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"Being a scholar, I would say it’s like having your own little family on campus. These are the first 10 people you meet and you’ll always be there for one another. Being a scholar definitely made the experience at Saint Martin’s a very friendly one."
— Gerardo Rodriguez, Everett, WA, mathematics

About the Benedictine Scholarship Program

The Benedictine Scholars program is based on the Rule, written by Saint Benedict of Norcia (c. 540 A.D.), and stresses the importance of:

• Community
• Living a balanced life
• Hospitality
• Generosity of Spirit

Founded in 2012, the Benedictine Scholars are a group of students, composed of four cohorts with each cohort made up of 10 incoming first-year students, whose mission is to promote a deeper understanding of the Benedictine values and heritage that defines our institution.

Benedictine Scholars become leaders.

Serving as ambassadors of the Benedictine values. They are chosen for their commitment to leadership, service and promoting the common good.

Application process

  • Important information
    • Benedictine Scholars do not need to be Catholic. Scholars are brought together by their willingness to engage with the Benedictine values.
    • Our scholars represent a broad spectrum of different faith traditions as well as students who profess no faith tradition.
    • Scholars are able to participate in other activities on campus, including athletics.
    • Scholars must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to retain their scholarship.
  • Eligibility

    There is no application for the Benedictine Scholarship. Candidates for this scholarship are nominated each year by the Office of Admissions.

    In order to be eligible, candidates must be admitted to Saint Martin’s University for the upcoming fall semester by March 1. Candidates are selected based on academic success, as well as demonstrated service and leadership. Applicants will receive an invitation if they are selected as a scholar candidate.

  • Selection process

    Candidates participate in an interview process, which includes a written component. On-campus interviews are held in March.

    Candidates who live out of state or too far away from campus may attend alternate interviews. Please contact your counselor for details.

    Interview panelists evaluate candidates based on their leadership skills, level of participation and commitment to positive community engagement.

  • Notification process and timeline

    Finalists will be notified by April 5 of their selection for the Benedictine Scholarship and will have until May 1 to confirm their enrollment and acceptance of the award.

    Important: A $200 enrollment deposit is required for confirmation.

    All candidates who complete an interview will receive the Martin of Tours Award of $1,000 over four years to recognize their achievements.

    Semi-Finalists will receive the Saint Scholastica Scholarship award of $2,000 over four years and are encouraged to be involved in the Benedictine Leadership Program. The scholarships awarded are in addition to the Saint Martin’s merit awards.

Benedictine Scholar community

Students celebrate Christmas on the Norcia Leadership Floor

Norcia Leadership Floor

Scholars are encouraged and expected to live on campus. During their first year, they will live on the Norcia Leadership Floor, located in Spangler Hall. Norcia is comprised of both first-year and returning students. Incoming students are paired with upper-class mentors in suite-style rooms. 

A group of Benedictine Scholars pose for the camera

Campus involvement

Norcia residents learn how to promote community while developing their leadership skills. Scholars and other Norcia residents are heavily involved on campus. Often seen in roles such as student goverment leaders, orientation leaders, peer mentors, tutors and more. In addition to studying together, Norcia residents also participate in community dinners.

A Benedictine scholar participates in a monastic ceremony

Getting to know the monastic community

Benedictine scholars have the opportunity to spend time with members of the monastic community throughout their time on campus. Students learn the Benedictine values from those who live the values on a daily basis.

Learn more about our Catholic Benedictine tradition.

Activities

A Benedictine Scholar cohort participates in an immersion project

Cohort projects

Each year, the incoming cohort of scholars chooses a project that embodies the Benedictine values. Past projects have included a video, restoration of the Stations of the Cross on campus, a community art project and a campuswide exploration of the meaning of faith.

Benedictine scholars listen to a speaker outdoors at a retreat

Retreats

Scholars attend retreats each year to foster community and travel to a Benedictine community as a cohort.

FAQs

  • What do you look for in applicants?

    Benedictine Scholars are selected not only for their academic excellence, but also for their commitment to leadership, service, and promoting the common good.

  • Do I have to be Catholic?

    No. Benedictine Scholars represent a broad spectrum of faith traditions. This program is not Catholic per se; rather, the Scholars’ presence and leadership on campus helps to foster Benedictine values, which are universal and relevant to people from all faith traditions.

  • What if I can’t make it to Benedictine Scholars Day for my interview?

    Candidates can make arrangements to interview by video conference if they live outside western Washington or have special circumstances that prevent them from interviewing on campus. All efforts are made to ensure that both on-campus and video conference candidates are considered equally in the selection process.

