LACEY, Wash. — A record-breaking $3.5 million was raised for scholarships at the annual Saint Martin’s University Gala on November 2, 2024. The black-tie fundraising event, which supports scholarships for Saint Martin’s students, featured a spectacular evening of fine dining, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a live auction and heartfelt stories from the Saint Martin’s community.
University President Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D., expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the Saint Martin’s community. “The generosity shown at this year’s Gala is a testament to the extraordinary people who believe in the power of a Saint Martin’s education,” said Brownsberger. “The scholarships supported by these funds will help countless students continue their academic journeys and pursue their dreams. We are incredibly grateful to all who attended and contributed to making this event such a success.”
This year, the event was hosted by renowned chef Pati Jinich, who delighted guests with her culinary expertise and storytelling. Chef Pati, a James Beard Award-winning chef, author and host of the popular PBS show Pati’s Mexican Table, prepared a gourmet five-course meal. Guests enjoyed an intimate and dynamic evening with her, as she shared insights into her craft and culinary philosophy.
Roger Dover '23, a recent Saint Martin’s social work graduate, spoke to the transformative power of scholarships for students. In his moving address, Dover shared a personal story of resilience, how he found a home at Saint Martin’s after being honorably discharged from the military after a life-changing medical diagnosis. “Saint Martin’s was exactly what I needed after my military service. It welcomed me with open arms and provided me with a new community when I felt I had lost one,” Dover reflected. His words highlighted the positive impact Saint Martin’s has on its students, particularly those who, like him, are navigating new chapters in life.
"We’re blown away by the generosity of our Saint Martin’s community, raising a record-breaking $3.5 million for student scholarships at this year’s Gala,” said Nate Peters, vice president of marketing and communications and interim vice president of institutional advancement. “With nearly 40% of our students being the first in their families to attend college, this support is mission-critical to making a Catholic Benedictine education accessible."
In addition to the lavish dinner curated by award-winning Chef Pati, the evening featured a live auction, with unique items and experiences generously donated by local and national supporters. Funds raised from the auction and other donations will directly benefit student scholarships, ensuring that a new generation of students has access to the life-changing education that Saint Martin’s provides.
For more information and photos from the 2024 Gala, visit www.stmartin.edu/gala. The next Gala will be held on November 1, 2025. The celebrity chef host will be announced in the coming months.
Thank you to our generous event sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor – Bon Appetit Management Company
Gala Reception Sponsor – MJR Development
After Party Sponsor – FORMA Construction
Broadcast Media Sponsor – KCTS 9
Celebrity Chef Sponsor – MultiCare Capital Medical Center & Providence Swedish
Celebrity Photo Sponsor – Rudd Vision, PLLC
Airline Partner Sponsor – Alaska Airlines
Coffee Sponsor – Dancing Goats Coffee
Hors D'Oeuvre Sponsor – Anthony's Homeport & Hearthfire
Hospitality Sponsor – Columbia Hospitality
Kitchen Sponsor – Rob Rice Homes
Cantina Sponsor – TwinStar Credit Union
Tequila Pony Sponsor – Event Planning Specialists
Live Auction Sponsor – WSECU
Media Sponsor – South Sound Magazine
Print Media Sponsor – Showcase Media
Print Sponsor – Capitol City Press
Raffle Sponsor – Panowicz Jewelers
Tunnel Sponsor – Tedi Reynolds
Valet Sponsor & Silent Auction Sponsor – Olympia Subaru
VIP Gift Bag Sponsor – Drees of Olympia
Wine Glass Sponsor – Sunset Air
Wine Sponsor – Dama Wines
Mariachi Band Sponsor – Armandino Batali
St. Benedict's Table Sponsors:
John and Michelle Riel
Perry and Susan Shea
Tedi Reynolds
The Rants Group
Waite & Patty Dalrymple
St. Gertrude's Table Sponsors:
1st Security Bank
Armandino “Dino” Batali ʼ59, HD’15
Callisons
Dan and Carla O’Neill
Erwin Family
Jim Vosper
Kathy and Gordon Beecher
Lemon Family Dental
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
Mc Erl Dave Andres
Miller Nash LLP
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates
Olympia Federal Savings
Dr. Pamela Holsinger-Fuchs and Tom Fuchs
Puget Sound Energy
Rick and Pam Panowicz
Rockefeller Capital Management
Squaxin Island Tribe
Sunset Air
Tedi Reynolds
Thurston EDC
Timberland Bank
Toni Christy
Tovani Hart
U.S. Bank
Additional Sponsors:
Cynthia Lamothe
Dan Gladney
JP Morgan
Moss Adams
About Saint Martin’s University:
Saint Martin’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and six certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
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