Saint Martin’s sponsors 2007 Dragon Boat Challenge

April 12, 2007

Lacey, Wash. – Saint Martin’s University will host the second annual Dragon Boat Challenge Cup, Saturday, April 28 at Heritage Park on Capitol Lake in downtown Olympia. The event was planned in cooperation with the Washington Dragon Boat Association and is expected to draw 14 competing teams and 1,000 spectators from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Events will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude with an awards ceremony slated for 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge. Shuttles will be available from Deschutes Way, near Marathon Park, to Heritage Park to ease parking constraints.

Saint Martin’s University has been actively involved in education and cultural exchanges with China since 1995. Today, Saint Martin’s faculty travel to China annually to teach international business, accounting and general education courses. Saint Martin’s students regularly participate in China study tours and have teaching internship opportunities in Shanghai, Wuhan and Zhuhai.

“Dragon boat racing dates back to fourth-century China, and today is primarily an occasion for community festivities and the sharing of disparate cultures,” says Josephine Yung, Saint Martin’s Associate Vice President for International Programs and Development. “Saint Martin’s is proud to bring important members of the local and international community together to enjoy this very unique, ancient form of competition and cultural exchange,” she adds.

The Dragon Boat Challenge is supported by a number of international organizations throughout the Puget Sound area including, Washington China Relations Council; Washington State Dept. of Community, Trade and Economic Development; World Trade Center; Thurston County’s Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce; the Cities of Lacey, Tumwater and Olympia; Olympia-Zhangzhou Sister City and Olympia Chinese Fellowship.

Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. A Catholic, Benedictine university, Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey, Washington main campus, and 650 more to four extension campuses.

For additional information:

Anne Kirske
Interim communication director
Saint Martin’s University
360.486.8857
akirske@stmartin.edu