2020 Fall Insights

Office of Marketing and Communications 5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey, WA 98503

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

saint martin’s university • winter 2020–21

Saints Strong A campus community comes together to respond to COVID-19

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.

Share your Saints pride on social media by telling others how you were supported while at Saint Martin’s or why you choose to now give back. Include a photo or make it a video!

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

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

Share your story #321Give

Alt SPRING BREAK 125

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ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

news for alumni and friends

insights L A S T LO O K

contents

saint martin’s university winter 2020–21

02 Saints Strong: A COVID-19 Semester 06 Alternative Spring Break

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125th Anniversary Celebration

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Campus News

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Alum Notes

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Monastic Happenings

EDITORS Genevieve Canceko Chan Grant Clark

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Marki Carson

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lillian Austin

PRINTING Capitol City Press

CONTRIBUTORS Joseph Anderson Austin Byrnes Genevieve Canceko Chan Grant Clark Kim Nelson Katie Wojke

Insights is the official magazine of Saint Martin’s University. © 2020 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

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On December 9, Saint Martin’s Offices of Campus Life and Campus Ministry hosted the annual Christmas Tree

Blessing on the Trautman Union Building Lawn. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there were no canopy nor concert.

Instead, there was a continual walking path with separate stations where community guests could view the tree

and pick up cookies and treats. Father Peter Tynan gave the blessing and music professor Darrell Born serenaded the crowd with Christmas carols. A very different, but still beautiful evening to celebrate the season!

This fall semester has been like no other. Our 125th year as an institution of higher learning saw unprecedented adversities.

First was the COVID-19 pandemic, which first tested our community back in the spring.

Over summer, our Saint Martin’s community rallied, focused on students’ needs and on our desire to remain open. By fall, we adopted new technologies and modalities so we could offer hybrid and remote learning options. We also implemented new health and safety protocols to accommodate for face-to-face instruction and to keep our residence halls open. I am grateful to our faculty and staff for their dedication, ingenuity and compassion throughout this difficult semester.

Also during the summer, we witnessed a second pandemic unfold, locally and nationally, around racial discrimination and social injustice.

In recent years, Saint Martin's has become a BIPOC-majority (Black, Indigenous, people of color) university, with 51 percent of our students identifying as being ethnically diverse. While our campus looks different from how it did back in 1895, our commitment to each student and their success here and beyond has not changed.

We best serve our students, and our greater community, by acknowledging social injustice.

I am reminded of Catholic social justice teachings and of the Church’s long history of fighting racism. This year’s campus-wide theme is “Transformation”. As a campus we are examining the ways to integrate and advance diversity, equity and inclusivity initiatives across all areas. This is the first year of a multi-year process of transformation. We must all work to transform our communities, while imploring the Benedictine values of listening, dignity, respect, and peace.

We plan to share more about our efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in a future issue.

My personal thanks to everyone: donors who stepped forward to help with emergency funds for our students; our staff who have kept services up and running on campus throughout this pandemic; and our faculty who day after day were dedicated to providing an excellent education, with thoughtfulness and care, whether remotely or in-person. I especially want to thank our students who persevered this semester despite so many obstacles, and who challenged all of us — inspired all of us — to do better for the world. Finally, a special thank you to our Abbey for their generous gift of emergency grants for all of our students and their enduring support of our mission.

We hope and pray that you are safe and well during these challenging times. We thank you for your enduring support throughout the years to help Saint Martin’s University grow and thrive.

Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D. President @SMUPresident

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SAINTS STRONG:

A Covid-19 Semester

Fall 2020 found Saint Martin's University still adapting to a new normal that began last spring: learning and working amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Determined to support one another, as well as our greater surrounding community, the Abbey, faculty, staff and students rallied.

From the Abbey's generous gift of emergency scholarship support to students; to faculty and staff adopting new technology and rearranging classrooms to comply with health and safety guidelines; to the University working with organizations like Lacey MakerSpace and Thurston County Food Bank to meet community needs, all Saints rose up to the challenge. u

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CLASSROOM Saint Martin’s worked diligently to offer a mix of modalities for classes fall semester. About one-third of the classes were online-only, one-third were in-person full time, and the remaining third were a mix of inperson and online instruction. To prepare, new cleaning protocols were implemented and faculty and staff organized summer workshops to assist with moving classes to a hybrid model or fully online. Thanksgiving break was extended to a full week, and after Thanksgiving, all instruction was moved to remote to mitigate exposure during a possible second wave.

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KEEPING EDUCATIONAL DREAMS ALIVE

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n May, the Saint Martin’s Abbey made a commitment of $3.5 million to Saint Martin’s University to support students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, marking

the largest gift that the Abbey has made to the University.

More than 1,000 Saint Martin’s students have benefitted from the Abbot Neal G. Roth, O.S.B. Saints Care Emergency Fund.

Over the summer, 454 one-time scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000 in amount were awarded to new, incoming first year, transfer, and graduate students. An additional 645 scholarships were awarded to returning or continuing students.

The gift, named after Abbot Neal Roth, who retired in May after 27 years as abbot and chancellor, was made for the sole purpose of providing direct emergency aid grants for Saint Martin’s students.

PROTECTING FIRST RESPONDERS

FEEDING A COMMUNITY

When COVID-19 hit, personal protective equipment

In March, at the beginning of the pandemic, the

(PPE) quickly disappeared, leaving front line

Thurston County Food Bank and the City of Lacey

workers, doctors and nurses in trouble. Local

approached Saint Martin’s to be a remote food

makers volunteered with the Lacey MakerSpace — a

distribution site to help keep up with the growing needs

partnership between Saint Martin’s University, the

of area families. The Grand Staircase parking lot at

City of Lacey, and Thurston Economic Development

the foot of Old Main was easy to access and could

Council Center for Business and Innovation — to

accommodate a lot of people. The partnership made

produce these vital face

sense, speaking to Saint Martin’s

masks and face shields.

Together with Arbutus Folk School and South Salish Mighty Masks, the Lacey MakerSpace

175+ VOLUNTEERS 2,160+

FACE MASKS SEWN

Benedictine values of community and justice. Staff, faculty, students and alumni regularly volunteer and assist with the food distribution.

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POP-UPS ON CAMPUS SINCE APRIL

3,000+

thousands of vital supplies

1,840+

HOUSEHOLDS SERVED

FACE SHIELDS 3D PRINTED

and distributed to hospitals,

200+ LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HELPED

FAMILIES SERVED THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING

was able to produce

clinics, homeless shelters and schools.

