TOWER UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS MAGAZINE FALL 2010 our Fulbrightlegacy PRESIDENT’S COLUMN L ight up the tower, light up the world. f you happen to be driving down the highway in Dallas at night you might notice the Braniff Memorial Tower bathed in light on the horizon. Over the summer, new lights have been installed and for the first time since Reagan was president, our Tower shines out over the Dallas horizon. Our newly lit Tower is both a sign to the Dallas metroplex that we are here and a promise to all our alumni, parents, students, and friends that we are not going to beI content to blend into the skyline. The University of Dallas is different, and we are proud to be different. Our focus on Western civilization is unique and a source of great pride for all those who love the University. Western civilization is the origin of our culture and we believe it to be worthy of a singularly focused curriculum. It is a distinction which we proudly acknowledge poses certain limitations. In an age where more universities are trying to be everything to everyone, we have intentionally and unabashedly limited our subjects to those in which we have acknowledged expertise. We are deeply committed to our Catholic identity. Our Catholic identity is manifest- ed in our mission, vision, and values and is part of the everyday life of the campus. We publicly and consistently adhere to the Church’s encyclical on higher education, Ex corde ecclesiae. Our Core curriculum is becoming more and more unique. Not so many years ago a series of required classes in different disciplines was the standard for virtually every liberal arts university’s curriculum. Now, according to a recent study by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, the University of Dallas is one of only 16 schools in the nation with required classes in six subjects—literature, U.S. history, mathematics, science, economics, and a foreign language. Over and above what ACTA has included in their core curriculum, the University of Dallas also requires classes in five other fields—art, politics, philosophy, European history, and theology. Every quality university has a study abroad program. Again, the University of Dallas Rome Program is distinctively different. UD students go over to Rome as a cohort and take intellectually challenging Core classes on the Western tradition just kilo- meters away from Rome—the heart of the Roman Catholic Church and one of the centers of the classical world. This is what we mean when we say that we are a distinctive university. We are not eager to blend in—our singular distinction is our greatest asset. I believe with all my heart and soul that UD is indispensible to the world. If UD were not in existence, it would be necessary to invent a school like UD. The education that we provide is very important—it is essential. UD is a treasure. It deserves to be nurtured. Every alumni and current and former parent knows the special contribution the University of Dallas brings and, I hope, wants to ensure its continued viability. Our unique con- tribution should be celebrated and should shine as brightly as the Tower in the night. Thomas W. Keefe President of the University of Dallas 20 21 28 TOWER THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS MAGAZINE | FALL 2010 COVER Our Fulbright Legacy F EATURE Our Fulbright Legacy 4 13 16 30 31 UPDATES PHILANTHROPY FACULTY & STAFF STUDENTS ALUMNI Inauguration of Thomas Dr. Jill Peterson Animates Dr. Susan Hanssen Sigma Iota Epsilon Alumni Revisit Rome and W. Keefe as President Faith through Action Receives Garwood Provides Service to UD the Rome Experience Fellowship at Princeton and the Community University 33 34 IN MEMORIAM ATHLETICS A Day in the Life of a Student Athlete PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTORS Tower is published twice annually by The University of Dallas is commit- Amanda Rainey, Vice President, Kyle Blonde the Office of Advancement for the ted to providing equal educational Office of Advancement Ashley Casano University of Dallas community. opportunities without regard to race, Ryan Frey color, religion, sex, age, national or EDITOR Rebecca Jackson Office of Advancement ethnic origin, disability or veteran Jackie Sears ’67, Director, Heather Nelson ’10 1845 East Northgate Drive status. Alumni and Parent Relations Dani Schumer ’10 Irving, Texas 75062 Jackie Sears ’67 (972) 721-5134 © 2010 University of Dallas ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kim Ritzenthaler, Photos udallas.edu Rebecca Jackson, Director, Sara Rosenberg, Photos & Design Marketing and Communications “President Keefe has made positive changes and this is a great way to welcome him.” -Mariana Zayas, Junior The UNIVERSITY OF Dallas Celebrates the of Thomas W. Keefe as President he University of Dallas campus was very active “This is a great event, and on September 10 as