USD MAGAZINE UNIVERSITY OF / SUMMER 2012 EVERY DAY OFFERS US A NEW PATH. NEW A US OFFERS DAY EVERY ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE END, HUMANS LONG FOR IN THE END, HUMANS LONG FOR POINT OF VIEW USD MAGAZINE [president] ALUMNI WITH THEIR GIFTS. Mary E. Lyons, PhD VOTE [editorial license] [vice president of university relations] Timothy L. O’Malley, PhD DESPERATELY SEEKING ANSWERS [assistant vice president How do we know for sure that we’re doing the right thing? of marketing and strategic partnerships] Coreen Petti eople talk about it all the time: “Be good,” they caution with a smile. “If you [email protected] can’t be good, be careful,” others quip. Strangers instruct us to have a good [editor/senior director] P Julene Snyder day. There’s good grief and good riddance, good luck and good gravy. We can get [email protected]

while the getting’s good, get the goods on someone, and of course, strive to [associate editor] be do-gooders. Mike Sauer [email protected] But to actually be good, really good, is a tricky thing. While the dictionary doesn’t [ senior creative director] see much ambiguity (Good — adj. Morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious), in truth, Barbara Ferguson [email protected] it’s hard to know when you’re being really, truly good. Are you expecting a reward for your goodness? [writers] PARTICIPATION Shouldn’t goodness for its own sake be the goal? Are your attempts at goodness the result of the certainty Barbara Davenport that you know better than others? If so, isn’t that the worst sort of hubris? Karen Gross Sandra Millers Younger Thoughts like this can keep a person tossing and turning when they ought to be sleeping, and that’s Liz Neely Trisha J. Ratledge definitely not a good thing. Certainty in life is rare, especially when trying to wrestle concrete meaning Krystn Shrieve for a term that seems, ostensibly, to be as clear-cut as “good.” Good for who, exactly? Is good something [usd magazine] you do or something you are? Are we all born good? Do some go bad? And when bad things happen to USD Magazine is published by the University of San Diego for its alumni, parents and friends. good people, it can be awfully hard to see any good at all. Third-class postage paid at San Diego, CA 92110. USD phone number: (619) 260-4600. What is certain is that true goodness isn’t just recognizable … it’s unmistakable. That was quite clear [class notes submissions] from the ebullience expressed by those greeting His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in San Diego this Send Class Notes to the address below or spring. Each person lined up on the airport tarmac looked absolutely delighted to simply be near the email them to: [email protected]. Tibetan spiritual leader. And when he presented them with the white silk khata — a ceremonial scarf that USD Magazine Class Notes University Publications symbolizes purity and compassion — their pure joy was a beautiful thing to behold. University of San Diego 5998 Alcalá Park When he took the stage at USD’s later in the week, the rapt crowd was delighted San Diego, CA 92110 time and again. They thrilled when he put on a Torero Blue USD visor. They were appreciative at every [postmaster] twinkly smile, every large and small gesture. They roared with delight when he made a joke, then sat Send address changes to USD Magazine, Advancement Services, 5998 Alcalá Park, spellbound and drank in his words as if they’d been parched under a desert sun for weeks. It’s fairly San Diego, CA 92110. certain that any one of the thousands in attendance would have vowed whole-heartedly that this [be blue go green] USD Magazine is printed with vegetable- remarkable man was the embodiment of good. based inks on paper certified in accordance And perhaps it’s equally as likely that he would deny that claim. I suspect that the Dalai Lama would with FSC standards, which support environ- Your annual gift, no matter the size, mentally appropriate, socially beneficial Scan this code to make a gift say that he tries, really tries, to be good, but he doesn’t succeed every time. As part of his remarks, he and economically viable management of is your vote toward an improved alumni with your mobile phone. the world’s forests. admitted exactly that: “I often lose my temper,” he said. “My staff members know if something is wrong, [0512/65500] PARTICIPATION rate for USD. Your then I burst.” A wave of good-natured skepticism swept through the crowd; that statement seemed far-fetched at best. gift not only directly supports today’s “How do you remain optimistic when there is so much distress and pain in the world?” one questioner students, but also counts as your vote asked. The Dalai Lama paused, a hint of a smile playing about his lips. “The simple answer is, it is far toward improved national rankings. better to remain optimistic.” Good answer. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! Proudly display — Julene Snyder, Editor the decal included in your magazine. USD MAGAZINE WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS? UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO / SUMMER 2012 CONTENTS FEATURES SOMETIMES THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE.

16 / CREATIVITY 101 22 / GEEK BECOMES HER What if you woke up one day and decided to satisfy the Getting young women excit- hunger gnawing at your soul? And what if it turned out ed about careers in science, that what you really needed was a completely new kind technology, engineering of life? What if what you really needed was to make art? and math isn’t easy, but it’s 26 Meet three brave alumni who’ve built careers out of necessary. It helps to begin CREATIVITY MAKES WORK FEEL LIKE PLAY. LIKE FEEL WORK MAKES CREATIVITY taking just that sort of flying leap: Mark Edward Adams ‘97, early, with a target group of 26 / COMPASSION WITHOUT BORDERS Shirley Pierson ‘06 and Erik Wahl ’93. eager and open-minded girls, On the occasion of his first public visit to San Diego, His and offer them accessible Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, outlets to explore. That’s visited the University of San Diego, the University of DEPARTMENTS where national organization California, San Diego and San Diego State University. Expanding Your Horizons Excerpts from his remarks at USD include thoughts on non- AROUND THE PARK comes in. violence, inner peace and religious traditions. 4 / New Era for Nursing MAGAZINE

Seven million dollar gift announced by the WORK HARD AT WORK WORTH DOING. School of Nursing to build the Betty and Bob Beyster Institute for Nursing Research,

USD 6 Advance Practice, and Simulation. ALUMNI UPDATE 30 / Enchanted Evening 6 / Live and Learn This year’s Alumni Honors event celebrated nine extraordi- USD’s Living-Learning Communities put a new spin on the nary graduates who exemplify the Torero spirit. ON THE COVER: tradition of freshman residential living, offering up themed Photograph of Erik Wahl communities built around shared interests. CLASS NOTES 16LET GO OF CERTAINTIES. by Tim Mantoani 32 / Game Changer 8 / Coming Home 36 Chargers CFO Jeanne Bonk says one thing brought her from Find our pages online at Film screening mirrors the stories of many wounded vet- TORERO ATHLETICS Alcalá Park to the Chargers’ front office: hard work. www.sandiego.edu/usdmag erans returning home from war by focusing on Explosive 12 / Open the Gates GIVING BACK 36 / Grace in Motion Ordinance Disposal technician/USD student Jesse Cottle. Plans are in place for 14 / Do What You Can At the age of 24, Vincent Padilla has achieved what many covet: a new facil- Todd Johnson and his family a career in a demanding field that combines multiple passions. 10 / Something Ventured ity, Cunningham Field at didn’t know what, exactly, On the TV show “Shark Tank,” Stephan Aarstol ‘99 (MBA) , made possible they wanted to do, but 40/ Burden of Proof won over his investors. Now, USD students follow his lead by a gift from Board of they did know they wanted Deputy Assistant Attorney Claudine Ruiz is making the San in a business competition dubbed Venture Vetting. Trustees Chair Ron Fowler. 14 to make a difference. Diego community safer, one bad guy at a time.

2 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 3 [unification] Diego County. The building will be built to the LEED Gold Standard

PARK for environmentally sound design.

The third floor will house the CULTIVATING COMMUNITY research center, the heart of the Graduate and law student ministry THE

school’s research efforts, as well as several classrooms and spaces program a nexus of connection suitable for collaboration, confer- by Mike Sauer ences and presentations for faculty, y all accounts, USD’s Kath- port USD’s ever-expanding grad- doctoral students and doctoral erine M. and George M. uate community, the Graduate

AROUND alumni to conduct research and Pardee Jr. Legal Research and Law Student Ministry Pro-

B mentor the next generation of Center (LRC) is one of the pre- gram offers a variety of events nurse scientists. The dedicated mier law libraries on the west and services that meet the needs research space will continue coast; a seven-level bastion of — and schedules — of a student PARK

to foster a cadre of ambitious journals, databases and historical group that rarely has a minute researchers whom Dean Hardin documents that nourish the of free time to spare. calls “idea brokers.” intellectual appetites of Torero “We wanted to offer the THE

The second floor will be devoted law students on a daily basis. opportunity for our graduate stu-

PARK to doctoral student education, cen- But it’s also the kind of place that dents to do more than just show tered around the doctoral library, aspiring legal professionals like up for class and go home,” says which provides dedicated space Nathaniel Gallegos need a break Assistant Vice President and for faculty, students and alumni to from in order to maintain a healthy Director of University Ministry

AROUND access literature and nursing knowl- life balance … and their sanity. Michael Lovette-Colyer. “We

edge. The floor provides classroom “Sometimes, I feel like I live in wanted them to engage with the and seminar rooms, including class- that library,” Gallegos says. “That campus community in a holistic rooms with moveable glass walls can make it difficult to get out and way that allowed them to grow PARK

that allow for spaces to be com- see what the campus has to offer, spiritually and socially.” bined as needed. and connect with other students.” At the program’s inception,

THE The first floor will house the That quest for connection — Lovette-Colyer and his University Simulation and Standardized and avoiding a potential melt- Ministry colleagues were more Patient Nursing Laboratory down from overexposure to busi- than a little concerned that the THE (Sim Lab), the keystone of the ness and corporation law — drew frenetic pace of academic life school’s clinical skills teaching, Gallegos from his customary would prevent students from

HILDE STEPHAN HILDE and a national model for nursing perch in the LRC for a stroll across attending scheduled events. But AROUND

labs. The simulated care settings Alcalá Park. During his walk- in the years since, they’ve been [generosity] — including primary care exam about, he came across a flyer pleasantly surprised by the be fully secured, with construction rooms, acute care hospital rooms, for “Theology on Tap,” a popular steady growth in participation.

PARK started by 2017. and a home care room — will event sponsored by University “We were happy to find out When the Hahn School of Nurs- feature two-way mirrors and Ministry’s Graduate and Law that students did indeed have ing and Health Science building observation spaces and will be Student Ministry Program. The the time, and that they were very

THE opened in 1978, it served approxi- wired for audio and video obser- idea is to encourage students excited about the opportunity to NEW ERA FOR NURSING Transformative gift of $7 million launches mately 100 students and faculty. vation, and a system to record from across campus to gather on get involved,” he adds. Beyster Institute for Nursing Research Over time, enrollment and faculty and retrieve data related to stu- a monthly basis for food, drinks, And word of the Graduate and size has grown steadily, along dents’ clinical reasoning, judg- and, most importantly, a height- Law Student Ministry Program’s by Barbara Davenport with the school’s influence. ment and interpersonal skills. ened sense of community. success is spreading. Last June, n May 2012, Hahn School of Dean Hardin calls the Beysters’ engineering company in the Graduates now account for up to The Beysters’ gift opens a “The first thing I noticed was the Catholic Campus Ministry AROUND Nursing and Health Science gift transformative for the school. United States. Betty Beyster, an 43 percent of faculty at nursing new era of growth for the school, that Theology on Tap was a really Association recognized USD’s IDean Sally Brosz Hardin an- “There is no institute for nursing avid gardener, is known for her schools in San Diego. As its goals and an expansion of its contribu- inclusive experience,” Gallegos University Ministry department nounced a gift of $7 million from research of its kind in the U.S. I am involvement on many local boards. have expanded, so too has the tion to healthcare. Betty Beyster recalls. “I’ve been involved with as an exemplary program. They

PARK the Beyster family of La Jolla to so grateful to Mrs. Beyster and the Together, they have given gener- school’s need for a physical facili- hopes the gift that she and her similar ministry-sponsored pro- were one of only six ministry

build the Betty and Bob Beyster whole Beyster family. They under- ously to the fields of arts and cul- ty that can support its mission. husband are making inspires grams in the past, and they can groups from across the country Institute for Nursing Research, stand the importance of nursing ture, education, employee owner- The Beyster Institute for Nursing others. “It makes you feel good,” be a bit exclusive from a religious to receive such an honor, and the THE

Advanced Practice, and Simulation. research and advanced practice ship, the environment and health Research is that facility. Its three she says with a smile. “It feels good affiliation standpoint. Here at only one recognized for their The new building, which will for the future of healthcare.” and human services. The Beyster floors and central courtyard will to know you’re helping people.” USD, it’s not all about Catholicism work with graduate programs. rise adjacent to the school’s Dr. Robert Beyster is a physicist lead gift of $7 million covers nearly provide new space and 21st century or Christianity.” “We’re excited about the award, present home in the Hahn and founder of SAIC, a Fortune half the cost of the Beyster Institute technological resources for stu- Portrait of Betty (left) and Founded five years ago at the and are continuing to look for ways Pavilion, will double the school’s 500 company and the largest for Nursing Research. The build- dents and faculty, as well as for Bob Beyster by Hilde Stephan behest of a campus committee to reach the greatest number of AROUND

AROUND research and teaching facilities. employee-owned research and ing’s total cost of $15 million must practitioners throughout San Photography. that recognized the need to sup- students,” Lovette-Colyer says.

4 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 5 Activities like kayaking and about these atrocities (of the Trujil- mental justice, a trip to the Cali- AROUND THE PARK snorkeling at La Jolla Shores help lo dictatorship),” says Bre Burgos, a fornia Wolf Center in Julian, Calif., freshmen residents of the Honors freshman English major from the and an exploration of art exhibits Living-Learning Community bond Dear Dr. Lyons: San Francisco Bay Area. “It really in Los Angeles to learn about the with like-minded schoolmates. put on my radar something I had birth of the L.A. art scene. I am in my senior year here, majoring in biochemistry and politi- never thought about before.” “My goal the first semester is to cal science. I have lived in the BEST dorm on campus (Maher Hall), [mutuality] That’s the idea behind the LLC get the students connected to program, launched by a task force each other, and then the second found three combinations for a perfect La Paloma sandwich, lived led jointly by Noelle Norton, associ- semester, to use those connec- on the beach and cheered at every home football game. I love ate dean, College of Arts and Sci- tions to broaden their experience USD so much, I am confident I could write a commercial for it. ences, and Margaret Leary, associ- beyond the LLC and help engage All of the things I have mentioned, however, have nothing ate dean of students: to build a them with the wider campus,” LIVE AND LEARN to do with why I love it here. Freshmen choose a new spin when it comes to on-campus residency bridge between academics and says Jonathan Bowman, faculty I come from a very close-knit family, my father being the student life, as well as connections director of the Social Justice LLC. between students, faculty and staff, “The group experiences we’ve closest to me. He had been to USD at least a dozen times and creating a salon of sorts that isn’t had have been a good way to knew my teachers, my classes and my friends; he was an integral constricted by time or place. At the start my four years here,” affirms part of my life here. A month before I had to come back to core of the program are the fresh- Connor Self, a freshman interna- school, he had a sudden heart attack and died. man preceptorial classes — small, tional relations major from Mary- I thought my life was over. I thought I would have to leave core-curriculum courses taught by land and member of the Honors everyone and come back home to stay with my family. faculty/mentors — that tie to the LLC. From swimming with sharks LLC theme. in La Jolla and paddle boarding But once the news started to get out, I immediately got text “My hope is that this (program) in Mission Bay to sharing classes messages, emails and phone calls from my friends at USD. changes the students’ introduction with his housemates, Connor I received flowers and baskets and little gifts meant to help to the intellectual community,” says says living in an LLC has eased through the tough time. This was all wonderful, but what Leary, “that they realize it doesn’t his transition to college. followed was astonishing. have to be bound by the classroom For freshmen, settling in is a I began to receive emails from my advisors. I had a personal and they can carry their intellectual huge adjustment, agrees Del Dick- discourse into the residence hall.” son, faculty director of the Honors voicemail from the dean of students, Dr. Godwin, as well as “Not only have I been given a LLC. “The students really do see daily check-ins with the Greek advisor, Mandy Womack. I then community of people who have that they are not alone and that received a hand-written letter from Chemistry Department similar interests and goals as I do, there are places for them to fit in, Chair Dr. Tahmassebi on behalf of the entire department. but the LLC has expanded my view and they do it quickly,” he says. I received messages from 11 of my upper-division professors, of how I see the world,” Burgos Next year, organizers anticipate and even four from core classes I had as a freshman. says. “It’s inspired me to get more that about 50 percent of fresh- involved in social justice issues that men will participate in five If this wasn’t enough, Director of Financial Aid Judy Lewis I hadn’t considered before.” themed communities: sustain- Logue called and spoke with me while she was on vacation. Discourse at USD includes ability, social justice, the natural She assured me that she would do everything in her power access to a full staff of mentors for world, honors, and space, place to help and that my first priority was to be with my family. every LLC resident, including their and sound. The program is The tipping point came on the day of my father’s funeral. preceptor, preceptorial assistant, expected to grow to 100 percent As people arrived at our house for a reception after the funeral, resident assistant and resident participation by 2014. minister, who work together as a As Burgos transitions to her I was completely dumbfounded when I turned to see one of my team to ensure that the students sophomore year, she says the professors in my kitchen. He had traveled to to person- — and the larger university com- effects of her first year in an LLC ally offer his condolences. This support and sense of family is munity — are well served. will be lasting. “Coming to college why I love USD.

