LACEY, Wash. — Saint Martin’s University is pleased to announce the six recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards, presented during the Homecoming festivities on Friday, February 20, 2026. Honorees are Ken Butigan HS’72; Joe Deck CPA'84; Br. Edmund Ebbers, O.S.B., ‘87; Rev. Bill Hausmann, SJ, HS’44 (posthumous); Cynthia Heye Lamothe ‘77, ‘80; and Dan O’Neill HS’68.
“We are proud to recognize these award recipients, who all exemplify leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to service,” said Saint Martin’s University President Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D. “They reflect the values we strive to instill in every graduate and the meaningful difference our alumni make in their communities.”
Governor Bob Ferguson accepted one of the awards on behalf of his uncle, who was honored posthumously. When accepting the Distinguished Alumni Award on his behalf, the governor reflected warmly on the life and legacy of his late uncle, Rev. Bill Hausmann, SJ (HS ’44). He shared that Saint Martin’s had an early and lasting influence on his uncle’s vocation, shaped by the example and mentorship of the monks who modeled a life of faith, discipline and service. Ordained in his 40s, he brought with him a rich understanding of human nature and a breadth of life experience that profoundly enriched his pastoral ministry. Governor Ferguson noted his uncle’s deep compassion, steady presence and enduring passion for serving others, describing a life wholly dedicated to God and to the care of people.
“He was a real role model for me in pursuing service in general in my life,” Governor Ferguson shared. “He was an incredible listener, and I think that was a real gift he had as a priest in serving so many people all across our state.”
The University formally began recognizing its notable alumni in the early 1980s. Recipients were selected from nominations based on service to their community, professional achievement, or service to Saint Martin’s University.
“Our Distinguished Alumni remind us that the relationship between a university and its graduates does not end at commencement,” said John Grossman, interim vice president for institutional advancement. “Their partnership, advocacy and accomplishments elevate Saint Martin’s and expand opportunities for our students. Please join us in celebrating their achievements.”
Below are some highlights about each of this year’s award recipients:
Ken Butigan HS’72
Ken Butigan, Class of 1972 (HS), is being recognized for his professional achievement, having built a distinguished career advancing nonviolence, peace and justice worldwide. A salutatorian and standout member of the Saint Martin’s debate team, he earned more than 30 speech and debate awards, including a state championship in oratory. He has remained closely connected to Saint Martin’s as a speaker, adjunct faculty member and former director of the Spiritual Life Institute.
For decades, Butigan taught in DePaul University’s Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies Program, mentoring students in conflict transformation, movement-building and nonviolent action. He received DePaul’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023 and was honored with the Via Sapientiae Award upon his retirement in 2025.
A leader in the global Catholic nonviolence movement, Butigan helped organize landmark Vatican conferences, co-founded the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in Rome and played key roles in national and international peace initiatives, including Campaign Nonviolence. A prolific author and advocate, his lifelong commitment to human dignity and social change reflects the values of Saint Martin’s and makes him a deserving Distinguished Alumni honoree.
Joe Deck CPA'84
Joe Deck, CPA, Class of 1984, is being recognized for professional achievement. He has built a distinguished career in business leadership and financial management while remaining deeply committed to Saint Martin’s University and the Thurston County community. A graduate in accounting and business management, he has served on Saint Martin’s Athletic Department and financial boards, returned as a guest speaker and generously supported Saints Athletics through Northwest Harley-Davidson, where he is co-owner and vice president, as well as through personal philanthropy.
After earning his CPA designation in 1990, Deck spent a decade with Knight, Vale & Gregory before advancing to senior leadership roles, including chief financial officer positions with Boone Ford, Northwest Harley-Davidson and Prime Time Partners, where he helped develop Freedom Point Plaza. He also serves as a member of the Washington State Board of Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
A lifelong Thurston County resident, Deck has generously supported numerous community organizations, including O’Bee Credit Union, the Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County and local Catholic ministries. His leadership and service reflect the values of Saint Martin’s and earn him the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.
