Saint Martin’s University will dedicate new residence hall

Sept. 16, 2005

Lacey – Saint Martin’s University will officially dedicate the newly completed David R. Spangler Residence Hall on Friday, Sept. 23. The 46,000-square-foot hall is being named in recognition of President Emeritus Spangler’s 21 years of service as Saint Martin’s president. He retired in June.

The dedication, blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 5:15 p.m. The day’s activities will conclude with a celebration picnic at 6 p.m., tours and a dance for students and guests at 7:30 p.m.

“Students are excited and have looked forward to the variety of living arrangements created,” said Carleen Jackson, dean of enrollment and marketing.

Spangler Hall is the first residence hall to be built on the Saint Martin’s campus in 40 years. The new hall offers suite-style living arrangements, apartments and such amenities as study and game rooms, a fitness room, a prayer room and a conference room.

The new hall opens just in time to accommodate the largest incoming freshman class in Saint Martin’s history – 260 students. Jackson said Spangler hall will help the University achieve its goal of attracting a larger population of traditional four-year students.

The University’s $8.3 million residence hall project also included renovations to Burton Hall, opened in 1966. The renovation converted Burton to apartments and added amenities, including a commons room where students could gather.

“As part of its Benedictine tradition, Saint Martin’s works hard to build a strong sense of community, so we sought a great deal of student input and constructed residential space that would encourage gathering to study, socialize and take part in activities,” Jackson said. “We decided to offer apartment-style residences to keep more juniors and seniors living on campus for the leadership and role-modeling they provide to our younger students.”

Saint Martin’s is an independent, Roman Catholic coeducational university founded by the Benedictine Order. About 1,120 students are enrolled on its main campus and about 600 more in programs at the university’s extension campuses at Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base and Olympic College.

Melanie Richardson
Dean of students
360-438-4367; mrichardson@stmartin.edu

John DeWeese
Assistant Media Coordinator
360-486-8857; jddeweese@stmartin.edu