MARK CEDAR MARK “What the students are seeing your freshman year, you’re a little What an incredible gift to receive during such a difficult time. is RAs and faculty who are inte- nervous that you’re not going to I have been to three graduation ceremonies, and my only by Trisha J. Ratledge grated and care about them find a group of people that you’ll n the spare space of La Jolla that fill the theater, this trip to see USD’s Social Justice Living-Learn- For many students at “Las together, so they are getting that really get along with, or that critique is that I don’t believe our seniors are left with a message Playhouse’s Shank Theatre, “Las Mariposas” is much more than ing Community (LLC), one of three Mariposas,” a new understanding true holistic experience,” adds they’ll be superficial friendships,” about remembering the gift USD has given them. Throughout Iimpassioned dancers turn back a cultural excursion. It marks the LLCs offered during the 2011-2012 dawned about the universal strug- Dayanne Izmirian, assistant dean she says. “I’ve made some really this entire process, I have been left with the notion that you time, bringing the audience with beginning of a year in which their academic year. Putting a new spin gle for justice, beginning with a of residential life. Excursions and great friends. I’ve loved college so always have something to be thankful for. them to the Dominican Republic passion for social justice and their on the tradition of freshman resi- faculty-led conversation on the events in the last year have far and I don’t know if my experi- I had to try to express my gratitude and let you know what and the heart-wrenching murder first-year experience at USD mesh dential living, themed communi- bus ride back to school, and con- included dinner with an Irish ence would have been the same a wonderful institution the University of San Diego is. of three sisters who participated in into an invigorating mélange of ties such as sustainability, social tinuing among the students them- priest and social justice worker without my Social Justice LLC. I the country’s 1960 resistance inquiry and intellectual awakening. justice and honors connect aca- selves back at the residence hall. from Pakistan, a rock-climbing couldn’t have asked for a better Thank you. movement. For the USD freshmen The students are all residents of demics to residential life. “I had never heard anything session with a focus on environ- first year of college.” — Ashley Torkelson ‘12

6 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 7 For 27-year-old Jesse Cottle ’14, team were on foot patrol in show it again later this year. AROUND THE PARK raising awareness of what people in Afghanistan’s Nowzad Province. “I really do think this helps the military go through is job one. It includes interviews with people learn about us, the reali- [gifts at work] About 200 veterans of military ser- Cottle, his family and friends, ties of war and what we’re really vice are currently enrolled at USD. as well as powerful on-the- like,” says SVO President Travis A generous completing gift from Trustee Emeritus Richard P. ground footage of Cottle, a Weger, a senior communications Woltman has been made to establish the Richard and Kaye Wolt- [intrepid] staff sergeant, team leader major who served eight years in man Distinguished Professorship in Finance. The new endowed Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Brown, the U.S. Navy. hospital corpsman Woody Cottle enlisted in the U.S. fund, resulting from their personal contributions totaling Ender and Staff Sgt. Patrick Marines in 2003, partly spurred $550,000, was initiated by Woltman and his late wife and former Hilty, all of it captured that day. by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His trustee, Kaye M. Woltman, to attract and retain outstanding fac- More than 45,000 U.S. mili- father was a Marine in the Viet- ulty with finance expertise in the School of Business Administra- COMING HOME tary service members have nam War. His maternal grandfa- Marine veteran Jesse Cottle wants the world to know he’s no victim been wounded in Iraq and ther served in the U.S. Army tion and the School of Law. by Liz Neely Afghanistan since the wars during World War II. Cottle he documentary, “Coming months after he lost both his legs does raise awareness so every- Peace & Justice Theatre. Co- began. About 200 veterans are served three tours in Iraq as a The School of Law was awarded $100,000 from the Estate of Home: The True Story of to an improvised explosive one can see the big picture, sponsored by the USD Student enrolled in USD’s undergradu- field operator before he was Eleanor B. Kahn to establish the Irvin J. and Eleanor B. Kahn T an EOD Technician,” is not device. It is also about his recov- what people in the military go Veteran Organization (SVO), the ate- and graduate-degree pro- deployed to Afghanistan as an Endowment. The Kahn endowment will provide scholarships to a one-man story. It is not just ery and success. through, not just Jesse Cottle.” screening included a post-film grams, says Scott Handley, EOD technician. law students with financial need. Mr. and Mrs. Kahn were lead about that day in July 2009 when But Cottle, now 27 years old, Directed by Colorado film discussion with Cottle and Pen- advisor to the SVO. Less than three years after Marine Jesse Cottle stepped on a is quick to point out that the student and Cottle’s longtime dergast. The documentary “They’re all coming back with the explosion, he walks with donors who helped build the Grace Court Room at the School pressure plate while on foot film mirrors the stories of many friend Aaron Pendergast, the focuses on July 19, 2009, when very unique and specific needs,” prosthetics. A biology major, of Law’s Warren Hall in the late 1970s. patrol in Afghanistan. It is about wounded veterans returning film was shown on March 23 in the Explosive Ordinance Dis- says Handley, who served in the he’s on track to graduate in the first moments, weeks and home from war: “I hope that it USD’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for posal (EOD) technician and his U.S. Navy from 1996 to 2002 as 2014. Already a certified medi- The Rokenbok Fund at the San Diego Foundation awarded a hospital corpsman. cal assistant, he’s considering $10,000 to the Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philan- The idea for USD’s SVO was physician’s assistant school thropic Research. The center is part of the Institute for Nonprofit born in 2008 as more wounded after USD. He and his fiancee, veterans returned home from Kelly Forrester, will marry in Education and Research within the School of Leadership and war and the federal government August 2012. Education Sciences. Directed by Laura Detrick, the mission of the increased benefits for veterans Even with all that under center is to educate leaders and advance best practices in the non- seeking college degrees. It was his belt, Cottle still sometimes profit and philanthropic community, and to be the leading source officially established in Septem- has to convince himself to try ber 2011 and has about 50 new things. of information, data and research for the local nonprofit sector. active members. Handley and “Maybe the longest lasting the SVO are in discussions with battle is the fear that I can’t do The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science recently the administration to establish a something I want to do,” Cottle received a $500,000 grant from the Helen Fuld Health Trust, the permanent on-campus Veterans said during the post-film dis- nation’s largest private funder devoted exclusively to nursing Center this summer, which he cussion. He described relying students and nursing education. The grant, which will be dis- hopes will bring more visibility. on his wheelchair during his Currently, it’s likely that fellow first year navigating USD’s hilly tributed over three years, will be used to fund scholarships for students may not even realize campus. He talked about the students in the school’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing some of their classmates are thrill of horseback riding in Ari- (MEPN). Half of the grant will be held as an endowment fund. recipients of medals like the Pur- zona with his fiancee and future The remaining $250,000 will be known as the Health Trust ple Heart, the Bronze Star and sister-in-law, after initially dis- the Silver Star. missing the idea for fear of Scholarship Fund. “I don’t think the USD com- what could go wrong. munity really knows they’re His faith and the support of his The Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation awarded $40,000 for the here, and they’re not going to family and friends have helped Pre-Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) program in the say, ‘Look at me. I’m a hero,’” him stay positive and succeed. College of Arts and Sciences. The primary goal of the PURE pro- Handley says. “He simply chooses not to be gram is to increase the interest, retention and achievement of Showing the documentary a victim,” says his mother, Peggy is a creative way to give these Cottle. She encourages him to under-represented students with an interest in science through veterans more of the attention share his experiences because their active involvement in scientific research with USD faculty. they deserve. Cottle has field- she believes it helps him, and The Doheny Foundation has supported the University of San Diego ed inquiries from professors could help other veterans. “It’s since 1988 through generous gifts for science programs and the who missed the screening, such a gift when they can turn but who want to see the film. it around and help strengthen construction of new facilities, including the Jenny Craig Pavilion

MARSHALL WILLIAMS Handley says the SVO hopes to someone else.” and the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology.

8 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 9 The sucess of Stephan Aarstol ’99 His experience might prove investor and founder of Parker Natasha Mahapatro, Ciria Mar- AROUND THE PARK (MBA) on the TV show “Shark helpful to four USD students se- Communications; and Hans iscal, Rocío López Ramos, Alys- Tank” served as an inspiration lected as finalists in a campus-wide Petersen ’98 (MBA), CEO of the sa Rodriguez, Kierstan Sanvidge, to business students looking for business competition, who recent- Endeka Group, a wireless Internet [etc.] Kara Skarzynski, Alicia Vallejos angel investors. ly shared an opportunity similar to provider, and a member of Tech and Joshua Wheeler. Aarstol’s “Shark Tank” immersion. Coast Angels, a well-known San USD has been named the [resolute] Venture Vetting (aka V2) is a Diego-based investors group. Outstanding Sustainable Organi- This year marks a number unique entrepreneurial challenge Although most V2 entrants zation of the Year by the Califor- of USD milestones: It’s been 60 designed and organized by USD are either undergraduate busi- nia Center for Sustainable Ener- years since the start of classes for Management Professor Michael ness majors or MBA candidates, gy, which called the university a the inaugural 33 students of the Lawless, who set out to trans- this year’s event was open to all “leader in sustainable facilities San Diego College for Women. SOMETHING VENTURED form the traditional university USD students. and programs through the inte- 2012 also marks the 40th anni- Would-be entrepreneurs face angel investors business plan competition into a “Before, this competition was gration of green transportation, versary of both the School of more realistic experience. very limited and focused,” progressive energy management Business and the School of Lead- “Investors almost never, ever Lawless says. “But we obviously and community leadership in ership and Education Sciences. look at a business plan up front,” recognize that not all business waste reduction.” Both schools take pride in the fact Lawless explains. “They listen to ideas come from business stu- that over the past four decades, a pitch for five, 10, maybe 15 dents, so we decided to throw it Former USD coach Jim thousands of students have minutes. If they like it, they’ll ask open to the whole campus. Our Harbaugh will be reunited with been provided with the tools to for another meeting, and maybe vision is to establish a market his former USD quarterback, become world-class leaders in somewhere down the line they’ll and have anyone who wants to Josh Johnson ’08, after the lat- their chosen professions. look at a business plan.” participate give it a shot.” ter signed a two-year deal with V2 competitors distill their Students responded. In fact, the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers Father William Headley will business concepts into slide an international relations major in late March. When Harbaugh step down as the inaugural Dean shows, which four finalists pres- came up with the Bottle Talk was first hired by USD in 2003, of the Joan B. Kroc School of ent to a panel of actual angel concept. the first player he recruited to Peace Studies (KSPS) on the Uni- investors, as opposed to judges Finalist and prizewinner Max the Toreros was Johnson. Upon versity of San Diego campus at — another distinguishing char- Ball of the Approach Mobile leaving the university four years the end of June 2012, after five acteristic of V2. Although no team found the V2 competition later, the quarterback was the years of extraordinary service. V2 entrant actually gives up “a lot of fun.” It helped that Ball, all-time NCAA pass efficiency He will spend a semester on sab- company ownership in return who graduated in May, went in leader and a Walter Payton batical and plans to return as a for funding, any finalist could with an advantage. While others Award Watch finalist. KSPS faculty member in Spring walk away with part or all of brought concepts to the table, 2013. His focus will include teach- a $15,000 prize donated by he and a friend had already Auditing a USD course is the ing courses on religion, conflict university supporters. launched their business and perfect option for those who are and peace, and leading work- “We model what real angel achieved early success. interested in learning, but don’t shops focused on practical peace- investors might do,” Lawless So far, their company story is the necessarily need college cred- building skills and developing says. “It’s not a tournament. stuff of Internet start-up legend. it. It’s an affordable way to keep resilience in peacebuilders. There’s not just one winner. “First we built a website in my skills honed as well, especially Investors can individually decide friend’s dorm room,” Ball says. since the university’s Board of Trust- The Toreros are going to the to fund one or more participants, “Then we started advertising on ees recently determined that the Olympics! A new institution- or to put their money together as Google. A company in Los cost to audit a course would be al television spot is set to debut a group.” Angeles saw us and loved what just $160 per credit hour. To learn during opening ceremonies and This year’s panel of investors we were doing. We hit it off and more, call (619) 260-4585. appear throughout the 2012 spread the cash around a bit, set up a partnership. In the first London games. Inspired by USD’s

LUIS GARCIA LUIS awarding the biggest share of couple of months, we provided Thirteen winners were recent designation as a Change- the pot, $7,500, to Approach them about $15,000 in new client declared in USD’s recent Dalai maker campus, it will be broad- by Sandra Millers Younger Mobile, a mobile application business, and they were hooked.” Lama Essay Contest, which cast in seven markets with high or a while there, it looked like Selected to pitch his 3-month- But Aarstol bounced back to Internet marketing expertise cen- development business; $5,500 By offshoring the software was open exclusively to stu- concentrations of alumni that an entrepreneur’s dream had old start-up company to a panel win the confidence and cash of tered on advanced search engine to Bottle Talk, a wine info service development to a second part- dents. Winners demonstrated a are also key areas for student Fturned into a nightmare. of investors on the ABC reality billionaire Mark Cuban. Now the optimization skills, combined accessible by phone scans of ner firm in India, Ball says, clear understanding of the Dalai recruitment: Los Angeles/Orange It started off well enough: Stephan show, “Shark Tank,” Aarstol him- two are business partners, navi- with his MBA education in new bottle labels; and $1,000 each Approach Mobile can offer low Lama’s historic visit to San Diego. County, the San Francisco Bay Aarstol, ’99 (MBA), the founder self quickly tanked, forgetting gating their way to success in venture management at USD. to the remaining two finalists. prices and high value in a flour- The winners, who each received Area, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, and CEO of Tower Paddle Boards, his presentation and fumbling an exploding new market. “You’ve got to have a really good Investor panel members were ishing market. one complimentary ticket to Chicago and San Diego. The strode confidently into a plush around helplessly for several What convinced business- product and the best value propo- Andy Laats, co-founder of Nixon, No doubt about it, the future the Dalai Lama’s on-campus spot will also be available to boardroom setting, wearing beach long moments. One “shark” savvy Cuban to look beyond a sition out there,” he says. “And then an Encinitas-based sports watch for this newly minted USD alum talk, were: Nathaniel Dunigan, view on the USD website and duds and accompanied by an called him “the worst presenter” botched pitch? Aarstol describes you’ve got to make what you’ve and accessories firm; Kathleen looks bright. Perhaps Mark Sara Feiteira, Carina Hinton, other university social media eye-catching, bikini-clad blonde. she’d ever seen. his “secret sauce” as a blend of created findable online.” Dakota Parker, an independent Cuban would be interested. Jacob Holley, Natalie Larraga, platforms. Let the games begin!

