Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
Saint Martin’s University has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2015.
Valedictorian Erin E. Leonard Reeves, of Everett, Washington, is graduating summa cum laude (with highest honor), earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing with an emphasis on psychology. Reeves has a cumulative GPA of 3.98.
Her academic career at Saint Martin’s University began as Erin Abdo in 1980 on a full scholarship from Coca-Cola. She served as president of the Saint Martin’s Circle K Club for the 1980-1981 academic year. She transferred to Bellevue College in 1982, declaring nursing as her major. Reeves graduated from Bellevue in 1984 with a 4.0 GPA and an associate degree in nursing (ADN).
Reeves returned to Saint Martin’s University in the fall of 2012 to complete the RN-to-BSN program. She also took on a major project with her fellow nursing students to develop a community kitchen in Everett.
Reeves has been working as a registered nurse (RN) for 30 years. In 2004, she became a certified diabetes educator (CDE), going on to develop and implement Providence Medical Group’s first accredited Diabetes Education Program. She is currently employed at Providence Medical Group in Everett as a registered nurse, CDE care manager. Reeves’ future plans include completion of the Board Certified – Advanced Diabetes Management Certification (BC-ADM) and a Master of Science degree in nursing.
Reeves takes the greatest pride in her family and five children.
Salutatorian Kailey M. Fuegmann, of Federal Way, Washington, is graduating summa cum laude (with highest honor), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
She has a cumulative GPA of 3.94.
At Saint Martin’s, Fuegmann received the Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Benefactors Scholarship and received an Athletic Scholarship for Women’s Soccer. Named on the Dean’s List each semester since 2011, she was also the recipient of the Tetrahedron Award for Excellence in Organic Chemistry and is a member of the Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society. As a member of the Chemistry Club and the Biology Club, she hosted science exploration workshops for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County and acted as a Stream Team volunteer.
A member of the women’s soccer team, Fuegmann was honored with the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Faculty Athletic Representative’s Scholar-Athlete Award in 2012 and 2013.
For her senior research project, Fuegmann investigated the various antibiotic compounds present in local trees and the inhibitory effects these extracts have on different bacterial strains. She will be taking a gap year to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and gain hands-on experience in the medical field as she looks forward to applying to medical school to study orthopedic surgery.
Fuegmann thanks her parents, Ken and Cassie, for their unfaltering support and love.
The Saint Martin’s University 2014 Commencement Exercises will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus, 5000 Abbey Way S.E. Tickets are required for attendance.
For more information, visit www.stmartin.edu/Commencement.