Br. Edmund Ebbers, O.S.B., ‘87
Br. Edmund Ebbers, Class of 1987, is being recognized for his ervice to Saint Martin’s. He has devoted more than five decades of faithful service to Saint Martin’s Abbey and the broader university community. He joined the Abbey in 1968 after first entering monastic life at Mount Angel Abbey and has since embodied the Benedictine values of prayer, work and hospitality with humility and devotion.
Br. Edmund is especially known for his ministry to elderly monks. Recognizing the community’s growing needs, he trained as a licensed practical nurse and became the primary on-site caregiver for aging members of the Abbey, providing skilled clinical care along with a compassionate presence. His work has been vital to the health and well-being of the monastic community.
Beyond his healthcare ministry, he is admired for crafting rosaries shared with mission sites around the world and for his dedicated care of the Abbey grounds. His quiet leadership and lifelong commitment to service reflect the Benedictine spirit and earn him the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to Saint Martin’s.
Rev. Bill Hausmann, SJ, HS’44
Rev. Bill Hausmann, SJ †, Class of HS’44, is being honored posthumously for his service to community. He is remembered as a joyful and devoted servant leader whose life reflected deep faith, compassion and commitment to community. At Saint Martin’s High School, he distinguished himself as an honor roll student, standout athlete in basketball and football, ASB president, and contributor to the yearbook and student newspaper. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he graduated from Santa Clara University in 1950, entered the Jesuit Novitiate in 1956 and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1966.
Fr. Bill dedicated decades to parish ministry across the Pacific Northwest, serving communities in Washington, Oregon and Montana. Known for his warmth, humor and attentive pastoral care, he built vibrant parish communities and accompanied countless individuals through life’s milestones. Following a stroke in 2000, he continued his ministry at Gonzaga University, where he became a beloved presence in campus ministry, celebrating the sacraments and mentoring students.
Fr. Bill passed away in 2013, leaving a legacy of faithful service and enduring impact. He is a deserving recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to Community.
Cynthia Heye Lamothe ‘77, ‘80
Cynthia Heye Lamothe, Class of 1977 and 1980, is a pioneering civil engineer and leader in public service, and is being recognized for her professional achievement. One of the earliest women to earn a civil engineering degree from Saint Martin’s, she helped pave the way for future generations of women in STEM. She also holds a bachelor’s in mathematics from the University and a master’s in civil engineering from Memphis State University.
Lamothe’s career spans work with the City of Tumwater, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and leadership roles including water engineer for the City of Auburn and general manager of the Skyway Water and Sewer District. She has also served as past president of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.
Beyond her professional work, Lamothe serves her community as an elected commissioner for King County Fire District No. 20, develops programs to support local residents, and ministers as a Eucharistic minister in her church. Her leadership, service and mentorship exemplify the values of Saint Martin’s University, earning her the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.
Dan O’Neill HS’68
Dan O’Neill, Class of HS’68, is a dedicated community leader, business owner and advocate for education and environmental stewardship in the South Puget Sound region. A graduate of Saint Martin’s High School, he serves on the Saint Martin’s University Board of Trustees, reflecting the values of service, integrity and stewardship he developed early in life.
After graduating from the University of Portland and serving in the U.S. Air Force, O’Neill built a thriving family business, including The Barn Nursery and Great Western Supply, emphasizing sustainable practices and innovation. He has been recognized with the Thurston County Chamber Distinguished Leader Award and the Leadership in Philanthropy Award from South Sound Partners for Philanthropy, and earned a master’s in environmental science from The Evergreen State College.
O’Neill’s decades of community service include leadership roles with The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Tumwater Citizens for Better Education, and numerous civic and philanthropic boards. His dedication to education, community well-being and environmental stewardship exemplifies the values of Saint Martin’s University, earning him the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to Community.
About Saint Martin’s University:
Saint Martin’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and six certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Published
Learn more about the Distinguished Alumni
More detailed biographies can be found at the link below.
