USD Magazine Fall 2016 University of San Diego

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Fall 9-1-2016 USD Magazine Fall 2016 University of San Diego

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Digital USD Citation University of San Diego, "USD Magazine Fall 2016" (2016). USD Magazine. 69. https://digital.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/69

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]. USD MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO / FALL 2016

HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND 2016: A TORERO CELEBRATION! FESTIVITIES INCLUDE: BIG BLUE BASH CONCERT AND FESTIVAL CLASS AND AFFINITY REUNIONS The Road to Sainthood TAILGATE PICNIC AND FOOTBALL GAME HOMECOMING AND FAMILY MASS, AND MORE! From Albania to India and far beyond, MOTHER TERESA’S journey included a memorable stop at the University of San Diego

REGISTER ONLINE AT SANDIEGO.EDU/HFW Last year, more than 400 Toreros SAVE-THE-DATE came together to raise more than $100,000 for student scholarships, academic programs, and athletics on Torero Tuesday! Let’s make 2016 even bigger. Mark your calendar and make your gift on Torero Tuesday, November 29. NOV

Learn more at sandiego.edu/ToreroTuesday 29 [president] James T. Harris III, DEd FROM THE PRESIDENT [vice president, university relations] Timothy L. O’Malley, PhD

[associate vice president, university communications] Peter Marlow [leadership] [email protected]

[editor/senior director] Julene Snyder [email protected]

[editorial advisory board] Sam Attisha ’89 (BBA) Esteban del Rio ’95 (BA), ’96 (MEd), PhD FORWARD MOTION Sally Brosz Hardin, PhD, APRN, FAAN Lynn Hijar ‘98 (BBA), ‘06 (MSGL) Minh-Ha Hoang ’96 (BBA), ‘01 (MA) Building upon the university’s strengths Michael Lovette-Colyer ’13 (PhD) Rich Yousko ’87 (BBA) During the summer months, we completed our cross-country and global [senior creative director] Barbara Ferguson Torero Tours with fantastic engagements with alumni and friends of USD. [email protected] Thank you to all who participated. We are blessed with a network of [writers] Ryan T. Blystone passionate Toreros who share their time, talents and treasures supporting Kelly Knufken our students and advancing this great Catholic university. Diana Kutlow ‘03 (MA) Michael Lovette-Colyer ’13 (PhD) Many Toreros from around the country were excited to see Leading Kara Marsh Proffitt ‘04 Allyson Meyer ‘16 Change: The Campaign for USD prominently featured in advertising during Taylor Milam Don Norcross the summer Olympics. Through your generous support, our campaign John Rosengren John Sutherland continues its strong forward momentum, and we look forward to further promoting our many

student and faculty successes. [usd magazine] USD Magazine is published by the University We also continued our strong momentum over the summer with Envisioning 2024, our strategic of San Diego for its alumni, parents and friends. Third-class postage paid at San Diego, CA 92110. planning process. We look forward to sharing a bold new vision with our Board of Trustees and USD phone number: (619) 260-4600. with our broader campus community in the coming weeks. The strategic planning process capitalizes [torero notes] Torero Notes may be edited for length and clarity. on our progress in recent years and aligns new strategic goals with our current strengths. Photos must be high resolution, so adjust camera settings accordingly. Engagements, pregnancies, Many of those current strengths resulted from the leadership of Ron Fowler, whose dedicated personal email addresses and telephone numbers cannot be published. service as our Chairman of the Board for the past six years is featured on page 7. His example of Please note that content for USD Magazine ethical leadership, compassionate citizenship and the ability to balance career and community has a long lead time. Our current publishing schedule is as follows: Torero Notes received service is a model of excellence for our students. In July, Mr. Fowler stepped down as Board Chair- between Feb. 1-May 30 appear in the Fall edition; those received June 1-Sept. 30 appear in man and was succeeded by Donald Knauss, a USD Board Member since 2008, when he also served the Spring edition; those received between Oct. 1-Jan. 31 appear in the Summer edition. as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clorox Corporation. Email Torero Notes to classnotes@sandiego. edu or mail them to the address below. While we have much to celebrate, we also must take time to reflect on the summer months that

[mailing address] were plagued with tragedies and unrest around the world. As a Catholic university, we are called to a USD Magazine University Publications heightened awareness and empathy for the most vulnerable as we serve our communities and help to University of San Diego 5998 Alcalá Park correct injustices. There are few places better than a Catholic university where complex and sensitive San Diego, CA 92110 issues can be framed in the context of trust, respect and civil discourse for students, providing oppor- [website] www.sandiego.edu/usdmag tunities for understanding and reflecting upon many different perspectives beyond our own.

[be blue go green] This issue of USD Magazine features Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who visited our campus in 1988 and USD Magazine is printed with vegetable-based inks on paper certified in accordance with FSC® was canonized earlier this month in Rome. We can recall her words offered to a world in need of standards, which support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically healing when she said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each viable management of the world’s forests. other … If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Pondering St. Teresa’s words in our hearts, I invite you to enjoy this edition of USD Magazine, as together we celebrate a new semester and pray for peace in our world.

— James T. Harris III, DEd President [0916/65,150/PUBS-16-1446]

FALL 2016 1 USD MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO / FALL 2016

FEATURES THE DEEPEST LONGINGS OF THE HEART.

14 / EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS The most profound moments of spirituality can spring from some unlikely sources, such as truly leaving one’s comfort zone behind and diving into an immersive experience. For USD’s Assistant Vice President of Mission and Ministry, Michael Lovette-Colyer ’13 (PhD), the LOOKING AHEAD AT WHAT CAN BE. CAN WHAT AT AHEAD LOOKING benefits of guiding students toward epiphany has had deep and lasting resonance.

DEPARTMENTS

TORERO NEWS 4 / Community Building MAGAZINE

USD’s value as an anchor institution starts with determining how we invest with those who we have lasting relationships.

USD 7 5 / View From the Top Employees competed in the Employee Giving Challenge, but USD students were the real winners.

ON THE COVER: 7 / Man of Action Illustration of Mother Teresa After 20 years as a member of USD’s Board of Trustees, PROFOUND COMPASSION. of Calcutta by Allan Burch Ron L. Fowler’s impact on USD has been profound.

8 / Get Out the Vote WEBSITE: TORERO ATHLETICS Increasing voter turnout among USD students has become a www.sandiego.edu/usdmag 12 / He’s Got True Instinct priority for Political Science Professor Casey Dominguez, a Quarterback Anthony timely effort, given the impending election. Lawrence is well-liked by 10 / Nutritious. Delicious. Ambitious. his teammates and respected Food is the focus of research by two faculty members from for his dedication to the game the School of Business and the Hahn School of Nursing and of football. Health Science.

2 USD MAGAZINE SHE VALUED THE DIGNITY OF EVERY PERSON. CONTENTS

18 / HINTS OF HOPE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies alumni are working 22 to ease conflict in the Middle East, which has devastated 22 / THE ROAD TO SAINTHOOD once-flourishing countries, The recent canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a prevented economic devel- momentous event for the faithful. In commemoration, we opment and burdened look back at a USD 1988 article from what was then known as already poor countries U Magazine, which provides a retrospective of the day that with the costs of providing the beloved nun — who devoted her life’s work to service of basic needs to their people. the poorest of the poor — came to our campus.

TRUE CONNECTION THROUGH COMMUNITY, FAITH AND FRIENDSHIP.

CLASS NOTES 30 / Unstoppable Jason Romero ’92 (BBA) recently became the first blind man to run across the United States. He’s faced innumerable challenges on his remarkable journey, but remained steadfast in his determination to reach the finish line.

PROFOUND COMPASSION. 14 28 38 / A Degree of Confidence Michael Angelo Camacho ’16 (MA) feels more than prepared ALUMNI UPDATE for the next stage of his life in caring for the common good, 28 / Connection Affection thanks to the skills he honed at the USD. The Founders Chapel Choir has touched hundreds of 40 / Global Changemakers alumni lives. This newest Since 2012, a group of students from USD has journeyed to affinity group is helping to the village of Makuleke in South Africa. Their summer promote sustained, active sojourns seek to mitigate the unequal power dynamics and 13 engagement with USD. give students a true immersive experience.

FALL 2016 3 NEWS

NICK ABADILLA NICK

[mooring] COMMUNITY BUILDING USD’s value as an anchor institution can’t be overstated

by Julene Snyder hris Nayve is on a roll. (MBA) who has two titles — ship-driven, and it’s people and He’s thoughtful, articulate assistant provost of community philosophy incorporated.” Cand tireless, managing engagement and director of The concept is one that’s the neat trick of appearing to the Karen and Tom Mulvaney near and dear to President be in ceaseless movement while Center for Community, Aware- Jim Harris’ heart. There’s good emanating good-natured calm. ness and Social Action — is all reason that he invited the

TORERO Just now, he’s talking about fired up, even when it comes University of Pennsylvania’s connection, and specifically to something as prosaic as Ira Harkavy to be his inaugura- USD’s with those in which it defining the term: “The anchor tion speaker. Harkavy, who has has lasting relationships. institution concept means written and lectured widely “Understanding the university something very specific in on the history and current as an anchor institution starts regards to how it pertains to practice of urban university/com- with this: How do you consider the specific place where the munity/school partnerships, and understand what’s happen- university is located.” believes that institutions like ing in the community? How do He leans back, thinking. “Then universities and medical centers you then invest both socially you take that anchor investment can help stabilize communities and culturally in terms of capital concept and apply it to other by investing in them in ways that and become a true economic partnerships that the university include financial commitments stabilizing force?” has. I’ve been calling it the ‘four as well as hiring people from the

TORERO NEWS Navye ’98 (BA), ’06 (JD), ’07 P’s.’ It’s place-based, it’s partner- community to work on campus.

4 USD MAGAZINE [giving back] Alongside USD Building the Changemaker Hub, the Maintenance Mechanic Center for Inclusion and Diversi- Eliseo Hernandez, President ty and others. We call it our Harris worked with nearly cohesion project.” When people VIEW FROM THE TOP 100 volunteers and Linda get out in these various commu- Vista community members nities in an authentic way that Workers competed, students won earlier this year to renovate builds true relationships, the ertin Santos has been understands all too well the the Montgomery School overwhelming response is that climbing trees since he challenge of juggling school, Community Garden. the university is well down Bwas a kid growing up in work and home life. And if mak- the road of bridging the town/ Tijuana and making his way to ing a gift helps a student in gown divide through thought- the upper branches of the need, he’s happy to contribute. “But it’s not just economic ful, meaningful engagement. pepper tree in his yard. Today, His colleagues followed investment,” Nayve explains. “Democratic partnership is climbing trees is part of his job. his lead. Every person on his “It’s about how you consider key. That’s how you invite com- The USD groundskeeper takes team participated in the and understand what’s happen- munity members to participate. pride in being one of the few Employee Giving Campaign. ing in the community before That’s how you receive a recip- who’s mastered the art of prun- In fact, his department was you invest, both socially rocal invitation by community ing the pineapple palms around among 81 departments on and culturally.” members so that they say, campus — and his favorite mo- campus that achieved a As one of the key drivers ‘Actually, USD, we would love ments are when he’s at the top giving rate of 100 percent. of the Linda Vista Anchor Insti- to have you involved.’ That has of one of USD’s 40-foot alders. In all, 1,207 employees tution Advisory Board, Nayve real implications for diversity Santos started working at USD contributed to USD during the has helped put together a group and inclusion.” in 1998 at the age of 19, as a six-week challenge. They helped that includes those involved Nayve received the California gardener. He loves the campus. raise more than $625,000 for with local health care, social Campus Compact’s 2016 Richard When USD launched the Employ- centers, programs and institutes, justice, education and economic E. Cone Award earlier this year, ee Giving Campaign in the spring, athletics, scholarships and all development, with the aim of which recognizes impact on he jumped at the chance to be areas of the student experience.

ABADILLA bringing stakeholders together service-learning and communi- captain of the grounds team. “We are so grateful to work

NICK to expand the partnership ty-campus partnershipsthrough- “Students are our priority,” he alongside such wonderful people between USD and other Linda out the San Diego region. says. “Education is important. It every day,” said Philip Garland Vista anchors. His colleague and friend John changes lives, but not everyone and John Phillips, co-chairs of “It’s about creating what Loggins ’95 (BA), ’12 (MA), USD’s can afford it, so we have to do the fundraising effort. we call democratic community director of community-based what we can to support them.” “When we see the rankings partnerships,” he says. “And student leadership and learning, Santos recently went back to improving for USD, we should COMMUNITY BUILDING it doesn’t have to be just the waxed eloquently about Nayve school himself, first to earn a all be proud of our roles in our community of Linda Vista. when he received the award: certificate in landscaping tech- university’s and our students’ We can and have formed this “He is not an embodiment nology; he’s now working to- continued success. Thank you sort of partnership with Barrio of all that community engage- ward an associate’s degree from to everyone who made a gift Logan, or across the border. ment offers; he is an example a local community college. As in support of Students First!” We’ve been working in places of what it looks like to practice a father of three daughters, he — Krystn Shrieve like New Orleans, Jamaica and it. It was social artistry watching South Africa for years.” Chris navigate complex feelings The idea of USD as a true of hope, loss, anger and longing anchor is one of the supporting with multiple partnerships in pathways leading the university New Orleans. Each partner had to a strategic plan that envisions different feelings and sentiments its role well into the future. about what has happened in the “We’re not necessarily looking 10 years since Katrina. at a one-time or short-term part- “To see Chris hold all of these nership that USD may have had emotions and thoughts and in the past, because those may find balance in the tension for come and go. We really want to himself and our partners make a thoughtful inventory of is a testament to his ability what we’ve been doing that’s and willingness to do exactly

most truly anchorlike, and work what we ask our students to do: FERGUSON to strengthen those bonds.” To enter into the community

Nayve is all about sharing the with love, be fully present and BARBARA credit. “It’s all connected,” he then be willing to work with Bertin Santos’ team was one of 81 departments on campus that says. “We’ve been working with what emerges.” achieved a 100 percent giving rate in the Employee Giving Campaign.

5 Three USD professors teamed up to TORERO NEWS co-teach a sustainability class, with the belief that this approach would help students understand the many challenges involved.

