Saint Martin’s to confer honorary degree on Rev. Stephen C. Rowan, Ph.D.

Commencement scheduled for Saturday, May 9 in Marcus Pavilion

April 22, 2009

Lacey, Washington—Rev. Stephen C. Rowan, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Portland, will be the commencement speaker at Saint Martin’s University on Saturday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. in the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion. Fr. Rowan will also receive an honorary degree in humane letters from the University.

“We are extremely pleased to confer this well deserved honor on Fr. Rowan and to have him as our commencement speaker,” said Roy F. Heynderickx Ph.D., the president of Saint Martin’s. “Fr. Rowan has had a strong influence on Catholic education in Washington and Oregon as a professor, administrator and fund raiser.”

“In addition to his work in education, Fr. Rowan has greatly influenced the entire Church in Western Washington through his service as Vicar General and Vicar for Education,” added Heynderickx.

Fr. Rowan has been a professor of English and dean at Seattle University and interim president at Carroll College in Montana. Under the direction and leadership of Alexander Brunett, archbishop of Seattle, Fr. Rowan established the Fulcrum Foundation as a funding source for the K-12 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. The Foundation has raised over $43 million in endowment and operating support for the schools.

For a period of time, Fr. Rowan also served as the director of continuing formation for clergy and was the principal architect of the formation program for permanent deacons.

“Saint Martin’s graduates and their families will benefit from Fr. Rowan’s knowledge, experience and wisdom,” commented Heynderickx.

Fr. Rowan received his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from The University of British Columbia. He also holds an S.T.B. degree from Saint Mary’s Seminary and University and was ordained a priest in 1970.

Saint Martin’s will confer 352 bachelor’s degrees and 90 master’s degrees at its May 9th ceremony.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, Catholic, coeducational university located on a 320-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 18 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 21 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 student from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its five extension campuses located at Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base, Olympic College, Centralia College and Tacoma Community College.

For additional information:

Stephen C. McGlone
Vice president for institutional advancement
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4586
smcglone@stmartin.edu