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2020 Move-in Day Despite taking on a very different look and feel from years past due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Move-in Day at Saint Martin's University was still a memorable event for students during the start of the 2020–2021 school year. Using an innovative staggered check-in schedule spread out over two days (Aug. 27–28), students checked into residence halls one at a time, receiving assistance from fellow mask-wearing, social-distancing Saints, who volunteered to help out first-year students make the transition to campus living. u

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Alt

Spring Break

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hroughout the 2019-2020 school year, Saint Martin’s campus ministry team worked to create an alternative break immersion program in collaboration with student leaders. This program, called alt-spring-break, offered students the opportunity to travel to other parts of the country to learn about poverty, race, injustice, and apply knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching to reallife situations. Even more importantly, these student-led alternative break trips were an opportunity for Saint Martin’s students to meet and interact with people who committed to working on the margins of their communities.

Providing another opportunity for mission-centered learning, this trip enabled “Saint Martin’s students to learn to make a positive difference in

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their lives and in the lives of others through the interaction of faith, reason, and service.” Students traveled to Flint, Michigan, and McAllen, Texas, with faculty and staff members to engage in communities and work with people actively making a difference for others.

In McAllen, highlights of the trip included meeting Sister Norma Pimental, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, serving on the Mexican American border, and learning the stories of asylum seekers first-hand at the Catholic Charities respite center.

Students benefit by working with the dedicated staff who serve migrants who have traveled from countries, including the Republic of Congo, Haiti, Brazil, and Colombia.

Zyon Rodriguez, a sophomore who visited McAllen, talked about a woman he met who impacted his experience, “Maria was the cook at the Humanitarian Respite Center who would wake up every day with a smile on her face.” He further reflected, “she was happy to be giving back to the community and helping others who truly needed help. For most of the trip, I found myself taking on her positive attitude.”

Highlights from the Flint experience included working with the Catholic Community of Flint to address systematic and generational poverty within the city, including education, addiction, and food insecurity.

Students also learned what happened when General Motors, Flint’s

“I would go on this trip again because I will learn something new.

Serving and learning from one another is right in the heart of our SMU community.”

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— Monique Hasagawa-Ilio, senior

largest economic provider, left the community without consideration for addressing infrastructure concerns and environmental impact.

Christian Arakawa, a sophomore, summarized his experience of the trip by saying, “This trip was a big eye-opener. I learned so much more than I ever would have imagined.” He further talked about the experience by describing Flint’s community, “which is an amazing city with vibrant people trying their best to bring the city back to life.”

Fundraising efforts to defray some cost of the trips was also carried out by student leaders and participants to make this a reality. Students sold packaged coffee from Olympia Coffee Roasters, Krispy Kreme donuts and asked for donations.

1 The learning that took place with these students is best described by Arakwa: “I am an activist, a quiet one, but still an activist. After going on this trip, my activism style has changed from quiet to loud.” He further explained, “To actively fighting for social justice. This trip was amazing, and I am truly blessed

that I was able to do it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

If you are interested in learning more about this program or contributing to our fundraising efforts, please contact Colleen Dunne, Director of Campus Ministry, at cdunne@stmartin.edu. u

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With the increasing anxiety of COVID-19 while traveling, students maximized their time through building community and envisioning possibilities for the program in future years. Trips are planned next year for Browning, Montana and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Rochester, New York, El Paso, Texas, and Flint, Michigan, students are excited to begin the process of fundraising and making plans.

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Saint Martin’s raises

$1.4 MILLION for scholarships

Saint Martin’s University commemorated its 125th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 7, raising over $1.4 million in critical scholarship funds for current and future Saints.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the anniversary celebration was a virtual event, featuring video stories from faculty, staff, alumni and current students, as well as blessings from the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey, including the new abbot, Abbot Marion Nguyen, O.S.B. President Roy Heynderickx shared that he was “extremely grateful to our alumni and friends for their ongoing generous support of our students even in the midst of a pandemic.” You can re-watch the celebration at stmartin.edu/125watch. u

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Thank You, Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

125th Anniversary Celebration Sponsor

Print Sponsor

Broadcast Media Sponsor

Social Media Sponsor

Production Sponsor

Wine Glass Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Champagne Sponsor

Hospitality Sponsor

Print Media Sponsor

Sponsor Thank youBox for your continued support.

Celebration

Specialty Gift Sponsor

Sunset Air I

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HEATING • COOLING • FIREPLACES • WINDOWS

Saint Martini Bar Sponsor

Coffee Sponsor

Saint Martin’s Sponsors

360.357.7177 524 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 hello@dreesofolympia.com

Alderbrook Resort and Spa • America’s Credit Union • Definiti, LLC • FORMA Construction • Heritage Bank • Hotel RL Olympia Kell-Chuck Glass • Little Creek Casino • MJR Development • Moss Adams LLP • Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates • Olympic Provisions • Providence St. Peter Foundation South Puget Sound Community College • Squaxin Island Tribe • Timberland Bank • TwinStar Credit Union • US Bank

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saint martin's

www.stmartin.edu/gala

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AMPUS NEW

Congratulations

SSG BRITTANY RAMSEY

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SG Brittany Ramsey has been chosen by Saint Martin’s University as its 12th recipient of the America's Service Heroes Scholarship.

The America’s Service Heroes Scholarship was created in partnership with America’s Credit Union to provide financial assistance to service members and their families.

“These heroes have sacrificed for our nation’s well-being and security,” says Cruz Arroyo, associate dean for administration at Saint Martin’s University – Joint Base LewisMcChord Campuses. “The foremost wish of the scholarship’s founders and supporters was to provide support to the defenders of our nation while they pursued their higher education goals,” he said. “It was also their desire to provide financial relief and support to all of America’s Service Heroes serving around the globe.”

“I am sincerely honored to be selected for the Saint Martin’s University 2020 America’s Service Hero (ASH) Scholarship! Studying at Saint Martin’s University has been a complete privilege and joy,” Ramsey said. “It is an even greater appreciation to be placed among the ranks of past honorees,” Ramsey said.

“Thank you to the President of SMU and the benefactors for making this scholarship and award possible for our forces. I would like to especially thank my advisor, Dean, and leadership whose contributions continue to

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support and lend success towards my educational goals term after term.

Receiving this award will absolutely

provide more opportunity for reaching these higher educational goals this year and next.” u

SMU WELCOMES NEW DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, DR. LEE

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e are proud to announce that Dr. Chung-Shing Lee has been appointed to serve as the new Dean of the School of Business.