10 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 11 TORERO ATHLETICS

[auspicious] OPEN THE GATES New to be first step in USD’s ambitious athletics master plan

by Krystn Shrieve n 2007, the University of San by a gift by Ron and Alexis Fowler. Diego baseball program had The new park will break ground at Iwhat could only be described the end of May and will open in as an explosive year. The team February 2013. celebrated its first 40-win season, USD Board of Trustees chair was ranked as high as No. 4 in Ron Fowler, who played high the nation, had three players school baseball and had hopes drafted to the major leagues and of playing college baseball had it earned the right to host an NCAA not been for a knee injury, says Baseball Regional, bringing one athletics programs go a long way to San Diego for the first time in toward raising the profile of a college baseball history. university and building alumni But the tournament wasn’t pride and alumni involvement. played on the Toreros home field, “The baseball facility at USD which was deemed too small wasn’t consistent with the quality to accommodate the big event. of the team and the reputation Instead, the Toreros were forced of the program,” Fowler says. to host at San Diego State Uni- “With a new facility I think USD versity’s Stadium, can achieve great things.” which was ranked by Baseball Sophomore Mike Wagner, the America as the second-best park team’s closer, can’t wait to set foot in the nation’s western half. on the new pitcher’s mound. “The “We are happy to be able to new facilities look amazing,” he assist USD in its effort to host says. “I feel like we have the chance an NCAA Baseball Regional at to go a long way this year. We San Diego State. Their play this want to be a great team going into nent of the Drive for Torero gym and then-baseball coach John houses 10 percent of USD’s stu- help transform the athletics times, let alone four years in a don’t have. What do I tell them? season certainly warrants the this stadium, live up to our poten- Success, a $30 million endeavor Cunningham built a baseball dia- dent-athletes and 12 percent of master plan from vision to reality. row. Winning creates excitement Now I can tell them that we opportunity to obtain a home- tial and know we are a team that that also includes plans for a mond without any real budget. the athletics staff. “We’re voting on and supporting and builds momentum. For fans, have a plan.” field advantage in the NCAA deserves a stadium of that caliber.” softball/golf and club sports Manion says what is now the “Our offices are spread out initiatives that won’t come to it creates expectations. And for It’s a master plan that provides tournament, and we believe Third baseman Kris Bryant, now facility, the renovation of the Sports Center was originally a res- over five different areas,” says fruition until after we’ve left,” players — who travel all over the more locker rooms, gives athletes it is important for San Diego a sophomore at USD, first visited Skip and Cindy Hogan Tennis idence for Catholic priests before Athletics Director Ky Snyder. Shaffer says. “We may not be country playing in top-notch state-of-the-art equipment, allows State to be a good neighbor,” the campus in 2008 as a sopho- Center, as well as operational it was repurposed. There were “Nine of our 17 sports don’t there for the ribbon cuttings, facilities — it leads to questions coaches and staff to move out of explaned then-SDSU Athletics more in high school. He recalls and scholarship endowments. growing pains as priests made have locker rooms. Sports is about but we know that we’re improv- about how much longer USD can cramped quarters and gives the Director Jeff Schemmel. watching Josh Romanski — a Roger Manion, assistant vice way for coaches to set up offices teamwork, it’s about camaraderie ing the experience for everyone remain competitive against pro- golf team a short course so play- Fast-forward five years to this pitcher and centerfielder — who president for facilities manage- in what used to be bedrooms, and and our facilities make function- who comes after us.” grams that have so much more. ers don’t have to drive to local season, and the baseball program was drafted by the Milwaukee ment, came to USD in 1971. coaches trying to discuss game- ing difficult, and make recruiting The Toreros have been a major “Athletes see the rec centers courses to practice. remains strong. Even more exciting Brewers just a few months later. At that time there were no wom- time strategies in their offices a challenge. We didn’t need force across all sports in recent at places like Gonzaga and San- “We’ve done pretty well athleti- than the team’s record, however, “We’ve had some top-notch play- en’s teams and only three men’s while priests played pianos in another Band-Aid, we needed years and earned the West Coast ta Clara,” Snyder says. “They cally, but we can do better,” says is the news that plans are moving ers,” Bryant says, “but I can’t begin teams. The football field didn’t their living rooms down the hall. a master plan.” Conference Commissioner’s Cup know about the softball facility Snyder. “We’re not a pro factory, forward on a new baseball facility to imagine the talent we’ll get have lights until the coach made a Today, the growing pains still Dave Shaffer, chair of the ath- again in 2011 — marking the first at Loyola Marymount University. but we turn out pro athletes. With — Fowler Park and Cunningham once we have a new stadium.” side deal with SDG&E, the basket- exist. The Jenny Craig Pavilion, letics subcommittee for USD’s time in conference history that They want to know why those these new facilities, there’s no tell- Field — which was made possible Fowler Park is just one compo- ball team played in a community which opened in 2000, only Board of Trustees, is proud to a school has won the cup four guys have facilities that we ing how far we can go.”

12 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 13 A trip to Ethiopia resulted in a GIVING BACK fundamental shift in Todd, Lil and Sara Johnson’s worldview. All they knew for sure was that they wanted to make a difference. [high-minded] DO WHAT YOU CAN For Todd Johnson and family, more does not equal enough by Mike Sauer he cities of Menlo Park, ” — We also put on a display at both tunity to visit Alcalá Park several Calif., and Dessie, Ethiopia, a Biblical reading that addresses the Democratic and Republican times over the last few years, and T are separated by 10 time money, faithfulness and the rela- national conventions in 2008 have become fast friends with out- zones and 8,879 miles; an exhaust- tionship between the two — the where we had delegates and going School of Peace Studies Dean ing journey for even the most sea- pastor then asked the congrega- politicians make HIV/AIDS care- Father William Headley, whom Todd soned of travelers. And yet, when tion if they would be interested giver kits that were sent to Africa. describes as “a man of peace,” will- juxtaposed against the economic in going on an adventure. “We started out not really hav- ing to roll up his sleeves and take a and cultural chasms that exist And so began a defining chap- ing any idea of what we were hands-on approach to making the between the two communities, ter in the Johnson family’s story: doing, but we knew we just wanted world a better place. that daunting distance seems little “He gave us a $100 bill and told to try and make a difference.” “We love Father Bill. When we more than a hop, skip and a jump. us that it wasn’t ours. We had to Oldest daughter Sara, who heard that he was going to step As boots-on-the-ground propo- do something with it for God, graduated from USD in 2011 with down, we thought starting an nents of HIV/AIDS care and edu- and we had to be willing to come a bachelor’s degree in political endowed scholarship in his name cation programs in Africa, Todd back and tell a story,” Todd says. science and minors in psychology would be a great way to honor Johnson, his wife, Lil, and their A spirited discussion ensued and peace and justice studies, has his service as founding dean of two daughters, Sara and Emily, about what the family would do carried that mantra forward into the School of Peace Studies.” have made that lengthy and occa- with the money. Saddened by the her pursuit of a master’s degree in The William Headley Endowed sionally grueling trek five times devastating effects of the HIV virus peace and justice studies from the Scholarship in Peace and Justice in the last seven years. Along the on African populations, they decid- Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Stud- Studies will support students from way, they’ve found that their own ed to take the $100 and turn it into ies. The indelible life experiences developing countries who, through perspectives on wealth, health pennies, which became the foun- she garnered during the family’s education, research and collabora- and happiness have taken a simi- dational donation toward their goal visits to Africa have led to her tion, will build the toolkits they larly dramatic journey. of collecting and displaying 19 mil- interest in a career where she can need to promote economic devel- “When we first went to Africa in lion pennies to show their commu- help entrepreneurs in developing opment and conflict resolution 2005, we realized that these were nity, their country and the world countries create businesses that within their home nations. people who, by Western standards, what it looks like to see the 19 mil- sustain their communities — and For the Johnsons, helping had nothing. But they also had lion Africans who had died of AIDS dad couldn’t be more proud. provide financial support to those immense joy in their lives,” Todd at that time. “I am very passionate about in need fits perfectly with the life recalls. “And when we came back They were convinced that it economic development and pov- principles they espouse, and they home to Menlo Park, which is a would take only a few months to erty alleviation,” says Todd, who, as are hopeful others will join them very affluent community by any- raise the remaining $18,900 needed a partner in Bay Area international in supporting the William Headley one’s standards, we began to notice to complete their display. Five years law firm Jones Day, serves as a Endowed Scholarship. that a lot of the people who lived and eight million pennies later they lawyer, counselor and advisor for “My wife and I have adopted a there seemed unhappy, despite ended their project … and the jour- businesses looking to maximize saying that we often use when having way more than enough. ney was more rewarding than they growth and efficiency through a people ask us what they can do Fundamentally, Ethiopia shifted ever could’ve imagined. minimal environmental footprint. to help: ‘Start where you are, use our focus of what was enough, “It was tougher than we ever “We hadn’t heard much about what you have, do what you can, but also in terms of how we live.” would’ve anticipated, but there USD prior to Sara transferring it will be enough.’” The road to their epiphany were so many amazing experiences there as an undergraduate, but started with a $100 challenge along the way,” Todd says. “We the more we learned, the more To contribute to the William Headley from the pastor of the family’s were lucky enough to be able to we liked, especially the work going Endowed Scholarship, contact parish. After delivering a sermon visit Africa five times together and on at the School of Peace Studies.” Director of Development Elisa

on the “Parable of Talents meet some truly inspiring people. Todd and Lil have had the oppor- Lurkis at [email protected], ABADILLA NICK or call (619) 260-7913.

14 USD MAGAZINE C It starts with a vague restlessness, a growing awareness that the life R you’re living simply isn’t enough. E You may have achieved everything you’ve ever dreamed of. You may A be wildly successful by every measurable standard. Yet, somehow, T some way, you know it’s not I enough. Not enough to satisfy the hunger gnawing at your soul. Not V enough to make you happy. One day something flips, and I you reach a decision. Whatever lies ahead, however costly, however T risky, cannot possibly be worse than by Sandra Millers Younger and Julene Snyder and Julene Snyder by Sandra Millers Younger Y wondering, “What if?”

It’s time to try something new. 1 The gnawing sensation evaporates, replaced by a heady mixture of fear and freedom. You don’t even know where you’re going, much less how 0 you’re going to get there. But you’re trembling with excitement just to be taking a first step in a new direction. 1 Soon you’re dreaming big, shooting for the top, making audacious Photos by Tim Mantoani Tim by Photos requests and promises, faking it ’til you make it.

SUMMER 2012 17 What you’re making is a new kind for a major department store, moved into designing textiles and clothing for children’s wear, but all the while, of life, one that satisfies deep down, she longed for more. “It wasn’t until I was back in the one that speaks to others and leaves cornfield — in Illinois, while my husband was getting his doctorate — that I started taking classes, working a legacy. What you’re making is art. with a puppetry company.” Bam. She figured out what was missing. “I was creating character, rather than clothing that was consumed. I was SKETCHING HER LIFE’S WORK hooked.” The family relocated to San Diego when her husband, Eric, became a professor at USD. “Once we got It’s a beautiful spring night in San Diego, but the crowd here, I worked in the theater, stitching, sewing, whatever leaving the Cygnet Theatre doesn’t much seem to notice. was needed in various local companies.” When the univer- They’re still immersed in the world of “Parade,” a musical sity added a theatre arts major, Pierson was first in line, set in in the early days of the 20th century. Back earning her degree in 2006. then, fashion favored big floppy hair ribbons for young She designed costumes for shows on campus, worked girls, relaxed silhouettes and hat pins for ladies, straw with Graduate Theatre Chair Richard Seer for an Old boaters for men, tweed knickers for boys. Globe/USD MFA production of “Richard III” (“that was The story is based on a real case, that of Jewish factory fun, it was a mixture of ‘40s style combined with the superintendent Leo Frank, unjustly accused of the murder Elizabethean time period”), got her MFA at San Diego of one of his employees, 13-year-old Mary Phagan. Final State University and has been working steadily ever since. bows for the critically acclaimed production were celebrat- She’s found her place and, in the end, it’s about the ed with a standing ovation. Under the stage lights, the magic that comes when creative minds work together. muted colors of the actors’ detailed period costumes subtly “Theater, in its very nature, is a collaborative art. Nothing reflected and enhanced each individual role. happens in a vacuum in the theater.” “On stage, clothing creates character,” explains Cygnet resident artist and costume designer Shirley Pierson. “We BREAKING THE MOLD all work together to create as much truth as we can, in a theatrical sense. But in the case of this play, I also worked One by one, Mark Edward Adams hefts three rough-hewn hard to honor it historically.” bronze horses, each in a different stance, and lines them That’s not unusual for Pierson, who says that extensive up across his fireplace mantel. They tell a story, he says, the research is her favorite aspect of designing, except, of course, universal tale of the hero’s journey — accepting a defining seeing the final product coalesce on stage. Her success in this challenge, slogging through the depths of doubt, and highly competitive field — including work for Cygnet’s “Little finally cresting the summit of success. Shop of Horrors” and “Sweeny Todd” as well as the New It’s a journey Adams ’97 knows well. The three horses, Village Arts’ “Into the Woods” — may partly be due to the fact a series now featured in Scottsdale, Arizona’s renowned that she came to this career circuitously. Paul Scott Gallery, also depict his own quest: to become a “I grew up in Arapahoe, Neb.,” she explains, while truly great sculptor and to inspire a new genre he calls walking through the warren of rooms below the Cygnet “spiritual expressionism.” stage. “Well, we never lived in the town itself, we were out “I see sculpture and art the same as I see myth,” on the farm.” Her options were limited: “It was nursing or Adams explains. “It’s a message we pass on from one teaching.” She chose nursing, winding up as a psychiatric generation to the next.” nurse in Los Angeles, but ultimately wasn’t fulfilled. “There Adams came to sculpture by serendipity. After majoring was an emptiness inside me,” she says, pensive. “I think in chemistry at USD, Adams added a master’s degree, got everybody has it.” a good job at a San Diego pharmaceutical firm, found a That hollow feeling ultimately led her to a vocational girlfriend and spent five happy years anticipating a about-face. She worked for a time as an assistant buyer normal life — marriage, kids, the house in the suburbs.

18 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 19 It’s a full-on multimedia experience. By the final note, Then it all fell apart. Wahl has created a bold portrait of U2 front man Bono. A hit-and-run driver left Only then does the artist turn and address the room full of marketing executives: “When did you decide logic trumps Adams injured and in pain. Next, his creativity? Chances are, that’s when you lost your passion girlfriend moved out. Adams heard — and your competitiveness. Want it back? Show up with something say, your whole self, left and right brain, head and heart.” “Go to Italy.” It’s a message Wahl has taken to corporate clients A week later, he was on a plane to Rome. He couldn’t worldwide for the past 10 years. Now he’s broadening have chosen better therapy. “After Italy, life was beauti- his reach. Soon he’ll debut a live theatrical experience ful again.” What he loved most was the sculpture. designed to inspire general audiences. And he’s using Fantastic sculpture everywhere, in every square, every social media to engage followers in Art Drop, a world- building. When he came home, Adams signed up for a wide scavenger hunt for free paintings. beginners’ class. Soon his new hobby took hold of him. “Creativity isn’t just for corporate America,” he says. “I’d sculpt ’til three in the morning,” he says. “One day “It’s universal. There’s no set way to do something, I made a decision: ‘I’m going to be a sculptor, and I’m no set way to be. Art is freedom. You’re unshackled.” going to be the best I can be, no matter what.” Wahl founded his company, The Art of Vision, with For that, he knew he’d need world-class instruction. his wife, Tasha Moffitt Wahl, ’94, and their success has He wrote to the top five representational sculptors on exceeded their wildest dreams. Wahl speaks a hundred Earth: “I want to learn from you; will you teach me?” times a year; he’s done a film; he has a book coming out One wrote back: Simon Kogan, a Russian master, who next year. And his artwork, which he never sells, has had immigrated to the state of Washington. generated $1.5 million at charity auctions. “Simon saw I wasn’t any good at that time,” Adams Yet the Wahls’ success sprang from bitter failure. After admits. “But he told me I was the most passionate sculp- 9/11, the business blueprint Wahl had devoted his life to fell tor he’d ever met, at least in the U.S., and he said, ‘That’s victim to a crumbling economy. He lost everything. “The all you really need; I can teach you the rest.’” emotional toll was huge,” he says. He started painting Eventually Adams began to sculpt animals as well as purely as catharsis. Big canvases, bright colors, unstudied humans, and discovered he needed a new set of skills. abandon. Art was a long shot, but he kept at it — and Again, he reached out to the best, and again, one wrote painted his way to an epiphany. back. Acclaimed horse sculptor Rod Zullo invited Adams His life had been backwards; now he had a chance to set it to his home in Montana and taught him how to capture right. Returning to the corporate world was out, but he and the equine physique and spirit. When he was ready, Tasha had three sons. How were they going to survive? Adams’ mentors encouraged him to offer his work to After brainstorming, they came up with a wild idea. What galleries. He approached the top venues in the country if Wahl blended his knowledge of business and speaking and waited. A month later, Paul Scott took on all three with his new passion for art? He began piecing together a pieces of “The Journey Series,” and has since invited him presentation; Tasha took on the marketing. Every time her to mount a one-man show. 4-year-old went down for a nap, she got on the phone. Adams’ third horse perfectly expresses his response. It didn’t take too many yeses to jumpstart their venture. It stands proudly, feet together, head and tail high, “With each speaking date came five more,” Erik Wahl a study in triumph. says. “It wasn’t a linear growth structure; it was nuclear: No one was doing what we were doing.” And there’s IN LIVING COLOR his point again. Want to be successful? Be different. Be unique. Be your most creative self. The lights dim. The music rises. Images of the rock band U2 fill two enormous video screens on either side of a spotlit “We’re all in these boxes; we’re all living with labels,” stage where Erik Wahl ’93, darts between pots of paint and Wahl says. “What if we freed ourselves? a huge black canvas, filling it with vibrant smears of color. How fast could we change the world?”

