St. Mary's University Gold & Blue | Fall/Winter 2002 by St. Mary's University

ST. MARY’S & Gold Blue

FALL/WINTER 2002

PRESIDENT Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D. (B.A. ’62, M.A. ’64) UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT VICE PRESIDENT Thomas B. Galvin UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dianne Pipes EXECUTIVE EDITOR Candace J. Kuebker (B.A. ’78) ASSOCIATE EDITORS Anastasia Cisneros-Lunsford (B.A. ’92) Rob Leibold PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR Steve Weed PHOTOGRAPHY Melanie Rush Davis Morris Goen Tommy Hultgren Luis Nuño Briones CONTRIBUTORS Pat Abernathey University Communications Karen Persyn and Will Elliott (B.A. ’93) Advancement Services

One Camino Santa Maria San Antonio, Texas 78228-8575 www.stmarytx.edu

CONTENTS 2 News from Around the Grove

6 Can America Afford to Stand Silent? by Jeffrey F. Addicott

8 Merger Expected to Promote Society of Mary Goals by the Rev. John A. Leies, S.M., S.T.D.

9 Father Elizondo—Unifying the Faithful by Kathy Khattar Villarreal (B.A. ’89, M.A. ’96)

10 Warming to the Global Approach by Larry Hufford, Ph.D.

12 The Sesquicentennial—Picture It

14 Barrios Siblings Cookin’ Up Recipes for Success by Rob Leibold

15 Class Notes

24 Concerning Our Dear Friends by Robert B. O’Connor, Ph.D. and the Rev. John A. Leies, S.M. In Closing On the Covers On the front cover, from left, are Brother Terry O’Connor, S.M., Brother Bill McCarthy, S.M., the Rev. John A. Leies, S.M., and Brother Edward Loch, S.M., who reprised the roles of the original Marianist pioneers who arrived in San Antonio by stagecoach in 1852 to begin the educational enterprise that became St. Mary’s University and Central Catholic High School. On the back cover, St. Mary’s President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., and Central Catholic High School President, the Rev. Joseph Tarrillion, S.M., ride through the streets of downtown San Antonio atop an authentic circa-1800s stagecoach to re-enact that historic event.

From the Editor

mericans have been grappling with concerns about national security since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon 15 months ago. St. Mary’s law professor Jeff Addicott, an expert in international and national security, sees hope for the advancement of internationally recognized human rights through the cloud of fear and uncertainty that has enveloped our country and the world. At St. Mary’s, the graduate program in International Relations is committed to educating students in the interrelatedness of all countries and their peoples. Program director Larry Hufford, Ph.D., recruits students who want to be a part of the solution to the world’s complex problems. Learning from the program’s interdisciplinary approach, IR graduates are making a difference around the globe. History was made this past summer when four provinces of the Society of Mary merged into one, the Marianist Province of the United States of America. Most of us will remember the brothers and priests who taught us here were from the St. Louis Province. Now St. Mary’s University can benefit from Marianists of the former Cincinnati, Pacific and New York provinces. St. Mary’s University is coming to the end of a year of unparalleled celebration. From the spectacular gala that kicked off our Sesquicentennial last January, to the rededication of the University to Mary in September and the reenactment of Marianists arriving in San Antonio orchestrated in October, 2002 is a year all of us will remember. Many of you attended one or more of our anniversary events–thank you for your interest and support. Those of you unable to be with us in person may enjoy taking a look at the year in review on pages 12 and 13. Please remember that all of you are the building blocks of the University that stands strong and proud today. And during this busiest of holiday seasons, let’s take time to reflect on our blessings for we all have many. May the joy of the season remain with you and your family throughout the year. —Candace Kuebker

