Kent students chosen Benedictine Scholars at Saint Martin’s University

For the Reporter

Kent’s Nicolle Saucedo and Katherine Rieger are among 10 incoming Saint Martin’s University freshman who have been selected to serve as part of the third cohort of Benedictine Scholars.

Saucedo, a Kent-Meridian High School graduate, plans to study criminal justice. Rieger, a Thomas Jefferson graduate, plans to study mathematics.

Each scholar selected for the honor receives a $10,000 renewable scholarship.

The scholars program, designed to support and reflect the university’s mission as a faith-based, values-centered institution, was launched in 2012 and dovetailed with the roll-out of the Saint Martin’s Benedictine Institute.

The incoming scholars help form the student nucleus of a university-wide endeavor to understand, strengthen and articulate the centuries-old Catholic Benedictine values that are the foundation of St. Martin’s and Abbey, said Scott Andrew Schulz, Ph.D. the university’s dean of enrollment.

The newest group brings the total number of Benedictine Scholars to 30 students.

“This year’s group of Benedictine Scholars is academically gifted to be sure,” Schulz said. “More importantly, however, these students bring with them demonstrated commitments to compassion and social justice that will inspire every member of the Saint Martin’s community to deepen an understanding of themselves and their place in a more interconnected world.”

Faculty and staff members representing numerous departments throughout the university evaluated candidates from an applicant pool of about 120 students, Schulz said. Those selected are typically students whose academic records are matched by their leadership experiences, their contributions to the life of their school or faith communities, and their service to individuals and groups.