20 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 21 For 13-year-old Katie Blessing, pursuing her dream of becoming a marine scientist has been a no-brainer. Now a bubbly eighth-grade student and avid science buff, Blessing says as far back as she can remember, the blue waters of the Pacific beckoned. “I really started to think about it when I was little, just looking at the ocean,” she says. “The first question I asked myself was, ‘What’s in the ocean and what is it all about?’” Blessing is clear about her career path, but the world of science hasn’t historically been so wel- coming to girls and young women. When Biolo- gy Professor Sue Lowery was a college student in Mississippi in the 1970s, it was rare for a woman {Geek} Getting young women BECOMES HER excited about pursuing by Karen Gross

careers in science, to be admitted to medical school. And when, armed with her own degree in zoology, she technology, engineering began applying for jobs in medical research, Lowery found out why.“I went to several inter- and math isn’t easy, views where people said, ‘Oh, we would never hire you. I don’t know why they sent you here,’” but it’s necessary she recalls, adding that prospective male employ- ers would reject her out of hand, certain that she Photography by Luis Garcia would inevitably leave the field to become a mother. Lowery persisted, eventually earning her PhD in marine biology and carving a successful

SUMMER 2012 23 career path as an academic, and fervent dent of the local chapter, Lowery recently co- — where numbers surpass the national average champion of the underrepresented. chaired the group’s 10th annual conference — only about one quarter of engineering stu- “Obviously we have a lot of catching up on the USD campus. Some 400 girls took part dents and one fifth of the faculty are female. to do. We were purposely excluded from in hands-on workshops where they tried According to the National Science Foundation, these fields several decades ago,” she says. activities ranging from crime scene investiga- just 12 percent of undergraduate engineering Encouraging young women to pursue the tion to chromatography to building towers degrees and 17 percent of degrees in physics so-called STEM professions — science, technol- with spaghetti and marshmallows. are awarded to women. Getting girls past these ogy, engineering and math — has become a “It’s difficult to get a really good hands-on daunting statistics and stubborn barriers, which passion not only for Lowery and her USD col- workshop for students,” says Kramer, who sits include subtle stereotypes, implicit bias, and a leagues, but also for ranks of female scientists on the committee for the San Diego chapter. mostly-male work environment, can be tricky. and researchers across the country. A sweep- “You want them to love it, and you want it to One key to the problem might be better ing research survey released by the American be effective.” marketing; studies show that women want to see the results of their work and know that it’s making a difference in peoples’ lives. And “It’s been found that if girls aren’t doing explaining what engineers actually do is cru- cial, says Debra Kimberling, a mechanical engi- extremely well, they’ll transfer to some- neer at Solar Turbines, who spoke at the EYH conference. thing else where they do extremely well.” “Young women need to know that they can make a contribution to society,” she Association of University Women in 2010 titled, Judging by the number of girls who come explains. “That engineering is a viable field, “Why So Few?” found that while the picture is back year after year, EYH excels on both fronts. it’s not just for nerds.” improving, especially in medicine, biology and “Because of what’s happened before in sci- At USD, female faculty are working hard to the life sciences, career opportunities for women ence, how men have always been dominant, I push science students further along the pipe- still lag far behind in physics and engineering. like how this empowers women to get more line and to help them succeed beyond their And in computer science, their numbers have into it,” said ninth-grader Symone Carreno, who undergraduate degrees. Through the Bridges actually declined after rising for several years. was attending for the third time. “You get to do to Doctoral Institutions program, the university The reasons for the disparity are vast and science with a bunch of other girls who are sends two women to research-intensive insti- varied: Popular culture often depicts scientists interested in the same stuff as you are.” tutions the summer after their junior year, as socially awkward, geeky men, not to mention Another third-time participant, Katie Bless- increasing their chances of attending top- an ongoing implicit bias, which still sends ing was just as excited. “I love that it’s so notch graduate programs. school-aged girls the message that math class interactive,” she said. “They encourage you Professor Deborah Tahmassebi, chair of is hard, as Teen Talk Barbie once famously said. to try new things and follow your goals.” USD’s Department of Chemistry and Biochem- While there’s ample proof that girls score just In order to make the subject matter more istry, says that in many ways, science is still a as well as boys in high school math and science accessible, EYH recruits young mentors who man’s world. She sees it as her role, and that of courses, fewer pursue STEM majors in college. shepherd groups of girls between workshops her colleagues, to help female students feel And among those who do, the likelihood of and answer questions about college majors and like they fit. “I think it takes some good role mod- dropping out somewhere along the pipeline career choices. Most of them are undergradu- els to pave the way,” she says. “And I have to say, is higher than it is for their male counterparts. ates in one of the STEM fields. USD junior Amy that’s just not the case at many institutions. When “It’s been found that if girls are not doing Bowers, a biology major, has mentored for sev- you look around and try to find somebody who extremely well, they’ll transfer to something eral years. She says it’s as rewarding for her as looks like you, you just don’t find them.” else where they will do extremely well,” says it is for the younger girls. “I like encouraging Twenty years have passed since Teen Talk Kathleen Kramer, professor and director of the them. Even though we are women, and wom- Barbie was silenced and forced to keep her con- engineering program at USD. “It’s more likely en aren’t that prominent in science, we can troversial views on math to herself. Many aca- that a male student will just shrug and say, change that,” she says. “It’s really fun to see demic institutions are making changes and ‘Cs get degrees.’” their eyes light up they realize they could have working to draw more women into the sciences So what does it take to convince more a career doing something they really enjoy.” and keep them there. Programs such as Expand young women to sign up for a STEM career That’s the entire point of EYH, adds ardent Your Horizons are growing, with teachers, par- and keep their eyes on the prize all the way supporter Neena Din. Assistant dean of the Col- ents and school administrators increasingly set- through graduate school? It helps to begin lege of Arts and Sciences, Din has taken part in ting their sights on school-aged girls. early, with a target group of eager and open- the EYH conference for several years and runs a At the end of the day, says Kathleen Kramer, minded girls, and offer them accessible outlets workshop about cells, microbes and DNA. what young women really need is a strong dose to explore. “It’s all about getting the girls excited about of confidence. It’s a world that may not feel like Both Kramer and Lowery work with that these fields,” she says. “Especially math, which home yet, but there’s only one way to change critical cluster through Expanding Your Hori- is obviously very important to getting them that. “As an engineer, I’m not used to being in zons (EYH), a national organization dedicated interested in physics and engineering.” the majority,” she laughs. “If (being a woman in to nurturing middle and high school aged But when it comes to those two specific a man’s world) was upsetting or threatening to girls’ interest in science and math. As presi- fields, the hurdles remain very high. Even at USD me, then I’d need to change fields.”

24 USD MAGAZINE HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET COMES TO SAN DIEGO

On the occasion of his first public visit to San Diego, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, the spiritual leader of Tibet, visited the University of San Diego, the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University. The joint symposium was titled “Compassion Without Borders: Science, Peace and Ethics.” Among his many honors, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet; fittingly, the theme of his talk at USD was “Cultivating Peace and Justice.” President Mary E. Lyons, PhD, presented the University of San Diego Medal of Peace to the Dalai Lama on the stage of the Jenny Craig Pavilion, in recognition of his scholarship and lifelong contributions to international peacebuilding. “As a spiritual leader, one who strives for and continues to live a life dedicated to peace, you are truly a living witness to the greatest aspirations of our university,” she said. Following are excerpts from his remarks at USD to an extremely appreciative crowd of students, staff, faculty and community members.

Photography by Tim Mantoani and Chris Park

SUMMER 2012 27 On himself as a person: perpetrator. Losing compassion is On inner peace and happiness: other things objectively. It’s important “I am just another a very serious danger.” “Through education, through aware- to have faith toward one’s own human being. We are ness, I think we can develop a deeper religion, and respect for all religions. the same. These kind words and On non-violence and violence: understanding about the system of All of the major traditions have served medals are recognition for my small “Genuine peace must come our inner world. Through that way, humanity for the last thousand years, contribution for serving humanity. through inner peace, from a we can develop genuine inner peace, and millions of people still get the So, thank you very much.” sincere sense of concern for and once that inner peace develops, benefit of immense inspiration, of others’ well-being. On the other justice automatically comes ... these sources of hope ... On the value of compassion: hand, if the motivation is to “Since immense technological and “I’m a staunch Buddhist, however, I “I really am impressed how often, cheat, to exploit, to take advan- material development have failed to sincerely, seriously respect all other in different places and countries, tage while using nice words, bring real happiness to humanity, religious traditions. Whenever I have how quite often I’m hearing about even though it looks like non- now the time has come to find the opportunity, I make a pilgrim- compassion, peace and non-vio- violence if the motivation is to different ways. Education and age to different holy sites. I started lence. And many places, including harm, it is essentially violence. institutions are the key factor to this practice in India in 1975, and this university, are really making So the ultimate demarcation of further investigation. Eventually we whenever I have the opportunity, actual efforts to implement the violence and non-violence is have to find some kind of curricu- I go to religious places. Millions of value of compassion ... entirely based on motivation ... lum about these inner values, from Christian practitioners all over the “Compassion is a noble sort of “There’s a Tibetan saying … the kindergarten to the university level. world are truly dedicated serving to emotion. If you remain cautious, Tibetan word for temper rhymes Experiment with one school, with others, it’s a tremendous sort of because the facts say you should with knuckles, so the saying is, limited students, for five years. What dedication and it comes from their distrust a person, because they ‘When you lose your temper, just is the result? If it’s positive, expand faith. So there are plenty of reasons really want to harm you, to hate bite your knuckles.’ So at least, to another 10 schools, then another for respect.” you, to create trauma for you, you there’s some pain that distracts 100 schools. Then things become can keep a genuine sense of con- your anger. I like that ... really convincing and we can adopt On the importance of hope: cern for their well-being. They are “Many of my friends — scien- on a larger scale, even, finally, the “I think that a hopeful also human beings, just like you. tists and educators — are really federal level, and the global level ... mental state can have an Keep a genuine sense of compas- concerned about youth and the “In order to build a happy 21st immense benefit. When you’ve sion, a sense of concern over their younger generation, about the century — a century full of peace, completely lost hope, it’s very bad for well-being. That you can do ... violence and unhealthy things based on inner peace and com- your health. Fear is the destroyer of a “One Tibetan monk I know very they see happening. And having passion — our ultimate goal is calm mind. Anger and hatred are the well was arrested by the Chinese a very luxurious life or coming through education, through destroyer of peace of mind. And that authorities in 1959 for the next 18 from a richer family still doesn’t awareness, through everybody kind of enemy is within yourself ... years. In the early ’80s, after things make them happy. So what’s taking care of one’s self. A healthy “In spite of some sad events in were more liberal, these people wrong? Physical comfort doesn’t mind brings a healthy body and a the world, I think humanity is were released and had the oppor- mean mental comfort. The men- healthy family. I think that’s the becoming more civilized, more tunity to come to India. He told me tal satisfaction that comes from way to build, to change, to trans- mature. This is my view. There are that during his 18 years in Chinese money is only temporary. In the form our world.” those who say humanity is basically prison, he faced some dangers. long run, mental comfort must bad and that the human future is I thought danger for his life, may- develop within the mind itself ... On respect for reli- doomed, and I basically disagree. be, so I asked what kind of danger. “The 20th century eventually gious traditions: We are just beginning this 21st His answer was, ‘Danger of losing became the century of blood, “I’m a Buddhist, therefore, century. Things are changing. Yes, compassion toward the Chinese.’ the century of fear, the century I should not develop an attachment the economic crisis is bad, but it is A trained person has that kind of of violence. Those unhappy events towards Buddhism. Because once I good to remind yourself not to take attitude. It’s really important to were actually the symptom of past develop an attachment, I become things for granted. Even bad events keep compassion towards your negligence, of past mistakes.” narrow minded, and then I can’t see can be transformed.”

28 USD MAGAZINE The university’s 2012 Alumni Honors recipients were (left to right): upon him the rank of Knighthood Center San Diego before serving ment and development — such ALUMNI UPDATE J. Scott Di Valerio ’85; Sandra Chew Phillips ’68; Timothy Lynch ’95; Theodore Commander in the Order of St. a six-month tour as the head of as climate change, biodiversity J. Boutrous, Jr. ’87; Joseph Ghougassian ‘77, ‘80; Jacqueline D. Rychnovsky Gregory the Great for influencing inpatient nursing at Camp Arifjan conservation and the establish- ALUMNI ‘04; Arnulfo Manriquez ‘05; Susi Menazza ‘03; and Kevin Herde ‘93 the Qatar government to lift 14 in Kuwait. She is currently the ment of “green” economies. She centuries of religious prohibition on executive officer of the U.S. Naval is also regularly involved in inter- BRIEFS the public practice of the Christian Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. national policy negotiations. [remarkable] faith and other faiths. Di Valerio, who was chosen by Lynch, who is being honored The USD Wine Classic will Chew Philips, a technical writer the School of Business Administra- by the College of Arts and Sci- take place on Sunday, July 22, for Qualcomm, was given the tion, is the chief financial officer of ences, is co-founder and execu- 2012 at the Joan B. Kroc Institute Mother Rosalie Hill Clifton Award Coinstar Inc. Before joining Coin- tive producer of Farm League of Peace & Justice. Proceeds will because of her dedication to star, Di Valerio was president of the and Woodshed Films. He has benefit USD’s Alumni Endowed ENCHANTED EVENING USD. Over the past 40 years, Americas for Lenovo Group and, traveled the globe creating Scholarship, which has a goal Alumni Honors celebrates distinguished graduates she’s served on the University of prior to that, was Microsoft’s corpo- award-winning film projects that of raising $1 million by June 30. San Diego Alumni Association rate vice president of the Original capture adventure and inspire Currently, the total raised is in Board of Directors, as well as the Equipment Manufacturer Division. environmental stewardship. Also excess of $940,000. To learn alumni board for the School of Manriquez, recipient for the an esteemed video producer, more, go to www.sandiego.edu/ Leadership and Education Sci- School of Leadership and Educa- Lynch has helmed a number of wineclassic. ences. She has also been active tion Sciences, is president and groundbreaking music videos — in the Alumnae of the Sacred chief executive officer of MAAC, a including the winner of the 2005 Alumni business owners Heart, serving on the Sacred nonprofit organization dedicated MTV Video Music Awards’ Video can connect with thousands Heart Advisory Committee to the to Maximizing Access to Advance of the Year, Green Day’s “Boule- of their fellow Toreros through USD Discovery Campaign. our Communities. He has dedicat- vard of Broken Dreams.” the university’s web-based Herde, who was inducted into ed his career to working directly Following the presentations, communities and groups, which the Chet and Marguerite Pagni with underserved individuals, guests spilled out onto the Gar- help alumni build their personal Family Athletic Hall of Fame, was households and communities of den of the Sky plaza for an eve- and professional networks and primarily a catcher for the base- San Diego County and promotes ning under the stars, complete empower career transitions. ball team, but earned the moniker self-sufficiency through housing, with fabulous food stations and Go to alumni.sandiego.edu to “Mr. Versatility,” because he also economic, educational and the soulful tunes of the Bill learn more; click on “USD saw action at first base, on the employment programs. Magee Blues Band. Communities on the Web.” pitcher’s mound and as a desig- Menazza, who represents the “Tonight is about honoring nated hitter. He is the only Torero Joan B. Kroc School of Peace ordinary people who lead extraor- Alumni participation is critical baseball player to have earned Studies, is a senior policy advisor dinary lives,” says President Mary to the success and prominence the team’s Most Valuable Player for The Nature Conservancy. Her E. Lyons. “We call them leaders of the University of San Diego. award three times (1991-1993). primary task is establishing rela- and visionaries, advocates and The term means the percentage Inaugurated in 1995 to com- tionships with European coun- ambassadors. They are peacemak- of alumni that make an annual memorate the legacy of USD tries and organizations on issues ers. They are changemakers. They financial gift to their alma mater, President Emeritus Author E. affecting Asia-Pacific’s environ- are Toreros.” which is one of the key metrics Hughes, the university this year used to determine national rank- gave an Author E. Hughes Career ings and the financial support Achievement award to one alum- received from foundations. A gift nus or alumna from each school. of $25 is just as important as a Boutrous, the School of Law gift of $2,500 when it comes to recipient, is a partner in the law these numbers. Give today! Go to firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher www.sandiego.edu/giving or call LLP, and has been called one of (619) 260-4724. the best media and appellate