NEWS

FROM AROUND THE GROVE ■ Short Subjects

Dude, It’s a Dell

Law Students Continue Win Streak

Freshmen and juniors received new laptop

St. Mary’s law students have maintained their dominance in external advocacy competition by winning the Lone Star Classic National Invitation Mock Trial Tournament in November. St. Mary’s teams grabbed first and third places in a competition where students demonstrate their courtroom skills while acting out imaginary civil and criminal cases. Top honors went to the St. Mary’s team of Austin Poda, Andie Champagne, Craig Saucier and Leslie Massengale. Poda also was named the tournament’s best advocate. More than a dozen schools were represented, including teams from Stetson University, Tampa, Fla.; the University of Texas; Baylor University; the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.; the University of Houston; and Southern Methodist University. The competition was held in civil courtrooms at the Bexar County Courthouse. Local lawyers served as judges but did not know local students from others as teams were identified only by number.

Upgrades Bring More Flavor to Campus Dining A section of the dining room in the Diamondback Café has been renovated to make room for more selections and service. The area features an 18-foot salad bar, soup station, pizza/pasta station, Asian noodle bar and a mini convenience store. A second phase calls for enhanced outdoor café seating.

models this fall as St. Mary’s became the first undergraduate university in San Last spring, moot court teams from St. Mary’s won the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition and the Texas Young Lawyer Association Moot Court Competition. ■

Antonio to have a Dell University Honors program.

Charles Francis Welcomes New Tenants Newly renovated Charles Francis Hall reopened its doors this past summer. Tenants in the old residence hall include: technology/planning and institutional research; the Student Health Center; School of Humanities and Social Sciences dean’s offices; and faculty offices for several departments. Renovations also include classrooms with high-tech connectivity and art studios. The health center features examining rooms, a lab and doctors offices, and the building houses a conference room with hightech connections. ■

St. Mary’s Extends Reach of Distance Education

University Rekindles South America Connection St. Mary’s President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., and representatives from the faculty, admissions and advancement traveled to Chile and Peru in July to visit potential international students and parents, and to reconnect with alumni. Ruben Candia, Ph.D., languages department chairman, accompanied Cotrell to Chile where St. Mary’s formed a student exchange program with the Universidad Mayor in Santiago to complement the business

The distance education program in theology was expanded this past fall to graduate students in Austin, Waco and Bryan. The University is collaborating with the Austin Diocese to use distance learning to prepare lay leaders for various church ministries throughout the area. Classes are conducted through live, twoway video conferencing technology. President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., and University The Corpus Christi Diocese Advancement Vice President Tom Galvin chat with is continuing its partnership in several of the more than 160 Peruvian high school the satellite program for the students and parents who attended a St. Mary’s fifth consecutive year. ■ event in Lima.

school’s Southern Cone Program. Cotrell also attended gatherings in Lima with parents and potential students from high schools and Peruvian alumni. The trip highlights the University’s commitment to attract more international students and rekindle St. Mary’s relationship with South America. ■

St. Mary’s Sustains Critical Acclaim St. Mary’s continues to receive critical acclaim. For the ninth consecutive year, the University is ranked in the first tier among “America’s Best Colleges” in the West region, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2003 college guide. In the ranking system for top Universities–Master’s, which includes 572 schools, St. Mary’s is eighth for best value and moved up to 11th academically in the West region, which extends from Texas to Washington state. The national magazine bases its rankings on academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. ■

PPC Debates Education Successes, Shortcomings The Fall 2002 President’s Peace Commission presented a three-day program on “U.S. Education: Passing or Failing?” examining controversial issues in education such as standardized testing, textbook choices, school vouchers and bilingual education. Recent election research indicates that nine out of 10 Americans place education as their highest priority. The President’s Peace Commission is designed to stimulate and encourage debate. The Spring 2003 program will examine the role of the United States in the world today. ■

