Saint Martin’s University to confer honorary degree upon new
bishop of Yakima Diocese
May 2, 2011
LACEY, WASHINGTON — Saint Martin’s University will confer a
second honorary degree during its 2011 commencement ceremony,
University President Roy Heynderickx has announced. Bishop
Joseph J. Tyson, newly appointed bishop of the Yakima Diocese,
will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris
causa, from the University. The commencement speaker,
Sister Kathleen A. Ross, S.N.J.M., Ph.D., also will receive
an honorary degree. Saint Martin’s commencement for the class of
2011 will take place Saturday, May 7, at 2:00 p.m. in the Hal
and Inge Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus, 5300
Pacific Avenue SE.
“When Bishop Tyson became auxiliary bishop of the Seattle
Archdiocese six years ago, he selected as his episcopal motto,
Christo Lumen ad Gentes, meaning ‘Christ, the light to
the world,’” Heynderickx says. “Today, he continues to embrace
that motto as a steadfast champion of Catholic education. We are
delighted to have the opportunity to honor Bishop Tyson for his
tremendous vision, unyielding commitment and focused work.”
Born in Moses Lake, Washington, and raised in Seattle, Tyson
was baptized at Yakima’s Saint Paul Cathedral and graduated from
Seattle’s Saint Alphonsus Elementary School and Bishop Blanchet
High School. He studied at Shoreline Community College and the
University of Washington, earning a bachelor’s degree in Russian
and Eastern European studies and editorial journalism. Tyson
earned a Master of Arts in international relations from the
University of Washington’s Jackson School of International
Studies and a Master of Divinity from the Theological College of
the Catholic University of America.
In 1989, Tyson was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop
Raymond Hunthausen of the Seattle Archdiocese. In the 16 years
following his ordination, Tyson served as parochial vicar of
Saint James Cathedral in Seattle, pastor of Saint Mary of the
Valley Parish in Monroe, and pastor of Saint Edward, Saint
George and Saint Paul — three culturally diverse South Seattle
parishes where 37 languages were spoken.
In 2005, Tyson was appointed auxiliary bishop of Seattle by
Pope Benedict XVI, receiving his episcopal consecration from
Seattle’s Archbishop Alexander Brunett. In 2008, he became
interim superintendent of Seattle Catholic Schools, serving
approximately 23,000 students in 72 schools. In this position,
Tyson passionately dedicated himself to supporting and promoting
the values of Catholic education. Countless students throughout
the archdiocese have benefited from Tyson’s efforts, including
those in Lacey’s new Pope John Paul II High School, where he is
a member of the board of directors.
Last month, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tyson the seventh
bishop of the Diocese of Yakima. Tyson is scheduled to be
formally installed as bishop on May 31, 2011, at Yakima’s Holy
Family Parish. This new appointment represents a return to roots
for Tyson, who fondly recalls spending summers visiting his
grandparents in Yakima. The Diocese of Yakima, founded in 1951,
covers almost 18,000 square miles and seven rural counties in
Central Washington. It is composed of 41 parishes, about 60
priests and approximately 80,000 Catholics, the majority of whom
are native Spanish speakers.
Spanish is just one of many languages the bishop speaks. In
addition to Spanish and his native English, Tyson—a seasoned
traveler—also speaks German, Vietnamese and Serbo-Croatian.
Tyson has visited destinations such as Vietnam, Mexico and the
Philippines for a specific purpose—to gain a better
understanding of the origins and cultures of his parishioners
and priests.
“For many years, Bishop Tyson has been a faithful friend and
frequent guest of St. Martin’s Abbey, a familiar face on campus,
and a cherished member of the Saint Martin’s community,”
explains Heynderickx. “At this milestone moment in his episcopal
career, it is fitting that we formally recognize the
contributions he has made to Catholic education.”
Saint Martin’s will confer 360 bachelor’s degrees and 81
master’s degrees at its May 7 ceremony. For more information on
this event, visit the Saint Martin’s University Commencement
website at
www.stmartin.edu/commencement2011.
Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year,
Catholic, coeducational university located on a 380-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 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its
main campus, and 650 more to its extension campuses located at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Everett College, Centralia College and
Tacoma Community College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University
website at www.stmartin.edu.
For further information:
Jennifer Fellinger
Vice president, marketing and communications
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4332
jfellinger@stmartin.edu