LAUREN RADACK LAUREN attorneys in the nation. In 2011, Toreros near and far are he convinced the Supreme Court sharing their life experiences and by Krystn Shrieve of the United States to reverse adventures by submitting class eld for the first time at Ghougassian ’77 (MA), ’80 (JD); “These alumni have accom- nation and around the world.” one of the largest class actions of notes to www.sandiego.edu/pub- the Joan B. Kroc Institute Sandra Chew Phillips ’68 (BA); plished great things in their Now retired, Ghougassian, who all time in the landmark case of lications/classnotes. Each issue of H for Peace & Justice The- Kevin Herde ’93 (BBA); Theodore careers and for their communi- received the Bishop Charles Francis Wal-Mart v. Dukes. USD Magazine is built around the atre, the 2012 Alumni Honors J. Boutrous, Jr. ’87 (JD); Capt. ties, and have made a signifi- Buddy Award, was the first natural- Rychnovsky, who was honored inspiring exploits of amazing event was a spectacular tribute Jacqueline D. Rychnovsky, PhD, cant impact on USD,” says ized United States citizen from the by the Hahn School of Nursing alumni; submit your class note to nine extraordinary graduates CPNP ’04 (PhD); J. Scott Di Valerio Director of Alumni Relations Middle East to become a U.S. Am- and Health Science, joined the today for the Spring 2013 issue

who exemplify the Torero spirit. ’85 (BBA); Arnulfo Manriquez ’05 Charles Bass. “It’s a privilege to bassador after President Ronald U.S. Navy in 1990 and has RADACK LAUREN at [email protected]. The 17th annual event, held (MA); Susi Menazza ’03 (MA); and share their stories with the cam- Reagan appointed him in 1985. In worked as head of nursing The 2012 Alumni Honors event culminated in a glittering soiree for What’s your story? on April 28, honored Joseph Timothy Lynch ’95 (BA). pus and alumni from across the 1989, Pope John Paul II bestowed research at the Naval Medical hundreds at the IPJ’s Garden of the Sky Plaza.

30 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 31 [dynamo] GAME CHANGER Chargers CFO Jeanne Bonk is the ultimate team player by Mike Sauer everal months have “If people really need to get never been one to sing her own passed since the San ahold of me, they know to wait praises, choosing instead to her- S Diego Chargers played until the afternoon so I’ve had ald the success of the organiza- the final down of their 2011-12 time to get over it.” tion as a whole. However, it’s season, but the team’s Mission A lifelong sports aficionado, no secret that her prolific work Valley, Calif., headquarters Bonk grew up playing softball ethic and team-player mentality remains a beehive of activity. and tennis on the fields and have earned her the respect and Couriers zip through the facili- courts near her Anaheim, Calif., admiration of executives and ty’s entry doors and disappear home. A diehard Los Angeles officials around the NFL — down maze-like hallways at Lakers fan in those days, she’s including the most important warp speed. Receptionists move fairly certain she was the only one of all. deftly between answering a teenage girl in her neighbor- “Jeanne is one of the most ded- seemingly never-ending stream hood with posters of Laker icated and loyal individuals any of phone calls and the queries greats Jerry West and Wilt organization could have,” says of wide-eyed visiting fans. Team Chamberlain adorning her bed- San Diego Chargers Chairman NOTES coaches roar greetings to one room walls. and President Dean Spanos. “Over

other above the din on their “I was a huge fan,” she recalls. the last 20 years, she has done an way to afternoon meetings. “We would sit around the dinner incredible job. Her knowledge of Jeanne Bonk ’83 has seen table and talk about my dad’s the NFL and the total Chargers it all before, and takes in the company, and the Lakers. I guess operation is unmatched.” chaotic scene with an amused, I should’ve known then that The daily demands of managing if not altogether approving grin. I was destined for a career in the bottom line for San Diego’s “Oh, this is just kind of the way it sports, huh?” most popular sports franchise is around here,” she says. “If you Those mealtime conversations are many, but Bonk still manages think this is crazy, you ought to also piqued Bonk’s interest in to find time to visit her alma come back by for a visit when business, and were determining mater at the west end of Mission training camp starts. That’s factors in her obtaining a bache- Valley from time to time. Last when things really get going.” lor’s degree in accounting from year, she spoke to a rapt audi- As the team’s executive vice USD. A stellar academic résumé ence as a member of a sports president and chief financial and a strong endorsement from marketing and management officer (CFO), Bonk has her fin- then accounting program advi- panel discussion for USD’s ger firmly on the pulse of all sor Ethel Sykes earned Bonk a Knowledge Transfer program. things Chargers. Her professional job with global accounting firm At the event’s conclusion, several purview extends across the Price Waterhouse. It turned out eager attendees approached dollars-and-cents side of the to be a life-changing opportunity. Bonk to find out how exactly CLASS organization, from overseeing “I’ve always considered she had found a path from the team’s day-to-day opera- myself a very fortunate person, Alcalá Park to the Chargers’ tions to helping negotiate for but I never would’ve guessed front office. Her answer was a new stadium in San Diego. how fortunate I was in getting simple: hard work, and lots of it. On a personal level, she bleeds the job with Price Waterhouse,” “Most people in the sports blue and gold. So much so that she says. “I met my husband industry work a lot of hours, and it’s common knowledge among while working there, and the some people come into it with- co-workers and friends to give San Diego Chargers were one out their eyes wide open. The her an especially wide berth the of my clients. I had been working sheer volume of work tends to morning after a Chargers’ loss. at Price Waterhouse for eight overwhelm them,” she says. “I’m naturally a competitive years and, when the CFO posi- “Internships are a really great person, so it really impacts me tion with the Chargers became way to go, but if you think you’re when things don’t go well for available in 1991, I was lucky going to come in here and work the team on the field,” she says, enough to land the job.” eight to five, then you’re going MARSHALL WILLIAMS MARSHALL

CLASS NOTES then adds with a wry smile, Modest to a fault, Bonk has to be in for a shock.”

32 USD MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 33 has worked with athletes, musicians published: The Advocate, The Advo- Foundation, where she has worked for JIM WINGROVE (BA) lives in have two children: Ben, 17, and BRENT HODGES (BAcc) is the 1960s and performing artists on perfor- 1980s cate’s Betrayal and her most recent, 23 years. She also manages the San Sunnyvale, Calif., with his wife, Tracy Emma, 15. “Emma has Down syn- head of schools for Rancho Solano mance enhancement, injury con- The Advocate’s Conviction, which was Diego Small Grant Program for the ’92, and two children. He is an avid drome and we are involved with the Private Schools, the largest private [1962] cerns and adjustments. She is presi- [1981] released in October 2011. Her web- Weingart Foundation, based in Los runner and enjoys coaching his Special Olympics here in northeast school system in Arizona, with four PEGGY (D’AGOSTINO) THOMP- dent of Power Zone, an individually ED MAPLE (BA) is a computer sys- site is www.teresaburrell.com. Angeles, and serves on the advisory daughters’ softball teams. Jim works Florida,” she writes. “Ben is a junior in schools serving pre-k through eighth SON (BA) retired twice as a music designed coaching program for tems administrator for a company board for the Institute of Nonprofit at a biotech company in Palo Alto. high school and can’t believe USD grade and a new high school that grad- specialist from the Clark County achieving personal bests in sport in Scottsdale, Ariz. He has been mar- ROZANNA (SANCHEZ) QUIN- Education and Research at USD. Janine offered surfing as a class and neither uates its first senior class this year. He is School District, and recently as a con- and life. Joan recently returned ried for 22 years, and he and his wife TANA (BA) reports that her daugh- has a 15-year-old son who is a fresh- [1989] Bo nor I took it!” Bo owns Global Pro- a proud USD alumnus and encourages sultant/mentor for the district. She from Nepal, where she ran in a have two kids, ages 21 and 17. ter, Abby Reutzel, is at Georgetown man at Cathedral Catholic High School. KAREN PARKER PAPE (BBA) tection Products, where he manufac- USD education graduates to apply to was awarded the Lifetime Achieve- three-day,100K stage race to raise University in Washington, D.C., lives in Oakland, Calif., where she tures and sells hurricane shutters. Rancho. Brent’s son, T.J., is a sophomore ment Award for her work with chil- funds for Freedom Children’s Welfare MARYANN THOMSON (BA, MA studying at the McDonough School [1987] owns a business, Chirofitness, and at Phillips Exeter Academy boarding dren and new music teachers in the Center, a Nepal orphanage. ’82) loved seeing her classmates of Business. Rozanna relocated to DONALD JAMES (BBA) reports keeps busy with family and friends. [1991] school in New Hampshire. Brent enjoys schools. Peggy is the wedding coordi- from 1981 and 1982 at the 2011 Jacksonville, Fla., to pursue her inter- that he has four great kids – Olivia, Lexi, LIANA ABELE-OSITIS (BAcc) and kayaking, stand up paddle boarding nator for St. Joseph Church and the lit- [1979] Homecoming Weekend. “Wow,” she est in adapted sports and recreation. Lleyton and Piper – and that he has ANNA (PATZMAN) UMSTADTER her husband, Vilis, have a 2-year-old and reading in his spare time. urgist/music director for the Shrine of DOUG BOHNENBERGER writes, writes, “30 years later, Toreros are found his soul mate in his wife, Melinda. (BA) and her husband, Karl, moved daughter. “Life is good!” Liana says. the Most Holy Redeemer. “I will never forget my years at USD. still awesome!” [1985] With offices in New Zealand, Donald to the Livermore Wine Valley in the SUSAN (COLLINS) MOSBY (BA) Cramming all night for a final and hav- KATHLEEN HARRIS (BBA) is the intends to split his time between the San Francisco Bay Area. “I am now CHARLES GALLAS (BA) and his and her husband, Peter, bought [1965] ing to go in the basement of the nurs- STEVE VASQUEZ (BBA) writes, chief financial officer at Gallagher & United States and New Zealand after at home with our busy 2-year-old, wife, Stephenie, have three beautiful i9Sports, a youth sports franchise. ALCY (BOSS) NEIDLINGER (BA) ing building past the cadavers to the “Enjoyed touring the USD campus Kennedy Law Offices in Phoenix, Ariz., the girls enter college. His primary Amelia Kate,” Anna says, “and my daughters: Alyssa, 14; Caitlyn, 9; and “We are busy promoting and running has been in Spring, Texas, for nearly only vending machines on campus; while in San Diego to do the Super- and was recently named a board activity is “family … always” and his husband is a physicist with KLA- Bridget, 6. “I jokingly call it Charlie’s flag football, basketball and soccer three years. She joined a photogra- Friday evenings in Torero Canyon; frog Half Ironman Triathlon on Sept. 11, member of Catholic Community Foun- secondary activities are surfing, triath- Tencor in Silicon Valley.” Angels,” Charles says. leagues/camps for kids ages 4 to 14 phy club and sells her photos locally studying on Sunset Cliffs; I loved every- 2011. What a beautiful campus! What dation. In addition to serving on local lons, Xterra and mountain bike racing. in the south Denver area,” Susan says. as cards. thing about USD! … Miss all of you!” an environment to go to school.” professional banking boards, Kathleen [1992] “I continue to teach Spanish at Cherry has given her time to a number of [1988] KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON Creek High and raise our three kids: REDELLE HRASTICH (MEd) [1982] nonprofit organizations, including DANIEL LeKANDER (BBA) mar- 1990s (BA) owns and operates Ashton- Chas, 6; Quinn, 4; and Lucia, 3; and retired from the San Diego Unified MARK GARIBALDI (BA) was Kiwanis Club of Tempe, Tempe Sister ried Miranda Maison ’97 on Nov. 13, Magnuson Media, a music publicity two dogs: Nica and Bruin!” 1970s School District in 2009, after 30 featured in the October 2011 issue of Cities, the St. Francis Xavier Elementary 2010, in Sacramento, Calif. Dan is CEO [1990] company in Los Angeles that she years as a classroom teacher and Bakersfield Life magazine. Founder of School Auction and charity events of Minerva Properties and Miranda is CHRISTIE BURKE BABCOCK (BA, founded after departing the Mitch [1994] [1974] education specialist. Currently, the Garo Method, a program of mental through the Diamondback wives. senior corporations counsel for the MEd ’92) lives an hour southwest Schneider Organization in 2009. Her TIFFANY BEANE-LANDES (BAcc) VICKI (WESTERVELT) NASMAN Redelle is a part-time field supervi- fitness, nutrition and physical ability, She is president of the Phoenix Police California Department of Corporations. of Chicago in Frankfort, Ill., with her clients have included Rockstar Energy writes, “I’d love to hear from former (BA) and her husband, Steve ’71, sor at USD for the School of Leader- Mark has worked with clients across Foundation Board, serves in several husband, Paul, and their four kids: Drink UPROAR Festival; 48 Hours classmates and ‘lost’ friends. We live became grandparents with the birth ship and Education Sciences. the country, including students, ath- advisory roles at Xavier College Prepa- GLENN O’CLASSEN (BA) is vice Grace, 12; Molly, 9; Meg, 6; and Mick, Festival; Avalanche Tour; Rock on the just west of Indianapolis in Avon, Ind., of Lincoln Vedder Reidel on Nov. 8, letes and professionals. After graduat- ratory, volunteers at Brophy College president of cloud adoption at 3. “I work two days a week as a high Range; Revolver Magazine; and have two busy boys: Jacob, 12; 2010. Vicki retired from the State of JERRY PLUMMER (BA) writes, ing from USD, Mark earned a master’s Preparatory and recently completed Appirio, a global enterprise cloud school counselor, where I spend the Dad, a book by Jim Lindberg; and the and Grant, 9. Update me and let me California Employment Development “I’m living in the ‘burbs of Kansas degree at California State University, her 25th year of volunteering as a solutions company. Glenn joined the majority of my time trying to con- Dolor novella series by Rick Florino. know what’s going on in your life.” Department in 2010 and now cares City, working as an IT project man- Bakersfield, and a law degree from the Junior Achievement leader. She and firm as part of an acquisition by vince my students to become Tore- Her website is www.am-media.net. for Lincoln twice a week. Steve is the ager at a global company named University of the Pacific’s McGeorge her husband, Tom, have four children. Appirio of VelocityMG, the company ros!” she says. GREG CHABON (MBA) was senior managing director of The Affinity Thales. I love being involved in the School of Law. He practiced for a year that Glenn founded to assist enterpris- CHRIS SPENCE (BA) was honored named to the 2012 list of The Best Advisory Group, a consulting firm for community, being a board member with a private civil law firm and spent MARGARET (BOYER) HILL (BA) es in driving user adoption of cloud JEFF CARPENTER (BA) was select- when his office, Spence Chiropractic Lawyers in America, the oldest and financial institutions. Vicki and Steve of both the Jackson County 4-H 10 years as a deputy district attorney. graduated with a JD degree from applications. He launched the compa- ed California Teacher of the Year by the Center in San Diego’s Mission Valley, was most respected peer-review publica- are co-presidents of USD’s Orange Foundation and the Carriage and Mark launched the Garo Method in Arizona State University in May 2011 ny after a tenure at Salesforce.com. Veterans of Foreign Wars in January voted Best Chiropractic Office in San tion in the legal profession. Greg is County Regional Alumni Association Driving Society of Greater Kansas 2002, complete with a CD program and is working on an MBA from ASU. 2012 and has advanced to the national Diego for the fourth year by CityBeat a corporate and securities attorney and they also coordinate the baptism City. As you can tell, I still also love my and one-on-one life coaching. His JOSIE (GABLE) RODRIGUEZ competition. On Dec. 15, 2011, he and magazine. He is the past president of in the Greensboro, N.C., office of ministry at St. Martin de Porres Catho- hobby of competing with my horses website is www.thegaromethod.com. KEN WINANS (BBA) was awarded (MA) exhibited “Luminous Layers”, his wife, Kristin, were in Sacramento the San Diego Chiropractic branch of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice. lic Church in Yorba Linda, Calif. They in carriage driving. I would love to top honors in the 2011 USA Best Books an encaustic art show at the San where Jeff received Teacher of the Year the California Chiropractic Association love to travel and planned to go to hear from old friends! Find me on DONNA (HAFF) SKAHILL (BA, Awards. His book, Preferred Stocks – Diego International Airport, Terminal awards from Rancho Bernardo VFW Post (CCA) and was twice awarded Doctor of RIAN KIRKMAN (BBA) was China in February 2012. Facebook in the USD community.” MA ’88) and her husband, Vince The Art of Profitable Income Investing, Two East, through March 2012. She 7766 and VFW District 1. A longtime the Year honors by the CCA. Chris lives recently promoted to vice president ’83, are joining the Peace Corps and was the winner in the investment cate- says she is inspired by the “visceral, Rancho Bernardo High teacher, Jeff has in San Diego with his wife, his daughter, of marketing, Las Vegas region, for [1975] MICHAEL RAMIREZ (BBA) was plan to travel to Micronesia/Palau in gory. His prior books are Preferreds – messy and spontaneous character of five Advanced Placement government 5, and his son, 18 months. Caesars Entertainment. GILBERT CARRASCO (BA) mar- diagnosed on Sept. 3, 2009, with June 2012, where they will teach. Wall Street’s Best-Kept Income Secret and encaustic art.” (Encaustic art incorpo- classes and a civics class, and he coach- ried Iryna Zaverukha in February Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Investment Atlas – Financial Maps to rates wax.) She was a clinical chaplain es football and girls’ lacrosse. MICHEL ZELNICK (JD) is a former CYRIL VIDERGAR (BA) opened 2011. Gilbert also co-authored also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. [1984] Investment Success. Ken’s website is at Scripps Mercy and San Diego Hos- CPA, attorney and psychotherapist the law practice of Samson & Vidergar The Law of Discrimination: Cases Shortly after receiving this news, FRAN (POLITO) ALGYA (BBA) www.kenwinans.com and his books pice, and now dedicates her time to ANNE (DEMETRIO) DOWNING who works with closely held busi- in Longmont, Colo., on Dec. 1, 2011, and Perspectives with USD Professor Mike turned his energy into fighting has been a business owner in Flag- are available on Amazon.com. making and teaching art from her (BA) lives in Phoenix, Ariz., with her nesses, partnerships and family with prior law partner, Rick Samson. Roy L. Brooks and George Washington for and prolonging his quality of life, staff, Ariz., for 14 years. She and her home studio in San Diego, where she three children: Jack, 12; Kate, 10; and enterprises to constructively harness The firm focuses on real estate, land University Professor Michael Selmi. and has taken on the challenge of husband own a dealership for small [1986] and her husband, Al, offer art retreats. George, 8. She is a senior partner at conflict through periods of transition. use, government regulation, estate searching for a cure through fund- construction equipment and trac- KEVIN HASKINS (JD) is an assis- Demetrio & Associates, a national and planning and probate matters, as well [1977] raising. In May 2010, Mike and his tors, as well as snow removal equip- tant district attorney with the PETER STAMATOPOULOS (BA) international recruitment and place- [1993] as entrepreneurial planning, beer law JOAN STEIDENGER (BA) was des- wife, Maureen (McKeon) ’81, along ment. They have three kids, ages 17, Orange County District Attorney’s was named commanding officer of the ment firm. “I enjoyed a great week- STACEY (BUCKLEY) BUNN (BA) and strategic business planning ser- ignated a certified consultant by the with friends and family, founded the 15 and 10. “My husband and I Office. He is a candidate for Orange Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet end of fine wine and dining in San and her husband, David, have been vices. One of Cyril’s appellate cases was Association for Applied Sport Psy- Team Godfather Charitable Founda- recently went on a jazz cruise to County Superior Court judge in the Logistics Center San Diego. The San Francisco with seven of my USD class- married for 13 years. They live in selected for publication in 2011, and chology in October 2011. Joan has tion. To date, Team Godfather has Alaska,” she writes. “The entertain- June election. Kevin’s campaign Diego center provides logistics, business mates this past September,” she says. Monterey County, Calif., and have he is scheduled to return to the Colora- taught sport psychology at the Uni- donated more than $250,000 to ALS ment was unbelievable!” website is www.haskinsforjudge.com. and support services to fleet, shore and four children, ranging in age from do Court of Appeals in 2012 to defend versity of California, Berkeley, Exten- research. The organization can be industrial commands of the Navy, Coast LORI (WUYCHECK) VENERDI 20 months to 11 years old. Stacey municipal regulation of oil and gas sion Program and the Western States found online at www.teamgodfa- TERESA BURRELL (JD) has had JANINE MASON (BA, MA ’11) is Guard and Military Sealift Command, as (BA) and her husband, Bo ’90, have home-schools the children and works activities. He also authors a brewing 100 Mile Race training camp, and ther.org and on Facebook. three legal suspense mystery novels executive director of The Fieldstone well as other joint and allied forces. been married for 20 years and they part time in the family’s pie bakery. column called “Pondering the Pint.”

