University of San Diego Digital USD USD Magazine USD News Spring 2021 USD Magazine Spring 2021 University of San Diego Follow this and additional works at: https://digital.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine Digital USD Citation University of San Diego, "USD Magazine Spring 2021" (2021). USD Magazine. 88. https://digital.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/88 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the USD News at Digital USD. It has been accepted for inclusion in USD Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital USD. For more information, please contact [email protected]. USDMAGSpring 2021 UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO TO MEET THE MOON Jonathan (“Jonny”) Kim ’12 (BA) and Matthew Dominick ’05 (BS/BA) were recently assigned to NASA’s Artemis Team. Their next stop could be the moon. USD MAGAZINE DEAR TOREROSalumni and friends who partici- pated in our record setting Torero Tuesday giving day during home- coming week in October. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave so generously that day. We remain hopeful for the spring and new beginnings. As we’ve indicated previously, our desire for the spring semester is to offer an increasing number of academic options for faculty and students, whether through in-per- son classes or remote instruction. Additionally, we are planning to host commencement ceremonies on campus, knowing that these celebrations will likely look dif- ferent than previous years. While we hope and plan to in- crease in-person engagement in the spring semester, at this time, San Diego County has remained in the most restrictive tier of Cal- ifornia’s COVID-19 risk-ranking system. Our activities will contin- ue to be guided by California health and safety recommenda- tions and San Diego County orders related to the pandemic. In the face of uncertainty and setbacks, I hope that each of you are able to take some time to pause, reflect and celebrate the s I write this, we have and love in the face of so many cial challenges. To help our fami- gifts that God has given us over finished the fall semester uncertainties and challenges. lies plan, we made the decision the past year. Aand are preparing to enter Throughout 2020, Toreros have to freeze tuition rates at the cur- Now, as we look forward to a season of anticipation, prepara- been beacons of civility and rent level for all students in the the next year — which we fer- tion and giving. I wish to express compassion by bringing light 2021-22 academic year, providing vently hope will be filled with my sincere appreciation and grati- out of darkness. In spite of the some financial relief for our opportunity and growth — I tude for the dedication and resil- difficulties we face, there is a Torero families. This decision, remain confident that we can iency of our campus community, renewed sense of commitment along with a commitment to prevail over the challenges to parents, friends and alumni. on campus to tackling humanity’s increase our financial aid to come and emerge a stronger This year has been one of the most urgent challenges and ful- students to record levels in the university in the future thanks most challenging periods in the filling our vision as an engaged, coming year, are two ways we to your support and prayers. history of USD. I continue to contemporary Catholic university. are trying to support to our en- be humbled to be a member We have heard from many tire community. This has been Peace, of a campus community that USD families that the pandemic made possible in part through James T. Harris III, D.Ed. embodies a spirit of solidarity has caused unprecedented finan- the generous support of our President USD MAGAZINE Fall 2020 STAFF BOX [president] James T. Harris III, DEd [vice president, university advancement] Richard Virgin [associate vice president, university marketing and communications] Peter Marlow [email protected] [editor/senior director] Julene Snyder [email protected] [senior creative director] Barbara Ferguson [email protected] Our Students [editorial advisory board] Sandra Ciallella ’87 (JD) Pamela Gray Payton ’16 (MSEL) Lynn Hijar Hoffman ’98 (BBA), ’06 (MSGL) Minh-Ha Hoang ’96 (BBA), ’01 (MA) Are Coming Back. Michael Lovette-Colyer ’13 (PhD) Kristin Scialabba (PhD candidate) Rich Yousko ’87 (BBA) [usd magazine] USD Magazine is published three times a year by the University of San Diego for its alumni, parents and friends. U.S. postage paid at San Diego, CA 92110. Campus life is returning, USD phone number: (619) 260-4600. [class notes] Class Notes may be edited for length and clarity. and the need for scholarship Photos must be high resolution, so adjust camera settings accordingly. Engagements, pregnancies, personal email addresses and telephone numbers cannot be