“I am grateful to join the Saint Martin's University's leadership team with vision and strategy and care about people, and most importantly, the core values of a faith-based university and the determination to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainability,” said Dr. Lee, who received his Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), Engineering and Technology Management from George Washington University and his Master of Arts (M.A.), Economics from the University of Maryland. “I look forward to working with a great group of colleagues who support each other to advance the School and the University missions.”

Prior to his current position, Dr. Lee was a Professor of Technology and Innovation Management and Dean of the School of Business at Pacific Lutheran University, a liberal arts and faith-based institution in Tacoma.

He brings more than eight years of full-time business experience and more than five years of administrative leadership, first as associate dean and the past three years as Dean of the PLU business school.

In addition, Dr. Lee has been a visiting Professor in the College of Management and a Research

Associate in the Institute of Knowledge Service and Innovation at Yuan Ze University in Taiwan, and a faculty research associate at the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) at the University of Maryland. He is also

a member of the editorial boards of Technological Forecasting and Social Change, International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, Journal of Competitive Studies, and the Competitiveness Review. u

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AMPUS NEW

MAPPING THE MILKY WAY

LED BY DR. ANDREA KUNDER, AN SMU RESEARCH GROUP SPENT FOUR NIGHTS OVER THE SUMMER USING THE ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN TELESCOPE REMOTELY.

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nitially, the group was scheduled to journey to Australia to study the longest nights of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, but COVID-19 halted their travel plans. Saint Martin’s IT, however, stepped up to make sure the research continued, allowing Dr. Kunder and her team to take in the stars while staying local.

According to Dr. Kunder, “One exciting part of the summer was using the Anglo-Australian Telescope.

The National Science Foundation’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NSF’s OIR Lab) accepted my proposal to use four nights of the Anglo-Australian Telescope ($65,800) and my time was scheduled for June 20-23, so the longest nights of year in the Southern Hemisphere were ours.

The Anglo-Australian Telescope is a 4-m class telescope best known for its spectrograph that allows for acquisition of up to 392 simultaneous spectra of objects anywhere within a 2-degree field of view. My research group and I all had plane tickets to travel to Australia to use the Anglo-

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Australian Telescope in June, but COVID-19 stopped all travel to Australia. Instead, with the help of Garrett Russell from SMU IT, we set up a secure connection from SMU to the Anglo-Australian Telescope and were able to operate the telescope remotely form the physics classroom on campus. The 1 Gb bandwidth afforded to us from IT and the screen real-estate we set up, enabled us to do this successfully. We spent four nights in the Ernsdorff Physics classroom, driving the telescope and communicating via zoom with the control room in Sydney and the telescope operator at the telescope.

We ended up having cloudy skies for three of the four nights but were able to collect some new stellar spectra during the one clear night. Danielle Miller, a civil engineering major, was the undergraduate lead in the data collection part of the observations.

Riley Crabb is leading the analysis of this data to confirm or refute the hypothesis that there is a Galactic nuclear ring in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.” u

DR. ANDREA KUNDER

E X P A N D I N G EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING S

aint Martin’s University has received a $2.25 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, under the Strengthening Institutions Program.

“Congratulations to Saint Martin's University,” said Congressman Denny Heck. “I am pleased that this award will help provide Saint Martin’s students with expanded experiential learning and internship opportunities throughout the South Sound as they pursue their degrees and graduation. I am proud to represent Saint Martin’s in Congress and applaud its commitment to supporting its students through innovative methods and partnerships with community organizations and businesses.”

capital that our student population may have.

“The grant is to strengthen the institution, and its impact will be felt across the university,” said Ann Adams, Saint Martin’s Associate Dean of Students. “The goal is to transform the students’ academic experience into one that includes participation in internships which will increase graduation rates and deepen engagement with our community partners.”

The Title III grant builds on Saint Martin’s Saints Promise strategic initiatives launched earlier in 2020. The program is a promise of a successful outcome from a Saint Martin’s University education to students who invest in their career planning by The funds, awarded over five years, will support new initiatives designed to improve completing year-by-year activities. student success, address student needs, and Elements of implementing this grant include dedicated faculty and staff for bolster the University's persistence and internship development, networking completion rates. events, visits (in-person and virtual) to This grant will provide the support to provide equitable access to experiential learning, including internships, service-learning and undergraduate research. Students will gain valuable work experience to complement their academic work. The grant will provide support to faculty to advise and supervise student interns, and it will strengthen our community relationships. An important element of the grant is that it provides the structure for professional development for our students, addressing the gaps in social

workplaces of our alumni, financial literacy, and development of career competencies. The grant also includes a $450,000 match over five years to grow an endowment. The endowment is unrestricted dollars that can be used to sustain or be directed to grow this effort in support of student success.

In order to apply for Title III funds, applicants have to meet certain criteria based on a percentage of PELL eligible students and university core expenditures (educational and general expenditures) before they can even apply for Title III. “This grant builds on the extraordinary work we do for the students we serve and the transformational experience we strive to provide all students,” said Saint Martin’s President Dr. Roy Heynderickx.

“By providing new, significant resources to areas we know will increase student success, this grant will allow us to excel at what we do best as a Catholic, Benedictine university.” u

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RSING

EDUCATION CENTER The new Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation Nursing Education Center in Old Main houses an eight-bed nursing learning lab, two-bed simulation suite, classroom, faculty offices and equipment storage rooms. Thank you again to The Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation whose commitment of $2.8 million to Saint Martin’s University supported the renovation of 12,000 square feet of space on the first floor of Old Main to create dedicated facilities for the University’s nursing programs, which include the BSN program and the RN-to-BSN program. The foundation’s commitment included $2.5 million to cover the costs of the remodel and $300,000 to establish an endowment in support of nursing scholarships. u

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SMU A LUM P ROFI L E

TIP WONHOFF '07 I

t was Tip Wonhoff’s first day on campus, freshmen move-in day, and as expected he was nervous about beginning the next phase of his life.

His parents, who were there to help him move into his new dorm room, suggested a walk around Saint Martin’s University to relax his nerves.

It was on this stroll that we ran into the school’s new music director, Darrell Born. “(He) asked if I had any interest or experience with music. I said that I had been in band and choir in high school, and he lit up,” Wonhoff said.

“There, in a parking lot in the middle of campus, he asked me to join the choir program he was trying to build. In the moment, I was hesitant to commit to anything, not knowing how much extra time and bandwidth I might have to commit to choir as a new freshman, especially given that choir was an activity I’d had no intention of doing.”

They parted with Wonhoff letting Born know that “I’d think about his proposal and I went on my day.”