[many-sided] TEAMWORK SPARKS CHANGE Interdisciplinary solutions to environmental problems

by Taylor Milam he world of higher educa- cialize in environmental science. ronmental courses through our a class that was meant to truly tion is changing. There Associate Professor Mark Woods own disciplinary lenses, but we spark change. According to their T are online classes and teaches philosophy; Assistant believed strongly that for stu- students, they succeeded. newly minted social media de- Professor Julia Cantzler is a soci- dents to adequately address en- For fourth-year environmental grees, but there’s one change ologist and Associate Professor vironmental problems in the real studies major Claire Flynn, the to be particularly excited about Michel Boudrias specializes world, they should understand class was unlike any class she at the University of San Diego: in oceanography and marine the scientific, ethical and socio- had taken before, because it interdisciplinary courses. biology. As it turns out, it’s their logical implications of these approached topics through This past year, three USD pro- differences that made the class challenges,” Cantzler explains. multiple lenses. fessors teamed up to co-teach a innovative and exciting. Instead of only focusing on “Students from all three classes sustainability class. The most in- “Dr. Boudrias, Dr. Woods and theories and textbooks, the pro- were able to come together, teresting part? They don’t all spe- I were all already teaching envi- fessors joined together to create meet in groups, and work on a

6 USD MAGAZINE proposal to impact sustainability [impactful] at USD,” Flynn says. “It was really interesting and engaging to be able to be a part of this collaboration between different fields. It’s essentially what I think a liberal arts education should be. MAN OF ACTION It was enriching to be able to Ron Fowler completes run as Board Chair look at something as broad but important as sustainability, and by Ryan T. Blystone see how different disciplines uring his 20 years as a interpret the same concept.” member of its Board of For these students, learning DTrustees, including the wasn’t just about reading books past six as chairman, Ron L. or interpreting topics. It was Fowler’s influence has shaped also about creating actual solu- USD’s past, present and future. tions to the world’s environmen- Fowler, the executive chair- tal problems. man of the San Diego Padres “It was so inspiring for me to baseball team and chairman and see how innovative and thought- CEO of Liquid Investments, Inc., ful the student team projects has been influential on matters turned out to be,” Cantzler recalls. ranging from financial oversight “The teams came up with several of the university to developing really cool ideas. For example, a cohesive vision for Torero ath- one team produced a genuinely letics, academic affairs and stu- creative and sophisticated analy- dent life. Fowler’s time as chair- sis of a zero emissions commuter man has been visibly positive program from the beaches to on a national level, evidenced campus utilizing a Tesla Model X by USD’s highest-ever overall fleet. Another memorable pro- ranking among the nation’s top posal called for converting Marian 100 universities by U.S. News & Way into a permaculture garden World Report.

using edible landscaping. Another On June 30, Fowler stepped ABADILLA NICK team proposed donating food down as chairman, succeeded waste from catering events and by Donald R. Knauss, a USD search and selection of new of Arts and Sciences’ Class of dining services to local organiza- trustee since 2008 and former USD President James T. Harris III, 2016, providing life advice that tions that feed the hungry.” chairman and CEO of the DEd; and, in February, Fowler stressed the importance of With a world that is faced with Clorox Corporation. publicly helped to launch USD’s giving back to others to make rapid climate change, joining Fowler, who remains as a $300 million fundraising effort, the biggest difference. forces and learning from one an- trustee, has championed much Leading Change: The Campaign School of Law Dean Stephen other is more important than ever of USD’s institutional growth. for USD. Ferruolo says that Fowler’s lead- before. If the enthusiasm of these Some prime examples include “Ron Fowler is a model of ership is a blessing for USD. team-taught students is any indi- USD’s designation as a Ashoka U ethical leadership, responsible “Ron’s service on the USD Board cation, the future of our planet Changemaker Campus; the citizenship and compassionate of Trustees has been exemplary may not be as grim as we fear. development of an Office of service, which are the qualities of his lifelong commitment to “Right now, my favorite part of Undergraduate Research; USD aspires to instill in all of its the San Diego community. Dur- teaching has been to see my stu- creation of the Shiley-Marcos graduates,” says President Harris. ing the five years I have worked dents really become motivated School of Engineering; his “Mr. Fowler has given with with him, Ron has impressed me by what they are learning in class generous lead gift for a extraordinary generosity of his as a conscientious and especial- to take meaningful steps toward state-of-the-art ballpark, Fowler time, talent and treasure to the ly capable board chairman, fully addressing the social and envi- Park; a Veterans Center; the University of San Diego in partic- aware of the delicate and some- ronmental challenges that we Betty and Bob Beyster Institute ular, and to the wider San Diego times difficult role of trustees to face today,” Cantzler says. for Nursing Research, Advanced community. His balance of career provide leadership and over- “Instead of being overwhelmed Practice, and Simulation and a and community focus is a model sight consistent with the univer- and disheartened by the scope perennially top-ranked study of excellence for our students.” sity’s mission while respecting and gravity of these challenges, abroad program and a perma- In May, Fowler gave the the important principles of the students are always looking nent academic facility in Madrid. Commencement address to academic freedom and shared for solutions.” In 2015, Fowler led a national USD’s undergraduate College governance.”

FALL 2016 7 Political Science professor Casey TORERO NEWS Dominguez is involved with the USD Votes Campaign, which aims to register every USD student and urge them to turn out to vote.

[civic duty] LET’S GET OUT THE VOTE Campaign to increase number of registered student voters

of USD students will be voting for the first time this year.” Increasing voter turnout is important; that’s why Domin- guez is one of the faculty members behind the USD Votes Campaign, an on-campus initiative comprised of student leaders, staff, faculty and the Changemaker Hub, who are focused on providing support and coordination efforts aimed to encourage community members to become registered voters. “Voting can be especially complicated and confusing for college students, who are going through the process for the first time,” she says. “Research shows that informational campaigns that walk new voters through the voter registration and the voting process can significantly increase turnout.” For Dominguez, encouraging

NICK ABADILLA NICK voting habits comes with her chosen field. “The whole reason by Allyson Meyer ‘16 we teach political science is be- mmigration, health care and among University of San Diego California, Berkeley, Dominguez cause we care about educating student debt. These are just students has been lower is now focused on educating the next generation of citizens. Isome of the hot topics on the than the national average in the newest voting demographic The focus is natural for us,” she presidential campaign trail. With past elections. on the importance of fulfilling says. While the campaign’s goal the November elections quickly Associate Professor of one’s civic duty by actively of registering every USD stu- approaching, the news is Political Science Casey Domin- participating as members of dent is ambitious, she believes becoming ever more saturated guez aims to remedy this. American society. that even slight changes in vot- with political coverage, detailing As an undergraduate student, “In 2014, voter turnout ing behavior will make a soci- changes in policy positions, Dominguez interned at the among USD students was etal difference. cabinet choices and new public White House and the California 16 percent,” said Dominguez. “Voting is a practice and a poll results. Although many of State Assembly. Having earned “That was slightly lower than habit. The only way to establish the issues resonate with college- her BA, MA and PhD in political the national average of college a pattern of voting across your age individuals, voter turnout science from the University of campuses. That means that a lot lifetime is to get started doing

8 USD MAGAZINE it,” she says. “Our ambitious [multifaceted] goal is to register every eligible USD student and turn them all out to vote. We know that’s probably a stretch, but why EXPLORING HUMANITIES not aim high?” As a university focused on ed- Innovative new center at USD offers up ucating the next generation of global Changemakers, the USD many exciting events throughout the fall Votes Campaign contributes to Opening Celebration Reclaiming National Politics Public Policy. Monday, Nov. 14 this global citizenship perspec- The College of Arts and Sciences Just days before the presidential at 6 p.m. Warren Auditorium, tive by encouraging student in- is proud to host a celebration in election, the Bishop of San Diego, Mother Rosalie Hill Hall. volvement in these most basic honor of the University of San the Most Reverend Robert W. rights — the chance to exercise Diego’s new Humanities Center. McElroy, will address the troubling freedom of thought and actively The center is dedicated to the U.S. political climate, contrasting it engage in social change. exploration of the human condi- with the uplifting vision of politics As an essential part of tion and the limitless ways in that Pope Francis presented to encouraging a global Change- which human beings under- Congress. An Illume special guest, making focus, Dominguez sees stand and interact with our Bishop McElroy will emphasize this program as a crucial part world. The space will serve as the importance of civic virtue, ar- of the USD education. For her, an epicenter of collaborative re- guing that we must reclaim our social change is directly tied search, public humanities, international politics for the protection to voting, with active citizens disciplinary curriculum and digi- of the dignity of the human per- working to help change laws tal humanities. Thursday, Oct. 13 son and the advancement of the and policies. at 5:30 p.m. Humanities Center, common good. Sponsored by “In democracies, peaceful Serra Hall, Room 200. the Humanities Center and Fran- change happens at the ballot ces G. Harpst Center for Catholic box,” she says. “Global citizen- Illume Speaker Series Thought and Culture. Tuesday, Lisa Nunn, PhD ship begins in your local The College of Arts and Sciences Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. Warren Auditori- As part of the college lecture community, in your state and is the liberal arts heart of the um, Mother Rosalie Hill Hall. series, Lisa Nunn, PhD (pictured in your nation. The rest of the university. Our students and fac- above), will be discussing her world looks to the United States ulty exemplify the power, vitality Academic Freedom in an research on the sociology of for leadership; in order to lead and value of a liberal arts and Age of Conformity education, organizations and the nation and the world in the sciences education every day. Author Joanna Williams, PhD, is cultural sociology. Her work also direction of social justice, young To champion the tradition and a senior lecturer in higher edu- engages the fields of gender, people have to get involved, future of the artes liberales, the cation at the University of Kent sexuality and identity. Her latest get informed and vote. At USD, Humanities Center Illume Speak- (United Kingdom) and author of book, Defining Student Success: we want our students to make er Series featuring our own re- Consuming Higher Education: The Role of School and Culture change in the world, and being nowned faculty scholars, invited Why Learning Can’t Be Bought. (2014), investigates how both an active, voting citizen is an thought-leaders and prominent In her Illume lecture, she will schools and students refine and integral part of that effort.” public figures to advance the discuss themes from her recently adapt cultural ideas about Of course, for all citizens, liberal arts on our campus and published and highly acclaimed academic success, and how this education is crucial. Toward inspire lifelong learning in our book, Academic Freedom in an process perpetuates existing that end, Dominguez and surrounding communities. Age of Conformity. Noting that social inequality. Her current fellow political science and academic freedom in higher ed- research focuses on first-year international relations faculty ucation is increasingly being college students’ dilemmas as colleagues Cory Gooding threatened by a range of politi- they make the transition from and Tim McCarty have created cal and intellectual trends such high school to college. Nunn a compelling, approachable as feminism, critical theory and has published articles on racial weekly podcast, A Few identity politics, Williams argues tension in classrooms, experien- Reasonable Words, meant to that a challenge to the culture tial learning and community help “soothe the frayed nerves of censorship and conformity is engagement. Monday, Dec. 5 of the American public with needed for critique to be possi- at 6 p.m. Humanities Center, the comforting balm of politi- ble and for the intellectual proj- Serra Hall, Room 200. cal science.” ect of evaluating knowledge to be meaningful. Sponsored by To learn more about any of these Listen at www.sandiego.edu/ the Humanities Center and Cen- events, go to www.sandiego.edu/ reasonable-words. ter for Ethics, Economics and humanities-center.

FALL 2016 9 Does your food taste better if you TORERO NEWS post a picture of it on social media? Short answer: It depends.

[appetizing] NUTRITIOUS. DELICIOUS. AMBITIOUS. Food and health research in the Instagram age

by Kelly Knufken hat decadent meal may in herself a health nut, tapping into It turns out that, at least for tious food, the study’s subjects fact taste even better after current trends was her modus indulgent foods, taking a picture needed to both read an article T you snap a picture of it — operandi to inspire others to first does tend to increase one’s about people eating healthfully for sharing on social media or make more nutritious choices. perception of how it tastes. and take a picture to increase the elsewhere — but can the same be “We see these images of food “When you take a picture of it, pleasure they got from the food. said for a simple apple or other everywhere, but there’s not a lot of you’re focusing on the food, and “We have a camera in our healthy staple? research on how it affects us,” Poor this increases your anticipation.” hand at all times. It’s kind of That’s the crux of some recent says. “I certainly have an embar- The same wasn’t found to be changed what we see as photo research coauthored by Morgan rassing number of food images true for healthier fare, so Poor worthy.” With social media, Poor, assistant professor of mar- on my phone. I exercise some will- wanted to find out if there was a “We are also brands that need keting at USD. For Poor, who calls power in how many I post.” way to turn the effect on. For nutri- to produce content.”

10 USD MAGAZINE Andrew Blum, PhD, as new executive director of the Insitute for Peace and Justice. He was most [etc.] recently the vice president of planning, learning and evaluation Four University of San Di- at the United States Instiute of ego baseball players were Peace, and has extensive experi- selected in the annual Major ence working on peacebuilding League Baseball draft in June, programs in such places as Sudan, led by sophomore shortstop South Sudan, Nigeria, Iraq, Azer- Bryson Brigman, a third-round baijan, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Guy- NUTRITIOUS. DELICIOUS. AMBITIOUS. selection by the Seattle Mari- ana and Turkey. After 15 years as ners. Other Toreros chosen were: director/interim director/deputy junior first baseman Ryan Kirby director, Dee Aker, PhD, will con- (San Francisco Giants); senior tinue to serve the school as advi- right-handed pitcher Gary Cor- sor for strategic peacebuilding. While in some ways we’re those on reducing diabetes risk nish (New York Mets); and Taylor savvier than ever before, thanks by making lifestyle changes, Kaczmarek, another senior right- The Steubenville San Diego to all that technology, it turns helping women find their role handed pitcher (Kansas City Catholic Conference brought out there’s much information as family leaders when it comes Royals). Brigman’s selection a capacity crowd of 5,000 young that’s not getting through when to healthy living and gaining marks the fourth straight year people to campus in late July. it comes to women’s health. understanding of how obesity that USD has had a player taken USD has hosted the conference That’s where Associate Profes- can effect women’s fertility. among the first three rounds each summer since 2012; the sor of Nursing Kathy James DNSc, “I think family health is very of the MLB Draft, following Kris retreat weekend is a transforma- FNP, FAAN, steps in. Her research, important. I always want to see Bryant (Chicago Cubs), Connor tional experience that is de- done with USD Nursing Professor what is going on in the home and Joe (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Kyle scribed as “evangelistic in nature Cynthia Connelly PhD, FAAN, has encourage healthy living. I think the Holder (New York Yankees). and authentically Catholic.” shown that many women aren’t role the mother plays as role model Youth, young adults and leaders aware of the reproductive impli- is extremely important,” she says. The new executive director from 153 parishes and schools cations of their food and activity James likes to share some “really for USD’s School of Leadership deepened their faith over the choices. Heart disease, yes. But achievable” goals that can help pre- and Education Sciences’ Non- course of the weekend. The 2017 breast cancer? Endometrial can- vent diabetes without medication. profit and Philanthropic Institute Steubenville Conference will take cer? Pregnancy complications? “I don’t think people realize what (NPI) is Emily Young, PhD, who place July 28-30 at USD. Learn That those and other health control they have. If you make it comes to USD from the San more at www.allforgod.com/ issues can also stem from being too complicated, they throw their Diego Foundation. The NPI is steubenville-san-diego. overweight may not be so widely hands up and say, ‘I can’t do this.’” dedicated to the advancement known, James says. So she makes it simple: lots of the regional, national and Our enhanced and expand- “I think it’s very important to of colorful produce with some international nonprofit and ed website, USD Magazine +, educate the public. They seem to lean protein and some healthy philanthropic sector and its can be found online at www. be well aware of the cardiovascu- fats. “If we make things too leaders. “I look forward to join- sandiego.edu/usdmag. Beyond lar benefits of weight control.” difficult, we tend to get con- ing an exceptional team that’s stories from our pages, find vid- James, who owns three weight fused,” she says. “A colorful diet committed to making our world eos, expanded Q&As, an archive clinics, helps her patients see that is never going to hurt you.” a better place for our children of past issues and much more. the basics we’ve known about for As for practical advice, James and grandchildren,” Young said. Another great source of news years — taking a 30-minute walk, says that her patients who have about the university is the USD eating a rainbow of foods — are successfully lost weight have dis- At the end of the 2015-16 News Center: www.sandiego. the key to getting back in shape. covered that planning ahead — academic year, the West Coast edu/news. Updated frequently, And, most of all, that it’s doable. deciding what to eat and how to Conference announced the visitors to the News Center will “What I’m doing in my practice manage a busy day — coupled 15th annual WCC Commissioner’s find stories about happenings is surveying patients, then with stress management is key. Honor Roll, which recognizes stu- on campus, faculty and student reviewing these risks so they’re And a 30-minute walk does dent-athletes who have balanced achievements, athletics and better educated. I’m looking at more than burn calories. “Walk- athletic success with academic much more. During the academ- ways to motivate my patients. ing is like your vitamin pill and an excellence. 123 University of San ic year, the News Center team I’m screening them so they can antidepressant; it’s about making Diego athletes were named to puts out a newsletter twice a be aware and ask themselves, time for yourself.” this distinguished list. month; opt in to receive it by ‘Could I be at risk? Can I do visiting the News Center and something about this?’” www.sandiego.edu/watch/ The Joan B. Kroc School of clicking on “subscribe to USD Among her recent studies are food-pic Peace Studies has named News” on the left-hand side.