34 USD MAGAZINE [reunion reminder] SUMMER 2012 35 Starlight Theatre — Padilla dis- [1995] surprises. While I still work as a life/ Daniel, on May 27, 2011. Jennifer, covered he liked performing. He WENDY S. DUNLAP (MS) moved parent coach, last year I made a big her husband, Paul, and the kids enjoy living in Austin, Texas, and visit USD moved on to jazz dance classes to Alaska in January 1998 to work on decision to scale back my private her PhD through the University of practice to go into business with my and the beach when they can. at age 11 and finally ventured Alaska, Fairbanks. While in Alaska, she husband of 23 years.” Dan has been in into ballet at age 14, at the insis- worked with the Alaska Department real estate for 25 years and they are GIANNA RAVENSCROFT (BA) tence of his jazz instructor. of Fish and Game until July 2001. She now a team, helping people buy and and her husband, Mike, welcomed During Padilla’s senior year didn’t finish her PhD, but moved back sell real estate in San Diego County. their twin son and daughter, Zachary at the San Diego School of Cre- to Southern California and now works Their website is www.TeamNorthcutt. and Alexa, in March 2011. “When I’m ative and Performing Arts, the for the California Department of Fish com. “We would enjoy hearing from not busy juggling two babies, I am a bank regulatory counsel at Wilmer- physicality of dance hooked and Game maintaining the commer- you,” Cathy says. “Peace!” cial passenger fishing vessel database. Hale in Washington, D.C., where I rep- him for good. Five, sometimes [1997] resent financial institutions of all sizes six days a week, he studied Rus- JOEL GONZALES (BA) is director CAILA (COUGHLIN) ANDERSON in strategic transactions and matters sian classical ballet at the San of admissions at the University of (BBA) lives in Valdosta, Ga., with pending before the federal banking Diego Academy of Ballet. California, San Francisco, School of her husband, Corey, and two sons. regulators,” she says. “While we love All through his college years, Pharmacy, the No. 1-ranked pharmacy She enjoys her time with Devin, 2, and the excitement that comes with liv- Padilla shuttled between the school in the country. Grant, 1, and is a public relations/social ing in our nation’s capitol, we also media freelancer in her spare time. dream of the day when we move lecture halls of Alcalá Park and TODD MORAN (BA) lives in Law- back to sunny San Diego.” the ballet studio in San Diego’s rence, Kan., and is a senior support JENNIFER (BAILEY) BOWHEY Kearney Mesa neighborhood. analyst at Johnson County Commu- (BA) and her husband, Steve, have [1999] As a freshman, fascinated by nity College. His responsibilities a daughter who recently began pre- KRISTINA BROWN (MA) was pro- the workings of the justice include providing computer support school. The family adopted two Ber- moted to associate professor at The system, he relished the idea of for classrooms and computer labs. nese mountain dogs, and Jennifer is School of Professional Psychology at using the law to help others, involved in church fundraising and Forest Institute. She is the director of yoga classes. the marriage and family therapy pro- perhaps as a public defender. CHRISTOPHER M. PARTA (BA) is in his third year of law school at grams at the institute, and has a part- But by sophomore year, he Lewis and Clark in Portland, Ore. MIRANDA (MAISON) LeKANDER time private practice as a licensed had reconsidered. His wife, Tiffany Tran-Parta, teaches (BA) and her husband, Dan ’88, marriage and family therapist. “I decided law school wasn’t middle school science. The couple’s were married on Nov. 13, 2010, in something I wanted to do,” 3-year-old son, Liam, keeps them Sacramento, Calif. Miranda is senior GEORGE EBERLING (MA) recently Padilla says. “I was starting to on their toes. corporations counsel for the Califor- published Chinese Energy Futures nia Department of Corporations and and Their Implications for the United TIM MANTOANI TIM realize I wanted to pursue phys- Dan is a real estate investor. States, which is available through ical endeavors. I thought, ‘I JENNIFER WILLIAMSON (BA) is an account executive for the Vitamix Lexington Books. “I like hard physical work, and can’t sit at a desk all day. Maybe [lithesome] Corp. “This year, I also started training GREG YOUNG (LLM) chaired an ballet is so physically demand- in 20 years, but not now.’” and competing as a bodybuilder, eminent panel on preparing arbitra- TRAMY “EVELYN” HUYNH (BA) ing,” he says. “And I like precision. He stuck with his degree something I’ve always wanted to do,” tion lawyers for a new generation married Joseph Levert on June 25, 2011. When I execute things correctly, program, though, postponing she says. “I compete in the figure divi- of bilateral agreements at New York it feels really good. For me it’s like the advanced dance training sion, which requires a high degree of City’s International Law Weekend the exhilaration you feel when he knew he needed until after muscularity, but not the huge size and conference. More than 1,000 academic and practicing international lawyers, GRACE IN MOTION your team wins the Super Bowl. graduation. His diploma secured, mass of those competing in the body- 2000s building division. I placed first at my regulatory lawyers and law students For Vincent Padilla, mere talent isn’t enough You’re pumped up on adrenaline; Padilla set out for New York to third show, and plan to continue train- attended the conference. Greg is [2000] by Sandra Millers Younger endorphins are shooting around; explore his options. An inten- ing and competing as long as I can!” co-chair of the American branch of SARAH (LANSER) DICE (BA) and t the barre, Vincent Padilla Off-stage, Padilla is equally USD. “One thing I learned from phi- you’re excited.” sive program with Ellison Ballet the International Law Association’s her husband, Jim, welcomed a son, doesn’t try to stand out. flexible, equally disciplined. losophy is if you want something Audiences catch that excitement at the Baryshnikov Arts Center [1996] Bilateral Investment Treaty and Joseph Raymond, on May 10, 2011. He’s just one guy in a Which explains how, at age 24, you don’t have now, you have to watching Padilla perform. Whether proved just the right prescrip- NATALIE A. (ABRAHAM) ALLAN Development Committee. “Big brother J.J. couldn’t be more A (BA) was married in 2001 at USD. proud,” says Sarah. huge rehearsal room full of men he’s already achieved what many do something different,” he says. portraying the prince levitating into tion to strengthen his skills and in black tights and torso-hugging covet — a career that combines Padilla’s personal credo, like an aerial split in “The Nutcracker,” a buoy his confidence. She is now living in Kansas and work- [1998] ing for PRA International. She has a JAMIE A. (MILLER) GONZALEZ AMALIA (RIVERA) LAWLESS T-shirts; women in dark leotards, multiple passions. his work, draws from disparate gritty street gangster in “West Side Padilla came home to San 6 ½-month-old daughter named (BA) has been working with the UC (BA) and her husband, Stephen, cele- pink tights and hair neatly coiled He dances with the California sources. He references Friedrich Story” or a strolling tap dancer at Diego and signed on with the Miranda. Her husband also graduated Sea Grant Extension Program in San brated their 11th wedding anniversary atop their heads. Ballet, a professional company Nietzsche’s emphasis on personal Legoland, Padilla throws everything California Ballet. At the same from USD with an MBA in finance, Diego on water pollution and inva- on Oct. 21, 2011. They were married at But there’s something different based in San Diego. He has taught choice, Dale Carnegie’s belief in he has into each role, and it shows. time, he began building a busi- though they didn’t meet at USD. sive species issues related to recre- The Immaculata. Their oldest daughter, about Padilla. It’s the way he holds at a top ballet academy, as well as self-development and a former He was only four when his ness through Legal Shield, an ational boats. She has been involved Emily, is 6 and loves school, soccer, read- himself, his slight frame straight San Diego City Park and Recreation ballet master’s mantra: “The only mother, herself a dancer and dance organization offering an HMO- JENNIFER (BARTA) KNOX (BBA) in research and outreach programs ing and playing with friends. They wel- comed their second daughter, Leah yet supple. It’s the chiseled cut of centers, where he got his start. And true talent is the ability to work.” instructor, took him to tap lessons like approach to legal services and her husband, Micah, are the to help boaters reduce bottom paint pastors at United NW Church in pollution, and prevent the hull trans- Kathryn, on Feb. 19, 2008. Leah, 3, is in his muscles, the perfect grace and he’s a budding businessman, an Dance, of course, requires all at the neighborhood rec center. “I and, Padilla hopes, a steady in- Auburn, Wash. They have four kids: port of invasive species. preschool and loves “playing with dolls, control each time he bends an independent consultant for a legal- three. Choosing to dance as a wasn’t super interested,” he admits. come to underwrite his ballet Faith, 13; Hope, 12; Grace, 11; and making us laugh, eating all kinds of arm, extends a leg, points a toe. services corporation. career is committing to a life of But five years later when the career as long as his body allows. their son, Justice, 10. JENNIFER (KOHNEN) KIRSCH foods and bugging her big sister. I’m still Every movement is both artistry Padilla ’10 found reason and will relentless practice and continual curtains opened on his first profes- And then? Padilla turns prag- (BA) says her daughter, Elisabeth, very happy staying home with my kids,” and athleticism, a practiced blend to pursue his eclectic lifestyle in the improvement. And that’s exactly sional appearance — in “The Mu- matic. “Then it will be time to CATHY (WESOLOWSKI) NORTH- now 4, became a big sister and wel- says Amalia. “They keep me on my toes. of precision and poetry. study of philosophy, his major at what Padilla loves about it. sic Man” at San Diego’s venerable tap. You can tap forever.” CUTT (BBA) writes, “Life is full of comed new baby brother, William Life’s never boring, that’s for sure!”