Wonhoff would run into Born periodically around campus over the next few weeks

Tip Wonhoff '07, Deputy General Counsel to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee

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“Each time we passed, he greeted me with a smile, asked how I was adjusting to college life, and enthusiastically reminded me of his standing invitation to join the choir,” Wonhoff said. “Later that autumn semester, I dropped in to visit a choir practice, still unsure whether it was for me.

Darrell welcomed me with warmth

and support – things invaluable to a freshman looking to find that sense of belonging. He provided sheet music and support through a warm-up and practice session. Just 45 minutes later, I was all-in.”

Wonhoff would be a member of the SMU choir, under Born’s director, all four of his years at Saint Martin’s.

coursework; and for the most part, they worked to make classroom discussions and lectures fun.”

Wonhoff studied political science at Saint Martin’s before receiving his law degree from the University of Washington.

“The first day in Dr. Roger Snider’s Survey of American Government

“Being a Saint means being community minded.

Saint Martin’s stands for helping others and lifting up and supporting those in the community who could use a hand.”

“And today, when I think about the stories and experiences from Saint Martin’s that stick out to me,” said Wonhoff, a 2007 Saint Martin’s graduate, “I think about how Darrell Born encouraged me from my first day on campus to be a part of his program. And I’ll be forever thankful that he did. To me, choir was more than song. It was teamwork. It was laughter. It was fun. I attribute all of that to Darrell.”

Wonhoff currently works as Deputy General Counsel to Governor Jay Inslee, a position he has held of nearly seven years, and while his SMU choir days are behind him, his time at Saint Martin’s still holds a special place with him.

“The thing I remember most about Saint Martin’s was the way that so many of the faculty and staff took a real interest in their students,” Wonhoff said. “They genuinely cared that students understood the

course, Dr. Snider began by asking the class if any of us could define politics. After a few of us stumbled through our perception of politics, Dr. Snider offered, ‘Politics is the struggle for power.’ That blew me away. I will never forget that,” Wonhoff said. “And as (someone) who has spent the last several years working in government service and observing politics at all levels, I think about Dr. Snider’s definition of politics, and I tend to evaluate public policy decisions through this definitional lens by asking myself how those in power are choosing to wield that power and who is benefiting from that power.”

Saint Martin’s and I felt that special connection to the campus, and later, my sister also attended and graduated a Saint,” Wonhoff said. “Finally, because I grew up in rural western Washington, and my high school was relatively small, the similarly small Saint Martin’s campus community was a good fit for me.”

And what does it mean to Wonhoff to be a Saint?

“I’d ask prospective student to think about what kind of student experience (they) want,” Wonhoff said. “If that prospective student wants access to all the luxuries and opportunities found at a major research institution, like a broader array of fields of study, or even things like Greek life or the bigtime college football experience, then perhaps (they) may find a better fit elsewhere. But if the student is looking for an intimate setting where (they) will not exist in anonymity but will instead know (their) classmates and professors on a first-name basis, Saint Martin’s might be a good fit.” u

Wonhoff lists three reasons for why he selected Saint Martin’s.

“First and foremost, the school offered me a very generous financial assistance package that assured my enrollment.

Second, both of my parents attended

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Abbey News

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

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Monastic HapPeNings

uring the time of my graduate studies in Mexico City, I was introduced to the literary works of Julio Cortazar. One of his short stories, in particular, has stayed with me these many years. It is titled “La autopista del sur”. The plot recounts the story of motorists returning to Paris via the freeway following a long weekend. It is a long slow return. Interminable. It goes on and on, and Paris never seems to be in sight. Relationships are formed. People die.

The ordinary things in life continue among these motorists attempting, without much success, to return to the City of Light at the end of a weekend. The pandemic we are living can seem not to have an end, nevertheless, the rhythm of life continues, albeit in a somewhat altered form. In a recent issue of the New York Times, a Mr. Salamo wrote: “Even in the ugliest or darkest of times, people still do fall in love, people still do get married.

The sweeter moments in life stiff need to happen.”

Ordinary things have happened at the Abbey, even in these extra-ordinary times. Our long-time confrere FATHER GERARD KIRSCH passed to God in mid-March. Monk, historian, archivest, honorary chaplain and supporter of the University’s athletes, he is greatly missed. Due to the pandemic, his funeral was not open to the public, but many from the Pacific to the Atlantic attended virtually thanks to streaming.

May he rest in the Lord’s peace!

In early March, after having served the Saint Martin’s community as abbot for twenty-seven years, ABBOT NEAL G. ROTH announced that he would be retiring at the end of May. Following a private thank-you reception hosted by his confreres, ABBOT NEAL began a mini-sabbatical in Montana. Following some weeks with family in Montana, he flew to Alaska, where he is assisting SMHS alum Father Steve Gallagher with one of his two parishes.

ABBOT NEAL will return to the Abbey in February of 2021.

In early June, the abbot president of our congregation flew to Saint Martin’s to preside over an abbatial election. In early June, the election results were confirmed by Rome. FATHER MARION NGUYEN was elected the ninth abbot of Saint Martin’s. ABBOT MARION was originally ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle, but felt called to the monastic life at Saint Martin’s. He came to the United States from

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Vietnam at age four and his early schooling was in Seattle.

Folloiwng his ordination, he did parochial ministry and was a Newman chaplain. After arriving at Saint Martin’s, he had several assignments in our university as well as one parochial assignment. At the time of his election, ABBOT MARION was residing in Rome preparing his doctoral dissertation. His abbatial blessing by the Archbishop of Seattle on the Feast of the Assumption was attended by few in-person guests, but was streamed on the Abbey’s “Facebook” page.

Shortly after being confirmed as abbot, ABBOT MARION presided two important monastic liturgies. He welcomed postulant PATRICK HAMOR into the monastic novitiate giving him the religious name of BROTHER PACHOMIUS. FATHER PAUL WECKERT is Novice Master as well as Vocation Director.

On the Feast of the Transfiguration, ABBOT MARION was principal celebrant at a special Mass where NOVICE PASCALDAVID GREEN took his first vows as a Benedictine monk. The occasional homily on that occasion was preached by FATHER KILIAN MALVEY and music provided by BROTHER AELRED WOODARD and the monastic schola. Due to the pandemic, in-person attendance was limited, but BROTHER PASCAL-DAVID’s uncle and aunt from Oregon were present to represent the family.

In appointments, ABBOT MARION has retained BROTHER NICOLAUS WILSON as Abbey Prior, and has added to his assignments that of Abbey Treasurer and Abbey Procurator.