FALL 2016 11 Well-respected by teammates TORERO ATHLETICS for the way he plays the game, quarterback Anthony Lawrence wants to make the most of every opportunity at USD.

[powerful] HE’S GOT TRUE INSTINCT Quarterback Anthony Lawrence is dedicated to the game

by Don Norcross ith 8 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the W third quarter of USD’s 2015 football season opener against San Diego State, Toreros quarterback Anthony Lawrence jogged onto the Qualcomm Stadium field for the first play of his college career. The Toreros trailed the Aztecs 27-0. In USD’s first 11 possessions, the Toreros’ offense managed to get into San Diego State territory just twice. Following five turn- overs, six punts and just three first downs, head coach Dale Lindsey looked to his bench to change things up. So before an announced crowd of 48,785, with his offense struggling, Lawrence, an averaged- sized, then redshirt first-year out of El Cajon’s Grossmont High, walked into the huddle for injured starter Trey Wheeler and … “He was smiling,” recalls USD wide receiver Justin Priest. “You knew he wouldn’t wet his pants.” In his first series, Lawrence proceeded to lead USD to a field goal, its lone score in a 37-3 defeat. The next week, Wheeler’s shoulder injury prevented him from playing

against Western New Mexico. SCOTT BROCK Head coach Dale Lindsey gave the ball to Lawrence, who proceeded Football League title, completing USD’s most valuable player. of four new quarterbacks. At a to throw for 254 yards and four 64 percent of his passes for 2,392 “I think the kids made a good fraction over 6 feet tall and weigh- touchdowns in a 45-21 victory. yards and 23 touchdowns. He choice,” says Lindsey. “In the ing 190 pounds, he was the small- Lawrence would be the starter suffered only six interceptions. locker room, it’s hard to fool est of the new QBs. He did not for the rest of the season. He By a vote of his teammates, the your buddies.” possess the strongest arm. guided the Toreros to a 9-2 young man who began the sea- When Lawrence reported to “The one deciding factor record and a share of the Pioneer son on the bench was selected USD in August 2014 he was one he had that they didn’t is that

12 USD MAGAZINE he has a natural knack to play the position,” says Lindsey. “It’s called instinct.” GETTING TO KNOW ... Lawrence is football’s equiva- lent of a basketball gym rat. He began playing Pop Warner at the age of 9 and was a three-year starter at Grossmont High, throw- ing for a San Diego Section- record 9,079 yards. As for dedication, he was strong enough in high school to lift weights with the offensive linemen, and in an effort to grow as tall as possible, he would hang upside down in gravity boots. He’s liked by his USD teammates for multiple reasons. He can be playful, jawing with defensive backs, telling them he could turn them in circles if he played wide receiver. He’s independent, rocking about campus in turtlenecks and shorts that stretch far above the knees. “He’s a fashion statement,” jokes Priest. But mostly he’s respected for the way he plays the game. “The best way to describe Anthony is that he’s just a football player,” says offensive line- man Miles McArdle. “He loves football and knows how to play the game.” Lawrence’s memorable redshirt first-year season ended in frustration when he broke his ZACH BARRON ZACH right leg in a season-ending home victory against Butler. AGE: 20 HOMETOWN: Phoenix, Ariz. Despite a second surgery neces- MAJOR: Accounting A CINDERELLA STORY: sitated by infection, he recovered T.J. HODGES Hodges was ready to retire his running shoes and is expected to be behind when USD Head Coach Will Guarino came calling: “He told me I wasn’t fast enough, but he gave center at the start of the season. me the opportunity to prove him wrong. He said that if I ran a 3K in 9:25 — around 20 seconds Three weeks before the Toreros faster than my personal best — I could guarantee myself a walk-on spot. I guess I started eating reported for practice, Lawrence my veggies that week, because I ran a 9:15. He gave me a shot and the motivation, and that’s all was ready: “I could go out and I wanted.” UP AND AT ‘EM: Completing prepractice stretching and warm-ups by 6:15 a.m. play right now.” is expected most mornings for Hodges and his teammates. “We’ve practiced and eaten With three years of eligibility before most students are even up, so it definitely helps gets you engaged and focused for remaining, Lawrence might morning classes. I’m not gonna lie, though. There are times where you go straight to class one day threaten Mason Mills’ from practice and haven’t had time to take a shower. Trust me, nobody likes that.” HAIL TO school record of 11,099 yards THE CHIEF: As the USD Associated Students (AS) president and co-captain of the cross- passing. He’s not thinking that country team, Hodges has a full dance card these days. “I’ve learned a lot about leadership far ahead, though. from being an athlete, and I thought it would be great to have a student-athlete become “I’m just grateful a great pro- AS president, so why not take a run at it? The last time there was a student-athlete AS presi- gram like USD gave me an op- dent was 1995, the year I was born. I owe thanks to my teammates, who were really supportive portunity,” he says. “I’m just trying and helpful throughout the election process.” to make the most of it.”

FALL 2016 13 Extraordinary Moments The spirituality of immersion speaks to the deepest longings of the HEART

by Michael E. Lovette-Colyer ’13 (PhD)

I lean in, razor in one hand and shaving cream in the other. I struggle for just the right way to place my feet and legs, searching for a position around the wheelchair that will allow me to get as close as possible.

14 USD MAGAZINE 15 The elderly man — one of the abuelos, or grandfathers, cared for by the Missionaries of Charity — is a nonverbal stroke survivor. He cannot tell me if I am hurting him, so I proceed with caution; I watch his eyes closely for tears or any other sign of discomfort. The cheeks are relatively easy. The feel of the razor on his week-old stubble is familiar; it feels exactly the same as it does on my own face. I recognize the smell of the wool blanket, and of the man’s sleepiness. For a moment, my heart aches with memories of my own grandfather. I lose myself in this shaving process, feeling an inexplicable but unmistakable intimacy with a man who cannot tell me his name. Now I am on to the chin and, even more challenging, the space between his upper lip and nose. The more intricate the task becomes, the more I lean in. Despite the coolness of this morning in Tijuana, I feel sweat trickle down my back. I am consumed by the task at hand, yet dimly aware that I am way beyond my comfort zone. When was the last time I was this physically close to anyone other than my wife? I keep going, intent on completing my task of offering this man the small dignity that comes from a fresh shave. I am fully present in this moment. I am experiencing anew unfamiliar parts of myself; feeling, acting, living in ways that speak to the deepest longings of my heart that are too often buried by the stresses of daily life. That morning, as our group of Univer- sity of San Diego students walked into Casa Juan Diego — a dining room, migrant shelter and hospice, which the order of nuns founded by Mother Teresa operates — we were expecting to do service. We were not expecting such a powerful and visceral experience of intimacy, of solidarity, of God. That experience of God is why I keep going back. In my daily life, a great deal comes between God and me: profes- sional deadlines, demands, and conflicts; personal insecurities, difficulties and frustrations. All of which serve to distract and distort my relationship with God. In Tijuana, however, my usual defenses and preoccupations are no match for the central reality of life into which the poor draw me. In solidarity with them, I experience a clarity of purpose and an intensi- ty of feeling that puts the rest of my life into proper perspective. In Tijuana, the God of New Life consistently surprises me. This God unfailingly invites me to move beyond my comfort, let go of my preconceptions, re-evaluate my priorities, rediscover who I am and open myself fully to God’s love and grace. In Tijuana, the God of New Life greets me in the open arms of the poor, helping me come alive to praise, reverence and service. This is the spirituality of immersion.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Where is the seventh student? We were supposed to have departed Casa Juan Diego 10 minutes ago. The seven male students and I need to meet our female companions across town at Casa de Las Madres — a similar shelter for women — in 20 minutes. Anticipating the unpredictable nature of Tijuana traffic, I know we’re going to be late. My stress level is high, and rising fast. Who is not here? I systematically tick through the names of the students I can see in the small dining room with me, who are helping the sisters serve a lunch of soup and bread to the elderly men here. Finally it dawns on me. José is the one not here. Where is he? I hustle out of the dining room and backtrack through the rest of the facility where we had spent the morning. José is not in the large dining room. He’s not on the patio. Nor is he outside where we had spent time washing windows. As I enter again into the main building, I wind my way into the bathroom and then the sleeping

16 USD MAGAZINE quarters. There I enter a scene that takes my breath away: Along with With the Palm Sunday Mass almost complete, I stand along the one of the sisters, José is spoon-feeding a man who is close to death wall and savor the scene, marveling at how this small chapel — known and therefore unable to get out of bed. The sister explains to José as Real San Francisco — has been renewed in the past six years. that this particular abuelo only wants to drink his juice, but he desper- I recall coming to the site in 2009 with groups of USD students to ately needs the nourishment of the soup. The man cannot move his pick up trash, level the ground before the construction of the patio, arms, nor can he talk, so it is José’s charge to spoon the right amount build a retaining wall out of used tires, and do other odd jobs or simple of soup into the man’s mouth and encourage him to swallow. manual tasks. As the years unfolded, we returned several times a year, It is an extremely difficult and messy job. When the spoonful is usually to make a very small contribution. On one occasion we cleaned offered before the man is ready and positioned just right, the man the desks and classrooms used for children’s religious education; on gags and the soup flies out of his mouth. When the spoon is too full another, we were asked to paint half of the outside walls of the school. for the man to take in, he chokes painfully, wheezes and coughs and Regardless of what task we were asked to attempt, the highlight of spits, his whole body convulsing, and he has to be gently calmed each visit was the opportunity to get to know the community a little bit down before another attempt can be made. at a time and, more importantly, to be inspired by the way in which When the spoonful is just right, however, the man drinks it down and they were mobilizing, sacrificing and collaborating to make the chapel acknowledges José’s extraordinary care with a pleasant sounding gurgle. the magnificent home and heart of their community. José sits on the edge of the man’s bed and leans almost his entire As the final prayer begins, I start to plan my exit route. The chapel is body across the abuelo’s chest. Just as I was during the experience of standing-room-only full of families. I am preoccupied with the need to shaving, José is in a most remarkable, intimate proximity with this man. reconvene our group of 22 students amidst the dismissal and the chaos Age, culture, nationality, language and all other borders fall away. For a sure to ensue when the pan dulce and other treats I can see outside are moment, José and the man are kin, grandfather and grandson. served. I have been instructed to meet the matriarch of the parish, Con- Prior to this extraordinary moment, I had been impressed with José. chita, who will, I’ve been assured, have arranged host families for us. His maturity, thoughtfulness and sensitivity seemed solid if not Find Conchita, I was told, and she will have everything worked out. sophisticated, especially for a second-year student. But I did not imag- In the midst of worrying about how I am going to find Conchita, a ine him capable of such profound compassion. I did not anticipate his woman I’ve never met and don’t know how to recognize, I hear my determination, his commitment to be present to this moment. I did name on the church’s speaker system. not foresee the courage required to unflinchingly carry out the job “Miguel. Ven, ven aqui.” “Michael. Come, come up here.” assigned to him by the sister. A woman at the front of the church is directing me to come for- Clearly, José’s experience was one of compassion. ward for I know not what. With no idea of what is about to happen, I do as I’m asked and join this woman. When I reach the front of the sanctuary, Conchita introduces herself and explains that the matching Student Sydney Pidgeon shares a smile with a local of our students with their host families will be the concluding prayer child (top). Students Brenna Wetzberger, Mary Beth of the Mass. It is my job to call our students forward in twos and Putz and Cameron Heyvaert outside the San Francisco threes to meet their host families in front of the entire congregation. Chapel in La Morita, Mexico (center). The author gives With all the eyes of the parish on me, Conchita holds the micro- a boost to a child, alongside her mother (below center). phone up to my mouth. I nervously call out the names of the first A USD student stands in front of a memorial of crosses three USD students. As they maneuver their way through the crowd dedicated to those who have died trying to cross the to approach the altar, Conchita quickly organizes the madres who will border without documentation (below right). be the hosts for the next two days. Just as the students reach the front, the family appears and for each, Conchita exclaims, “Este is su familia nueva,” “This is your new family.” The assembly breaks out in wild applause. The family members hug each USD student with extravagant joy. This continues for the next 10 minutes, until all of the USD students have been called up and introduced to their “new family.” Once we are all squeezed across the front of the church, Conchita asks the congregation to raise their hands over us in blessing. She leads the community in a beautiful prayer that I cannot understand, partly because it is in rapidly spoken Spanish, but mostly because I am overwhelmed at the beauty of the moment. This is your new family. This is the spirituality of immersion.

Excerpted from a May 2016 article in Engaging Pedagogies in Catholic Higher Education. Read it in its entirety, along with other compelling stories from USD, at http://journals.stmarys-ca.edu/epiche.

