President's Gala 2009

On November 7, Saint Martin’s University held its annual President’s Gala at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound. The President’s Gala is the University’s major fall fundraising event, with the proceeds going to student scholarships. The gold sponsors for the gala were America’s Credit Union (ACU) and Chicago Title. The silver sponsors were Assend Dragon Aviation, Batteries Plus, Charles Schwab, Lucky Eagle Casino, Olympia Federal Savings, and Setina Manufacturing Company.

The event featured dinner, dancing, live music, and both a silent and live auction. The central live auction item, “Fund a Mind!”, directly raised $38,100 towards scholarships. Overall, the gala raised nearly $180,000, the largest amount raised in the event’s four-year history.

During the event, the University also announced the first recipient for the new America’s Service Heroes Scholarship, which rewards uniformed men and women and their family for their dedication as they serve our nation. The recipient, 1SG John Blue, currently serves as Commandant of the Fort Lewis Warrior Training Academy and is pursuing a degree in business administration. Major funding of this scholarship is provided by a generous donation from ACU with additional funding provided by Saint Martin’s Board of Trustee Dr. Richard Hecker.

For more information about the President’s Gala and other fundraising events, please contact Deidre Eaton at 360-486-8885 or specialevents@stmartin.edu. Or visit the event website at www.stmartin.edu/gala.

For more pictures from this event, visit the Saint Martin’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/saintmartinsuniversity.