published. support is greater than ever. Please note that content for USD Magazine has a long lead time. Our current publishing schedule is as follows: Class Notes received between Feb. 1-May 30 appear in the Fall edition; those received June 1-Sept. 30 The pandemic has impacted many USD families, and alumni appear in the Spring edition; those received between Oct. 1-Jan. 31 appear in the Summer digital-only edition. scholarship support will help us make sure that every student Email Class Notes to [email protected] or who started college as a Torero will graduate a Torero. mail them to the address below. [mailing address] USD Magazine Please consider supporting our students who have faced Publications University of San Diego obstacles they never imagined. They are now part of a new 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110 generation of alumni who are prepared to go out into the world [website] and confront humanity’s urgent challenges. www.sandiego.edu/usdmag [be blue go green] USD Magazine is printed with vegetable-based inks on paper certified in accordance with FSC® standards, which support environmentally appropriate, socially Every gift helps. Every gift counts. beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. [0120/71,500/PUBS-20-2923] Make your gift today: sandiego.edu/givenow Spring 2021 1 USD MAGAZINE CONTENTS 20 24 4 6 8 12 15 28 32 2 USD MAGAZINE Fall 2020 USD MAGAZINE FEATURES TORERO ATHLETICS ALWAYS HUSTLING Championship Mentality The president and CEO of the Jacobs & Cushman San MJ Knighten became the NCAA’s youngest Division I head 16 Diego Food Bank, Jim Floros ’84 (BA) has a lot of energy. 14 softball coach when she was named manager of the USD That’s a good thing, because in the wake of the COVID-19 program last August. pandemic and the ripple effect it’s had on people’s lives, he needs to hit the ground running, all day, every day. CLASS NOTES COOKING UP A SUSTAINABLE PLANET An Effective Perspective Jessica Tishue ’11 (BA) wants to change the world — one 28 Joshua Williams ’16 (BS/BA) has a burning desire to make 20 meal at a time. Why not? She’s already run a successful things happen. One of those things was founding Young digital marketing company and plans to launch a Echelon, a nonprofit that empowers underserved youth zero-waste, edible utensil company in 2021. through personal development. NOTES OF SPICE Bearing Witness Basil Considine ’03 (BA) has quite a list of accomplish- Kim Polo ’98 (BA) is an award-winning documentarian. Her 24 ments, including singing with the Boston Pops as a child, 32 new film,Don’t Forget Them, follows a doctor for a week as discovering a love of opera while a student at USD and he travels to refugee camps near Kurdistan to provide ultimately becoming an award-winning musicologist medical relief. and founder of Really Spicy Opera. In the Big Leagues While Erik Jorgensen ’00 (BA) has made it to the big TORERO NEWS 36 leagues, he’s not hitting home runs or striking out batters. To Meet the Moon Instead, he’s the official DJ for the Dallas Cowboys, San USD alumni Matthew Dominick ’05 (BS/BA) and Jonathan Diego Padres and other sports teams. 4 (“Jonny”) Kim ’12 (BA) were assigned to NASA’s Artemis Team in December 2020. Their next stop could be the moon. RIP Stanley Legro Former USD professor and member of the Board of Rising to the Challenge 39 Trustees Stanley “Stan” Legro passed away in late August. A global pandemic, subsequent economic downturn and He was an ardent supporter of the environment and an 6 incidents of racial injustice are just some of the challenges ordered system of environmental law. USD students and new graduates are facing. Terms of Endearment ON THE COVER Kim ’87 (BA) and Marco ’84 (BA) Alessio are proud to Photo of NASA Artemis team member Jonathan (“Jonny”) 8 belong to a multigenerational Torero family that contrib- Kim ‘12 (BA) courtesy of NASA/Robert Markowitz. utes time and support to USD. WEBSITE sandiego.edu/usdmag Bridging the Gap Recently, USD was awarded a $4 million grant from FACEBOOK 10 the ALSAM Foundation to endow Bridging the Gap, facebook.com/usandiego which inspires students to major in STEM subjects. TWITTER @uofsandiego Running Down a Dream INSTAGRAM Eliott Watson is a third-year electrical engineering major @uofsandiego 12 as well as a successful race car driver. While racing has been a big part of his life, he says that attending USD is equally rewarding. Spring 2021 3 USD MAGAZINE TORERO NEWS CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY SPACE CANADIAN [intrepid] group are two University of San Diego alumni: Matthew Domi- nick ’05 (BS/BA) and Jonathan (“Jonny”) Kim ’12 (BA). Both Dominick (pictured, above) and TO MEET THE MOON Kim are now members of a very Stellar Torero due selected for historic NASA mission exclusive community.