MICHAEL LOVETTE-COLYER LOVETTE-COLYER MICHAEL www.sandiego.edu/watch/tj-immersion

FALL 2016 17 Hints of HOPE in the Middle East by Diana Kutlow ’03 (MA)

illustrations by Barbara Ferguson

A trio of School of Peace alumni are working toward a better tomorrow

In a recent speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations, Pope Francis urged the assem- bled countries to support those “who have no desire to be caught up in hatred and folly, have been forced to witness the destruction of their places of worship, their cultural and religious heritage, their houses and property, and have faced the alternative either of fleeing or of paying for their adhesion to good and to peace by their own lives, or by enslavement.” Alumni from the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies are working for this cause around the world, and several have focused their efforts on the Middle East, where conflict has devastated once-flourishing countries, prevented economic development and burdened already poor countries with the costs of providing basic needs such as housing, food and water, health care and education for hundreds of thousands of refugees in addition to their own citizens.

18 USD MAGAZINE

farin Dadkhah Tehrani, who earned her master’s degree in peace and justice studies at the Kroc School in 2013, was born in Tehran, Iran, and received a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Islamic Azad University of Tehran. She showed her penchant for peacemaking as a teenager when she joined the Dialogue Among Civilizations movement, which promoted understanding between cultures.

In the master’s program, Dadkhah’s ists. MADRE then collects recommendations they were always under the ‘protection’ of research and work focused on women’s from its local partners and creates reports, their male family members, or may have lost and youth empowerment as a means of policy briefs and petitions, which are used their documents when fleeing violence, so peacebuilding. In the summer of 2013, as to advocate for the implementation of the when the men in their families have been an intern with the Middle East Program recommendations before U.N. member killed or disappeared, women can’t access at Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, states, relevant U.N. bodies and internation- services or put their children in school with- D.C., she did extensive research on the al human rights mechanisms out identification documents.” status of women in the Middle East and “These are really important steps, because Being from the region, Dadkhah under- North Africa, which informed her masters’ it can mean that we get support for neces- stands the culture and has experienced thesis on sexual violence against women sary changes, such as pushing the Iraqi gov- discrimination firsthand. “That drives my in post-revolutionary Egypt. ernment to give women access to ID cards pursuit of justice in a nonviolent manner,” With language skills that include Farsi and without requiring a male relative verifying she explains. “If one region is at war, we English fluency, an understanding of Dari their identity,” says Dadkhah. “Women may have to put our hands together to obtain and some Arabic, Dadkhah is now working not have their own documentation because peace and establish justice.” as a human rights advocacy coordinator for MADRE, a nonprofit organization based in New York that supports women’s and LGBT evin Turner ’03 (MA) works for the Office of the United Nations High rights in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. MADRE, Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). His initial focus on moni- in partnership with local grassroots women’s organizations, provides emergency support toring, analysis and advocacy around the human rights situation such as shelters, relocation assistance and in Palestine and Israel changed dramatically when the Arab Spring arrived. health care. The group also advocates to protect these groups that are often targeted His scope of work expanded to include Jordan, Lebanon, Libya and Syria. with discriminatory policies and violence. As Dadkhah explains, conflict can actually “It was a completely chaotic time — how Turner recently relocated to Colombia present opportunities for social change. does the OHCHR respond to these situations?” to run the OHCHR field office in Medellin “For example, NGO-run shelters are illegal Turner asked. “We’d like to be present on as the country implements a newly signed in central and southern Iraq,” she says. “But the ground, but frequently can’t be because peace agreement between the government in light of the mass displacement created the U.N. can only enter a country at the gov- and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of by conflict and insufficient government ernment’s invitation unless it is a Chapter 7 Columbia. Even working in these difficult resources, we are encouraging the govern- situation” [Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter allows situations, he says he is attracted to human ment to allow NGOs to fill the gap. We are the Security Council to vote on intervening rights work because it represents some of also documenting human rights abuses in a conflict without a country’s approval]. the most important aspirations of humanity. and violations, so that when transitional Another challenge Turner and his col- “There is a very strong philosophical justice mechanisms start up after the leagues faced was getting credible informa- underpinning that comes out of the ideas conflict, we will have already built a record tion out of Syria. “In the beginning, we were of the enlightenment and the empower- of human rights abuses which would then counting casualties to provide statistics to ment of the individual,” Turner believes. help ensure gender justice and equality.” the secretary general and the U.N. Security “To take that grounding, put it into laws In addition to direct services, MADRE Council, but it was very difficult to be certain that are agreed to by governments all over brings together civil society organizations of the number of killed and injured,” Turner the world, and implement those laws to twice per year, providing an information said. The solution was presented by a Califor- improve people’s lives is intellectually flow that goes both from the local activists nia tech company that was able to use vari- engaging, but it’s also about harnessing to the international community and from ous databases to track reliable figures for and restricting power for the betterment the international community to the activ- people killed, injured or disappeared. of humanity as a whole.”

20 USD MAGAZINE or Skylar Lawrence ’08 (MA), her connection to the Middle East also men, women and children who make began when she was in eighth grade and her father served as a great sacrifices to find a way out of conflict, to preserve their families, and to build new Fulbright scholar in Cyprus. She travelled extensively and fell in lives from the ashes of war. love with the region. She returned to do her master’s capstone research in “Our long-term goal is a society where everyone feels they are valued equally, the West Bank and then served as project manager for Dr. Alon Ben-Meir, lives and choices are respected, and an academic who facilitates track-two dialogues in the Middle East, and people have equal access to resources to live their lives with the freedom to coordinated Dr. Ben-Meir’s campaign to promote the Arab Peace Initiative. pursue their aspirations,” says Dadkhah. “That’s the ultimate goal.” After moving into fundraising with the persons, our brothers and sisters, men and Jewish Community Center in San Diego, women, young and old, boys and girls who Diana Kutlow ‘03 (MA) is the director of Lawrence is now the director of donor weep, suffer and die.” Kroc School alumni development and alumni relations at the development for American Near East see in their work every day that there are Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. Refugee Aid (ANERA), which works with refugees and poor families, including Pales- tinian and Syrian refugees and their host communities through health, education and economic development, and provides emergency response assistance. Lawrence says that one of the most rewarding parts of her work has been the opportunity to visit ANERA’s programs in Lebanon and Palestine to see their impact in person. A touching example is the ANERA’s Gaza Land Restoration Project, which helped farmers in Khan Younis restore fields that had been destroyed by Israeli artillery fire. Tilling the soil, fertilizing and getting proper seeds and irrigation, the farmers deeply appreciated the way that ANERA staff really listened to their needs and acknowl- edged that the farmers would know best what was needed. To build sustainability, ANERA provides a yearlong mentorship that trains farmers to build their capacity so that the project’s effects continue when ANERA finishes its work. Lawrence remembers having tea with a farmer in his potato field, speaking through a translator, and seeing the pride that he and his family took in their successful new crop. “After the first harvest of the restored farmlands, the farmers were so grateful for their bounty that they delivered boxes of extra produce to families who were still displaced after the 2014 war,” recounts Lawrence. “They called their deliveries ‘From Poor Farmer to Poor Family.’ I was deeply moved by their incredibly beautiful gesture of generosity and solidarity.” As Pope Francis said during his U.N. talk, “In wars and conflicts there are individual

FALL 2016 21 The Road to Sainthood From Albania to India and far beyond, Mother Teresa’s journey included a brief stop at the University of San Diego

he process leading up to the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta was the shortest in modern history. In early T 1999 — less than two years after her death — Pope John Paul II waived the normal five-year waiting period and allowed the immediate opening of her canonization cause. In 2003, he beatified the Albanian-born nun, one of the most iconic Catholic figures of the 20th century and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. In December 2015, Pope Francis announced her impending sainthood after recognizing a second miracle attributed to her. On Sept. 4, 2016, as USD Magazine goes to press, Pope Francis celebrated her canonization in Rome at a joyous event that was expected to draw the largest crowd to the Vatican during this Holy Year of Mercy. “Mother Teresa is an important counterpoint to the current culture, which is frequently referred to as a throwaway culture. She valued every person and the dignity of every person, particularly those who were the outcasts of society,” says Center for Catholic Thought and Culture Director Jeffrey Burns. “The poorest of the poor, the untouchables, those that other groups would not acknowledge, became the center of her ministry. She recognized that they are beloved of God. Her role was simply to channel that love to these people who had been forgotten by society. That’s really the most important lesson of her life, to call us back to the unity of all of us.” One of several special events that marked Mother Teresa’s canonization, on Sept. 25, 2016, Founders Chapel was the site of the debut of a musical composition in her honor, composed by Thomas Bough. Additionally, University Ministry offered a “Spirituality is Served” community dinner; one of the primary themes was Mother Teresa, the canonization process and a reflection on the spiritual heroes in our lives. On May 31, 1988, Mother Teresa brought to the University of San Diego her “simple message, that in serving the poor, we serve God.” Following is the cover story that ran, nearly three decades ago, in what was then known as U Magazine.

22 USD MAGAZINE The center of Mother Teresa’s ministry was service to the poorest of the poor. She recognized that they are the beloved of God.

er saga began more than 40 years ago. It was on a Htrain to the Indian city of Darjeeling in 1946 that Sister Teresa, a young nun born of well- to-do Albanian parents, heard her call. “I was to leave the convent and help the poor whilst living among them. It was an order.” She wasted no time in following that order, opening her first school a couple years later on a bare patch of ground in the slums of Calcutta. From that humble beginning, this wee nun’s efforts have multiplied a thousandfold. Today, Mother Teresa’s Mis- sionaries of Charity and thousands of volunteers bring the basic necessities of life to the hungry, ill and homeless in 71 countries around the world. Her organization operates leper colonies, AIDS facilities, schools, soup kitchens and homes for the dying and destitute. The Nobel Peace Prize winner brought her simple message — that in serving the poor we serve God — to USD on May 31, 1988.

he small crowd gathered outside the University T Center waited expectantly, clutching cameras in anticipation of her arrival. They were ordinary- looking men and women who spoke quietly to each other in the bright sunlight. “She hasn’t crossed the border yet,” said a security guard sta- tioned outside the building.

FALL 2016 23 She would be late then, for out to the boy, first cupping her appearance at a luncheon one hand under his chin, then organized by her coworkers’ placing a hand on either side organization. Somehow, it of his head and blessing him. seemed appropriate. The sick, the Then she resumed her journey hungry and the dying certainly toward the University Center, pay no attention to the rest of the crowd pressing in around the world’s ordered existence. her on all sides. The minutes ticked by. Some Once inside the building, keeping the vigil wandered her waiting coworkers greeted inside the building in search her with enthusiastic applause. of nourishment. The security Mother Teresa stepped to the guard provided periodic up- microphone and spoke in a dates. “She’s crossed the border. quiet, yet forceful voice, belying It shouldn’t be long.” her 78 years and diminutive Some 45 minutes later, the physical stature. calm was shattered by an excited “Jesus came to give us the voice in the crowd: “She’s here.” good news that God is love, The bystanders surged toward the and that He loves you and He curb. The door of a cream-colored loves me. ’You are precious to sedan swung open and Mother me,’ He said. ‘I love you.’ He wants Teresa of Calcutta climbed out, us to love one another as He unhesitant, clasping a rosary, and loves each one of us,” she said. moved to greet her faithful. She told a story about a man Her white sari — trimmed in India who came to her house with three rows of blue — was when his son was gravely ill. The wrapped around her head and man said the life-saving medicine stopped just above her dark his son needed was available only eyebrows. A heavy blue sweater in England. As they talked, anoth- was buttoned against the breeze. er man delivered a basket of half- Bare, sandal–clad feet propelled used medicine to Mother Teresa. her toward her greeters. In the basket, on top, was the Dozens of camera shutters type of medicine the desperate clicked, and dignitaries leaned man needed for his son. down to shake the tiny, stooped “I stood in front of that bas- nun’s hand. She smiled and raised ket,” she said, “and I was thinking, her head, exposing her eyes to ‘Millions and millions and mil- the light. What wonderful eyes! lions of children in the world, They gleamed, filled with a mix- and God’s tender concern was ture of love and passion and won- for the little child in the slums derment and, yes, determination. of Calcutta.’ And he has the She stopped suddenly as a same love for each one of you, young woman edged through here and everywhere.” the crowd, clutching a small She spoke without pause child. Mother Teresa reached for nearly 20 minutes. No one

24 USD MAGAZINE Treating the poor with compassion and dignity was a recurring theme of Mother Teresa’s. The Nobel Peace Prize-winner brought that message to the University of San Diego in 1988.

stirred except for the photogra- “USD is committed to volun- phers, whose cameras whirred teerism as a significant compo- and hummed. She asked her nent of students’ education,” listeners to work for the rights she said. “Prominent among the of unborn children, to teach learning experiences in which children to pray, to share the joy USD students participate are of loving and to treat the poor opportunities to volunteer in the with compassion and dignity. service of those who have less.” “Before you go to sleep at Judy Rauner, director of USD’s night, hold out your hand, and volunteer resources, detailed count out on your fingers what the university’s commitment to you have done that day for God,” service. “Throughout the school she challenged her listeners. year, USD students volunteer as adult literacy tutors, as builders of homes for the needy in Tijuana, as mentors for at-risk junior other Teresa blessed her high students, as referees and audience, then she and buddies for disabled athletes in M several of her sisters were the Special Olympics, as tutors escorted to a university van, in Southeast San Diego and which slowly drove down Marian partnership schools, as friends Way to Torero Stadium, where to lonely and sick senior citi- an overflow crowd of more than zens, as servers in the Catholic 6,000 cheered and clapped exu- Workers soup kitchen, as in- berantly as it spotted one of the terns and student teachers pre- world’s most recognized faces paring for service careers, and inside the vehicle. in many other ways. During this The cheering intensified as past school year, approximately Mother Teresa stepped out of 1,600 of our USD students vol- the van and slowly wended her unteered to give tens of thou- way through the crush of well- sands of hours of their time to wishers and media to the stadi- community service.” um’s platform. Blue and white University trustee Anita helium balloons filled the bright Figueredo, the regional link skies, released by children in for the Co-Workers of Mother greeting, and Christ the King Teresa and a longtime friend Catholic Church choir members of the famous nun, introduced raised voices in joyful welcome. Mother Teresa. “I hardly know Following the invocation, where to begin,” she said. “This Vice President and Provost is supposed to be some sort of Sister Sally Furay moved to introduction, but how do you the podium and told the introduce Mother Teresa? In the assembly how USD shared first place, she doesn’t like bio- Mother Teresa’s commitment graphical notes. She says they’re to serving the needy. of no consequence.”

FALL 2016 25 More than 6,000 people packed Torero Stadium to hear the words of Mother Teresa when she came to campus in 1988, spreading a message that emphasized the joy of service.

