LACEY, Wash. — Two Saint Martin's University students have received the prestigious U.S. Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in recognition of their academic achievement and dedication to global learning.
The Gilman Scholarship is a competitive, need-based award that helps students of limited financial means pursue study abroad and international internship opportunities.
The latest Saint Martin's recipients are Dulce Gonzalez Hernandez and Patricia Page, whose experiences show the lasting influence international study can have on a student's future.
With these two awards, Saint Martin's has produced four Gilman Scholars during the current academic year – the highest annual total in the University's history and a milestone that reflects the growing strength of its study abroad and scholarship advising efforts.
Gonzalez Hernandez, who is majoring in elementary education and special education with a minor in Spanish, participated in the University's Education in Japan program in May, led by Jeremy Delamarter, Ph.D. During the 10-day program, students explored Japan's education system by visiting local schools, meeting with education professionals and spending time in both Tokyo and Osaka. Gonzalez Hernandez also served as vice president of the Saint Martin's Veterans Club during the 2025-26 academic year.
"I'm so grateful to be selected as a Gilman Scholar and to represent the program abroad," said Gonzalez Hernandez. "As a first-generation student, this opportunity makes studying in Japan possible for me. I look forward to learning from a different education system, growing as a future educator, and bringing what I learn back to my community."
Page, a graduate of the Class of 2026 who earned a degree in biology, plans to attend medical school. This summer, she will spend four weeks in Costa Rica, where she will study Spanish and complete a course in healthcare. Page received the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, a Gilman program that provides awards of $5,000 for child or spousal dependents of active-duty U.S. military personnel.
"The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is providing me with the opportunity to study abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica, where I will participate in a healthcare-focused course while also improving my Spanish language skills," shared Page. "This experience will not only strengthen my academic and professional development but also allow me to fully immerse myself in a new culture. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and am excited to grow both personally and professionally through this experience."
Reflecting on the scholarship recipients, Jie (Jessica) Cheng, interim dean of the Office of International Programs and Development, said "Saint Martin's students continue to demonstrate the curiosity, resilience and academic excellence that make transformative global experiences possible. We are so proud of Dulce and Patricia, and look forward to seeing the impact these experiences will have on their future careers and communities."
Emma Hatton, director of study abroad programs, explained that the new record reflects years of intentional work to help students pursue international opportunities.
"Earning four Gilman Scholarships in a single academic year is an extraordinary accomplishment for Saint Martin's University" said Hatton. "It reflects not only the exceptional talent and determination of our students, but also the growing awareness that study abroad is both accessible and attainable. This would not be possible without the efforts and support from Director of Financial Aid Erin Schaffer; it truly is a collaborate effort. We are honored to support students throughout the application process and excited to see even more Saints pursue transformative international experiences in the years ahead."
For more information about study abroad opportunities and scholarships at Saint Martin's University, visit the Office of International Programs and Development or the Study Abroad office.
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.
About the Gilman International Scholarship Program:
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Gilman Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.
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