Cohorts

  • Cohort Seven (2018)
    • Dagny Ahrend (Ephrata Senior High School - Ephrata, WA) 
    • Christopher Carlisle (Rochester High School - Rochester, WA)
    • Lauren Chung (Sacred Hearts Academy High School - Honolulu, HI)
    • Hannah Erwin (Aberdeen High School - Aberdeen, WA)
    • Katelynn Gulley (Curtis Senior High School - Tacoma, WA)
    • Zachary Hansen (Washington Virtual Academy School - Shelton, WA)
    • Madelaine O’Neil (Woodland High School - Woodland, WA)
    • Shannen Sakai (Pearl City High School - Pearl City, HI)
    • Cesar Sandoval (Orting High School - Ortin, WA)
    • Ian James Yadao (Waipahu High School - Waipahu, HI)
  • Cohort Six (2017)
    • Beryl Baon (Waipahu High School - Waipahu, HI)
    • Rowan Carabba (Mount Baker Senior High School)
    • Jarek Dabrowski (Tumwater High School - Tumwater, WA)
    • Miguel De La Melena (Union High School - Vancouver, WA)
    • Marie Dhanens (Timberline High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Jason Fairhurst (Snohomish Senior High School - Snohomish, WA)
    • Dakota Hill (Yelm High School - Yelm, WA)
    • Soleil Lewis (Thomas Jefferson High School - Auburn, WA)
    • Ashley Taylor (Riverside Poly High School - Riverside, CA)
    • Francis Yarofalyango (Yap Catholic High School - Yap, Federated States of Micronesia)
  • Cohort Five (2016)
    • Miriam Bautista-Rodriguez (Royal High School - Royal City, WA)
    • Luis Camacho (Quincy High School - Quincy, WA)
    • Keevan Forbes-Kashani (Capital High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Alesha Garand (Newberg Senior High School - Newberg, OR)
    • Cor Kruithof III (Woodrow Wilson High School - Tacoma, WA)
    • Dylon Maertens (Tahoma Senior High School - Maple Valley, WA)
    • Sheridan Menard (Mountain View High School - Kuna, ID)
    • Michael Otter-Johnson (Timberline High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Tracey Porter (Franklin Pierce High School - Tacoma, WA)
    • Kaitlyn Slade (Waipahu High School - Waipahu, HI)
  • Cohort Four (2015)
    • Samantha Bibeau (Olympia High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Elizabeth Colon (North Thurston High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Lauren Diuco (Capistrano Valley High School - Mission Viejo, CA)
    • Kaylin Fosnacht (Rochester High School - Rochester, WA)
    • Rachel Gondrezick (Judge Memorial Catholic High School - Salt Lake City, UT)
    • Nicholas Hollander (Timberline High School - Lacey, WA)
    • Roger Linhart (Loyola Sacred Heart High School - Missoula, MT)
    • Brittany Lyndon (Clear Springs High School - League City, TX)
    • Matthew Nguyen (Auburn Riverside High School - Auburn, WA)
    • Megan Vernoy (Heritage High School - Brentwood, CA)
  • Cohort Three (2014)
    • Belana Anderson (Timberline High School - Lacey, WA)
    • Jessica Bever (Capital High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Michael Dominguez (Northwest Christian High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Alyssa Fink (Central Kitsap High School - Poulsbo, WA)
    • Morgan Olson (Tahoma Senior High School - Ravensdale, WA)
    • Andrew Raab (East Valley High School - Yakima, WA)
    • Matthew Ramos (Pope John Paul II High School - Olympia, WA)
    • Katherine Rieger (Thomas Jefferson High School - Kent, WA) 
    • Nicolle Saucedo (Kent-Meridian High School - Kent, WA) 
    • Taylor Wolf (Blanchet Catholic School - Gervais, OR)
  • Cohort Two (2013)
    • Anna Agloro (Yelm High School - Port Ludlow, WA)
    • Ian Boyle (Seton Catholic Prep High School - Ridgefield, WA)
    • Hope Chamberlain (Port Angeles High School - Port Angeles, WA)
    • Matthew Jankovic (Cascade Senior High School - Everett, WA)
    • Madeleine Knecht (Gig Harbor High School - Gig Harbor, WA)
    • Chelsea Luna (North Marion High School - Hubbard, OR)
    • Claire Palmiter  (Gresham Union High School - Gresham, OR)
    • Gerardo Ponce Rodriguez (Everett High School - Everett, WA)
    • Melissa Roth (Holy Names Academy - Lynnwood, WA)
    • Corbin Schamber (Homedale High School - Homedale, ID)
  • Cohort One (2012)
    • Josiah Dailey (West Anchorage High School - Anchorage, AK)
    • Dean Decker (Emerald Ridge High School - Puyallup, WA)
    • Cody Gilomen (Kentlake High School - Kent, WA)
    • Derrick Gonzales (Moses Lake Senior High School - Moses Lake, WA)
    • Renee Hudson (Everett High School, Everett - WA)
    • Garrett Mason (Mountlake Terrace High School - Mountlake Terrace, WA)
    • Dalia Pedro-Trujillo (Highline High School - Burien, WA)
    • Amy Pollard (Squalicum High School - Bellingham, WA)
    • Jerica Saucedo (Kent-Meridian High School - Snoqualmie, WA)
    • Annabel Warnell (Emerald Ridge High School - Puyallup, WA)

Community on canvas