At 5 feet 1 inch tall, Figueredo The mayor presented Mother Human beings hunger not on- joined in with 6,000 other voices seemed at least a head taller Teresa with a rosary her own ly for bread, but also for love and in reciting the daily prayer of than her famous friend. She mother received nearly 30 years dignity, Mother Teresa said. And the coworkers of Mother Teresa: continued, “I can tell you that before. The Rosary, blessed to make it easy for us to love “Make us worthy Lord, to serve Mother Teresa saw the poverty by Pope John XXIII, had been one another, Jesus proclaimed, our fellow men throughout the around her and decided that a gift from the nuns who ran ‘“Whatever you do to the least world who live and die in poverty she, one person, must do some- O’Connor’s high school. of my brethren, you do to me.’” and hunger. Give them through thing about it. Where does this love of fellow our hands, this day their daily “Any of us, any sensible person humans begin? In the home, bread, and by our understanding — Mother Teresa is not sensible, Mother Teresa answered. “By and love give peace and joy. she is endowed — would have inally, the climactic moment praying together. Families that “Lord, make me a channel of known that it was a nice thought, arrived. Mother Teresa pray together stay together. And Thy peace, that where there is ha- but what can one person do? F stepped up on the footstool if you stay together you will love tred I may bring love; that where But Mother doesn’t think that at the podium and momentarily one another as God loves each there is wrong, I may bring the way. And she’s teaching the rest surveyed her listeners — moth- one of you. Therefore, let us spirit of forgiveness; that where of us not to think that way.” ers, students, the elderly and thank God for this great love.” there is error, I may bring truth; that Those remarks were followed businessmen — many with She related the story of a where there is despair, I may bring by the conferral of an honorary tears in their eyes. couple in India who decided hope, that where there are shad- doctorate of humane letters She used the significance of to forgo the customary wedding ows, I may bring light; that where upon Mother Teresa. Sister Furay the day — May 31, the Catholic feast and give the money to there is sadness, I may bring joy. read the citation: “In honoring Church’s Feast of the Visitation, her instead. “And I asked them, “Lord, grant that I may seek rath- Mother Teresa, the University of which commemorates Mary’s ‘Why did you do that?’” er to comfort than to be comforted; San Diego honors God who has visit to her pregnant cousin “We love each other so ten- to understand than to be under- gifted her with insights which Elizabeth after Mary learned she derly that we wanted to share stood; to love than to be loved; for animate her life and work. The was to bear Jesus — to speak the joy of loving with the people it is by forgetting self that one finds; University of San Diego is partic- out against abortion. Elizabeth’s you serve,” they responded. it is by dying that one awakens ularly privileged to honor Mother baby, according to scripture, “Have you experienced the joy to eternal life. Amen.” Teresa for exemplifying to the leapt in his mother’s womb at of loving?” Mother Teresa asked The enchantment was broken. world that there will be peace the coming of Christ. the stadium throng. “By sharing Helping hands helped Mother when we live by her conviction “Strange that God used an un- until it hurts? If you just give out Teresa descend the platform stairs. that God is love in action, and born child to proclaim the com- your abundance you don’t feel The multitudes clapped and that in serving the poorest, we ing of Christ,” said Mother Teresa. that sharing. So give until it cheered and waved and cried, then are directly serving God.” “And we know what terrible hurts. This is the joy of loving.” turned to file out of the stadium. Then, San Diego Mayor Mau- things are happening to the She closed by urging the crowd It was another sunny day in reen O’Connor officially wel- little unborn child today, how to find time for prayer. “Works of America’s Finest City. comed Mother Teresa to San the mother herself kills her own love,” she said, “are always works — John Sutherland Diego. The mayor admitted she child. And how abortion has of peace, of joy, of unity. And had intended to present the become the greatest destroyer prayer gives us that joy, because See a video about Saint Mother keys to the city to its honored of peace because it destroys two prayer gives us a clean heart. Teresa and learn about a special guest: “But I thought, what does lives, the life of the child and the And a clean heart can see God. event in honor of her canonization Mother Teresa want with the conscience of the mother. Let So let us learn to pray.” at Founders Chapel on Sunday, keys to the city when she al- us, for one second in silence, She directed a final blessing Sept. 25. ready holds the keys to heaven?” thank our parents for wanting to her audience, greeted small An emotional stadium burst us, for loving us, for giving us children brought on stage to https://video.sandiego.edu/ out in applause. the joy of living.” present her with flowers, then watch/mother-teresa

26 USD MAGAZINE The power of love is transcendent

n 1991, then 81-year-old Mother Teresa of Calcutta was admitted Ito a local hospital after she was stricken with pneumonia while working with the poor in Tijuana. At the time, Msgr. Daniel Dillabough ’70 was chancellor for the Diocese of San Diego; he is now USD’s vice president of mission and ministry.

“When Mother Teresa was in the hospital at San Diego’s Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, Bishop Robert Brom and I went out to visit her.” said Msgr. Dillabough. “While we were visiting, the phone rang. The nurse picked it up and said that the Holy Father was on the line, Pope John Paul II. Mother Teresa ripped off her oxy- gen mask and grabbed the phone and said, ‘Bless me, Holy Father, bless me.’ We could hear him saying, ‘I bless you, Mother and your Sisters.’ And then she said, ‘I love you, Holy Father, I love you.’ He said something back to her and she put the phone over her heart and looked at all of us, gathered around her bed — Sister Nirmala (her suc- cessor), a nurse, me and the bishop — and she said, ‘He loves me too.’ I thought that was such a powerful moment. Here are two of the most important people not only in the Church, but for what they’ve done all over the world, and the most important thing for them was to say at that moment was, ‘I love you.’”

During her hospital stay, Mother Teresa’s endless devotion to the poor inspired a number of American doctors to promise to staff mobile clinics in Tijuana, working in conjunction with the Missionaries of Charity community in Tijuana, one of hundreds of convents her order established around the world.

FALL 2016 27 Over the years, bonds strengthen ALUMNI UPDATE and deepen through shared campus activities. The closeness of Founders Chapel Choir alumni is a clear example of the power of affinity groups.

[compatible] AFFECTION FOR CONNECTION Affinity groups promote sustained, active engagement

by Kara Marsh Proffitt ‘04 ost of us remember ers Chapel differently — as Chapel Choir meant to them, became a family that helped me Founders Chapel as it experienced from the sanctuary. the response from alumni was through both the best and worst Mappeared from the They were the voices that heartwarming. More than 350 of times.” pews and can still smell lemony offered up ethereal melodies alumni were a part of Founders “Founders Chapel Choir was my polish on hand-carved wood. and harmonies, joyfully and Chapel Choir during their time home at USD, and I miss it every Homilies focused on love and gracefully leading the communi- at Alcalá Park. day,” says Sean McManus ’11. peace echo, even years later. ty in prayer and song each Sun- This group connected through A prime example of the impact The sense of history resonates, day evening and for important community, faith, and friendship a student organization can have as we realize that for decades, liturgical celebrations such as that blossomed organically, the on the lives of its members, the thousands of Toreros bowed Candlelight Mass. result of those countless practices group is led by longtime Universi- their heads in prayer, just as The experience of being and performances. When asked ty Ministry Director Annette Welsh we did week after week. part of the group has been pro- why the choir is still important ’79 alongside group organizer But a small number of Toreros foundly moving. When asked to him, Adan Cortez ‘15 says, Tracy (Zetts) Telliard ’12, ’16 MA. remember their time in Found- what being a part of Founders “This amazing group of people “It’s about helping to strength-

28 USD MAGAZINE en a community that’s already bound together by love and friendship,” explains Telliard. The growing Founders Chapel Choir Alumni group officially launches during Homecoming and Family Weekend, scheduled for Oct. 6-9, 2016. The group aims to provide its hundreds of alumni with a means to continue to engage with the university in meaningful ways, including through specialized communications, social media platforms, and opportunities to sing together. Also important to the group is taking the time to share their experiences, provide support to one another during life transitions and even offer advice to current members of the choir. “I am my best self in that com-

munity,” says Amanda Leger ’10 of ABADILLA NICK her time in Founders Chapel Choir. [salud!] That sort of sentiment has a familiar ring to it, much like beloved hymns, echoing in our memories from across the years. DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH Of course, these are just a few examples of stories shared by Eighth annual USD Wine Classic a resounding success alumni as they look back on their time in student organizations, par- undreds of Torero alumni Saturday’s Vintners Dinner was Thanks for the successful ticipating in sports teams or dedi- and friends enjoyed the an intimate and delightful – weekend are due to the follow- cating themselves to individual Heighth annual USD Wine wine-and-dine experience. Held ing: our wineries, the Alumni leadership experiences while on Classic, which took place July 17. at USD’s on-campus La Gran Association Board of Directors, campus. The unique experiences The signature event featured Terraza restaurant, the evening volunteers and sponsors, Bartell they shared as students build rela- more than 50 different wines consisted of a reception and a Hotels, U.S. Bank, McGuire tionships and foster a distinct con- from 30 different wineries from fantastic one-of-a-kind four- Research, 101 Things to Do in nection to the university. California, Oregon, Washington course meal. Each course was San Diego, Heritage Group, Affinity groups such as the and Mexico, paired with delicious accompanied by carefully chosen Mary M. O’Connor, DDS, Founders Chapel Choir Alumni gourmet food. The setting — the wines representing USD family Pediatric Dentistry and Sempra group provide profound connec- Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace wineries that complemented the International. We also thank tions that the Alumni Association and Justice’s Garden of the Sea menu. This year’s wineries were our Torero Taste sponsors, event supports in concrete ways. At USD, — provided spectacular views Ferrari-Carano, Kimmel Vineyards, chair Lisa Baldocchi ‘87, ‘98, Alex an affinity group is any collection and a convivial atmosphere. SCRIBE and St. Supery Winery. Beaton Real Estate, Architects of Torero alumni who actively Net proceeds from the wine Zintastic!, a zinfandel compo- Mosher Drew, Citizens Business engage in communicating or gath- weekend, which included a nent blending seminar, featured Bank, DPR Construction, Kettle ering around a central unifying Vintners Dinner on July 16 and St. Francis Winery President and Steam Weddings & Events by purpose, mission or background. a Sunday pre-Wine Classic CEO Christopher Silva, who led a Nadia Pandes ‘ 93, ‘01, Malitzlaw, Recently, USD’s Alumni Associa- Zintastic! event, benefited the tasting of Sonoma’s (Calif.) best Inc., Martin Goodman ‘97 (MBA), tion has seen a growth in its Alumni Endowed Scholarship single-vineyard zinfandels. The Paul Davis ‘86, ‘06, Ryan Bros. affinity group program, which Fund. This year’s event raised program featured exclusive tast- Coffee, Siri Fomsgaard ‘03, SJ is attributed to the expansion in nearly $50,000; to date the event ing and discussion of limited Creations, Inc., and Teague alumni connectedness. has raised more than $400,000 release 2013 Zins. Guests blend- Insurance Agency, Inc. for student scholarships. ed their own version of an “old To learn more, go to sandiego. While Sunday’s main event vines” zinfandel from the same For more, please go online to edu/alumni-affinity. was a memorable experience, wines as the winemaker. www.usdwineclassic.com.

FALL 2016 29 x NOTES CLASS NOTES CLASS NOTES NOTES CLASS

NOTES [intrepid]

ally become completely blind. CLASS Nonetheless, after graduating from college, Romero went to UNSTOPPABLE law school at the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was then NOTES Jason Romero’s remarkable journey that he ran his first marathon. by John Rosengren After passing the bar, he was n May 23, 2016, when At USD, he sat in the front row in private practice for five years Jason Romero ‘92 (BBA) but could not see the blackboard. before putting his undergradu- CLASS O climbed the steps of So he spent long nights in the ate business degree to work: City Hall in New York City, he library using a bright lamp and He spent 10 years at General

CLASS completed a 60-day odyssey magnifier to study — ultimately Electric and two more as a vice that began 3,080 miles earlier graduating magna cum laude. president at Western Union. He

NOTES on the Santa Monica Pier. Romero had run track and also kept active: He ran the Bos- He became the first blind man captained the varsity football ton Marathon twice and com- to run across the United States. and wrestling teams in high pleted three Ironman triathlons It wasn’t easy, but Romero is school. He played rugby at USD, — a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile

CLASS on a first-name basis with which did not require 20/20 bike ride and 26.2-mile run — adversity. Raised by a single vision. “When you have a big before turning to longer runs. mother, he was the first gener- guy chasing you, you just run as He set world records for the ation of his family to get a col- fast as you can,” he says. 100-mile, 24-hour, 48-hour lege education. That in itself The doctor who had diag- and 72-hour runs for visually NOTES was a challenge because he nosed his eye condition told the impaired athletes, all while his was diagnosed with retinitis 14-year-old Romero, “You will vision slowly leaked away. pigmentosa, a degenerative never become a doctor or law- By the fall of 2014, he had

CLASS eye condition, at the age of 14. yer,” and that he would eventu- become legally blind, could no

30 USD MAGAZINE x

Runner Jason Romero ’92 his fellow day-class students, and he (BBA), who is legally blind, 1950s wishes to say hello to each of them. uses a headlamp and a stroller [1956] with headlights to add con- JAMES FREED (BA) served in the trast to the roadway on a U.S. Army for two years after graduat- 1970s pre-dawn run with his coach ing from USD; he reports that he mar- and a friend. ried his wife, Helen, in 1958. He worked [1971] at Ryan Aeronautical from 1958 to DWIGHT MOORE (BA, JD ’74) ration to run across the coun- 1993. James and Helen raised five chil- is the supervising criminal judge at try struck him. Crazy idea for dren and are both now retired. the San Bernardino Justice Center in California. a guy trying to support three kids ages 10 to 16 on a [1975] monthly disability check, but 1960s ANGELA NEWMAN (BA) is a staff he recruited his mom as his marriage and family therapist at lone support staff, raised [1960] Lomi Psychotherapy Clinic in Santa some funds and managed to ALEXANDER HARPER (BA, JD Rosa, Calif. The clinic provides afford- pull off the expedition for a ’63) was named a 2016 Top Lawyer in able and compassionate mental the March issue of San Diego Maga- health care to the community. relatively frugal $20,000. They zine. “I had the luck and the honor to set out from his Denver home be in Professor C. Hugh Friedman’s [1977] on March 24, 2016. first corporate law class,” he says. “He CHRISTINE BOLOGNA (JD) re- In addition to the expected made the complex subject of corpora- ports that she and her husband, John challenges of fatigue, injuries, tions understandable and fun to LaRocco ’77, have a son, Jeffrey, who is POST hunger, storms, heat, moun- study, so much so that a small group a second-year student at USD in the of us asked him and a few other pro- Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering.

