Place of Birth: Seattle, WA.

Family: 7 children, 19 grandchildren. Daughter, Dr. Linda Rasmussen (Saint Martin's CG 1984, Biology) is a prominent orthopedic surgeon in Hawaii and current president of the HI Medical Association. Daughter, Heidi McGivern (Saint Martin's CG 1988, Education) is a teacher in the Honolulu area and was HI Teacher of the Year in 2002.

Education: Roosevelt H.S. Seattle; attended University of Washington.

Professional Background: State Senator, Republican representing the 2nd Legislative District. 6 years in the House, 13 years in the Senate. Chair, AG and Rural Economic Development Committee. Member, Senate Ways and Means Comm., Education Comm. (includes higher ed.), and Judiciary Committee. On several select joint committees, including co-chair of Military and Veterans' Affairs Comm., Trade Policy Comm., and Lt. Gov's select joint committee on Trade and Economic Development. Operate a cattle and timber farm about 10 miles outside of Eatonville, toward Tacoma.

Boards/Volunteer Activities: Mostly Legislative per above.

Passion in Life: Family/Grandkids, Public Service, the farm.

Hobbies: Swimming, reading, not much time for hobbies!

Why Saint Martin's?: The Benedictine priests have staffed her parish (Our Lady of Good Counsel) over the years. They don't staff it now, but Abbot Conrad Rausch and Fr. Kilian Malvey have substituted there when the pastor has been away... both are close friends. (Her parish is a "mission" of a larger parish.) Because of the family's familiarity with the Benedictines, Linda and Heidi were interested in attending Saint Martin's College. Linda was especially close to Fr. Placidus Reishmann, O.S.B, a much-loved professor of biology who died a few years ago.

Favorite Saint Martin's Program or Personality: Abbot Conrad and Fr. Kilian, per above.

Leadership Groups