36 USD MAGAZINE [reunion reminder] SUMMER 2012 37 CELIA LOPEZ (BA, MA ’04) says the United States, El Tour de Tucson, a AUBREE (SPEAR) VALENTINO BONNIE ANN DOWD (EdD) was Eric live in Ladera Ranch, Calif., Lauren has sold more than $12 mil- Francisco office and is now the on- alumna Christy Soto, Briana started she is happy to be back home in San 109-mile race around the perimeter of (BBA) and her husband, Scott, named the new executive vice chan- where they are now enjoying all lion in property in the last two years. site community outreach specialist the San Diego Professional Chapter Diego after working for a year and a Tucson, Ariz. She is racing in honor of welcomed a second son, Carter cellor for business services by the San of the family-friendly activities. at the San Francisco Public Utilities of the National Association of Women half in Santa Barbara County. “I’m a teammate, Brittany Ross. James, on Nov. 20, 2011. Carter Diego Community College District’s NATALIE (GERKEN) PETERSEN Commission as they continue to MBAs. The website is www.nawmba. currently blessed to be working with joins big brother, Luke, who turned Board of Trustees. She brings 22 years COURTNEY (CRUMMEL) (BA) and her husband, Eric ’04, were rebuild the Hetch Hetchy Water Sys- org/sandiego. foster youth and spend my free time PAULA (CHAPMAN) ISHAM (BA) 2 in January 2012. of experience as a faculty member SUMMERS (BBA, MA ’04) and her married on Oct. 22, 2011, in San Diego. tem. Recently, Daniel contributed actively serving in my church com- writes, “I had a wonderful volunteer and administrator in California com- husband, Guy, welcomed a daughter, Eric is an electrical engineer for General an article to Water Environment [2006] munity,” Celia says. experience on behalf of USD in Mrs. [2003] munity colleges. Most recently, Bonnie McKinley Faye, on July 26, 2011. Atomics and Natalie is a human & Technology magazine highlighting EVAN BARNES (BA) was honored Hackett’s third-grade class in Roseville, ANN ABALOS-VENTURA (BBA) was vice president, finance and resources specialist with Booz Allen some of the social media outreach by the 2010 National Newspaper Pub- NICOLE MATTHEWS (MA) is the Calif. I shared about USD, showed them and her husband, Julius, were mar- administrative services, at Palomar KRISTEN (SCHULTZ) WRAY (BA) Hamilton. They have been in San Diego tactics he’s initiated to reach report- lishers Association Award for Best chief experience officer and owner photos of my personal experience, ried in September 2011. College. She is also the president-elect has been the alumni director at her since graduation and are looking for- ers, government officials and the Sports Page (third place), 2009 NNPA of The Henley Company, an experi- defined what a Torero is, and spoke of the California Community Colleges’ alma mater, La Salle High School ward to building their life together general public. He also has pro- Award for Best Sports Page and News ential event and lifestyle manage- about how important it is to go to col- ANNA (SMITHSON) BLANKEN- Association of Chief Business Officials in Pasadena, Calif., for nine years. there as a newly married couple. duced several YouTube videos on Story, and 2008 NNPA Award for Best ment company based in San Diego. lege and how to prepare. Their favorite HEIM (BA) and her husband, Mike, and assumes the presidency of the She also has her own business, behalf of the agency. News Story (third place). The company produces high-profile part was seeing my actual framed were married on Oct. 22, 2011. They state organization in 2012. Finer Details Wedding and Event DAVID ROSALES (BBA) and his events, creates unique experiences, diploma I brought with me! It was spe- honeymooned in St. Lucia and are Planning. Kristen is an active member wife, Kendra, welcomed their first CHERYL A. KURTZ (MS) is now MICHAEL BRUSSELBACK (JD) and manages the lives of busy exec- cial to share with a class of 8-year-olds now settled in Sutter Creek, Calif. JOHN DZIDA (BA) married Amanda of the Kiwanis Club of Pasadena, child, Amelie Pearl, on Sept. 28, a government employee of the was recognized as the Riverside County utives and their families. about my fantastic alma mater.” Huffman on Aug. 5, 2011, in San and a volunteer with Villa Esperanza 2011, in Newport Beach, Calif. Department of Defense. In 2004, she Prosecutor of the Year for 2010. KRISTIN (EDELHAUSER) CHESS- Juan Capistrano, Calif. John and Services in Pasadena and For Fami- was hired into the New Professional CHARLES SCHEIN (BBA) and GREGORY JACKSON (BA) MAN (BA) and her husband, Ryan, Amanda live in San Francisco. lies of Active Military in Yorba Lin- [2005] Program at Space and Naval Warfare JONATHAN HASKELL (BAcc) and Monica Escobedo ’00 were married finished a residency in veterinary welcomed their first child, Tyler, in da, Calif. Kristen and her husband, JENNIFER (HYDE) ATKINS (BA, Systems Center in San Diego as a Colleen Moore ’06 were married in in Founders Chapel in 2001 and now surgery in the Los Angeles area and November 2011. Kristin is a freelance LAURA JOHNCOX (BA) loves Andy, were married in October BA ’05) writes, “Brought the most marine ecologist. She now provides St. Louis, Mo., on Sept. 4, 2011. The have three sons, ages 3, 5 and 7. then returned to San Diego to take a writer and editor for various publica- making floral arrangements, gift 2009 and live in Yorba Linda. beautiful, amazing little girl into the technical and regulatory support to wedding party included fellow Tore- Charles is in the dental program at position as a staff surgeon at a local tions and websites. baskets and other craft projects world on Sept. 22, 2011.” Daughter SPAWAR, NAVSEA, and U.S. EPA sci- ros J.V. Abraham, D.J. Birnie, Jenny Loma Linda University. “The family specialty hospital. He also married his involving art. She also enjoys [2004] Avery Marina Atkins weighed 6 entists. Cheryl moved to Santee, (Yates) Cook, David Hunt, Patrick will soon follow and will reside in wife, Nicole, a veterinary technician. COLLEEN CLEARY-REED (BA) playing sports, running and yoga. PEDRO ANAYA (MA) was recently pounds, 9 ounces. Calif., in October 2004 and has two Mahoney and Holly (Wencel) Traut. Southern California for the next four Gregory is enjoying being a newlywed writes, “Wow, what a ride! Since gradua- Laura says, “My most recent personal appointed to the City of Chula Vista cats, Oscar and Sage. Jonathan and Colleen live in Denver. years,” Charles says. and reports that he is very happy to tion, I have been fortunate enough to achievement was finishing to Boston Planning Commission. HEATHER BROWN (BA) complet- be back near the USD community. land the job of my dreams and the best Marathon in 4:02:12. Thanks to my ed a master’s degree in teaching and JONATHAN BANNON MAHER LINDSAY (RHINE) PETERSEN JOHN SULLIVAN (BA) moved to husband in the world!” As a claims train- family and friends for their support!” TRAVIS BAYS (BA) welcomed learning with technology from Ash- (BBA) is a candidate for the United (BA) and her husband, Adam ’04, Texas and is a construction project man- GAIL NOLAN (BA) is a legal analyst er, she travels all over the country train- his new daughter with a creative ford University in May 2011. She also States Senate in New Jersey. recently purchased a home in Ran- ager. He has built two $100 million fed- with the State of California Depart- ing new and tenured employees for a ASHLEY KILLIN (BA) completed announcement: “On Feb. 12, 2011, was recently promoted to academic cho Peñasquitos, Calif. “We are eral courthouses. John has been mar- ment of Justice Bureau of Medi-Cal nationwide insurance company. In Sept- her pediatric dentistry residency in Bodhi Surf School hired its newest quality coordinator and now works in CHRISTINE (BURGER) PISTEK enjoying home improvement proj- ried for nine years and has two children. Fraud and Elder Abuse division. ember 2011, Colleen married her hus- July 2011 at the Riley Hospital for team member, Maya Paz. With 41 Academic Affairs at Ashford University. (BA) and her husband, Peter, wel- ects and making this new house band in Riviera Maya, Mexico, in a desti- Children in Indianapolis. She now weeks of surfing experience (in mom- comed their second daughter, Olivia into our home,” Lindsay says. [2001] [2002] nation wedding. “I definitely miss my practices at a pediatric dentistry my’s tummy), this new ripper is no joke. RHONDA (GIEFER) CURTISS Marie, on Aug. 31, 2011. TIMOTHY CLARK (BA) recently PEARL LY (BA) is currently pursu- times at USD and so wish to go back group practice in Colorado. She forms part of the Bodhi Surf Yoga (BA) and her husband, Ryan, were COURTNEY (BLOKLAND) began a tenure-track position in the ing a master’s degree in library and some day to further my education,” she Team as well, and has participated in married on April 26, 2008. Their son, SARITA (HAMMONS) PITONES ROBERTS (BA, MBA ’10) and Department of Chemistry and Bio- information science at UCLA. says. “Thank you USD for a wonderful JUANITA LEDESMA (MA) recently 700 hours of Vinyasa flow and deep Braydon Woodrow, was born on Feb. (BA) and her husband, Arturo, were her husband, Blake ’10, were married chemistry at USD after four years as education, without which I wouldn’t published Return and Succeed, Con- meditation, topping most yoga profes- 17, 2009, and their daughter, Briley Rae, married on Nov. 23, 2008. They live on Oct. 1, 2011, at The Immaculata. a faculty member at Western Wash- ANNE PETERSEN (BA) completed have this wonderful occupation. Also, tinue Your Education Now! The book is sors who have been teaching and prac- was born on Aug. 16, 2010. Rhonda is in El Cajon, Calif., and welcomed They live in the Bay Area, where ington University. Timothy and his a master’s degree in business continuity, thank you for starting my community filled with exercises, checklists, inspira- ticing for years. Talk about being the Learjet 85 Aircraft interiors buyer their first child, daughter Olivia Courtney is a marketing proposal wife, Nicole, have three daughters, security and risk management at Boston service endeavors, which I continue to tional stories and a wealth of resources advanced for her age! Full disclaimer … for Bombardier Learjet in Wichita, Kan. Guadalupe, on April 30, 2011. specialist for Grant Thornton, and ages 6, 2 and 8 months. University’s Metropolitan College in May do, both inside and outside of work!” to show step-by-step how to return to her proud father is writing all this hype, Blake works for Stryker Endoscopy. 2011. She is a member of the Junior an educational setting with awareness so tread lightly when you do the VICTOR DUMEIGE (BA) married JESSICA A. (MILBOURN) REED RACHEL DANJCZEK (BA) is a League of Las Vegas and was recently CANDACE COMER (BBA) is a cli- and a roadmap for success. research to validate the numbers!” Sonia Caballero ’05 in July 2011 in (BA) works in Carlsbad, Calif., at the [2007] dean at an independent college prepa- named a board member for the non- ent success manager at Promo Labs the south of France. “Sonia and I are 3E Company as an associate regulatory MELANIE (McFARLAND) ratory high school in Brentwood, Calif. profit Help of Southern Nevada. Anne is in Austin, Texas. Most recently, ERICA (SNOW) MIKULSKY (BA) YVETTE DE ANDA (BA, BA) currently living in New York with specialist. She also served as primary ALLRED (BA) and her husband, She continues to teach part time as a full-time newscast producer at KLAS- Candace was an account executive moved to Alabama, and she and her welcomed her first baby on April 22, our dog, Beau Gosse,” Victor says. technical contact for environmental Tyler, have been married for three well. “I am still in touch with my closest TV, the CBS News affiliate in Las Vegas. at Goldner Associates in Nashville. husband welcomed a baby girl in Febru- 2011. “We miss beautiful San Diego!” permits for all Home Depot stores. years and welcomed a daughter, friends from USD, recently meeting up Eventually, she hopes to integrate her “I wanted to move closer to my family ary 2011. “We are enjoying the South- Recently, Jessica accepted a job offer Penelope Joann, on Jan. 10, 2012. with Katie Giedt and Kristen Iacobelli,” professional experience with her new and was presented a great opportu- east!” she says. “Someday, we’ll return MEGAN DONOHUE (BA) graduat- ERIN GUNNING (BA) earned a in Maui, Hawaii, as an environmental Penelope weighed 8 pounds, she says. “I also had the privilege to interest in business continuity. nity to go work for a startup tech- to San Diego. We miss the beach!” ed from Maine Maritime Academy master’s degree in social work from specialist for Maui Electric Co. 1 ounce, and measured 18-1/2 inch- attend the wedding of Stephenie Petril- nology company in the promotional with a 200-ton mates license and a Colorado State University. Erin special- es. Melanie is the ministry assistant, la, who was such a beautiful bride!” JULIE SEIDENSTEIN (BA) is an industry,” she says. ANNIE SCHOTT (BA) made the 100-ton masters license. She currently izes in substance abuse counseling and KELSEY WEBSTER (BA) graduated discipleship, for Solana Beach Pres- attorney in the Charlotte, N.C., office switch to teaching first grade after works for SIO as a resident technician. early mental health therapy, and is the from New York Medical College byterian Church, where she manag- YGNACIO “NASH” FLORES (MA) of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, and BASIL CONSIDINE (BA) worked six years of teaching kindergarten. alumni volunteer coordinator at USD. in May 2011 with dual degrees of es more than 70 Bible study small retired from the Navy after serving was named a 2011 Woman Extraordi- for USD for one year, and is now LAUREN LOMBARDI (BBA) is a MD and a master’s in public health. groups and the women’s ministry. for 27 years and went on to com- naire by Business Leader magazine. studying music and theology at ERIN (BETTINGEN) SORENSON real estate agent at Billionaires Row EMILY HOIST (BA) married Kenny Kelsey has started her residency She continues to be involved with plete an EdD at the University of Julie is in her firm’s banking and Boston University. (BA) and her husband, Eric ’01, wel- in La Jolla, Calif., specializing in the Oliver in San Diego on Oct. 1, 2011. training in obstetrics and gynecology Alpha Chi Omega at USD as the Southern California. Recently, he was finance group, and she focuses her comed their first child, Tristan Joel, UTC area of La Jolla, as well as the Emily works at a financial planning firm at the University of Colorado. raternity relations advisor and volun- named the dean of public safety at practice on commercial real estate AMIE (GARCIA) CORT (BBA) and on July 9, 2011. He weighed 7 coastal communities of San Diego. in San Diego and Kenny is in human teers with Greek InterVarsity at USD. Rio Hondo College in Whittier, Calif. and structured finance. She is active in her husband, Ryan, welcomed their pounds and was 20 inches long at Prior to becoming an agent, Lauren resources at a local high-tech company. BRIANA (RONHAAR) WEISING- CREW Charlotte, the Charlotte Wom- first child, Paul Alan, on Sept. 10, birth. “He is such a good little baby was executive manager of Billionaires ER (MA) reports that she has two SARAH (CHILDRESS) GRAY (BA) LISA HILL (BA) is training to ride en’s Bar and the Mecklenburg County 2011. The family lives in Dublin, boy,” Erin says. “We love seeing him Row for four years. As one of the DANIEL JAIMES (BA) helped wonderful children, Shira, 3, and Ari, 1, and her husband, Robert, were mar- in one of the premier cycling events in Bar Lunch With a Lawyer program. Calif., with their two dogs. smile at us each morning!” Erin and company’s top-producing agents, open the Katz & Associates San and also earned an MBA. With fellow ried on Sept. 10, 2011. “It was an