BROTHER PASCAL-DAVID received the assignment of Lodge Manager. As such, he is the person responsible for the Lambert Lodge calendar and for its upkeep. BROTHER PASCAL-DAVID has also taken on responsibility for the care of some of the Abbey gardens and for the Abbey cemetery.

BROTHER DAMIEN-JOSEPH RAPPUHN and BROTHER MICHAEL FERMAN began theological studies at Mount Angel, Oregon, this Fall.

In your charity, continue to remember us in prayer, and to savor the sweeter moments in life, which must come even in these often darkest times. u

In memory of

Father Gerard Denys Kirsch, O.S.B.

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ur long-time confrere, Father Gerard Denys Kirsch, O.S.B., passed peacefully to God at the Abbey sometime during the night of March 21, just days short of his 77th birthday. Though his death seemed sudden, Father Gerard had a long history of heart problems.

Denys Kirsch was born to Will and Elaine Kirsch, née Hemen, in Fairbanks, Alaska, on 25th March 1943, the first of four sons born to the couple. Father Gerard was predeceased by his parents, by his twin brothers Prior Basil Kirsch of Assumption Abbey, North Dakota, and Mark Kirsch, of Seattle, Washington, and his youngest brother Stephen Kirsch, also of the Seattle area.

Father Gerard’s early education took place in Fairbanks and East Wenatchee. In 1957, his parents sent him to Saint Martin’s High School. His cousin Father Christopher Abair was a member of the Abbey community at that time, as had been his late great uncle Father George Monda. In 1961 he entered Saint Martin’s College (now University), from which he received a B.A. in 1965. Graduate studies in history were done at the University of Illinois, Champaign, where he earned a Master’s in history in 1970.

In 1965, following college graduation, he was received into the novitiate at Saint Martin’s Abbey by the late Abbot Gerald Desmond, O.S.B. He made his simple profession of vows in 1966. From 1966 through 1969 he studied theology at Mt. Angel Seminary, Oregon, and was ordained to the priesthood in December of 1970

by Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly of Seattle. He said his first Mass at Holy Apostles, East Wenatchee, the day following his priestly ordination. His main exercise of his priestly ministry was as chaplain to the Benedictine community of St. Placid Priory from 1974 until the time of this death.

Father Gerard served the Abbey and University communities in many ways.

He taught history in the University from 1970 until his retirement about two years ago. In the Fall of 1978, he was chair of the Humanities Division and also served time as a reference assistant in the school library.

He was a member of the abbot’s Senior Council at various times; was a regular columnist for the abbey’s Oblate Newsletter; was Oblate Director for several years; and served as abbey representative, and at times informal chaplain, at University sports’ events. At the time of his demise, he was Formation Director (postulant, novice and junior director) and since 1980 he had been the official archivest for Saint Martin’s Abbey. For the past several years, he also had offered an early Sunday Mass at the local Catholic hospital.

Our confrere Father Gerard had a passion for history and was a voracious reader. He also had a phenomenal memory, be it information about England’s “Good Queen Bess”, about family and friends, or about colleagues and acquaintances. He was a regular and enthusiastic attendee at all home sporting events and enjoyed playing the many pinball-type games available at the students’ Trautmen Union Building. Surely, though, his favorite place since his time as a high school student was the library. Father Gerard was possessed of a very sweet tooth and oft times opined that one might do well to begin a meal with dessert.

On spying some dessert laid out for an occasion, a favorite Gerardian expression was: “Now what have we here.”

Father Gerard was a sensitive individual, and strongly spiritual. He was not usually reticent to express his opinion. He was basically a kind man who cared deeply for family, confreres and friends. He will be greatly missed by his confreres, family, friends and former students. u

MAXIM LANDO

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CEO BOARD DELAYS WINTER SPORTS, APPROVES FALL SPORTS PLANS The CEO Board of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference has approved the conference’s initial plans for playing fall sports in the spring and has provided additional guidance on the start of winter sports.

The board voted to delay the start of competition for the winter sports of men’s basketball, women’s basketball and indoor track and field to no earlier than Thursday, Jan. 7, if feasible.

No outside competition will be allowed by institutions before that date. This timeline will be continued to be reviewed by the CEO Board over the coming months.

The delay allows teams to better follow the guidelines set forth by local and state health authorities as well as evaluate the guidelines set forth in the NCAA’s Core Principles of the Resocialization of Collegiate Basketball, which was released last week.

The CEO Board also approved plans to move the conference’s fall sports to spring 2021 seasons for men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball, if feasible. The schedules will be announced by the conference office in the coming weeks.

The women’s soccer season will culminate in the GNAC Women’s Soccer Championships, which will take place at Harrington Field on the campus of Western Washington University. Likewise, the men’s soccer season will end with a one-time only GNAC Men’s Soccer Championships, which will take place in conjunction with the GNAC Women’s Soccer Championships.

Given concerns about the prospects of playing two seasons in the same calendar year, football will not play a conference-developed schedule for the spring 2021 season. Athletic directors requested institutional autonomy in developing the makeup of their spring schedules, providing teams the opportunity to focus on conditioning, acclimatization and preparing for the upcoming fall season after a nearly 12-month break from the sport.

Discussion continues on the best course forward for a cross country season in spring 2021.

The CEO Board also approved the cancellation of the 2021 GNAC Indoor Track and Field Championships. The decision comes as the meet’s longtime home, the Jackson’s Indoor Center at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, is no longer serving as a track and field venue.

Other championship-caliber facilities within the GNAC footprint were unavailable. u

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“Our goal is to provide our student athletes the experience they deserve, while doing so in a way that ensures the highest level of safety during these challenging times”

—Bob Grisham Athletic Director

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2021

GREAT NORTHWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

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aint Martin's University unveiled the upcoming 2021 Great Northwest Athletic Conference for both men's and women's basketball for the Saints.

The 2021 GNAC Basketball Championships, set to be hosted by Saint Martin's, was cancelled due to health and safety concerns, along with a limited number of teams competing.

The Saints are slotted to play Friday and Saturday competitions against the two remaining GNAC schools (Northwest Nazarene, and Seattle Pacific) starting on January 15. Both the men's and women’s schedules feature four home games and two road games against one opponent and two home games and four games against the other for a total schedule of 12 games.

Earlier this month, six member schools (Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Central Washington, Montana State Billings, Simon Fraser, Western Oregon, and Western Washington) informed the conference that they would not compete in the upcoming GNAC season. u

The women will begin the season at home, hosting Northwest Nazarene on January 15 and 16. The men open their season on the road against the Nighthawks but return to Marcus Pavilion on January 22 and 23 to face Seattle Pacific.