■ Newsmakers National Kudos for Bertrand Diane Gonzales Bertrand, writer-inresidence at St. Mary’s, captured two first-place prizes at the fourth annual Latino Literary Hall of Fame. Bertrand received Best Book honors for her young adult fiction novel “Trino’s Time,” and “Uncle Chente’s Picnic” was named best children’s picture book in the bilingual category. Both works are published by Arte Publico Press. Bertrand’s two new books also are finalists for the Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award. ■

Three Alumni Join Board David W. Biegler (B.S. ’68), Brother Richard Dix, S.M. (B.S. ’52), and Ray Rodriguez (B.B.A. ’74), have been elected to the St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees. Biegler, a longtime civic leader in Dallas, retired as vice chairman of TXU Corp. in December 2001, after serving as president and chief operating officer following TXU’s merger with Enserch Corp. in 1997. Dix, assistant for temporalities for the St. Louis-based Marianist Province of the United States, served as a St. Mary’s trustee from 1976 to 1984 and from 1992 to 2001. Rodriguez, immediate past president of St. Mary’s Alumni Association, is the principal in the Ray Rodriguez Insurance Agency in San Antonio. Biegler and Dix will serve two-year terms while Rodriguez’s term is for one year. ■

Today on NBC . . . It’s St. Mary’s! Veteran weatherman Willard Scott enthusiastically congratulates St. Mary’s University on its 150th anniversary during the Labor Day telecast of the “Today Show.” “When Blood and Tears United a Country: The Bombing of the American Embassy in Kenya” highlights the trauma and recovery of Douglas Sidialo, a Kenyan who lost his eyesight in the 1998 explosion. Akhahenda also explores Kenya’s political history, rife with ethnic divisions and uncertainty until the terrorist attack, when Kenyans responded with a spirit of national unity not seen since it sought independence from the United Kingdom in 1963. Akhahenda’s book is published by University Press of America Inc. Mongrain also has released his first book. In “The Systematic Thought of Von Balthasar: An Irenaean Retrieval,” the theology professor examines the internal logic of Balthasar, one of the most important theologians of the 20th century. The modern theologian, who died in 1988,

Professors’ First Books Chronicle Terrorism, 20th Century Theologian Examining the national unity Kenya experienced after the bombing of the American Embassy and studying Hans Urs von Balthasar’s modern Christian thought are explored, respectively, in new books by Communication Studies associate professor Elijah F. Akhahenda, Ph.D., and Theology assistant professor Kevin Mongrain, Ph.D.

Douglas Sidialo, left, injured in the U.S. Embassy bombing in Kenya in 1998, is highlighted in a new book written by Communication Studies associate professor Elijah Akhahenda, Ph.D., right.

during the 2002-2003 academic year. Nine full-tuition scholarships, a $5,000 law school scholarship, a $5,000 graduate school scholarship and 50 partial-tuition scholarships have been awarded to current St. Mary’s students. The St. Mary’s Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund, which exceeds $6 million, has assisted hundreds of students since its establishment in 1976. ■

Governor Makes Campaign Stop Gov. Rick Perry spoke with students Sept. 5 when he visited St. Mary’s University to tout his initiatives for higher education during a gubernatorial campaign stop. The governor addressed the importance of financial aid from the state such as the Toward Excellence, Access & Success (TEXAS) Grant program.

based his theological elements on the second century church father, Irenaeus of Lyons, France. “Balthasar” is published by the Catholic press Herder & Herder. ■

■ Good Deeds Livestock Exposition Introduces New Awards Ten freshmen each have received $10,000 four-year scholarships from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Inc. The awards were given to Bexar County students majoring in the biological sciences. The grant is a vital source of support and enhances the ability of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology to compete against larger public institutions for the best and brightest students. ■

Alumni Scholarships Top Quarter Million The St. Mary’s Alumni Association is providing $275,000 in scholarships for St. Mary’s students

Local School District Wins Scholarship Support

have come from the Roger L. and Laura D. Zeller Charitable Foundation; Board of Trustees Chairman John W. Dewey; and, together, trustees Jack and David W. Biegler and their brother, Walter. Ruben M. Escobedo, also a University trustee, has pledged $25,000 to the project, which will address changing campus needs while providing a safe and attractive environment for students and employees at St. Mary’s. ■