38 USD MAGAZINE [reunion reminder] SUMMER 2012 39 From the Hear

domestic violence that spanned pect to wind up practicing law. incredible day with all of our friends were married on July 9, 2011, in ROBERT WATKINS (JD) and his 20 years with Brown,” Ruiz recalls. But while serving as a law clerk and family, and especially my USD Spokane, Wash. They live in Seattle. wife, Shauna (Boehm) ’09, celebrat- But it’s not always easy to con- for the attorney general’s office Gamma Phi Beta sisters. We abso- ed their third wedding anniversary lutely rocked the dance floor!” says [2008] in December 2011. vince people to testify: “No victim during the summer of 1999, she Sarah. The newlyweds live in New- JAMES ALDO (BBA) and Lindsay wants to go to court and tell their was reading transcripts and had port Beach, Calif. McGowan ’08 were married on Sept. [2009] story. They don’t want to see the an epiphany: “I’d rather be in the 17, 2011. ELIZABETH (HACHMANN) defendant; they don’t want to courtroom.” ERIC LOREY (BAcc) was recently CONDAS (BBA) and her husband, relive what happened. But when She got her way: for the past promoted to enterprise controller KAITLIN GOWAN (BA) is a doc- Russ ’10, were married recently. “We it’s all over, victims feel really 12 years — much of it in San of Technetics-Burbank, an engi- toral student in literature at Arizo- met at USD and loved every second empowered, because they’ve been Diego’s South Bay felony unit, neered-products company serving na State University. She received of it!” Elizabeth says. “We miss San the aerospace market. He is also her master’s degree from ASU in Diego … but maybe we’ll be back in able to stand up to their abuser.” as well as serving rotations in the taking courses in an MBA program the spring of 2011. In addition to the future! Right now, we’re living When she handles high-profile gang unit (“very intense”) and at Woodbury University while liv- teaching first-year composition at in .” cases like that of Brown, and more the central pre-trial and disposi- ing in nearby Pasadena, Calif. ASU as part of her teaching asso- recently, David Ditto, who was con- tion unit — and she doesn’t ciateship, Kaitlin is an adjunct fac- ANNA LEYRER (BA) received an victed of the first-degree murder of regret a thing. JENNIFER MILOSCH (BA) is a ulty member teaching composi- award at the Fourth Annual La Man- his wife in October 2011, there’s lit- “I had the luxury of choosing fifth-year PhD candidate in econom- tion at a local community college. cha Awards ceremony, which was held Kaitlin says the great English liter- tle time for anything else. “There’s this work because I had a full ics at the University of California, on Oct. 20, 2011, at USD’s Joan B. Kroc Santa Barbara. She plans to finish ature foundation she received at Institute for Peace & Justice. Anna was nothing fun about a big trial until scholarship to law school,” Ruiz her degree in the spring of 2013 USD helped get her to where she honored for her outstanding volun- you’re done,” she says with a hint of says with candor. “I didn’t have with a research emphasis on family is today. “Go Toreros!” she says. teer service through Casa Cornelia a sigh, before brightening. “When a lot of student loans to repay. ” economics. She is involved in USD’s Law Center’s volunteer program. you look back on the whole experi- But perhaps most important new Central Coast Alumni Chapter. REBECCA HAMES (MA) was pro- ence, it’s exhilarating. But when to her is that her principles are moted to assistant director of the LAUREN McDONOUGH (MA) you’re in it, it’s all-consuming.” never at risk of compromise; MELANIE MINO (BA) graduated UCSD California State Summer graduated from Harvard University’s School for Mathematics and Sci- Ruiz grew up in Maryland, near prosecutors are duty-bound from the University of Texas at Aus- language and literacy graduate pro- tin in 2009 with a master of science ence (COSMOS), a month-long gram in May 2011 and is now a liter- Washington, D.C. Her mother’s to only pursue cases that they degree in social work and is now a summer academic enrichment acy specialist in a public elementary family hails from Georgetown, believe in. “I’m always wearing medical social worker in a hospital program for talented high school school just outside of Boston. going back four generations. the white hat,” she says. “If we critical care unit in Chicago. students who are interested in Her Colombia-born father came don’t believe in a case beyond a science, technology, engineering BRITTANY (WHITE) STRUCK to the U.S. as a student; neither reasonable doubt, we dismiss it.” MEGAN MORTENSEN (BA) grad- and/or math. She manages pro- (BA) completed graduate school parent earned a college degree. While the work is grueling uated from Emory University in May gram operations, supervises the at the University of Rhode Island But Ruiz was driven. After earn- by any standard — especially 2011 with a doctorate in physical thera- student selection process, trains with a master’s degree in marine py. She is now in a pilates-based physi- high school teacher fellows, coor- affairs. She then married her hus- ing a BA in international relations cases dealing with children — cal therapy residency in Durham, N.C. dinates curriculum with university band, Kenneth, in and they from American University, she she takes pride in the positive faculty, and trains residential and moved to Long Beach, Calif., where ultimately hoped to become a dip- impact her efforts have for ALEXANDRA SMITH (BA) went graduate assistants. Rebecca also Brittany works for the National lomat, however, fate intervened: the whole community. “If you on her ultimate dream vacation to facilitates an annual UCSD summer Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- While working as a lobbyist, she can help a child, and there is Egypt in December 2010. The three- program “best practices” day-long tration. As a natural resource man- week trip covered every major city conference. agement specialist, she works on FRED GREAVES FRED came to San Diego for the Republi- a good outcome or conviction, can National Convention as part of it’s just more valuable in com- in Egypt, a Nile cruise, a camel ride endangered species, specifically the and a hike up Mount Sinai with a THOMAS BLAKE HIGGINS (BA) Southern California steelhead trout. (JD) is immersed in. A prosecutor Elizabeth Dole’s gender gap team. parison to other kinds of cases,” [integrity] guide named Moses. Back at home, is enrolled as a first-year dental for the County of San Diego’s Fami- The city captured her heart. Ruiz explains. Alex is the president of the new Cen- student at the University of Col- SHAUNA WATKINS (JD) and her ly Protection Division, Ruiz handles “That was a tremendous week,” As busy as her caseload keeps tral Coast Alumni Chapter for USD. orado Denver School of Dental husband, Robert ’08, were married cases that are — as the intro to a she recalls. “I thought, ‘I could go her, she still makes time to share Medicine. Before enrolling at CU, and moved to Washington, D.C. BURDEN OF PROOF popular TV show says — “especially to law school out here. I could live her expertise where it’s most MICHELLE (LEIBRAND) WAHLIN he participated in two medical/ They are both attorneys, practicing Claudine Ruiz is making the San Diego heinous.” Child abuse. Felony in San Diego.’” She applied to USD needed. “I go to Mexico period- (BA) writes, “Graduate school can dental mission trips to Honduras administrative law for the United be a very long haul, but I’m happy States Department of Veterans domestic violence. Elder abuse. without even seeing the campus. ically to train prosecutors, be- with Cure International to pro- to say the end is in sight! I am offi- vide free care for patients in un- Affairs. “We are definitely enjoying community safer, one bad guy at a time “Those are our special victims,” “My goal was just to get my cause they’re switching over their cially a PhD candidate and am derserved communities in that the area of law and the East Coast by Julene Snyder she explains. “Our office feels law degree, because all the inter- criminal justice system. That al- working on my thesis research right country. Blake says he is happy adventures,” Shauna writes. he line of people waiting to sharp contrast to the controlled that those particular victims — esting jobs in D.C. go to lawyers.” lows me to be active internation- now. Just another few thousand to be back home in Colorado and go though security before chaos alongside them. children, the elderly and people When she got a letter that ally and feel like I’m giving back.” hours in the lab and 100+ pages of hopes to get in a little skiing in [2010] entering the San Diego Inside is a culture all its own. in domestic violence situations — she’d not only been accepted but It’s a juggling act, but one dissertation writing, and I will get his hometown of Vail this winter. JAMES BLACKFORD (BA) was T to add a few letters to my name promoted to account executive after Central Courthouse stretches for Attorneys confer with clients on need additional attention been named a Dean’s Outstand- at which she’s become adept. (and hopefully a real job to my reaching the rank of assistant man- half a block. Women with worried wooden benches, oblivious to uni- and resources.” ing Scholar, which typically goes “I can only do one thing at a JAMIE (BUFKIN) HOVERSEN résumé). My work is on understand- (BA) and her husband, William, ager in the management trainee faces juggle squirming toddlers formed officers escorting prisoners The first-degree murder convic- to students who have their pick time,” she shrugs. “When you’re ing and characterizing the metabo- were married in Dar es Salaam, program at Enterprise Holdings. alongside badged jurors anxiously in orange jumpsuits past them. tion of serial spousal abuser Larry of the top schools in the country, in a big trial, you just have to get lism and toxicity of a breast cancer Tanzania, in December 2010. checking their watches. Lawyers The tension is as palpable as the W. Brown in 2010 epitomizes what she was thrilled. “I flew out to see it done. When you’ve invested drug called lapatinib (Tykerb).” MICHELLE DOMINGUEZ (BA) and employees enter through an clanking of shackles. her work is all about. “My office the school and fell in love with it.” so much of yourself and your ITHA KARASINTH (BA) is a is a student in the master of arts in adjacent separate door; their crisp This is the world that Deputy found six prior girlfriends and She reveled in her studies even time and energy into a case, you BETH (MACHTOLF) WINTER medical student at Touro University medical science program at Boston suits and neatly organized files in District Attorney Claudine Ruiz ’00 ex-wives who had horrible though she didn’t necessarily ex- can’t take half measures.” (BAcc) and her husband, Aaron ’06, Nevada. University School of Medicine. “Even

40 USD MAGAZINE [reunion reminder] SUMMER 2012 41 though BU does not have blue as ond year of a joint degree program Lindsey and Trevor live in Encinitas, May 29, 2011. She was 87. Before one of their colors, I continue the (JD and master’s in philosophy) at Calif. Since graduating, Lindsey joining USD, Irene had a distin- Blue Friday tradition here in Boston!” Boston University. resumed a part-time role oversee- guished career in the Army Nurse Michelle says. ing the training and marketing for Corps, as director of nursing at the VINCENT PADILLA (BA) is a pro- Heart Haven OutReach (H2O), a District of Columbia Tuberculosis SARAH HEALY (BA) has lived in fessional ballet dancer and a busi- nonprofit she founded in her home- Hospital, as a faculty member at Shanghai and Changzhou in the Peo- ness owner. “It seemed only natural town of Bolingbrook, Ill., in 2004. New York University and as dean of ple’s Republic of China, interned at a to go into business after completing The website for the organization is Boston University School of Nursing. World Trade Center and management my philosophy degree, and my www.HeartHavenOutReach.org. At USD, she established a rigorous consulting firm, and continued her dancing career is both a passion and Lindsey also helps Trevor with his curriculum of practice and research Congratulations study of Mandarin in China. Currently, a serious endeavor,” Vincent says. real estate business and she is to educate nurses to the highest Sarah lives in Shanghai. heavily involved with her church, standards. Securing a substantial gift KATHARINE TEMPLE PISCHEL The Movement, in San Marcos, Calif. from the Phillip Y. Hahn family and a RITA MAGLIOCCO (BAcc) writes, (BBA) and Zachary Shannon Wood federal grant, she broke ground for “I quit my job in public accounting ’10 were married on Oct. 10, 2010, ALEXA TIERNEY (BBA) was hired the Hahn School of Nursing and over the summer because I didn’t in Monterey, Calif. They met at USD as a business services assistant at Health Science. Her intellectual feel like I was reaching my person- as sophomores and now live in Red Door Interactive after a full-time vision remains the cornerstone of al potential. I chose stability over Loveland, Colo. paid summer internship. “First full- the school, which consistently pro- passion. If I had done that five time, non-intern position since grad- duces the profession’s leaders in sci- Class of 2012! years ago, I never would have end- [2011] uation!” she says. ence and practice. ed up at USD — the hands-down DEREK ABBEY (MA) is deputy greatest experience of my life. So, director at the U.S. Marine Corps’ KAYLA WITT (BA) is studying MICHAEL REX TATHAM ’01 (BA) I listened to that tiny voice inside Train the Trainer School. toward a master’s degree from the died on Oct. 12, 2011, as the result and quit my job, knowing that University of Portland and working as of a tragic motorcycle accident in everything would work out as it MICHAEL GREEN (JD) took the a third-grade teacher at St. John the Bali, Indonesia, while on R&R during GAINING HIGHER GROUND was supposed to. One month later, bar exam in July 2011 and has started Baptist Elementary in Draper, Utah. a deployment to Afghanistan. He I landed my dream job in television his legal career in Washington, D.C. was 33. At USD, Michael was active ONE TASSEL AT A TIME. production for the No. 1-rated day- on the crew team and instrumental time talk show with NBC Universal. MELANIE LUCAS-CONWELL (BA) in winning the men’s four-man USD taught me to think outside moved back to the Bay Area with In Memoriam national contest. He joined the the box, put faith in myself and her boyfriend and fellow Torero, Navy in 2002 and graduated from work hard to chase down any A.J. Griffin. She is an account coor- JAMES M. BURNS, former dean of the Basic Underwater Demolition/ dream. I challenge all of you to do dinator for Google’s AdMob the School of Business Administra- SEAL program in 2004. Assigned to the same: Live the life you dream!” account management team and tion, died of congestive heart fail- a West Coast SEAL team in 2005, he coaches her high school’s rowing ure on June 17, 2011, in San Diego. became a seasoned combat veteran ERNEST BONIFACE MAKULILO team. Melanie looks forward to He was 74. He joined USD in 1974, whose professionalism and dedica- (MA) and his wife, Marie, were mar- rowing in the USD Alumni 8 at the one of just seven faculty members tion to his unit, his teammates and ried at The Immaculata on May 1, San Diego Crew Classic in April. at the business school. Named dean his country were an inspiration to 2010. That same month, Ernest com- a year later, he helped bring the all. His long list of awards and deco- pleted his master’s degree in peace EMILY McMAHON (BBA) writes, school from 250 students to more rations include the Bronze Star with and justice studies at USD’s Joan B. “After starting my job search in than 1,300 in his first decade, and Combat Valor, two Good Conduct Kroc School of Peace Studies. The September of my senior year, I am full-time faculty from seven to 44. Medals, the National Defense Ser- wedding ceremony was officiated by thankful to have started as early as Under his leadership, the school vice Medal and four Navy-Marine Father Daniel Nganga from Kenya, I did, for it took a full year to find moved into a new home, Olin Hall, Corps Achievement Medals. Ernest’s peace and justice studies a position. Searching for a position with a $4.5 million grant from the classmate, and by Father Bill Headley, out of state posed an added difficulty, Olin Foundation. During his 22-year MARISSA LOPIANO TEYSSEN dean of the school. “Great memories,” and my advice to those looking to tenure as dean, Burns helped pro- ’79 (BA) died of leukemia on Nov. Ernest writes. “Now Marie and I are move to a new city after graduation mote international business and 20, 2011, in Munich, Germany, after blessed with our son, Benedikt Ful- is to start their job search early, links between USD and Mexico, a courageous three-year struggle. bright Makulilo, born on Feb. 10, reach out to alumni via LinkedIn China and other countries; he was She was 54. Marissa graduated 2011.” Ernest is from Tanzania, and is and be patient!” instrumental in obtaining the summa cum laude from USD, then founder and director of the Makulilo endowment that funded the Ahlers earned a doctor of medicine Scholarship Foundation, which helps SHANNA NASIRI (BBA) writes, Center for International Business; degree in 1983 from Tulane Univer- people in developing countries pur- “The company I work for just went and helping the business school sity, followed by a three-year resi- sue studies in North America and public! InvenSense is now trading attain accreditation. He stepped dency in internal medicine in Bos- Europe. He also is publishing a book on the NYSE! Such an exciting expe- down as dean in 1997 — but con- ton. As a physician, she instilled a on the same topic. rience to be a part of!” tinued teaching until 2006 — and sense of calm and reassurance in he received the rare distinction of her patients. She met and married CHARLOTTE MAY (BA) is a law LINDSEY (CLAAR) SMITH (MA) being named both a Professor a corporate attorney in Germany, student at the University of Califor- and her husband, Trevor, were mar- Emeritus and Dean Emeritus. and together they lovingly raised nia, Los Angeles, and expects to ried on Nov. 11, 2011, in a small four children in Europe. After fami- graduate in 2013. She plans to work sunset ceremony overlooking the IRENE MARY SABELBERG ly, her passions were cooking, trav- as a summer associate at Sheppard beach in Carlsbad, Calif. “It was PALMER, founding dean of the eling and entertaining. Mullin in Del Mar, Calif. magical!” Lindsey says. Trevor is a Hahn School of Nursing and Health ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL ALUMNI third-generation Realtor, born and Science, died peacefully at the DANIEL ZEIDMAN ’76 (JD) RYAN MULVEY (BA) is in the sec- raised in north San Diego County. Silverado San Diego Hospice on passed away in early February 2012. USD Torero Store on campus or online www.usdtorerostores.com.

42 USD MAGAZINE DOUBLE the DOLLARS DOUBLE the DIFFERENCE

The Mulvaney family is challenging the University of San Diego community to raise $400,000 for the USD Center for Community Service-Learning. A ONE-MONTH ASSIGNMENT in 1998 as a volunteer HIV-prevention In turn, the Mulvaneys will MATCH every dollar raised. $310,000 educator in Africa forever altered SOLES doctoral candidate Nathaniel Dunigan’s life path. He came home to the U.S., resigned from his job and leveraged nearly all of his worldly possessions in order to fund CHANGE MAKER Aidchild (www.aidchild.org), a nonprofit HIV/AIDS pediatric care organization that serves children and families in Uganda. Recently, Aidchild partnered with the San Diego-based Enlightened Hospitality Group — founded by Stingaree owner James Brennan ‘96 — to start a restaurant in Uganda. Read more about Dunigan’s endeavors and see We have until June 30, 2012 to complete the challenge!

CHANGEMAKER more of his photos, like the one above, at http://nathanieldunigan.com. Accept the challenge by visiting www.sandiego.edu/giving/mulvaney 44 USD MAGAZINE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS NON-PROFIT ORG. 5998 ALCALÁ PARK U.S. POSTAGE SAN DIEGO, CA 92110-2492 PAID SAN DIEGO, CA CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO. 365

[STUCK ON YOU] Extra, extra! Look inside the front cover for a special way to show your support for the University of San Diego.