DENVER tains, deserts and even car fessors to prepare us for the August trouble, Romero also had to 1963 bar instead of driving to Los An- GLENDA GERDE (BA) writes, deal with a hyena who chased geles to take the bar prep courses. “Working in Turkey and loving the peo- him in Arizona, a blue pickup The majority of us, including me, ple and the great city of Istanbul, as ONTIVEROZ/THE truck that clipped him with its passed the state bar exams on the well as travel adventures in Europe. My

AARON side mirror along Highway 54 first attempt. He knew most of us did little dog, Mr. Happy, loves our long and trying not to fall off the not have much money, so they walks to the beautiful Bosphorus, once shoulder he couldn’t see. charged very little for their work. This the waters of Constantinople.” state bar cram course is not known by “I had done a bunch of many, but is one more compassionate STEPHEN LEGOMSKY (JD) retired longer read well enough to keep ultramarathons, but nothing side of this great legal scholar.” after 34 years as a law professor at up with the 300 emails coming prepares you for what you’re Washington University. He then served in to his office daily, and had to going to have to deal with [1965] as senior counselor to the secretary of surrender his driver’s license. doing this,” he says. KATHY LUNDY DERENGOWSKI homeland security in Washington, D.C. Unemployed and no longer At night, he would ice his (BA) was awarded first prize for her independent, he sank into a feet, soothe his legs with com- poem, “San Onofre,” in the Califor- JOAN STEIDINGER (BA) pub- nia State Poetry Society’s Best of lished her first book, Sisterhood in depression that pinned him in pression cuffs and soak in an Your Best contest for previously Sports: How Female Athletes Collabo- his bed for three weeks. Epsom salt bath. When the published poems. rate and Compete, which won five “Going blind is harder than alarm sounded at 5:00 a.m., he literary awards. She is working on a actually being blind,” he says. somehow hobbled out on the JO (KOZICKI) FRITSCHEL (BA) chapter titled “Female Collaborative “It’s a slow torture, constantly road and logged another 50 traveled to Machu Picchu in Peru and Competition” for an anthology about having to adapt to what you’re miles. He did that day after the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. While women in sports. She is also working no longer able to do.” day for 60 days straight, until in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Jo contributed on a new book, Inequality in Sport: to the earthquake recovery efforts. Female Athletes. The turning point came when he made it up the steps of he met Richard Hunter, a blind New York’s City Hall about [1968] [1978] ultrarunner, who invited Romero 8:30 p.m. on May 23, one of WILLIAM BACHOFNER (BA) was BILL DeGRENIER (BBA) retired to a marathon which had a special fewer than 300 people to installed in the California Communi- from the San Diego Fire Department division for blind runners. Romero have completed the trek cross ty College Golf Coaches Association as a captain after more than 30 years won the event. More importantly, country — and the only blind Hall of Fame on May 16, 2016. Bill with the department. he met other blind athletes. one in that elite fraternity. coached golf at Victor Valley College in Victorville, Calif., from 1986 to [1979] “They showed me all these All of this proved the 2008 and has been the association’s STEVE COHN (JD) retired in things that were possible,” he says. Perkins School for the Blind state historian since 1994. December 2014 and reports that his “I also realized I didn’t have to be motto he has come to daughter was married last year. He also ashamed of being blind, which I embrace: “Blind people are [1969] took a Spanish immersion class in Cu- had been most of my life.” capable of anything if just STEVE CLOUD (JD) says he still re- ernavaca, Mexico, and traveled exten- It wasn’t long before the inspi- given the chance.” members his three years at USD and sively with his wife, Catherine. This

[reunion reminder] FALL 2016 31 sports for players ages 8-22 and is the 1976-1980,” Michelle says. “Hopefully, author of Coaching Champions for Life I get to see some of them again (or – Coaching the Whole Person, Not Just the meet new friends) by attending some Athlete (Amazon.com or Xulon Press, of the alumni events. I have fond 2012). Adam is also the athletic director memories of my years at USD.” for CYO baseball in Portland, Ore. Karen was a business litigation attorney in San [1982] Diego and in Portland she has been a ROBERT EATINGER (JD) retired as school administrator and a business senior deputy general counsel from the manager. She is currently an assistant Central Intelligence Agency in Decem- escrow officer. Karen also participated ber 2015. His tenure included four in the Singing Christmas Tree production months during which he served as the for 10 years as a singer and was in CIA’s acting general counsel. Bob charge of wardrobe and choreography. founded SpyLaw Consulting to provide Adam and Karen have two daughters consulting services to U.S. businesses and three grandchildren. faced with requests from U.S. intelligence and security services as well as to law firms that have a temporary need 1980s for expertise in intelligence law. [1983] [1980] JUAN MANUEL ESPINO MORA

THOMAS BALESTRERI (JD) is (MA) received the San Diego Latino managing shareholder of the San Di- Champions Award in the field of edu-

PORTER ego law firm of Balestreri, Potocki & cation and he has retired from the

NICK Holmes, which celebrated its 25-year San Diego Unified School District. anniversary by supporting the Fred HEIDI WATNEY ‘03 may live and work in New Finch Youth Center Charity Golf Tour- THOMAS OERTEL (MSN) retired York, but she’s a California girl at heart. “This is nament. “We selected this event to from Grossmont College after teaching commemorate our 25th anniversary nursing for 29 years. He received his home to me,” Watney said while in San Diego in because the Fred Finch Youth Center Doctorate of Nursing Practice from mid-July to cover Major League Baseball’s All- has demonstrated a long-term com- Case Western Reserve University in mitment to the community and we 2010. He plans to do nursing research Star Game for the MLB Network. Born in Fresno, respect the work they do providing projects and write. He reports that he her broadcasting résumé includes stints with the supportive services to high-risk has been married to Susan (Reeves) children and their families,” Thomas Oertel ’86 for 28 years. They live in San Boston Red Sox and L.A. Galaxy. Watney currently says. The firm also served as the key Diego and have two grown daughters. hosts MLB Network’s Quick Pitch. As part of the volunteer team and committed to provide 125 volunteer hours for the [1984] MLB All-Star Week’s FanFest, Watney hosted May 2016 event. MICHAEL MULLARD (BA) com- “Leading Change Live,” interviewing USD Presi- pleted a PhD in clinical psychology and SUSAN BEATTY-HITES (BA) is working at the County of Orange dent James T. Harris, Vice President of Athletics moved from Coronado, Calif., to Health Care Agency in Mission Viejo, and Facilities Management Ky Snyder, Baseball Atlanta in October 2015. Calif. He is also a spiritual director and a retreat and conference leader. Coach Rich Hill, Softball Coach Melissa McElvain RANDALL FONG (MEd) complet- and catcher Mary Grabowski ‘16. “I always will ed his 16th year as a college counselor KATHLEEN (FREITAS) NELSON at Sacred Hearts Academy, an all-girl (BA) reports that she was married in be a USD Torero,” Watney says. “That’s where Catholic school in Honolulu, Hawaii. 2014. She also visited Quito, Ecuador, on my heart is.” He reports that his wife, Linda, is a a mission trip in 2011 to spread the gos- flight attendant for Delta Airlines. pel to people in remote, rural villages. Randall’s daughter, Marissa, received a master’s degree in business at VICTOR TORRES (BA, JD ’88) year, he is recovering from surgery and USD could play virtually any team. And Hawaii Pacific University and his son, participated as an instructor in the writing a book on local politics. big-time football would put USD on Nathan, is a junior at the University of Oral Advocacy Skill-Building Immer- the map nationally!” Hawaii at Manoa, where he also works sion Seminar (OASIS) under the DAVID PARRY (BA) writes, “My as a resident assistant in the dorms. Justice in Mexico program in Mexico biggest dream for USD: Become an in- ADAM SARANCIK (JD) reports that City at UNAM (Universidad Nacional dependent Division 1 football team, he and Karen Sarancik ’85 celebrated 40 MICHELLE JOHN (BA) reports that Autónoma de México). His first grand- play on alternate Saturdays to San Di- years of marriage on June 25. Since she and her husband, Christopher, child, Ruby Rose, was born on April 6. ego State. Only Army, BYU and Notre graduating from USD, Adam worked as founded New GateWay Solutions. Dame remain as FBS independents for a civil litigation attorney, a small-busi- They work among the churches of [1985] football. USD is located in the most ness owner, obtained his Master of Arts San Diego County to help the unem- GARY DOKES (MBA) is the chief beautiful city in America. Countless top in Teaching from Western Oregon Uni- ployed and underemployed find jobs investment officer for the Arizona college football players would love to versity, and has been a real estate bro- or start businesses. “I have been out Community Foundation, the state’s play in San Diego. As an independent, ker for 25 years. He has coached youth of touch with my classmates from largest private provider of college

32 USD MAGAZINE scholarships, which awards millions tion SAV-FSA. The website is at [1994] Aquinas Summa Theologiae. He re- of dollars to help students achieve www.sav-fsa.ch. REGINA BALLARD (BA) received ported that he sent his daughter off their educational goals. a Doctorate of Ministry in educational to college recently. [1992] leadership from Virginia Theological NEIL EVANS (JD) celebrated his SCOTT KAWALL (BA) writes, Seminary. Her thesis was titled That’s [1997] 25-year anniversary with the U.S. “Getting through another winter in So ’70s: Making Feminist Hermeneu- JENNIFER CAREY (BA) started a Attorney’s Office in Oregon. “Enjoy- Chicago while watching my three tics Relevant for the 21st Century California nonprofit organization ing the Northwest and my 15-year- daughters grow up so quickly and Adolescent. called FUN 4 GOOD, which creates old son,” he writes. seeing them excel in academics and “fun events for good causes.” She al- athletics. Oldest daughter, Ashlee, MATT ZELLER (BA) transitioned his so teaches English within the com- JOHN KOWNACKI (BA) practices is in her second year playing D1 private family practice to a concierge munity college system. ophthalmology in San Diego and softball at the University of Evans- medical model in 2015. His practice’s specializes in laser vision correction. ville. Middle daughter, Madison, is website is www.kolvita.com. LUIS MASSIEU (BBA) and Marta recognized on Illinois high school Catala announce the birth of their [1988] all-state basketball and softball [1995] second daughter, Flavia. Luis manag- SHEILA (WHITE) OLANDER (BA) teams, and youngest, Lauren, start- ELENA HARTWELL (BA) is a suc- es www.apostille.net, the leading has been with the Department of ed freshman year starting alongside cessful playwright and recently pub- apostille service in New York City. Treasury, IRS-Criminal Investigation her sister on a state-ranked high lished her first work of fiction, One for more than 25 years and is current- school softball team. All while get- Dead, Two to Go (Camel Press, Seattle), MARY JOY SOTIC (BS/BA) reports ly the director of special investigative ting high honors recognition aca- the first of a three-part series. Elena that she and her husband, Dennis, techniques at its headquarters in demically! My wife and I are so earned a PhD in theater writing from cofounded Guam Surveyor in 2013. Washington, D.C. She reports that proud of their accomplishments!” the University of Georgia in 2004. Their daughter, Melissa, graduated she lives in Fairfax, Va., with her hus- from high school and will be attend- band, Curt, and their two children. ERIKA SANCHEZ (BA) wrote her BETHANNE (YOXSIMER) PAUL- ing California State University, Fresno, first novel, Ernestine, which is avail- SRUD (MEd) completed her doctor- as a geomatics engineering major. BILL PARROTT (BBA) founded his able in paperback on Amazon.com. ate in 2014 and then worked as an own investment and financial plan- assistant professor of English at CASEY (WALTON) WHALEN (BA) ning firm in Austin, Texas, and he PATRICIA SCHNELL (JD) has Dalarna University in Sweden. Since says that she and her husband, Eric, works with clients in California and worked for Travelers Insurance the summer of 2015, she has worked moved to Sacramento, Calif., in 2007. Texas. The firm’s website can be for more than 11 years. Her area on postdoctoral research at the Cen- Casey taught in Oceanside, Calif., for found at www.parrottwealth.com. of practice is workers’ compensation tre for Research on Bilingualism at seven years and now teaches AP gov- defense. Stockholm University. BethAnne’s re- ernment and civics in the Sacramen- [1989] search focuses on the roles of multi- to area. “I am celebrating 10 years of ROSEMARY COATES (MBA) pub- [1993] lingualism and interculturality in ed- marriage this summer and have a lished a supply chain legal book writ- DAVID HUCH (BA, JD ’02) ucation policy, national curricula and 6-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old ten in collaboration with an attorney. reports that he and fellow USD law teacher education. She collaborates son,” she says. Her fifth book — titled, Legal Black- alumni, Derek and Suzanne Emge, with researchers from Helsinki Uni- smith: How to Avoid and Defend Sup- achieved one of the largest California versity and they plan to conduct [1998] ply Chain Disputes — is available on false advertising class action settle- comparative studies. KATHLYN (ALVAREZ) CANCEL Amazon.com. Rosemary is president ments in 2016. The $50 million settle- (BBA) graduated from LEAD San Di- of her own global supply chain con- ment was from a class action lawsuit [1996] ego’s Impact program in June 2015. sulting firm and is the executive di- against J.C. Penney for falsely adver- NICOLE ALEXANDER (BA) was rector of the Reshoring Institute, tising original prices and sale prices. named one of New Jersey’s “2016 BRUCE PLEAT (MBA) reports that which is a collaboration with USD’s The case was featured on the TODAY Best 50 Women in Business” by he and his wife, Arianna ’99, returned Supply Chain Management Institute. show and CBS This Morning. NJBIZ, a leading New Jersey business to California last spring and now live journal, in March 2016. The awards in the Tri-Valley region of East Bay. ANNA (PATZMAN) UMSTADTER SAHAND POULADI (BBA) writes, program honors New Jersey’s suc- Their children are ages 5 and 10. (BA) reports that her husband and “Getting accepted to USD was a cessful and influential women in Bruce’s mother also lives with them. their daughter are back in San Diego dream. From the moment I entered business who have been making after four years in the Bay Area. Anna the campus, I was incredibly im- headlines in their field. Nicole is an BRAD YOUNG (LLM) is the gener- sells residential real estate through pressed with the faculty and the stu- attorney and director of business deal counsel, global business alliances, HomeSmart Realty West. “Our daugh- dent body. As an international stu- velopment at McElroy, Deutsch, Mul- of Japan Display Inc. in Tokyo and ter is now 6 and keeping us very dent, I enjoyed meeting people from vaney & Carpenter. San Diego. He also serves as general busy!” she says. all over the world and really im- counsel of the Magic Johnson Foun- mersed myself in the USD culture. To- DARIN CHASE (BBA) is an eight- dation in Beverly Hills, Calif. CHARLES WARD (BA) launched day, 25 years on, I own two successful year back-country ski patrol veteran. Word with Ward, a copywriting businesses and truly know what I ex- “Missing the snow,” he says. [1999] business. perienced and learned at USD KRISTINA (SCHELBERT) BROWN helped get me to where I am today! JASON EBERL (BA) holds the Sem- (MA) was named chair of the Couple This place is not just a university but ler Chair for Medical Ethics and is and Family Therapy Department at a life school! USD we love you!” professor of philosophy at Marian Adler University in Chicago in the 1990s University in Indianapolis. He has fall of 2015. JOANNE ZIPAY (MFA) published published three books this year: The [1991] Come, You Spirits! The Supernatural Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy, BRIAN ROSARIO (BBA) reports SERGIO GIACOMINI (LLM) is World of Shakespeare, which is avail- The Ultimate Star Trek and Philosophy, that he married Michelle Sandoval president of the Swiss Bar Associa- able on Amazon.com. and The Routledge Guidebook to on Aug. 15, 2015, at Santa Monica

