Saint Martin's University names 12th cohort of Benedictine Scholars

LACEY, Wash. — Saint Martin’s University selects 10 first-year students to serve as the 12th cohort of the Benedictine Scholars. The Benedictine Scholars Program started in the fall of 2012 with the mission to promote a deeper understanding of the Catholic, Benedictine charisms and heritage that defines Saint Martin’s University. Each scholar selected for the program receives a $10,000 scholarship on top of other financial aid per year, renewable for four years of study.

"What sets this year’s cohort of Benedictine Scholars apart is not only their academic achievements but also their exceptional character and compassion,” shared Saint Martin’s University Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Patty Lemon. “Each and every one of the Benedictine Scholar recipients demonstrated a profound understanding of the power of collaboration and the strength that lies in nurturing hospitality and embracing community." 

The 12th cohort of Benedictine Scholars are:  

• Delany Donaldson from Gonzaga Preparatory School, Spokane Valley, Wash., will major in Pre-Law 
• Bianca Frank from Gonzaga Preparatory School, Spokane Valley, Wash., will major in Secondary Education 
• Miguel Gomez from Mossyrock High School, Mossyrock, Wash., will major in Computer Science 
• Meridee Hill from Yelm High School, Roy, Wash., will major in Educational Studies 
• Cameron Kreider from Ridgeline High School, Greenacres, Wash., will major in Business Administration 
• Elijah Lewis from Yelm High School, Yelm, Wash., will major in Psychology 
• Xavier Quismondo from Waianae High School, Waianae, Hawaii, will major in Civil Engineering 
• Crysania Saballa from Kapolei High School, Kapolei, Hawaii, will major in Nursing 
• Sara-Edith Saimon from Xavier High School, Weno, Micronesia, will major in Business Administration 
• Mia Zachary from West Salem High School, Independence, Ore., will major in Psychology 

The Benedictine Scholars serve as ambassadors of the core themes of the institution—faith, reason, service, and community—both within our campus community and in the wider world. This cohort will be led by Faculty Advisor and Associate Professor of Psychology Jeremy Newton, Ph.D., and Director of Campus Ministry, Nick Coffman. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our incoming cohort to Saint Martin’s University,” shared Jeremy Newton, Ph.D. “The Benedictine Scholars Program is designed to cultivate well-rounded individuals through service learning, leadership, and an exploration of our Benedictine values. Nick and I look forward to working with the new scholars as they embark on their academic journey.”  

Faculty and staff members representing numerous departments throughout the University evaluated over 200 candidates for the Benedictine Scholars Program. Those selected are typically students whose academic records are matched by their leadership experiences, their contributions to the life of their school or faith communities, and their service to individuals and groups.  

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 seven 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.