To emphasize the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff, teams will play games on consecutive days against the same opponent in the same location, with games played on Fridays and Saturdays. The men’s and women’s schedules mirror each other, with two competing schools playing each other on the same dates at opposite locations.

To allow maximum flexibility in the event of rescheduling games, this year’s schedules include two sets of byes. The first bye is scheduled for the midway point of the seasons on Feb. 5 and 6.

The second will be at the conclusion of the season on March 5 and 6.

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BRANDON MADSEN MEN’S SOCCER

Madsen capped off his hall of fame career with the greatest season in Saint Martin's men's soccer history. The senior broke his own school record for most goals scored in a single season with 18, and finished with four assists for a total of 40 points. His efforts were recognized at all levels. Madsen was first recognized at the GNAC, being named Player of the Year, and first team All-Conference. He was then voted to the D2CCA first team All-Region, and United Soccer Coaches third team All-Region. At the highest level, Madsen continued to stand out, earning the D2CCA second team All-American award. Madsen concluded his career with 47 goals, nine assists, and 103 points in just three seasons. He finished second all-time in GNAC in goals scored.

KESHARA ROMAIN

TRACK AND FIELD

For Romain, the two All-Americans mark her first selections as she finished the year third in the triple jump, and 16th in the long jump. Romain, who was also the USTFCCCA West Region Female Athlete of the Year, earned her top marks at the GNAC Indoor Championship meet as well. She broke the meet record, and conference record in the triple jump with a mark of 41-feet, 8-inches, while her 19-feet, 2.5-inches in the long jump was second best in the GNAC.

TYLER CRONK TRACK AND FIELD

The All-American honors marks the second straight year Cronk has been named in the indoor high jump. In 2020, Cronk was third in the NCAA Division-II in the high jump, clearing 7-feet, 1-inch at the GNAC Indoor Championships. He was one of only six athletes in D-II to clear 7-feet during the season. Cronk was also named the USTFCCCA West Region Male Field Athlete of the Year.

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In Memoriam

1940s Dr. B. Robert Aigner HSʻ46, ʻ48 July 14, 2019 Kenneth Bragg ʻ42 January 14, 2020 Thomas Fitzmorris ʻ47 November 18, 2019 Lawrence LaPorte ʻ47 September 26, 2019 Ronald MacMillan HSʻ48 September 20, 2019 David Sweeney HSʻ45, ʻ51 June 4, 2019 Raymond Webber HS’48, ʻ59 January 2, 2020

1950s William Amburgey ʻ58 January 27, 2020 James Berry ʻ50 December 23, 2019 Edward Belton ʻ52 May 16, 2019 Leo Bordeaux Jr. HSʻ50 January 30, 2020 Richard Damitio ʻ59 November 26, 2020 William Doyle HSʻ52, ʻ58 September 16, 2020 Francis Dummer ʻ56 October 16, 2019 Douglas Elbert HSʻ52 November 8, 2019 Gerald Foy HSʻ51 June 5, 2019 Carroll Heffron Jr. ʻ57 April 20, 2020 Robert Hemness HSʻ55 September 9, 2019 Robert Hyatt HSʻ55 September 21, 2019 Richard Jenkins HSʻ59, ʻ64 November 21, 2019

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REMEMBERING THE ALUMNI OF SAINT MARTIN'S Nicholas Jurun ʻ50 August 31, 2019

Michael McClure HSʻ64 June 26, 2019

Hans Cregg ʻ72 December 27, 2019

Thomas Davis MBAʻ93 June 10, 2020

William Koenig ʻ52 July 19, 2019

James Murphy HSʻ65 June 19, 2020

Phillip Hansen ’75 June 29, 2020

Sara Hovancsek ʻ99 July 11, 2019

John Lahm ʻ55 May 31, 2020

Carlotta Netherland ʻ68 November 13, 2019

Thomas Keller ‘71 August 18, 2020

Diane Judd ʻ95 June 20, 2019

Walter Neiman ʻ52 June 12, 2020

Noel Palmer ʻ69 June 13, 2020

Barbara Munn ’71 March 23, 2020

Margaret Lowney-Rock ’95 February 16, 2020

James “Paddy” Ouillette HSʻ51, ʻ56 David Replinger HSʻ61 August 13, 2020 November 12, 2019