[reunion reminder] FALL 2016 33 Church in Santa Monica, Calif. In at- [2002] ALEXIS BRIEL (Paralegal) was my beautiful wife, Lindsay, and amaz- tendance were fellow alumni Elton TONY BETANCOURT (BA) reports promoted to project manager for ing 2-year-old son, Lindan (born Perkins (wedding party), Kevin Mala- that he and his wife celebrated the a new software line at Cybersoft. March 29, 2014).” Daniel is in charge dy (wedding party), Natasha Lopez, arrival of twin sons, Mico and Milian. of marketing operations for Castle Kelly (Kaiser) Edwards and Tiffany The boys join older sister, Milenna. ROBERT DANIELS (JD) will serve Medical in Atlanta. He previously Jackson. “They are doing great,” Tony says. as president of the North County Bar worked at MTV Networks in New Association for the year 2017. York City as an event coordinator MEAGHAN (BURKE) CARTER (with fellow USD alumnus Matthew (BA) says that she and her husband CHRIS HEIM (BBA) founded his Van Houten). 2000s welcomed their third baby, Paxton own law firm, the Heim Law Firm Maddox, in September 2015. “Big sis- (heimlawfirm.com). HEATHER BURNER (BA) is an an- [2000] ter, Harper Monroe, 5, and big broth- chor and reporter for Fox 31/Channel PEDRO ALONSO COLIO (MSN) is er, Thatcher Marshall, 3, continue to SANFORD HOROWITZ (JD, LLM 2 in Denver. a nurse practitioner at an under- dote on him daily,” Meaghan says. ’03) reports that he and his wife, served hospital in Southern Califor- Christy, opened a law office, Horowitz LINDSEY (HANSEN) LAPOINTE nia and a tenure-track assistant pro- MIKE CENTURIONI (BA) reports Law, in downtown Santa Barbara, Calif. (BA) reports that she welcomed a ba- fessor of nursing for an associate’s that he married Vanessa Webster in Sanford and Christy are both veteran by boy, Lucien Roger, on April 21, 2016. degree nursing program at Imperial the summer of 2015 in La Jolla, Calif. prosecutors. Sanford worked for the Valley College in Imperial, Calif. Mike is a former Los Angeles alumni Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Of- [2006] Pedro planned to begin studies in chapter president (2005-2014). fice, the San Diego County District At- JENNIFER SCARBROUGH (BA) the Doctorate of Nursing Practice torney’s Office and the Criminal Inves- was promoted to program director at degree at USD in the fall of 2016. JASON COITO (BA) moved from tigation Division of the Internal Kids Vision for Life. She reports that campus ministry and teaching at Revenue Service in San Diego. The she lives in St. Louis, Mo., with her MARISOL PRESTON (BA) is the Bishop Alemany High School in Los firm’s practice areas include family husband, and that the couple has director of admissions at Father Ryan Angeles to coordinator for young law, business law, criminal defense, “our first baby on the way!” High School in Nashville, Tenn. adult ministry for the Archdiocese of and civil and criminal tax litigation. Los Angeles. ELIZABETH THOMETZ (BA) is a [2001] ERYN SCHNITZLER (BA) founded certified athletic trainer with a U.S. SHAUNA McMUNN (BA) has been MALTE FARNAES (JD) was ap- Wine Vibe San Diego in 2016. “Wine Army physical therapy clinic in Ger- working for Catholic Charities, Dio- pointed honorary consul for the Vibe is the go-to spot for wine lovers many. “Simultaneously, I am pursu- cese of Trenton, N.J., for the past two Kingdom of Denmark in San Diego. looking to gain, improve and utilize ing a second master’s degree, this years as office manager of the family As honorary consul, he assists the their wine knowledge,” Eryn says. “We time in secondary education, so that growth program, in-home foster care Danish Embassy in Washington, D.C., offer interactive wine education tai- I can eventually teach sports medi- program and natural parent support in consular, commercial and cultural lored to fit your group or company’s cine in Department of Defense Edu- program. “Was back on campus in matters. The Danish consulate in San interest and comfort level.” The firm’s cation schools and work toward get- March 2016 over Easter break to mar- Diego will be located at his law firm, website is www.winevibesd.com. ting athletic trainers hired in their full vel at all of the changes since I gradu- Farnes & Lucio, APC, in Cardiff, Calif. capacity in that realm,” she says. ated,” she says. [2004] LAURA HARTWELL (BA, MEd ANTONIO LOPEZ (BA) says that he ROBERT THOMPSON (BA) is RODD MILLER (BBA) reports that ’03) obtained the highest degree in and his wife, Liz, celebrated the arrival working for the Environmental Pro- he and Mary Miller ’01 welcomed France, the Habilidad Diriger Recher- of their first baby, Logan Lopez, in Oc- tection Agency on national priorities. their third child in August 2015. Rodd she, which enables her to supervise tober 2015. Antonio ran the Boston is the president of Miller Wealth Man- PhD students doing research. She Marathon on April 18, 2016, in a time of [2007] agement, a financial advisory firm in earned her PhD in English and two hours and 49 minutes. This was his MIKE JAIN (BA) writes, “After USD, Carlsbad, Calif. Mary is working full Education from the University of 15th marathon, fifth fastest and sec- I am applying many practical busi- time as an active mother of three. Toulouse in 2009. ond Boston Marathon. Antonio cele- ness methods and strategies in my brated his 10th year as a vice president new realty business.” Mike and his KAREN OGDEN (MA) is a licensed SCOTT SCHIMMEL (BAcc) runs and senior financial advisor with Mer- wife look forward to attending USD marriage and family therapist. She the YouSchool, an organization rill Lynch/Bank of America in 2016. functions. was selected for the 2016 Best of that provides life coaching for Newport Beach Award in the catego- emerging adults, helping those in MICHELLE ROSALES-RUIZ (BA) CHRISTINA ARIAS LOERA (BA) is ry of mental health care/counseling high school, college and the military reports that she and her husband the benefits manager in the human by the Newport Beach Award Pro- discover their purpose and design welcomed twin boys, Cristian and resources department at Pala Casino gram, which annually identifies com- a meaningful life. Gabriel, on May 13, 2015. Spa Resort. panies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local MICHAEL SPENCER (BS/BA) SUZANNE WEINSTEIN (MA) is a DIEGO MANZETTI (LLM) was pro- community and business category. reports that his first child, a daughter graduate of USD’s leadership studies moted at AIG to the new head role of named Caroline Maria, was born program and a successful consultant legal for southern Europe and the AIMMEE RODRIGUEZ (MA) re- on May 15, 2016. She weighed 6 for 15 years. She recently launched Middle East/North Africa. He is keep- ports that her master’s thesis devel- pounds, 10 ounces and measured Being in Sync, where she teaches au- ing the Italian general counsel role as oped into a local history book, The 19 inches at birth. thentic leadership and spiritual prac- well, he says. Harris Company (Arcadia Publishing, tices to global leaders. 2008). She also is working with the [2003] ERY MILLAN-COFFEY (MEd) was San Manuel Band of Mission Indians MICHAEL BOOTH (BBA) reports [2005] promoted to program coordinator on a tribal government unit for the that he was married on Sept. 26, DANIEL BATTAGLIA (BBA) writes after teaching English as a second secondary level. 2015. that he lives “in Fayetteville, Ga., with language for eight years at several

34 USD MAGAZINE secondary and post-secondary institutions. Ery is married with three girls, ages 6, 4 and 18 months.

ALANNA PEARL (JD) opened a so- lo practice, Pearl Legal Counsel, in Jan- uary 2016, after nearly eight years of broad-based civil litigation experience working with some of San Diego’s finest litigators. Pearl Legal Counsel represents individuals and small businesses damaged by the wrongful actions of others in the fields of employment and business litigation.

WHITNEY SHARPE (BA) reports that she married Evan Grist in Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2015. In attendance were several USD alumni, including Gina (Pettinelli) Celaschi, Mayra San Juan, Allison Barker, Courtney Jerzyk, Andrea Bo- sowski, Florie Clark, Christine McAu- liffe and Emily (Correll) Freeland.

KRESTSNA (NANN) TOTTRESS (BBA) welcomed a baby boy, Hen- drick, and she also was promoted to manager at Genoptix Medical Laboratory.

JULIO DE UNAMUNO IV (BA) is the founding chief executive officer of LabFellows. “We’re focused on helping biotech startups develop more cures faster by eliminating the multimillion-dollar burden of own- ing and managing lab space and equipment,” he says.

[2008] KEVIN BRADLEY (JD) was com- missioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. On May 5, 2016, he graduated from the 199th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course and he returned to Miami to practice immi- gration law. He will conduct monthly drills with the 151st Legal Operation Detachment out of Fort Belvoir, Va. Advance Your Career

BRYAN GLOVER (MBA) was promoted within the Department of De- With Continuing Education fense and relocated to Sacramento, Calif. He negotiates contracts for the Army Corps of Engineers. “I now get Always Move Forward. to take full advantage of my Oakland Raiders season tickets,” he says. F F MARY STURGEON (BA) is a licensed architect in Illinois. She works in Chicago for Gensler, an internation- sandiego.edu/pce/alwaysmoveforward al architecture and interiors firm, specializing in luxury automotive dealer- ship design and construction. Several of her completed and ongoing proj-

[reunion reminder] FALL 2016 35 ects are in Southern California and the Bay Area. In 2013, she completed her Master of Architecture at the Universi- ty of Texas at Austin.

RACHEL (MAUPIN) SULLIVAN (BBA) reports that she was married to Evan Sullivan on March 28, 2015, in Turks and Caicos. They live in Kan- sas City, Mo., where Evan practices law and Rachel is a physician, prac- ticing bioidentical hormone replace- ment therapy at her own practice, BioBalance Health.

[2009] SHERMAN GILLUMS (MSGL) was promoted to executive director of Para- lyzed Veterans of America in January 2016. The change was ratified by the board of directors in May 2016. Sher- man adds, “First veteran of the post- 9/11 era to head one of the Big 6 veteran service organizations (PVA, DAV, VFW ,VVA, AmVets, American Legion).” He was featured on the cover of the Summer 2016 issue of USD Magazine.

FRANCOIS PORTEE (MEd) is a MAKE A high school teacher in the San Diego Unified School District for at-risk homeless students. He is also the president of Follow the Leader Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2006. Learn more at www.followtheleaderfoundation.org.

LIFELONG ELIZABETH SPANGENBERG (BA) writes, “I am active-duty Navy, but right now, I am a full-time student in the peace and justice master’s program at USD’s Kroc School.” She recently hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with two fellow USD alumni and stu- IMPACT dent-athletes: Meghan O’Brien and Erin Voyles. Meghan and Erin were swimmers and Elizabeth was a rower.

Education lasts a lifetime. Your Family Legacy GILLIAN (HEMMES) VAN DER SCHAAF (BBA) reports that she married Tyler Van Der Schaaf ’09 in Endowment can make an impact where it’s October, 2014. needed most: the establishment of annual student scholarships that will change the lives 2010s of a new generation of Toreros. [2010] AMANDA (THEIS) ACCIOLY (BA) reports “Luca Joseph Accioly was born on May 1, 2016, to Amanda and Speak with a planned giving specialist today. Guilherme Accioly. Big sister Gabriel- Contact John Phillips, (619) 260-4523 la is excited to have a little brother.” VINCE ATOFAU (BS/BA) reports that he is “blessed with a beautiful