St. Mary’s will give $1,000 scholarships to every Harlandale Independent School District student who attends the University, matching awards given by the district through its education foundation. The program begins in the spring semester. Tangents Get New Home Since the Harlandale Foundation began in St. Mary’s University President Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., 1999, district officials presents the Rev. Joseph Tarrillion, S.M., president of Central have sought partnerships with local Catholic High School, with one of 50 Tangent Notebook colleges and computers, which previously were used in the St. Mary’s universities to raise its Laptop Project Initiative. The computers will be used to enhance 25 percent collegetechnology education for Central Catholic students. bound rate and raise awareness about higher education. More than 465 students Legislative Gathering have received foundation grants. ■

Planned

Beautification Fund-raising Drive Nears $1 Million The $5 million fundraising drive for “A New Gateway to Historic St. Mary’s” beautification project, launched this past summer, has raised close to $1 million. St. Mary’s Trustees Charles T. Barrett Jr. and Bill Greehey have made lead gifts of $350,000 and $200,000, respectively. Gifts of $100,000

The St. Mary’s University Legislative Delegation is looking for alumni who are working in the Texas Capitol in Austin during the legislative session. A January reception is being planned and invitations will be extended to all alumni so employed. Please contact Adriana Villafranca, St. Mary’s development officer, at avillafranca@stmarytx.edu, or the Office of Development at (210) 436-3146. Alumni also may register information online at www.stmarytx.edu. ■

Scholarship Named for Popular English Professor Sister Ann Semel, S.S.N.D., Ph.D., St. Mary’s English professor for more than 30 years, will celebrate her 50year jubilee as a School Sister of Notre Dame next spring, along with the 25year anniversary of the English Communication Arts program, which she designed. Semel, who was the first female faculty member in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences–and only the third on campus– continues to teach English courses. A scholarship in Semel’s name has been established to honor her. For more information, contact Ronan McAshan, St. Mary’s Advancement Services, (210) 436-3802, or rmcashan@stmarytx.edu. ■

■ Sports Corner Conference Title First for Soccer Women The St. Mary’s women’s soccer team won their first Heartland Conference championship, defeating conference archrival Incarnate Word 21. The Rattler men were conference runners-up for the second year in a row. The Rattler volleyball team, 19-14 overall and 5-4 in Heartland Conference play, finished the regular season with a win in Austin over St. Edward’s University. The team took third place in the Heartland Conference Tournament held in Austin Nov. 15 and 16. ■

Bill Greehey Arena Picked for Rotary Finals The Rotary Club of San Antonio picked St. Mary’s University as site of the first Lone Star Invitational boys and girls basketball championship finals on Dec. 7. The tournament attracted a field of

Gonzalez Named Distinguished Law Grad The St. Mary’s University Law Alumni Association honored U.S. Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez (J.D. ’72) as the 2002 Distinguished Law Graduate. Gonzalez is serving a second term as the U.S. representative from the 20th Congressional District of Texas, a seat previously held by his father, Henry B. Gonzalez (J.D. ’43).

64 teams–including 19 from San Antonio–and featured some of the finest, most sought-after high school athletes in the country. Opened in November 2000, the 3,500-seat, state-of-the-art Bill Greehey Arena in the St. Mary’s Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center, is San Antonio’s premier college basketball arena. ■

Rattlers Play Against Legendary Fielder Legend Ty Cobb (second row in white jersey) is surrounded

Have It Your Way St. Mary’s Annual Fund fall phon-a-thon student callers tell alumni they now can determine where their contributions to the University are used. To better serve the wishes

by ballplayers on the front steps at St. Louis College, circa 1910. The baseball team was undefeated that year except for an exhibition game played against Cobb’s Detroit Tigers. This photo was found by San Antonio ExpressNews columnist Cary

of St. Mary’s benefactors, gifts

Clack (B.A. ’85) at a

may be designated to one or

relative’s home.

more of the five schools. Also, donors may assign their gifts to campus beautification/grounds, scholarships, student services, athletics, academic support, or to the Louis J. Blume Academic Library.