Phillip Reed ’77 January 4, 2020

Orla McCown ’91 August 18, 2019

George Pifer ʻ51 January 20, 2020

Dennis Reynolds ʻ69 July 26, 2019

Steven Reynvaan ’77 May 25, 2020

John Pacubas ’94 October 20, 2019

David Rausch ʻ59 March 27, 2020

John Roche ʻ63 December 28, 2019

Charlotte Richards ’78 January 26, 2020

Candace Rova MAC’93 July 22, 2019

Michael Thatcher HSʻ58, ʻ68 September 15, 2019

Edward Stevens Sr. ʻ66 June 21, 2020

Jewell Rinaldi ’71 October 27, 2019

Eleanor Seelbach ’92 May 21, 2019

Edward Wack ʻ59 March 6, 2020

John Strojan ʻ66 October 15, 2019

James Smith HS’71 September 7, 2019

Sean Warren ’91 December 22, 2019

Charles Wadsworth ʻ58 September 6, 2019

John Sullivan HSʻ65 August 24, 2019

Wayne Wassmuth ’71 October 8, 2019

Laurie Westman ’90, '94 November 25, 2019

1960s

Thomas Treves ʻ69 May 28, 2020

1980s

2000s

Valerie Casey ’80 February 24, 2020

Curtis Brown ’08 June 17, 2020

Julia Collins ’82 October 6, 2019

Kendra Norman ’09 October 16, 2019 Stephen Parratt ’01 May 18, 2019

Robert Barber HSʻ62 January 7, 2020 John Close HSʻ64 July 14, 2019

Richard Wanner Ph.D. ʻ60 November 15, 2019 Robert Whittle ʻ66 January 5, 2020

David Cook ʻ69 April 29, 2020

1970s

Brenda Dickinson ’88 November 9, 2019

Frederick Dorn ʻ65 February 21, 2020

Gary Allin HSʻ73 February 15, 2020

Gregory Feuchter ’85 January 15, 2020

Leon Washington ’03 October 2, 2019

Kirk Finch ʻ62 June 20, 2019

Brett Betts ʻ72 August 7, 2019

Robert Kilpatrick Jr. ’81 May 6, 2019

Ronald Wilson ’00 November 12, 2019

William Frank ʻ62 June 27, 2020

Michael Brown HSʻ71 April 4, 2020

Laura O'Neal ’85 July 30, 2020

2010s

Fr. Gerard Kirsch, O.S.B. HSʻ61, ʻ65 March 21, 2020

Roger Brown Sr. ʻ71 December 26, 2019

Barbara Reynolds MAC’87 September 19, 2019

David LaFond HSʻ69 December 21, 2019

Joy Bush ʻ72 December 14, 2019

Saturnino Tapangco Jr. ’82 December 2, 2019

Robert Lecture HSʻ62 May 6, 2019

Joan Castaneda ʻ74 June 27, 2020

1990s

Connie Mortinson MAC’14 November 11, 2019

Paul McCabe ʻ60 December 19, 2019

David Clow ʻ73 October 26, 2019

Renate Bertoia ʻ96 April 26, 2020

Noory Kim MAC’18 August 1, 2019

Laura LeMoine ’15 March 31, 2020 Perry McNamar ’15 January 4, 2020

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1960s

www.stmartin.edu

Dan Dugaw HS’68 was recognized by the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Dugaw is a family medicine osteopathic physician with a private practice in Olympia, WA. He specializes in osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT).

While living in Waterbury, CT, Pat Parziale ’65 was a snare drummer with an Ancient Fife and Drum Band, The Mattatuck Drum Band, the oldest, continuous Fife and Drum Band in the USA, founded in 1767 to present. He relocated to Venice, FL and sings with a wonderful Catholic Church Choir, Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He sings bass. Pat and his wife Barbara recently became grandparents. They welcomed baby girl, Lia Patrice in December, 2019.

Needless to say, they are overjoyed.

1980s

Lisa Bishop ’89, MAC’92 and husband Brett, owners of Little Skookum Shellfish Growers, shared the history of their family owned business in a South Sound Business feature.

Bob Phillips ’88 will be the Arizona Market President in the newest expansion location, of the South Bend, IN based Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, in Phoenix, AZ.

1990s

1: Matthew Morton ’96 co-wrote Rethinking Services with Communities of Color: Why Culturally Specific Organizations Are the Preferred Service Delivery Model, which was published in June, 2019, by the journal Sociology Mind. The peer-reviewed article investigated the “margins of the service delivery system,” specifically, lesser-known and minimally researched programs known as “culturally specific organizations” that have been developed by and with communities of color. The paper details the organizational assets, the

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research that provides emerging evidence of their contributions and the resistance faced by its advocates.

Each year, individuals and organizations are recognized by American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) for their service to and advocacy for AISES. 2: Matthew was awarded the Foundation Partner Service Award at AISES’ national conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recognizing his efforts to support Oregon’s nine tribes and urban Native community in Portland.

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ContinuumXR (“CXR”) is a VR and AR software training platform specifically designed for clinician and caregiver learning and practice. She will lead, develop and expand CXR’s Advisory Board and Consortium, building a culture of clinician and educator-driven innovation throughout IHG and CXR’s suite of solutions — designed by, and for, caregivers.

2000s

Mark Bona ’09 welcomed a baby girl, Scarlett Bona, on June 9, 2020.

4: Blayse K. Chun ’08 and Amber N. Chun ’08, MAC ’12 welcomed their first child, Filomena Haukea Chun, on September 26, 2019.

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Golden Services, LLC, a moving and storage company based out of Lakewood, WA, was a finalist in the Most Philanthropic from South Sound Business in 2019. Jutta Stevens ’97 is their CFO. 3: Dianna Rockwell Shank ’91 has been teaching at Southwestern Illinois College for the last twenty years and has started taking more leadership roles. Dianna also served her second year on the board for the St. Louis Triathlon Club and finished her fourth half Ironman summer, 2019.

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5: Marcie Gansler ’08 was recently appointed to be the Region 14 Advisor for Toastmasters International during 2020 – 2021. As Region 14 Advisor, she will be working with leaders in seven different countries (Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, and Taiwan) to develop marketing strategies and train district leaders.

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5

Cherie Davis MAC’99, a vocational specialist, was sworn-in as a member of the Rainier School Board during a monthly school board meeting on February 19, 2020. She now represents families residing in Rainier School District No. 4.

Wendy Fraser ’91 published her book Trust Repair: It Is Possible! which is a helpful how-to that details proven strategies to help groups get “unstuck”.

Martie Moore ’92 has joined ContinuumXR, as Chair of the Clinical Advisory Board.

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6: David Johnson ’00 retired from the military in September, 2019 and started a government contracting company, The Pathfinder Solutions Group, LLC. As President and CEO, Johnson was nominated to the Veterans Texas Business Hall of Fame which includes figures like Warren Buffet and Mark Cuban. David was also named into the 2020 class of Marquis Who’s Who. David and his wife Aundrea welcomed their baby girl, Alorrah Legacie Johnson on January 27, 2020.

8: Timmy Wailehua ’00 received the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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2010s

7: Kristin (Goldy) Masteller ’02 was named a “40 Under 40” by Puget Sound Business Journal. Masteller, who is General Manager of Mason County’s PUD, accepted the award at the PSBJ’s annual 40 Under 40 awards ceremony in Seattle on September 27, 2019.

During her remarks, Kristin shared, “We all work together to provide a valued service to our community, and I am pleased that people feel that the work we are doing, and that I am leading, is making a positive impact.”

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9: Asmeeta Achari ’13 began working for University of California, San Francisco in 2017 under Dr. Charles Chiu where her main focus was on metagenomics sequencing and pathogen discovery — using Nanopore technology and Illumina. She was also very involved in a HIV surveillance project where the objective was to track emerging strains and monitor HIV diversity. In August 2018, Achari was given an opportunity to travel to Salvadore, Brazil to run tests on the Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue Viruses. The objective of this trip was to test protocol in the field and to see if they could detect the three viruses using the nanopore technology.

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about the German education system as well as collaborate and establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues over the course of an intensive two-week grant duration.

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10: Cassidy Apo ’19 started working for Hawaii Food & Wine Festival, which is a non-profit organization that is co-founded by chef Roy Yamaguchi (Saint Martin’s Gala 2018 celebrity chef), chef Alan Wong and Denise Yamaguchi (Roy’s wife). They do about 20 events on three different islands throughout the month of October.

She is the executive assistant. During the festival, she has the opportunity to help with logistical setup, interact with the different chefs, mixologists and winemakers attending, and ensure that guests and sponsors are well taken care of.

12: Geoffrey Dorsey ’11 was selected into the Foreign Service in December, 2019 and entered service in Jan, 2020.

He is a Diplomat first and specializes in Foreign Service Construction Engineer.

