Saint Martin's University hosts Polish delegates

October 1, 2009

Lacey, Washington – On Thursday, October 1, Saint Martin's University will welcome to the Lacey campus two members of a Polish delegation visiting the Pacific Northwest and sponsored by the International City Managers Association (ICMA). Marek Mrugala, a Catholic priest for 25 years from Morawica, and Kryzysztof Wingert, a business owner from Krapkowice, will be accompanied by Tamara Jenkins, mayor of the city of DuPont and a Saint Martin's alumnus. The delegation will be in the Northwest for two weeks.

The Polish delegation is the product of an almost decade-long association between ICMA and Holy Cross Province in Poland. ICMA, the professional organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in cities and counties throughout the world, has provided management assistance and information resources to its members and the local government community. The ICMA-Holy Cross Province effort is spearheaded by City Administrator Lloyd Halverson of Camas, Washington. City Administrator Bill McDonald of DuPont and his wife, Lee, have participated in the exchange for several years, hosting individual city council members, teachers, and students. This year's delegation, the second full delegation to this area, is comprised of community leaders including business people, elected officials, city managers, teachers, and a priest. “The goal is to promote best practices in the administration of local government and to encourage the free exchange of ideas and cultures,” said Lee McDonald.

"We are honored to have Father Mrugala and Mr. Wingert visit our university," said spokeswoman Genevieve Chan. "In the Catholic Benedictine tradition, Saint Martin's welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and encourages the appreciation of different cultures. We hope the visit will give these delegates a better understanding of the role of higher education in the U.S."

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, Catholic, coeducational university located on a 380-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 student 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:

Genevieve Canceko Chan
Director of Communications & Marketing
360-438-4332 gchan@stmartin.edu