Saint Martin's confers degrees to class of 2001

Saturday, May 12, 2001

Lacey, Wash. - Saint Martin's College alum and a celebrated local educator Gery J. Gerst will address the Saint Martin's College Class of 2001 at its commencement convocation Saturday, May 12. Commencement begins at 2 p.m. at Saint Martin's Pavilion, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE.

Gerst will speak shortly before degrees are conferred on the 411-member Class of 2001. Also speaking will be class valedictorian Colleen C. Dillon, a mathematics major from Boise, Idaho, and class speaker Mary Hubert, a business administration major from Fort Lewis. Class salutatorian is Alexander U. Borgeson, a political science major from Quilcene. Brief biographies on each of them follow below.

The Class of 2001 includes 226 spring graduates, 110 December 2000 graduates and 75 prospective August graduates. The college will award 323 bachelor's degrees and 88 master's degrees. The graduating class is composed of 265 students enrolled at the main campus in Lacey and 146 from the college's two extension campuses at Fort Lewis Army Post and McChord Air Force Base.

Colleen C. Dillon, Valedictorian, Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a secondary education certification

Colleen Carney Dillon is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average, having earned a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and a secondary education certification. During her four years at Saint Martin's, Dillon has participated in a wide variety of campus activities including co-founding the college's intramural soccer club, serving as a senator in student government (Associated Students of Saint Martin's College), and working as a freshman orientation leader. Dillon has also served as a student ambassador for the Saint Martin's Office of Admissions and as the president of the Campus Ministry Club. Dillon graduated from Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho, in 1997 and is the daughter of Mike and Maureen Dillon of Boise, Idaho. Following graduation, Colleen will be temporarily employed with the American School in London and thereafter intends on pursuing a career as a math teacher and soccer coach.

Alexander U. Borgeson, Salutatorian, Bachelor of Arts, political science

Alexander U. Borgeson is graduating with a 3.99 grade point average, having earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the Saint Martin's Fort Lewis Extension Campus. Borgeson is a technical sergeant in charge of personnel for the Fourth Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base. He has been an active member of the U.S. Air Force since 1988. Borgeson graduated from the Community College of the Air Force in 2000 with an associate's degree in personnel administration. He was one of three graduates in that class to earn the Aerospace Education Foundation's Eagle Grant for academic excellence and proven leadership. Borgeson graduated with honors from Pierce College in 1999 with an AAS. Borgeson, a Quilcene native, is the son of Alex and the late Patricia Bergeson of Port Angeles. He graduated from Rogers High School in Puyallup with honors in 1987. Borgeson will continue to pursue his career with his Air Force and after retirement hopes to become a high school teacher.

Mary Hubert, Class speaker, Bachelor of Arts, business administration

Mary Hubert is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from the Saint Martin's Fort Lewis Extension Campus. Hubert is a military dependent who, after several military moves and the raising of her family, is receiving her degree after 14 years of hard work. Her husband Dwane is stationed at Fort Lewis Army Post. In addition to attending Saint Martin's, Hubert is a classroom volunteer at Cherrydale Elementary in Steilacoom and the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School in Lakewood. She also volunteers as a fourth grade CCD teacher at the Fort Lewis Main Post Chapel, assembles registration packets for the Washington Aquatic Killer Orcas swim team and is a parent volunteer for two local Girl Scout troops. Hubert, originally from Maine, has enjoyed the opportunity to study alongside her daughters Sarah, 11, and Megan, 8. She has accepted a position with the City of Du Pont and following graduation will assume her duties as the city's special events coordinator.

For more information:
Christina Ramirez-Milhoan
Office of Communication
360/438.4541 or cramirez@stmartin.edu