Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
Saint Martin’s University announced today the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2016.
Valedictorian Michaela Kier, of Olympia, Washington, is graduating summa cum laude (with highest honors), earning a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Michaela has a cumulative GPA of 3.98.
While at Saint Martin’s, she received the Saint Martin’s University President’s Scholarship Award (2012-2016), the Intel Corporation Academic Scholarship Award (2014) and the Capital Lakefair Queen Scholarship Award (2013). In 2016, she received the Outstanding Accounting Student Award and remained on the Saint Martin’s University Honor Roll from 2012 – 2016. She also was named to the Dean’s List each semester since 2012.
In 2014, Michaela served an internship with the Washington State Auditor’s Office and was a Legislative Aide to Washington State Senator Linda Evans Parlette of the 12th Legislative District in 2013. In addition, Michaela co-founded the Saint Martin’s University Business Club during the 2014-2015 academic year, was a member of Sigma Beta Delta, the National Honors Society for Business Students (2015-2016) and the Society of Fellows at Saint Martin’s (2013-2016).
Her plans this summer include an internship with Moss Adams LLP in Tacoma, Washington. She is continuing on to complete her license as a certified public accountant. Michaela says she is “blessed to have Jesus, my parents and five brothers in my life, and I would not be where I am today without their continual love and support.”
Salutatorian Marcus Sheppard , of Lakewood, Washington, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and has a cumulative GPA of 3.95.
During his years at Saint Martin’s, Marcus was awarded the Benefactors Scholarship, the Chancellors Scholarship and the Russell Trust Scholarship. He was the Upper Division Biologist of the Year Recipient (2013-2014) and a member of the Tri-beta Biological Honors Society.
A highlight of Marcus’ college career was his presentation of scientific research at the 2015 Murdock Charitable Trust Conference – “Confirming JAtY Clone identity through DNA-end sequencing”. This research was conducted by his 2015 senior research class.
Marcus has been accepted to the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Post Baccalaureate Research Education Program, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health. He plans to make a transition to the doctorate-M.D. program at UW in fall 2017.
Marcus credits his parents for his accomplishments. “Congratulations, Mom and Dad,” he says, “you did it!”
The Saint Martin’s University 2016 Commencement Exercises will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus. Tickets are required for attendance.
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