more than 500 I’m very hopeful for the University.” guests arrived at the Church of the Incarnation to celebrate the installa- -Will Heath, Freshman Inaugurationtion of Thomas W. Keefe, J.D., as the University’s 8th president. The inau- “I’m really guralT ceremony took place during the excited about annual Mass of the Holy Spirit which our new was celebrated by the Most Reverend president. He Kevin J. Farrell, Diocese of Dallas and has a great the Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, vision for the Diocese of Fort Worth. Students, fac- school and will ulty, staff, alumni, University trustees, do a good job.” the Keefe family, and community -Jonathan Wolfe, leaders all gathered to enjoy what offi- Sophomore cially marked a new beginning for the University. Guests also enjoyed a post- TOP CENTER: President Keefe event reception on the University Mall. greets Madison Milliken, Danielle Schumer ’10, and other guests. TOP RIGHT: Bishop Farrell bless- es President Keefe. CENTER & BOTTOM: Student government leaders present President Keefe with 4 UPDATES a shield to complement his sword. As part of his inaugural address, President Keefe shared his vision with those in attendance. Keefe also encouraged students to use their liberal arts education to become responsible citizens and leaders. “The University of Dallas provides…a unique educational and formative experience,” he stated, “We have a mandate and an obligation to lead.” The vision, Keefe said, Stating continued confidence in the University, is to be recognized as Keefe ended by acknowledging its accomplish- ments and charged the UD Community to the most distinguished build upon its foundation. Catholic liberal arts To see video footage of the Inauguration, please visit university in the nation, udallas.edu/inauguration over the next five years. Inauguration TOP RIGHT: President Keefe greets Inauguration visitors. CENTER RIGHT: Keefe family. BOTTOM LEFT: President Keefe discusses the meaning of the sword to the University. BOTTOM RIGHT: The UD pin featuring the sword given at the Inauguration. UPDATES 5 UD One of the Best Schools in the Nation he University of Dallas was honored again this year by a number of organizations that closely study colleges and universities across the United States for their annual rankings. UD found itself consistently ranked in the top tiers among its peers and other schools across Texas. Princeton Review The Princeton Review named UD one of the country’s best institutions for undergraduate T education in the 2011 edition of its popular guidebook The Best 373 Colleges. UD was also among 120 colleges and universities included in the “Best of the West” list this year, one of 38 schools listed as a Great School for Biology Majors, and voted the #5 school in the Most Religious Students category. Forbes Forbes magazine named UD one of America’s Best Colleges in the annual rankings. UD was hon- ored with the #153 spot on the list of 610 schools. Additionally, UD was one of the top five schools in Texas among the 27 included in the rankings. U.S. News and World Report U.S. News named UD one of America’s Best Colleges in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges. The University ranked 15th out of 115 schools in the Western region and 2nd out of 32 schools in Texas included in the same region. UD was also recognized as one of 15 schools in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category for the West region and one of 16 schools in the region’s “A+ Schools for B Students” category. PARADE The University of Dallas was named to the PARADE College A-List in their survey comprised of feedback by high school counselors across the United States. The magazine recognized UD’s liberal arts program, and named the studio arts program as one of the top programs in the nation. American Council of Trustees and Alumni UD received an “A” in the second annual “What Will They Learn” college ratings announced by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, which bases its ratings on how many of seven specified core course requirements an institution requires in its curriculum. UD was one of only 16 schools in the nation that included six of those categories in their general requirements, and one of only three schools in Texas. Read more about these rankings at udallas.edu/aboutus/about/rankings. 6 UPDATES UD Recognized as Top School for Biology Majors his year the Princeton Review named the University of Dallas as one of 38 Great Schools for Biology Majors. And it’s not hard to see why. “It is an honor for the UD biology department to be listed among the top 38 programs,” said Dr. Marcy Brown-Marsden ’91, associate professor and chair of the biology department. “The biology program at the University of Dallas is so distinctive because we offer a strong Catholic liberal arts education with a strong science education together in the same program.