Can America Afford to Stand Silent? by Jeffrey Addicott, Assistant Professor of Law

ince the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the world

has entered into a period fraught with uncertainty and yet, strangely, there shines a renewed hope for peace and the advancement of internationally recognized human rights. Although a chief characteristic of the war on terror is that the United States stands alone as the world’s only remaining superpower, this is not the central hope of the era. The central hope rests in the great promise of a world more fully based on governments who adhere to human rights and democratic values spelled out in the Charter of the United Nations. Unlike the Cold War era, the war on terror offers a chance to advance human rights and democracy in areas of the world heretofore untouched. Contrary to the voices of totalitarian despots such as Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, there is an intense global interest in securing the blessings of peace, prosperity and human rights that the West has so long enjoyed. The war on terror creates one of those rare moments in history where a window of opportunity opens for the world to make serious and lasting strides toward the ever-elusive goal of controlling aggressive warfare and improving respect for the normative values of human rights.

Promoting Human Rights If the international community, led by the United States, does not find ways to realistically promote and foster at least the most fundamental categories of human rights spelled out by treaty and custom, the terrorism exemplified by the Sept. 11 attacks on America is sure to be only a taste of things to come. In the short view, global terrorism will only meet its end because of the efforts and leadership of America. Battlefield victories alone will not bring a peace that can extend beyond a handful of years. Long-term periods of peace and stability require an attendant advance in institutionalizing the blessings of human rights values–the freedoms encapsulated in our own Bill of Rights and set out before the world

in the United Nations Charter. Assisting in the incorporation of human rights values into the institutional framework of, for example, a new Afghan government is not merely an end worthy unto itself. In the quest to avoid war and promote the full range of human rights, such efforts benefit not only the Afghan people, but create a society which can peacefully coexist with the whole of the world community. It appears fundamentally obvious that activities pursued by democracies are substantially better than the activities pursued by totalitarian regimes such as the Taliban in Afghanistan and those now in power in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya. While it has long been suspected that stable democracies firmly committed to human rights do not make war on each other, engage in terrorism, or abuse their own people, the empirical evidence now demonstrates this correlation. The debate on this point is over. American author Mark Twain once remarked that it was not enough to be on the right track, one also had to keep moving to avoid getting run over. Thus, the central question of how to defeat terrorism now becomes how best to quickly impress solid human rights values in other national entities. Most certainly, human rights values become solid and irreversible only through the development of institutions designed to promote them. Institutionalization must be the criterion. The United States must accept that it has an obligation to assist any country endeavoring to create governments grounded in basic human rights. Liberated nations in the war on terror will eagerly embrace the basic principles of liberal democracy and self-determination, but will need immediate assistance to implement an institutional framework to

accommodate their desires for the full range of human rights. Without meaningful assistance to translate the battle cry of human rights into an institutional framework, it is naive to assume that the democratic values and human rights will germinate, for example, in places such as the new Afghanistan. Aside from country specific issues, whether one concentrates on sectarian fragmentation or religious bias, the euphoric hope for instant world peace and greater human rights in the wake of the war on terror is presumptuous. The globe is a dangerous place. Indeed, the danger of global terrorism is far more pronounced than ever before. Dictators such as Saddam Hussein do not need sophisticated technology to deliver weapons of mass murder. The new breed of al-Qa’edastyled terrorists are the delivery system for weapons of mass murder. Due to the growth of terrorist activities throughout the world, it is virtually impossible to take a defensive posture against every potential attack.

