Sabina Ibragimova

International students wanting to pursue their bachelor’s degree after graduating from Pierce College attended a trip to St. Martin’s University on March 1. Overall, four students joined the excursion throughout the campus of the St. Martin’s.

The University, located in Lacey, Washington, is one of the 14 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. The university itself is not very well-known, however holds a very good reputation as well as in its undergraduate degree programs and extracurricular activities for students. The university also offers graduate degrees, but in specific fields: business, counseling in psychology, education, and engineering.

Established in 1895 by monks of the Roman Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, it still holds the Benedictine tradition. Monks established the church at the campus, and still live and work there. The Benedictine heritage is a commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth as well as hospitality and service.

After having a lunch at the St. Martin’s university, Pierce College students had a chance to talk to the deans of their majors, the Dean of School of Business, Dr. Richard Beer and the Professor and Dean College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Eric Apfelstadt. Throughout the conversations, students were able to get some of the answers regarding the business and journalism majors. Moreover, some of the students were concerned about the system of the credits and the policy in transferring credits from Pierce to St. Martin’s. Thomas Toan Le expressed his opinion about the campus, “It’s pretty small but I like it. I like how they incorporate the natural environment into the campus in the engineer building. The dormitory conditions make the life of students more comfortable too.”

Students later toured the entire campus. The International Staff, particularly Marco Tulluck, the Director Office of International Programs and Development, and Charles Wright, International Student Services Coordinator Office of International Programs and Development were pleased to hold the excursion for the students.

Students were also able to experience the Abbey church, placed in the center of the whole campus. Other buildings they toured were Trautman Student Union Building (TUB), Burton Hall, Charneski Recreation Center, New Cebula Hall and the dorms. St. Martin’s students are very active in sports thus they take part in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball.

Dorms are very well equipped at St. Martin’s. The university offers single rooms and double rooms for students. One student was amazed on how the university offers the single room, which makes the student’s life easier and more convenient.

For more information regarding the St. Martin’s University please visit, stmartin.edu/. If you’re willing to view the photos of the visit go to: pcdpinnacle.com