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Jennifer Ganal ’13 married Aaron Rombaua, on January 11, 2020 with fellow Saints serving in her wedding party: Maid of Honor Eileen Domingo ’09 and Bridesmaid Bianca Galam ’11. During wedding mass, the First Reading was by Natasha Amber Sensano ’13 and Prayers of the Faithful were read by Paris Nicole Sensano ’19.

14: Matt ’07 and Katie ’11 Hargrave welcomed their second son, Carter Hudson Hargrave, on April 24, 2020.

Katie has been working as a Transition Coach for Athletes Soul, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support athletes in the transition out of sports, as well as raise awareness about the challenges of athletic retirement.

Dianne Baumann ’15 completed her PhD in Cultural Anthropology at University of Washington in June, 2019. She has accepted a tenure track position as Assistant Professor of Anthropology and American Indian Studies at the University of Idaho beginning in August, 2019.

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Cody Colt ’15,’16 was named as Yelm’s new public works director.

11: Genevieve de la Cruz ’15 started a very successful wedding and event planning business, Infinity Weddings and Events, earlier this year servicing the entire Puget Sound area as far north as Snohomish and as far south as Centralia. She also coordinated three destination weddings in 2019.

13: Sancha Elevado ’12 was promoted to Interim Manager TRIO-STEM at Seattle Central College. Additionally, Sancha completed an international education administrators (IEA) seminar in Germany, which is part of the Fulbright Program. The IEA Seminar gave Sancha the opportunity to learn

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Heidi Leonard MBA’14 franchise owner of Pinot’s Palette, was honored as a 40 Under 40 by South Sound Business.

Radric Marapao ’18 recently joined Greene Realty Group located in Downtown Olympia.

Amanda McCloud ’15 is one of the first teachers at the first free standing Catholic preschools in Washington state, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Preschool in Fife, WA. 15: Marisha Kasjan McDowell ’11 trekked to Everest Base Camp, residing at 17,500 feet in April, 2019.

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will be providing therapy to foster children and teens in Pierce County.

Melissa Roth ’17 and Vincent Roux ’17, co-owners of Off Planet Research, were awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $225,000 to conduct research and development (R&D) for providing costeffective artificial mixtures of the ice and soil found on the Moon and other worlds to accelerate the development of space resource extraction.

Tyler Sloan ’19 is working at East Link Extension as a Stations Field Engineer. He is the sole Field Engineer responsible for everything that happens at the elevated Wilburton Station.

John Smigaj ’14 and his business partner Morgan Misek acquired backing for their multisport outdoor gear and apparel company, Trxstle, from the Thurston Investment Network (ThINK).

16: Megan Yotsuda ’14 and Donnie Jones ’15 were married December 19, 2019. Their wedding party included Dung Ho ’13, Ashley (Nagasawa) Hagans ’15, Malulani

Alexandrea Rebar ’14 is working as a Clinician and School Based Services Coordinator with Valley Cities Behavioral Health. In the last year, she has been working with the Auburn School District to provide mental health services to students through the School Based Program. She increased the number of schools from one to six schools.

Rebar has also been advocating for equity in our educational system, following legislative bills and its impact on schools in Washington.

She took the LICSW exam in March, 2020, passed and is now an official Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She accepted a position as a Child Welfare Clinician, with Comprehensive Life Resources, and

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Antonio ’14, Eddy Brown ’14, Josh Hite ’13, MED’15, Hoku Ho, Craig Boyle ’19, and John Chaides.

2020s

Joshua Burbach ’20 is working for Skillings Connolly, Inc. as a Design Engineer. He is currently working on a roadway connection to SR-3 for future industrial and residential zones.

Frances Geraldine Constantino ’20 is working at KPFF as a Civil Design Engineer, working mainly on residential development projects, including a few commercial projects. He is currently designing a complex underground detention system while identifying design conflicts based on site constraints and specific design requirements.

Matthew Torrey ’20 is working for the City of Tacoma Environmental Services Department (sewer utility) as an Associate Facilities Engineer.

He recently worked on an asset tagging project, which identified and tagged assets at Tacoma’s wastewater plants and pump stations to document asset information. u

Congratulations

ABBOT MARION NGUYEN

This past June, the monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey announced the election of their ninth abbot, Abbot Marion Qui-Thac Nguyen.

On behalf of the entire Saint Martin’s University community, we congratulate Abbot Marion on his election.

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2020 Fun was had by all in February during Homecoming Weekend 2020. Events included the Distinguished Alumni Awards presentation; the Saints Athletics Hall of Fame & Hall of Honor where all past inductees were celebrated; and rallies for the women’s and men’s basketball teams. We are looking forward to celebrating with you, virtually, during Homecoming Weekend 2021! More information forthcoming.

Congratulations to all our 2020 Distinguished Alumni: John Carr ’59 Lt. Gen. Michael Canavan, USA, (Ret.) ’78 The Sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude John Farrell ’66 Martie Moore ’92 Dennis Reynolds ’69 (posthumously) Don Robbins HS'50, ’54, ’84 Vince Strojan ’68

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Welcome home, Saints INSIGHTS WINTER 2020–21

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LAST LOOK

Tree Lighting

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insights L A S T LO O K

contents

saint martin’s university winter 2020–21

02 Saints Strong: A COVID-19 Semester 06 Alternative Spring Break

02 04

06

08

125th Anniversary Celebration

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Campus News

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Alum Notes

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Monastic Happenings

EDITORS Genevieve Canceko Chan Grant Clark

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Marki Carson

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lillian Austin

PRINTING Capitol City Press

CONTRIBUTORS Joseph Anderson Austin Byrnes Genevieve Canceko Chan Grant Clark Kim Nelson Katie Wojke

Insights is the official magazine of Saint Martin’s University. © 2020 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

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On December 9, Saint Martin’s Offices of Campus Life and Campus Ministry hosted the annual Christmas Tree

Blessing on the Trautman Union Building Lawn. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there were no canopy nor concert.

Instead, there was a continual walking path with separate stations where community guests could view the tree

and pick up cookies and treats. Father Peter Tynan gave the blessing and music professor Darrell Born serenaded the crowd with Christmas carols. A very different, but still beautiful evening to celebrate the season!

Office of Marketing and Communications 5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey, WA 98503

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

saint martin’s university • winter 2020–21

Saints Strong A campus community comes together to respond to COVID-19

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.

Share your Saints pride on social media by telling others how you were supported while at Saint Martin’s or why you choose to now give back. Include a photo or make it a video!

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

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

Share your story #321Give

Alt SPRING BREAK 125

TH

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

news for alumni and friends