36 USD MAGAZINE wife, three children (two girls and AMANDA (FOBAR) HOGAN (BA) pleasure to pursue two master’s in pub- KAYLEY STUMPE (BA) is a full- one boy), and an awesome career at reports that she married Joshua Hogan lic health and social work at the Univer- time producer and also conducts ce- Northrop Grumman as an engineer.” in October 2015. They relocated to Ro- sity of Southern California. Having just lebrity interviews for the Entertain- anoke, Va., to further her career as a la- completed my first year of graduate ment Tonight television show. She VIVIEN FRANCIS (MA) has been bor and delivery registered nurse and school, I am honored to say that I have has worked at ET since graduation passionate about art her entire life. She recently bought their first home. been elected as the assistant regional and interned there the summer be- has a BA in graphic design and her pas- director for Region F (Inland Empire) for fore her senior year at USD. sion for human rights and conflict res- MARGARET (McCANN) the National Association of Social Work- olution led her to USD to earn a mas- HOWARTH (DNP) was promoted ers for the 2016-2017 year. For my sec- [2014] ter’s degree in peace and justice to assistant director at the School of ond year of graduate school, I will be RYAN LANE (BA) began his career studies, specializing in conflict resolu- Nursing/Health and Human Services working as a medical social work intern in advertising with a year at The Ga- tion. Vivien combines her background at National University in San Diego. at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center– rage/Team Mazda, an award-winning in art and human rights to develop West Los Angeles.” Elle says she was WPP-held advertising agency. “As proj- advocacy projects through the use of CHRISTIAN INZUNZA (BBA) is elated to be returning to “San Diego, ect manager, I had the opportunity to art and images, including cross-cultural the cofounder of Solteris Energy, a my alma mater, and reunite with old work with creatives, account execu- understanding programs between renewable energy supplier based in and new friends for USD’s 2016 Wine tives, legal teams, our board of direc- the United States and Mexico. She Indio, Calif. Classic. Fight on and olé!” tors and Mazda global executives from also founded PilloveTalk, where she Japan,” Ryan says. His photography designs and produces home textiles SHANNON IPPOLITI (BA) is in her ALEXANDRA PAULUS (BBA) is a skills were used in the national Drive with affirmations and empowering first year as a pediatrics resident at the property manager for a private com- for Good campaign. Another position thoughts in order to provide people University of California, Irvine/Chil- mercial real estate management followed as national events manager with uplifting messages in the intimacy dren’s Hospital of Orange County. company and also an accounts pay- for Quest Nutrition, and Ryan is now of their homes. Vivien has lived in able manager for a wholesale distri- director of sales and events for Level La Jolla, Calif., since 2009, where she is YLIANA PENALOSA (BA) gradu- bution company. Up Entertainment, an Orange County near the ocean and nature, and where ated from Azusa Pacific University event production company. “I love she finds inspiration for her work. with a second Bachelor of Science in HENRY PERAZZELLI (BBA) works what I do, and have learned a lot along nursing. She is currently a student in in wealth management at J.P. Morgan the way in the short time since gradu- STEPHANIE LEUNG (BA) moved APU’s psychiatric mental health Securities in Boston. ating, but a lot of the tools I’ve utilized I to Savannah, Ga., where she is a digital nurse practitioner program. learned while at USD,” Ryan says. marketing manager for TMC Finance. [2013] She is in charge of all digital media ANNE STEWART (BBA) passed TARA IGUIDBASHIAN (BA) is ESTEBAN LOPEZ (BBA) works in buying and planning. the July 2015 California bar exam af- working in partnership marketing management consulting on an enter- ter graduating from the University of with the Portland Trail Blazers since prise resource planning project known ERIC ROBERSON (BA) graduated Southern California Gould School of graduating from USD. She reports as FI$Cal, the Financial Information Sys- from the George Washington Univer- Law in May 2015. She is a real estate that her experience interning for the tem for California, a business transfor- sity Law School in Washington, D.C., and transactional attorney. USD athletics department helped her mation project for state government in May 2016. Following the bar exam, get to this position. focusing on budgeting, accounting, Eric plans to clerk for a federal judge [2012] procurement and cash management. in Alexandria, Va. ELOISA AMEZCUA (BA) complet- SUE JORDON-TALASKA (MSN) is ed the Master of Fine Arts program at the education specialist for the criti- KEVIN PELAEZ (BA) is a San Diego SERENA ROMERO (BA) relocated Emerson College in Boston in 2014. cal care and progressive care units at corps member of Teach for America, to New York for a position at NBC/ She has received scholarships from Riverside Community Hospital in Riv- where he teaches 10th grade math and MSNBC. the Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference, erside, Calif., designated a Level II AVID, a college prep class, at King- the Vermont College of Fine Arts trauma center, cardiac care center of Chavez Community High School. SAMUEL SWANSON (BBA) re- Post-Graduate Workshop, the Minne- excellence and primary stroke center. ports that he moved to Dallas, Texas, to sota Northwoods Writers Conference Sue’s job responsibilities include de- MARIA RUVALCABA (BA) fin- be with his partner, Daniel Martell, after and the New York State Summer Writ- velopment of education programs ished a year of postgrad volunteer dating long distance for more than two ers Institute. Eloisa reports that her de- for staff. “I graduated from USD’s service with a tenant rights advocacy years. Samuel is a development director but chapbook, On Not Screaming, was MSN, CNS gerontology program in nonprofit organization in Los Ange- for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. expected to be published by Horse 2013,” she says. “I found the program les. She is now working with another Less Press in the summer of 2016. and information invaluable to my nonprofit organization in Santa Ana, [2011] successful job performance!” Calif., that provides leadership and ERIN ALTON (BA, MAcc ’11) was JOSE FELIX (BBA) is working to- community engagement opportuni- promoted to audit manager at KPMG, ward a master’s degree in Spanish ANDY QUINTANA (BBA) is a fi- ties for youth. one of the Big 4 public accounting firms. language and literature and also nancial analyst for Acadia Healthcare working as a graduate research assis- in Carlsbad, Calif. LISA VANDER (MA) moved to the BRITTANY BERG (BBA, MS ’16) tant for the Spanish Department and Washington, D.C., area to work in the graduated from USD’s Master of Sci- the Department of Sociology and HEATHER RASAMEETHAM (BA) field of workforce development and ence in Supply Chain Management in Anthropology at St. John’s University is a first-grade teacher at Anza Ele- social economic justice. Previously, January 2016 and is now a senior pro- in Queens, N.Y. mentary in El Cajon, Calif. she conducted a job creation sum- curement specialist for ViaSat Inc. in mer program for 110 at-risk youth for Carlsbad, Calif. NANCY JOYCE (BA) works for LUKE STAGER (BA) earned a Mas- the city of Baltimore, Md. Christie’s Art Auction House. ter of Science in finance from the Ow- CLARISSA BROWN-JENNINGS en Graduate School of Management at KYLE WADSTROM (BBA) met his (BA) invites her fellow alumni to ELLE ORTEGA (BA) writes, “After Vanderbilt University in May 2014. He is fiancé, Sarah, when they were on “stay classy!” graduating from USD, it is my greatest a financial analyst at Asurion. USD’s Second-Year Experience trip to

[reunion reminder] FALL 2016 37

Barcelona in 2012. “We met in Spain, and after we graduated, I proposed in Thailand,” Kyle says. “We figured we have to keep this up, so we are getting married in Hawaii.”

HUGO WERSTLER (BA) writes, “Was just recently hired at USD! Couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the continual excellence of my alma mater.”

DANA YEE (BA) finished her second year at USD Law School and is working as a law clerk at RJS Law.

[2015] DEEMA ALBASSEET (MA) has a new position as quality management officer at Badir Program for Technolo- gy Incubators in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

CAMERON CYRUS (MS) assists his clients by writing custom applica- tions providing strategic insight. “Re- moving information silos and providing visibility from the shop floor to the top floor is providing my people MEYER with an exceptional competitive ad-

DAVE vantage,” he says. “Thank you, USD, for helping to make this happen.” [faith in action] COLBY EDSON (BBA) reports that he and his wife, Chloe ’15, were married just three weeks after graduat- A DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE ing in 2015. JAZMIN GARCIA (BA) moved to Collaboration is key for Michael Camacho Washington, D.C., to pursue a nine- month paid fellowship with the Con- by Ryan T. Blystone Jenny Craig Pavilion stage to “I’ve applied something from gressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Af- ichael Angelo Camacho accept his degree. pretty much every class I’ve tak- ter some time on Capitol Hill, and then was already working “This program has definitely en to my work with Children of working for an international union, she transitioned to a full-time position with diligently for the Dio- prepared me for real life. I’ve the Immaculate Heart (CIH).” M NALEO (National Association of Latino cese of San Diego, putting his learned how to advocate for And his input helps CIH function Elected and Appointed Officials) Educa- accounting degree to good use issues I believe in, I’ve learned better, allowing employees to tional Fund. “What an incredible oppor- for an organization that espous- how to fundraise for nonprofits focus on helping the afflicted tunity I’ve had to really apply every- es his values, when a natural, I work for and I’ve learned the and coming up with solutions thing I’ve learned at USD — personally but personal, question arose. importance of empirical evi- for U.S.-Mexico border issues. and professionally!” she says. “What do I want to do next?” dence in proving our effective- USD has many examples of JOSHUA GREENE (BA) has decid- He knew he wanted to elevate ness in the work we do.” projects that thrive in an inter- ed to move to Washington, D.C., and his skill set and overall develop- He learned from quality disciplinary setting. “I believe the as a part of his journey across the ment. After he earned a non- faculty members who are also diocese and USD need to collab- country, he plans to visit Catholic profit management certificate practitioners. His cohort went orate on educating people of all shrines. “At these holy pilgrimage from USD, he wanted more. to Guatemala to study NGOs. ages,” he says. “And this program sites, I will offer up prayers to God for “I was still hungry,” he says. He traveled to Sacramento to challenged me,” he adds. “Not particular people who have request- So he took the next step. lobby for part-time workers’ just the classes and the profes- ed themselves or their own intentions to be offered,” he says. “I believe God Camacho entered the School rights. The curriculum strength- sors, but also my fellow students has chosen to enhance the purpose of of Leadership and Education ened Camacho’s passion for who challenged me to become this extended vacation/drive across Sciences master’s program in the Diocese’s mission and a better version of myself.” the country for the betterment of nonprofit management and helped implement projects for those I know and love, and those I will leadership in 2014. In May a local nonprofit that supports Learn more at childrenofthe soon come to know and love as I meet 2016, he walked across the human trafficking survivors. immaculateheart.org them from state to state.”

38 USD MAGAZINE KERRY HAYDEN (BA) spent a [2016] month traveling the world after TAYLOR KREBS (BA, BA ’16) is a graduation. She then accepted a po- relocation planner in the Depart- sition as marketing communications ment of Planning and Capital Proj- coordinator at HouseCall Pro, a San ects for Seattle Public Schools. Diego-based technology startup. Kerry says she enjoys working in a HAYLEY PARK (BA) is a graduate fast-paced environment and appre- student in the Master of Music: Music ciates her education for preparing Therapy program at Arizona State her for this role. University.

JULIANA LOCKWOOD (BA) is a graduate student in a Master of Sci- ence program in marriage and family In Memoriam therapy at Northwestern University. “I have a growing caseload of cou- LAURIE LAZZARO MASSA JR. ples and families that I see both in ’64 (BA) passed away on Feb. 6, 2016, the Family Institute clinic right across in San Diego. Laurie earned an account- from Millennium Park and during ing degree from USD and later became school and home visits through the a CPA. After college, he served in the Community Program,” she says. Army and met his wife, Adeline, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage. KHEA POLLARD (BA) is a commu- Laurie was dedicated to his profession, nity representative for San Diego working 35 years with the IRS, but his County Supervisor Greg Cox. passion in life was his family. Genuinely loving, generous and kind, he was a MADISON POPE (BA) was pro- treasure to anyone who knew him. moted from the position of market- Laurie is survived by his wife, Adeline ing coordinator to director of client Massa; children Laurie Massa, Anthony communication and marketing at Massa and Catherine Hughes; three HighTower San Diego. sisters; and seven grandchildren.

JENNY (CALVERT) RODRIGUEZ TIMOTHY SKELTON ’98 (JD) (MA) is a program coordinator at passed away from melanoma on Feb. Levi Strauss & Co.’s Red Tab Founda- 23, 2016. Upon graduation from USD, tion, an assistance fund for the he joined Ropers, Majeski, Kohn and company’s global workforce and Bentley in Los Angeles and became a retirees. partner in 2006. He then joined the Los Angeles office of Arent Fox as a CHRIS RUIZ (MBA) joined Huron partner in 2013. He was a skilled writer Consulting Group’s health care and was excellent at arguing in court, practice. “I learned about the from the U.S. District Court to the U.S. opportunity at a MOJO career fair Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. in San Diego,” he says. “Huron is He was an avid car, truck and motor- Uniquely USD. actively growing their veteran hir- cycle enthusiast and modified and ing, so it was great timing for me, raced his truck when he wasn’t prac- and I hope in the future for other ticing law. Tim is survived by his USD veteran alumni!” mother, Lois Skelton; his sister, Julie Visit our new location in the Hahn Skelton; and numerous family mem- AMY SMITH (MA) writes, “Wrap- bers, friends and coworkers. University Center to experience cutting- ping up a successful year with the Del Mar Union School District! Abso- edge technology, world-class resources lutely loving my new role as a K-5 Class Notes may be edited for technology specialist!” length and clarity. Photos must be high- and shopping for all your retail needs. resolution, so please adjust camera settings KELLY SMITH (JD) is a judicial law accordingly. Engagements, pregnancies, A one-stop shop for everything USD. clerk for Judge John A. Houston in the personal email addresses and telephone Southern District of California. “I’m so numbers will not be published. happy to be back in the area!” she says. Email: [email protected] KIMBERLY WOODBURY (BS/BA) Website: www.sandiego.edu/usdmag U.S. Mail: USD Magazine Torero Notes, is in the Operations Rotation Pro- University of San Diego gram based at the Carlsbad, Calif., Shop online anytime at University Publications site of Thermo Fisher Scientific. She 5998 Alcalá Park, usdtorerostore.com expects to work in the Midwest for San Diego, CA 92110 her second rotation.

[reunion reminder] FALL 2016 39 GLOBAL CHANGEMAKERS SHARED VISION

[collaborative] One might not think of an academic journal as the place to find compelling personal stories, but that’s exactly what emerged from a yearlong Schol- IMMERSION EXCURSION arship of Teaching and Learning writing group at USD, the results South Africa summer sojourns continue of which made up the entirety of the most recent issue of Engag- ing Pedagogies in Catholic Higher Education, edited by the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action at Saint Mary’s College. The contributors invested a year reflecting on their lived experiences of immerson. In the journal, community activist Rigoberto Reyes offers advice to university faculty and admin- istrators on how best to implement community engagement and partnerships. USD Sociology Professor Judith Liu, PhD, revisits the experience of teaching community engagement courses over the course of 30 years. Assistant Vice President for University Ministry Michael Lovette-Colyer ‘13, PhD, provides a personal narrative of his experiences in immersion; that piece is excerpted in this issue. Associate Languages and Liter- USD’S FIRST GROUP OF STUDENTS JOURNEYED TO THE VILLAGE OF MAKULEKE ature Professor Kevin Guerrieri IN SOUTH AFRICA IN 2012. Accompanied by Changemaker Hub Director/Political and Psychology Professor and Science Professor Mike Williams and Sociology Professor Lisa Nunn, the goal was to Center for Educational Excellence collaborate with the non-profit group Sharing to Learn, and spend two to three weeks Director Sandra Sgoutas-Emch coauthored a piece which poses getting to know the community and, in particular, a group of young local education questions around global equity advocates/activists known as the Equalizers. and social justice, coupled with “A strategy for mitigating the unequal power dynamics between ourselves and a proposed model of change. the Equalizers in 2012 was to simply show up without an agenda,” explains Williams. And Associate Political Science Professor Mike Williams and “We came with no preconceived notions of what we would be ‘doing.’ Instead, we wanted Associate Sociology Professor to just immerse ourselves as much as possible in the everyday rhythms of the village Lisa M. Nunn explore the para- and to see what would emerge from our visit.” doxical challenge of power that Williams and Nunn see unequal power relations as an “enduring dilemma” of is manifested in study abroad immersion experiences. immersive study abroad experiences. He is ever mindful of the importance of recasting the notion of service to “emphasize the importance of relationship building, dialogue, Find these articles at http://jour- shared learning and mutual empowerment.” nals.stmarys-ca.edu/epiche/.

40 USD MAGAZINE MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Homecoming and Women’s Volleyball Homecoming and Family Weekend Second Annual Family Weekend USD v. Loyola C4 Festival Football Game Marymount October 7-9 USD v. Davidson Saturday, November 5 USD campus Thursday, October 20 Saturday, October 8 The Immaculata www.sandiego.edu/hfw Jenny Craig Pavilion www.sandiego.edu/cas/music USDToreros.com USD Toreros.com

Coming Soon! Alumni Christmas Mass Lessons and Carols All Faith Service There are many Torero Saturday, December 10 alumni events happening Friday, December 9 and Thursday, February 2 Founders Chapel around the globe! Sunday, December 11 Shiley Theatre www.sandiego.edu/cctc alumni.sandiego.edu Check them out at www.sandiego.edu/um alumni.sandiego.edu

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HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND 2016: A TORERO CELEBRATION! FESTIVITIES INCLUDE: BIG BLUE BASH CONCERT AND FESTIVAL CLASS AND AFFINITY REUNIONS TAILGATE PICNIC AND FOOTBALL GAME HOMECOMING AND FAMILY MASS, AND MORE!