LACEY, Wash. — It’s widely recognized within the Olympia community that Saint Martin’s University in Lacey is a local treasure. Now the University’s long-standing commitment to quality undergraduate education has been honored with 10 Colleges of Distinction national awards recognizing the school as a top college.
Saint Martin’s received a notable overall College of Distinction designation for 2024-2025. It was also named a Catholic College of Distinction, Washington College of Distinction, Affordable College of Distinction, Military Support College of Distinction, and accepted awards for its business, education, engineering, nursing and career development programs.
“We are honored to receive these College of Distinction awards, which recognize our holistic approach to education,” says Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D., president of Saint Martin’s University. “The awards reflect our focus on academic rigor, personal growth and community engagement. I believe that we are educating the next generation of leaders who will make a difference in Thurston County and beyond.”
Colleges of Distinction’s awards identify excellence to help students find exceptional undergraduate schools like Saint Martin’s
The annual Colleges of Distinction awards assist students and families to find their perfect fit for college. High school guidance counselors, college administrators and Colleges of Distinction staff make nominations for best colleges. A lengthy interview process determines whether a university performs well in all four distinctions – engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes, in addition to delivering an exceptional undergraduate experience.
Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Patty Lemon explains, “We received these awards because Colleges of Distinction recognized the intentional care with which Saint Martin’s designs its undergraduate experience.”
“With top-tier academic programs offered by talented faculty to prepare students for a competitive professional landscape, wrap-around services like the Saints Care program offered to support students on every step of their journey, and the wide variety of events offered on campus and abroad to expand students’ horizons, Saint Martin’s strives to give every student the best collegiate experience and prepare them for the brightest futures,” she adds. “That is what the Colleges of Distinction awards honor.”
“For a prospective student and their family, the Colleges of Distinction awards are a sign that choosing Saint Martin’s means choosing a college experience that has been recognized as exceptional,” says Lemon. “They tell prospective students that Saint Martin’s is a great fit and the right choice for many.”
Saint Martin’s University dedicates its services to student success by nimbly meeting today’s scholars’ needs
These accolades join rankings by other organizations that recognize the Olympia-area college’s strengths, highlighting Saint Martin’s dedication to student success and its nimble adjustments to meet today’s scholars’ needs. Lemon says incoming students are quite concerned about affordability. They also seek colleges offering extensive support services to help them reach their goals while providing flexible options like online courses.
“Students want a college that can offer an experience tailored to their schedule and needs,” Lemon explains. “These needs are changing, too. Many students coming to college now spent a large amount of their secondary education purely online during the pandemic and are less familiar than previous generations with what is expected in a college environment. Personalized advising has become even more essential for these students, because many need an advocate to help them navigate unfamiliar circumstances.”
Lemon says Saint Martin’s programs are designed to meet these needs and help students reach their highest potential. Here are a few examples.
- Center for Student Success – offering one-on-one academic advising.
- Tutoring Center – delivering personalized tutoring services.
- Disability Support Services – providing advocates for students needing accommodation.
- Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success – offering military and military-affiliated students specialized advising.
- Saints Care – functioning as an early alert system by connecting students facing any struggle with a staff member dedicated to helping them navigate through their difficulty.
Saint Martin’s is a best college with academic innovation and community service, launching graduates ready for the modern world
The University has a long history of preparing students for lives of service, leadership and social responsibility, while continually adapting to modern academic needs.
For example, the Hal and Inge Marcus School of Engineering offers state-of-the-art labs for civil and mechanical engineering students. The program’s internships, research projects and collaboration with local industries ensure that graduates are workforce ready. The nursing program allows nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing on a specialized pathway. Nursing students gain firsthand experience through clinical placements in hospitals, clinics and community health settings, aligning with the University’s mission to serve the common good. Veterans can take charge of their futures by participating in the WAVets2Tech program, which transitions military veterans to technology careers by providing the skills, training and certifications needed to enter cybersecurity, IT and software development fields.
Saint Martin’s University’s many and various service opportunities benefit students and organizations like the Community Kitchen in Olympia and the Thurston County Food Bank. “Service at Saint Martin’s is about developing students’ awareness of the calling to be in relationship with others, to advocate for those who do not have a voice, and to give freely and charitably of their own time, talents and resources as a way of life,” says Nick Coffman, director of campus ministry.
The University’s awards highlight just part of the Saint Martin’s experience. Visit the homepage to learn more.
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