. ’13 (Men’s Track and Field)

The 2021 Distinguished Alumni class

Steve Boedigheimer ʼ71

John Donaldson ʼ66

Fr. Meinrad Gaul, O.S.B. ʼ27

Francis Iwasawa ʼ60

Maj. Gen. James Johnson, MBA ʼ96, USAF (Ret.)

Rita Meldrum ʼ95

LTC Rebecca Oldham ʼ92, USA

Mike Thibault ʼ79

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E THE DATE • V A S •

FEBRUARY 4-6, 2022

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS February 1 2 3 4

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• February 19 Pack the Pavilion & TwinStar Night

• March 21 321Give!

• May 7 Commencement Ceremony • August 5-7 Reunion Weekend

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• February 4-6 Homecoming Weekend

March

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• August 5 Saints Golf Classic • August 19 SMU Baseball Hawaii Golf Tournament

• November 5 Gala 2022

PACK THE

PAVILION February 19, 2022

TwinStar Credit Union Game Night

TwinStar Credit Union hosts its annual basketball game night welcoming members and employees to TwinStar Credit Union Court to cheer on the Saints men and women basketball teams! Thank you TwinStar for your generous support of Saint Martin’s and its students!

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First-generation college students are members of our community who are the first in their family to attend college.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “FIRST-GEN”?

Being “first-gen” implies that a student may not have the cultural capital necessary for college success because their parents did not attend a four-year university.

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L A S T LO O K

IF YOU IDENTIFY AS A FIRST-GEN STUDENT, WE SUPPORT YOU AND ARE ROOTING FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUCCESS. Daisy Miranda Class of 2023 | Social Work

contents

saint martin’s university winter 2021–22

04 A historic gift from the Abbey 06 A record-breaking Gala

15 Dr. Kunder chosen for Swanson Promise Award 22 Nursing Ribbon Cutting

24 Saints Athletics making history 03 President’s Greeting 05 Search for the 11th President 10 Monastic Happenings 14 Campus News 26 Alumni Profile

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EDITORS Genevieve Canceko Chan Jocelyn Bonilla ‘21 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lillian Austin CREATIVE DIRECTOR Marki Carson

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CONTRIBUTORS Abbot Marion Q. Nguyen, O.S.B. Alyssa Nastasi, MBA Ann Adams, MBA Austin Byrnes Br. Boniface V. Lazzari, O.S.B. Cecelia Loveless Genevieve Canceko Chan Jaima Kortlever ‘21 Jaiza Wesley John Iglesias MBA’01 Katie Wojke Nate Peters MBA’19 Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D.

30 Donor Profile 31 Alum Notes 36 Alumni Events 42 First Generation

PRINTING Capitol City Press Insights is the official magazine of Saint Martin’s University. ©2021 All rights reserved.

We invite your comments and suggestions. Please email them to marcom@stmartin.edu.

Please send alumni news and address changes to: Institutional Advancement, 5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey, WA 98503; telephone 360-491-4700; email alumni@stmartin.edu.

Saint Martin’s University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Visit us online at www.stmartin.edu.

As a first-generation student, I’m still trying to figure it all out. The biggest piece of advice I can give to any firstgen student who is beginning their college journey or currently figuring it out like I am is that it’s okay to ask for help.

Alex Gonzalez Class of 2020 | Business Admin.

My experience at SMU was pretty awesome. Everyone around campus (staff and faculty) are always there to help and guide; they all want you to be successful.

Anahi Arenas Class of 2022 | Political Science

I would tell other first gen. to take advantage of the resources that the school provides, I have definitely benefitted from the writing center.

Also, go wherever there’s free stuff.

Katherine Jamerson Class of 2023 | Psychology

As a first-generation college student, I thought that the only thing I would have to prepare for was academic struggles. No one told me that I would have to be prepared to take care of my emotional health.

Yuan Angelo Fernandez Class of 2024 | Psychology

In reality, being a first-generation college student is difficult. Since you’re the first one to go to college in your family, you have to be the one to find your ways of finding scholarships, knowing the college application process, and finding a “home” within the college you go to.

However, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to have such a strong support system within my community that guided me to a path that I know I will thrive in.

Ace Adolfo Class of 2023 | Nursing

My advice for first-gen students would be: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Join clubs, and be involved with the campus as much as you can.

Shay Bonilla Class of 2024 | Elementary Ed.

Being a first-generation college student in my family definitely had its up and downs. The process of applying tocolleges, waiting for SAT/ ACT scores, what questions to ask, if playing at a collegiate level was an option, what is FASFA, WUE schools, what scholarships should I do, un/ subsidized loans, and it went on.

Vianeey Titla-Palalia Class of 2023 | Nursing

If you ever feel like giving up remember you have made it this far, don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Julie Prosser, Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor Department of Psychology

My experience as a first-gen student was quite non-traditional. I started taking college classes while I was at a vocational school before graduating high school. I went to the local community college first because I received a full-tuition scholarship and it made the most sense financially. Because of that, I missed the traditional dorm-room experience; we didn’t have a sports program to allow me to attend football games, etc. Although I may not have experienced some of the special early college moments that so many others have, the path I took led me to my PhD and my current position at SMU, and I met some amazing people along the way.

FAST FACTS: of undergraduate Saints identify as first-generation college students. of first-year Saints are first-generation college students.

Michelle Hudders DNP, MSN/Ed, RN, CNE Assistant Professor, Nursing

I am the second of nine children and a first-generation college graduate. My older brother received his BA after retiring from the Air Force and a younger brother completed a Bachelor’s in IT. I remember my dad saying, “An education is something no one can ever take away from you!”

I embraced my years in elementary and high school, wanting to make a difference in the world.

Chandini Lilla, LPN Student Health Center Care Team

I am a first-generation college graduate and first female in my immediate family to have earned a degree. My dad immigrated from India in 1974 to Oregon and moved his brothers, sisters and my mom here with him. Although he did not have a college degree he worked hard and was a true entrepreneur.

He saw the importance of a college degree and immigrated in order to provide his family with a better life with greater opportunities.

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Tacoma, WA Permit No. #378

Office of Marketing and Communications 5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey, WA 98503 www.stmartin.edu

saint martin’s university • winter 2021-22

news for alumni and friends

A HISTORIC GIFT FROM THE SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 21, 2022

The search for Saint Martin’s 11th President

3.21 GIVE is a day for

everyone who believes in the mission of Saint Martin’s University to make a difference in the lives of current and future students. The 24-hour, online event is the University’s annual day of giving, providing critical funding for a variety of needs across the campus.

Make your gift securely on March 21 by visiting www.stmartin.edu/321give and selecting your favorite area(s) to support: a specific scholarship, athletic team, student club or even your degree program.

For questions, contact advancement@stmartin.edu or 360-438-4366.

SHARE YOUR STORY #321GIVE

ABBEY

A record-breaking year for the 2021 Gala SAINTS Athletics making history