Bright spots: As we near the end of 2025, a look back at stories that illuminate the year at Saint Mary’s / Photo by Francis Tatem
Embracing the Moment: The Top Stories from 2025
The launch of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the announcement of Division I Aquatics. History-making wins in Baseball, Softball, and Men’s Basketball. Gaels seizing opportunities in archaeology, AI, and Broadway. And much, much more.
At Saint Mary’s College, we’re fond of saying the Bay Area is our backyard. Geographically, that means redwoods, beaches, and the best food city in America are just a short ride away. It also means, when it comes to innovation and discovery, Gaels are uniquely situated—to explore, connect, and change the world.
In 2025, Gaels made NCAA tournament history in Softball and Baseball and clinched a satisfying Men’s Basketball conference win over the Zags. Through hands-on personalized offerings like the Summer Research Program, Liberal Arts Bridge Program, and January Term, students found themselves testing air quality in the Sierra Nevada, interning at a renowned gallery in Oakland, and learning from migrant farmers in the Salinas Valley. On campus, too, the High Potential and PREP Programs continue to ensure high-caliber education is accessible to all.
At the same time, the College expanded opportunities in bold new directions. In the spring, Saint Mary’s announced the launch of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, which welcomed its first cohort in the fall. In September, we made waves across the country when SMC announced that, starting in fall 2026, Saint Mary’s will be home to a Division I Aquatics program with Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Water Polo.
With those exciting developments in mind, in his first State of the College address in November, President Roger Thompson described this year as a new chapter for Saint Mary’s. Looking forward, President Thompson cast a vision for what Saint Mary’s may soon provide: a Health Sciences hub for the East Bay, an expanded and state-of-the-art Museum of Art, and a renewed “business school of the future” that builds on partnerships throughout the region.
“This is our moment,” Thompson told those gathered. Saint Mary’s is certainly making the most of this place and time, and the SMC NewsCenter has reflected that. Here are stories that capture some of the events and spirit of Saint Mary’s in 2025.
To Meet the Moment in California Healthcare Needs, Saint Mary’s Launches a New Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Nursing classes began fall 2025, with new enrollment opportunities for spring and fall 2026. The innovative curriculum led by experienced faculty brings together rigorous theoretical training and practical experience.
The Gaels Make a Splash: Saint Mary’s College Launches New Division I Aquatics Program
Four new teams join SMC’s NCAA roster: Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Water Polo. They’ll bring new opportunities to the heart of the Bay Area’s swimming culture, and they follow expanded programs in Spirit, Dance, and Band.
2025 State of the College: ‘This Is Our Moment!’
President Roger Thompson outlined a student-first agenda—elevating the Saint Mary’s experience, advancing academic innovation, expanding access and belonging, and shaping a bold regional and global vision.
Looking for the College that Is Right for You? Saint Mary’s Is Featured in ‘Dream School’ by Jeffrey Selingo
New book spotlights Saint Mary’s as a college delivering exceptional outcomes and community. Finding your dream school, Selingo writes, is “about choosing a place where you can thrive, learn, and become the person you’re meant to be.”
A Dispatch from Rome: SMC’s Tom Poundstone on the Culmination of a Conclave and the Selection of Pope Leo XIV
The Theology and Religious Studies professor joined tens of thousands in Saint Peter's Square to witness the selection of a new pope. He shares his experience, reflections, and hopes for the American-born Pope as “the man for the time.”
Gaels Crowned Conference Champs with a 74–67 Victory over Gonzaga at the Kennel
Mikey Lewis led the way with 18 points. It was first time Saint Mary’s won the title outright in back-to-back seasons. Include the shared title of the year before, and it was an unprecedented conference title threepeat for SMC.
Gaels Shock the Country and Upset Eighth-Ranked Oregon State for First Ever NCAA Baseball Tournament Win
Saint Mary’s matched clutch offense with electric pitching performance to best the Beavers on their home field.
Gaels Clinch Second Straight West Coast Conference Softball Title
With a doubleheader split against LMU, Saint Mary’s earned a share of the title. This marked the first time in program history that SMC earned recognition as back-to-back WCC champs.
Three Brothers from Pasifika and the Push by Gaels Men’s Rugby to Defend the National Championship Crown
For Sione Ofa ’27, Sialeafuhia Ofa ’28, and Aisake Tukuafu ’28, the path to Saint Mary’s traces through Salt Lake City and the island nation of Tonga. The path to the playoffs is all about playing as a team 77 strong.
Crossing the Commencement Stage as this Year’s Valedictorian: Dominic Fleming ’25
The Bay Area native initially expected to leave California for college. A sports injury and a shoebox full of college acceptance letters changed his trajectory. Four years later, he’s the top academic achiever in his class.
In Their Own Words: Alexis Hackett ’26 is Encompassing Complexity—at Deloitte, at Saint Mary's, and in Her Own Identity
A Cultural Event Coordinator at the Intercultural Center, she’s helping the SMC community “celebrate the multiple shades of us.” And as an Accounting major with a multiyear internship at Deloitte, Hackett hopes to use her skills to address poverty.
Christopher Baker ’26 Spent the Summer Studying a 3,300-Year-Old Shipwreck in Turkey. Then He Headed for Rome
Through SMC’s Liberal Arts Bridge Program, Baker worked with the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, studying artifacts from a Late Bronze shipwreck. Now, he’s on his own archaeological tour of Europe while studying abroad in Italy.
First In Class: Meet Award-Winning Graduates from Three of Saint Mary’s Newest Programs
The winners include Tiffany Tachiquin, MA ’25, one of the first graduates of the new Master’s in Forensic Psychology program. “For those in the system, I want to be a source of support,” she says.
In Their Own Words: Gracie Martin ’25 on Her Unexpected Route to NVIDIA, the AI Chip Juggernaut
A Communication major, Martin never envisioned herself in tech. However, with support from family and SMC’s Career Center, she landed an internship that led to a full-time job. Her advice? “Use the experiences you have…Someone's gonna like you for you.”
Musician Nick Perez ’19 on His Broadway Debut, the Tony Award-Winning ‘Buena Vista Social Club’
He helped bring Buena Vista Social Club to life on the Broadway stage. From behind-the-scenes prep to conducting live performances, he shares what it’s like to be part of this celebrated production.
Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo Selected as SMC’s Professor of the Year for 2024–25
This history educator experienced many of life’s ups and downs before landing at Saint Mary’s. Her learned wisdom and appreciation for the unique characteristics of every student have earned her admiration of peers and gratitude from generations of Gaels.
Saint Mary’s College Professor Barbara A. McGraw Awarded $1 Million from John Templeton Foundation for Project on Religious Liberty in US Prisons
This ambitious three-year effort draws upon decades of work by McGraw, who will lead an interdisciplinary team. The goal: scholarly insights and practical resources for use by correctional institutions, policymakers, and advocates for incarcerated people.
Scientist At Work: Jim Pesavento on Unlocking Algae’s Sustainability Potential—and the Students Helping Him Do It
Through a software program developed with Megan Bindra ’23, Pesavento discovered something new about a possible source of sustainable energy. It’s the kind of cutting-edge research “a new guard” of faculty is making possible for students, he says.
A Life of Faith, Service, and Community: Celebrating Brother Ronald Gallagher, FSC
Perhaps best known by many of us as the 28th President of Saint Mary’s who served in that capacity from 2005–2013, he was a beloved and monumental figure at our institution.
In memory of Neil Sweeney '50, 1926–2025
Hayden Royster is Associate Editor at the Office of Marketing and Communications for Saint Mary's College. Write him.
