Saint Martin's University names 2021-2022 valedictorian and salutatorian

LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin’s University is pleased to announce valedictorian Mariah Fuller of Hoquiam and salutatorian Donald Seese of Lacey for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Valedictorian Mariah Fuller 

Valedictorian Mariah Fuller is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Fuller earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. She grew up in Hoquiam, WA where she attended the Hoquiam School District. It was during her time as a student there when she developed a passion for helping others.  

At Saint Martin’s she participated in the music department’s wind ensemble, pep band, and jazz band. In May 2021, she was inducted into the honor society, Phi Kappa Phi. Fuller is also a first-generation college student and will be the first in her family to earn a college degree. She would like to thank her parents, brother, fiancé, family, and friends for supporting her in her success as a first-generation college graduate. After graduation, she plans on dedicating her time to impacting the lives of children as a teacher. 

Salutatorian Donald Seese 

Salutatorian Donald Seese of Lacey, WA is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work. He earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. After graduation, Seese will attend graduate school in the fall at Columbia University where he was accepted into the school of social work. 

After serving in the military for thirteen years, Seese decided to return to school and chose to continue his education at Saint Martin’s. In 2021, he was inducted into the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society where he was recognized for his service and scholastic achievements. Then in February of this year, he was awarded by his peers as a military-affiliated student for leadership and mentoring at the veteran’s awards banquet on our main campus. He was also most recently inducted into the honor society, Phi Kappa Phi. 

The Saint Martin’s University 2022 Commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus, 5300 Pacific Ave SE. Tickets are required for attendance; doors will open at 9 a.m. For more information on 2022 Commencement, please go to www.stmartin.edu/commencement. 

Saint Martin’s University is an independent, four-year, coeducational university located on a wooded campus of more than 300 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 prepares students for successful lives through its 29 majors and 11 graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education, nursing and engineering. 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.