May 9, 2008

Lacey, Washington — Commencement for the 424-member Saint Martin’s University Class of 2008 will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 10. Commencement ceremonies begin at 2 p.m. at the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion at Saint Martin’s University, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, Washington, 98503. Participating in the ceremonies will be graduates from Saint Martin’s main campus and from the University’s Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base extension campuses. Tickets are required for the event.

The 2008 commencement speaker is the Honorable Richard A. Jones, a 1968 graduate of Saint Martin’s High School. Jones is a United States District Court Judge for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. In 2006, he received the Saint Martin’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. At this year’s commencement, the University will confer upon Jones an honorary doctorate of humane letters, honoris causa.

Valedictorian Timothy Dale Crea, Montesano, will deliver the valedictory address to his fellow graduates. Crea is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. Salutatorian Kaleigh Ruth Bishop, Stanwood, is graduating with bachelor of arts in business administration, also summa cum laude.

The Saint Martin’s University Class of 2008 is composed of students who completed degree requirements in December 2007 and May 2008, as well as those who will do so in August. The class has 120 December graduates, 239 May graduates and 65 August graduates. Of those graduating, 337 will receive undergraduate degrees and 87 will earn graduate degrees.

Class of 2008 biographies

Timothy Dale Crea, Montesano, Valedictorian
Timothy Dale Crea ’08 held the Board of Trustees Scholarship, Washington Academic Team Scholarship and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship while attending Saint Martin’s University. Timothy majored in psychology and is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. As a Saint Martin’s student, he took part in three internships with the Department of Children and Family Services in Aberdeen, directed in part by Associate Professor of Psychology Rona Ruben. Timothy began his studies at Grays Harbor College, where he was named a President’s Scholar, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a member of the All-Washington Academic Team. Since December 2007, he has been a caseworker for the Quinault Indian Nation in Taholah, Washington, where he represents 18 children and their families. Timothy and his wife of 31 years, Eilene, have two children and seven grandchildren.

Kaleigh Ruth Bishop, Stanwood, Salutatorian
Kaleigh Ruth Bishop ’08 grew up in Stanwood, Washington, and graduated in 2004 as valedictorian from Stanwood High School. At Saint Martin’s University, Kaleigh majored in business administra¬tion, with a concentration in management and a minor in religious studies. She finished her studies with a 3.99 grade point average. While at Saint Martin’s, Kaleigh was a member of the University’s honor society, the Society of Fellows. She also ran track and cross country for the University, setting two school relay team records in track and twice earning the honor of Academic All American in cross country. Kaleigh is the daughter of Kenn and Mona Bishop. She has accepted a position with Bliss Investments and Wealth Care in Olympia.

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 G. Fellinger
Director of Communications
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4332
JFellinger@stmartin.edu