U.S. Stands as Positive Model In short, the United States cannot afford to be indifferent to the moral values that are the true source of its global influence. Judged by any positive standard, be it in the field of human rights, self-determination, economic opportunity, or privacy related to property and person, the United States stands out as a positive model. But America’s most fundamental value does not reside in her military might or industrial complex. Those mighty pillars merely provide support for the United States’ most enduring commodity–human rights flourishing under a systemic respect for the rule of law. ■ Jeffrey Addicott, assistant professor of law, spent 20 years in the military serving as the Army Special Forces senior legal adviser and in numerous senior legal positions worldwide. His areas of expertise include human rights, health law, international law, comparative law and national security law. The article is a condensed excerpt from his new book, “Winning the War on Terror.”

Merger Expected to Promote Society of Mary Goals by the Rev. John A. Leies, S.M., S.T.D., Department of Theology Chairman and Director of the Center for Professional Ethics

Glodek

Fitz

Dwyer

Kenney

Dix

Lackner

New Times, New Leaders A new Provincial, chosen after extensive consultation with members of the four provinces, will lead the unified organization. He is Brother Stephen Glodek, most recently the New York Provincial. Assistant Provincial is the Rev. James Fitz, former Cincinnati Provincial. Selected to the new Provincial Council are: the Rev. Tim Dwyer, former St. Louis Provincial; the Rev. Tim Kenney of the Pacific Province; Brother Richard Dix, past treasurer of the St. Louis Province; and the Rev. Joseph Lackner of the Cincinnati Province. St. Louis has been picked to be central headquarters for the new province.

united Marianist Province of more than 600 members was created July 1, 2002, when four of the five American provinces of the Society of Mary merged to encompass institutions from the eastern seaboard to the Pacific Ocean, and even farther afield to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Hawaii, Korea, India, Kenya, Malawi and Ireland. Four Become One The newly formed province has three universities–St. Mary’s, the University of Dayton and Chaminade University of Honolulu–numerable high schools and parishes, several retreat houses, and sundry other ministries that can be found in places such as Bangladesh and the Czech Republic. On that historic day in July, after several years of study, discussion, interchange, meetings and assemblies, the four provinces–Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pacific and New York–merged into one, establishing the unified Marianist Province of the United States of America. Why Unify? The question: “Why was the merger effected?” is continually asked. The answer, put simply, is that the move will result in personnel savings, flexibility and energy. The number of Marianists in each province was declining because of the lack of vocations. Additionally, our membership is becoming increasingly older. According to our Rule of the Society of Mary, each province is led by an administration of at least four or five members. Merging into one cuts back on administrative personnel. Furthermore, the new arrangement

allows much greater flexibility in placing Marianists. With separate, individual provinces–whose own numbers may have been dwindling–men were not easily lent to other provinces. Also, there are hopes that creating a united province will stimulate renewed enthusiasm. New beginnings often have the power to generate vitality. The only American province not joining in the merger–at least for now–is the Province of Meribah, which consists of some 40 members in the New York City area. It was established separate from its mother Province of New York by a General Chapter of the Society of Mary because of deep differences concerning ministry and the role of the school apostolate. The Meribah Province wished to remain independent. A New Phase Begins The Marianists came to the United States in 1849, first to Cincinnati and Dayton, then to San Antonio in 1852. In 1855 an official, canonical American Province was created with headquarters in Ohio. But the Society rapidly grew and new provinces were started: St. Louis in 1908; the Pacific in 1948; New York in 1961; and Meribah in 1976. Now a new phase in the corporate life of Marianists in the United States is starting with the merging and uniting of provinces. The hopes and prayers of the members of the newly created Marianist Province of the United States of America are that the move will bring about fresh energy, greater administrative flexibility and, eventually, more religious vocations. ■

