LACEY, Wash. — Saint Martin’s University celebrated the 20th anniversary of its signature black-tie Gala on Saturday, November 1, 2025, raising $2 million for student scholarships. Hosted by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, the milestone event honored two decades of generosity and community support that have made a Saint Martin’s education accessible to all students.
Held in the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus, the evening featured Chef Bayless’s culinary artistry, a gourmet five-course dinner, live auction and inspiring stories from the Saint Martin’s community. Guests enjoyed a festive celebration of Saint Martin’s Benedictine values of hospitality, service and stewardship, all while supporting future Saints.
University President Bill Brownsberger reflected on the evening’s significance: “Tonight marks twenty years of generosity, friendship and transformative impact. The Gala has always been more than a dinner; it’s a testament to what our community can accomplish together. Every scholarship funded tonight opens the door for a student to grow and to live out the values that make Saint Martin’s distinctive. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has made this tradition such a cornerstone of our University’s life.”
Award-winning chef Rick Bayless, a restaurateur, author, and host of "Mexico: One Plate at a Time," brought his passion for authentic Mexican cuisine and community to the stage, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
“Chef Bayless’s warmth and artistry made this 20th anniversary Gala truly extraordinary,” said John Grossman, interim vice president of institutional advancement. “For two decades, the Gala has united alumni, friends and benefactors who believe in our mission. Their generosity doesn’t just fund scholarships—it changes the trajectory of lives. Seeing that spirit of giving endure year after year fills us with deep gratitude for everyone who stands behind our students.”
Among the highlights of the evening was a moving address from graduate student Brandon Tuato'o, who shared his journey from American Samoa to Saint Martin’s University. Tuato'o spoke about how scholarships and mentorships empowered him to grow from a homesick freshman navigating the challenges of the pandemic to a confident leader preparing to begin his professional career with Baker Tilly.
“The scholarships and personal support I received didn’t just fund my education; they empowered me to give back,” Tuato'o said. “For countless students like me, your generosity tonight is what makes our opportunities at Saint Martin’s possible. Because of you, students are able to chase their dreams and build brighter futures.”
The Gala’s proceeds directly support Saint Martin’s student scholarships. In fall 2025, 61% of Saint Martin’s students were the first in their families to attend college, and 36% received Pell Grants. These scholarships ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented and dedicated students from earning a Saint Martin’s education.
“For twenty years, this event has embodied the transformational education offered at Saint Martin’s,” Brownsberger said. “The Gala deepens the University's impact for students who go on to lead and serve in their communities.”
For more information and photos from the 2025 Gala, visit www.stmartin.edu/gala. The next Gala will be held on November 7, 2026. The celebrity chef host will be announced in the coming months.
Thank you to our generous event sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor – Bon Appetit Management Company
Gala Reception Sponsor – MJR Development
After Gala Parlor Sponsor – FORMA Construction
Broadcast Media Sponsor – Cascade PBS
Print Media Sponsor – Showcase Media
Speakeasy Sponsor – Peak Credit Union
Print Sponsor – Capitol City Press
Raffle Sponsor – Panowicz Jewelers
Raffle Prize Sponsor – Frederique Constant Geneve
Hospitality Sponsor – Columbia Hospitality
Live Auction Sponsor – Lucky Eagle Casino
Valet Sponsor & Silent Auction Sponsor – Olympia Subaru
Hors D'Oeuvre Sponsor – Anthony's Homeport & Hearthfire
VIP Gift Bag Sponsor – Drees of Olympia
Coffee Sponsor – Olympia Coffee
20th Anniversary Tunnel Gallery Sponsor – Rudd Vision, PLLC
Wine Glass Sponsor – Sunset Air
Airline Partner Sponsor – Alaska Airlines
Media Sponsor – South Sound Magazine
360 Photo Experience Sponsor – Hanna Consulting & Events, LLC
Wine Sponsors – Long Shadows, Nine Hats, Treveri Cellars, Olé & Obrigado
Saint Benedict Table Sponsors:
Armandino “Dino” Batali '59, HD'15
John and Michelle Riel
Waite '65 and Patty Dalrymple
The Rants Group
Saint Gertrude Table Sponsors:
1st Security Bank
Callisons
Dan HS'68 and Carla O'Neill
Christopher '80 and Lisa Thomsen
Coldwell Banker Olympic Realty
Harbor Wholesale
Inge Marcus '82, HD'17
Jim Vosper '68
Marty HS'65 and Elizabeth Collins
Miller Nash
Multicare Capital Medical Center
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates PLLC
Olympia Federal Savings
Patty & Jeff Lemon
Providence South Puget Sound
Puget Sound Energy
Rick HD'20 and Pam Panowicz
Scott Family & Friends
Squaxin Island Tribe
Sunset Air, LLC
Tedi Reynolds '71
Timberland Bank
Toni Christy '04, '06, Ph.D.'24
U.S. Bank
Saint Martin's Gala Supporters:
Amy, JD & James Harding
Baker Tilly
Bellarmine Preparatory School
Cliff Quisenberry
Cynthia Lamothe '80
JP Morgan
Rob Rice Homes
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.
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