Saint Martin’s University to receive new equipment for chemistry labs

November 2, 2007

Saint Martin’s University will be the recipient of two important pieces of laboratory equipment, thanks to a gift from Unigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Unigen, a subsidiary of Lacey-based ECONET, Inc., recently announced plans to donate a gas chromatograph and a high performance liquid chromatograph to the University’s Chemistry Department.

“Chromatographs help chemists separate, purify and identify components of complex mixtures of chemical compounds found in nature and the laboratory,” explained Gregory Milligan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Saint Martin’s. “These donations will allow our advanced students to get hands-on experience with the use, maintenance and repair of research-grade instruments.”

News of Unigen’s donation comes as the University is preparing for its President’s Gala, which will raise funds to purchase new equipment for Saint Martin’s science and engineering programs. ECONET is a table sponsor for this year’s event.

“We hope that the donation will help further the goal of the Gala — to equip Saint Martin’s classrooms with advanced tools for improved teaching and enhanced faculty-student research,” said Qi Jia, Ph.D., Unigen’s Chief Scientific Officer.

“This donation of scientific equipment underscores the belief of ECONET and Unigen that by partnering with community organizations and local universities such as Saint Martin’s, all members of our community benefit and we all are enriched by the partnership,” remarked Regan Miles, Unigen’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The President’s Gala will take place Nov. 10, 6:00 p.m. to midnight, at the Red Lion Hotel, Olympia. The black tie optional event includes dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing. Tickets are available for $125 each and may be purchased by contacting Carrie Edwards at SMU’s Office of Institutional Advancement, 360-438-4576 or cedwards@stmartin.edu. This year’s Gala is co-chaired by Al Eckroth of Olympia and Dr. Richard Hecker of San Antonio, TX.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, Catholic, coeducational university located on a 320-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 18 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its five extension campuses located at Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base, Olympic College, Centralia College and Tacoma Community College.

For additional information:

Jennifer Fellinger
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4332
jfellinger@stmartin.edu