The Rev. Virgil Elizondo

Unifying the Faithful by Kathy Khattar Villarreal (B.A. ’89, M.A. ’96) Pousson for their challenging classes. Although Elizondo dabbled with the idea of becoming a doctor and consequently received a chemistry degree from St. Mary’s, his calling to the priesthood was much stronger. He was ordained in

“Any advancements in theology, at least in San Antonio, would not exist had it not been for institutions like St. Mary’s – one of the first to open its doors to women students and faculty, and today a leader in providing opportunities to Mexican-Americans.”

e’s one of San Antonio’s most recognized and respected theologians. And to many across the country, he’s known as “the father of U.S.-Latino Theology.” But meet him for the first time, and you will see a humble and a most unassuming man who will readily tell you his passion in life: to bring the rich Mexican-American traditions into the Mass and other aspects of the Church. “I believe deeply in the simple expression of faith by people,” says the Rev. Virgilio P. (Virgil) Elizondo (B.S. ’57), founding president of the MexicanAmerican Cultural Center and creator of Catholic Television of San Antonio. For 40 years, this local boy turned priest has been a strong voice in the American Catholic Church. His “Latino theology” speaks to all people, emphasizing that religion and ethnicity can and should be uniting factors in expressing faith. His work at San Fernando Cathedral, where he served as rector for 12 years, brought excitement and spirituality into celebrations, like the annual Mariachi Masses, the candlelight vigils, Las Posadas and the Good Friday Passion Play, all of which are still enjoyed today by overflowing congregations of people from all faiths.

1963. And as he began to serve in his ministries, Elizondo felt a vacuum in the Church. “The theology of the Church appeared to be separated from the lives and faiths of the people,” he says. “We seemed to ignore the beautiful Hispanic traditions, like home altars, processions and rosaries, through which many receive their faith.” Over the years, Elizondo has successfully brought to life these traditions. He believes the greatest challenge of the Catholic Church is also its greatest potential – to incorporate the multicultural gifts of all God’s children. And this priest, author, teacher, lecturer is up to the task, as he daily carries out his busy schedule of faith unification. ■

His message of maintaining cultural traditions has taken off. Just this fall, he received the prestigious 2002 Hispanic Heritage Foundation Award and was named one of Time magazine’s “Top 100 Innovators in Theology.” His numerous books, including “The Future of the Mestizo – Life Where Cultures Meet,” have attracted much attention, and students at the University of Notre Dame, where he instructs during the week, wait for months to enroll in his courses. The son of Mexican immigrants, Elizondo looks back with pride at his humble beginnings: his West Side home, his encouraging parents, his involvement in Christ the King Church and later, his experience at St. Mary’s University. “St. Mary’s was a time of self Awards/Accomplishments discovery for me,” he says. “The strong presence of the Marianists 1998-Present, St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees on campus changed my life. Being 1997, Johannes Quasten Award, Catholic University of America a witness to their dedication and 1997, Laetare Medal, University of Notre Dame devotion made me reflect more 1993, Humanitarian Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews deeply on my calling.” 1993, Mission Award, U.S. Conference of Mission Associations Elizondo can easily list a dozen 1992, Imagineer’s Award, National Mind-Science Foundation or so of his “favorite” Marianists. 1992, President’s Award, National Federation of Priests’ Councils He remembers Brother Herbert 1991, Ford Motor Co. Award Leies for his community 1989, St. Mary’s University Distinguished Alumnus Award involvement and the Rev. James 1987, Sadlier-Dinger Award, National Conference of Diocesan Directors Young and lay-professor Leon

Warming to the Global Approach by Larry Hufford, Ph.D., International Relations Graduate Program Director

More than 40 years ago, Ludwig Mai, Ph.D., a prophetic St. Mary’s University economics professor, created an interdisciplinary International Relations major, integrating history, international economics, international business, literature and political science into a program designed to enhance analytical and critical thinking skills.

he goal of combining these somewhat disparate disciplines was to discourage a onedimensional compartmentalized approach to the understanding of international relations. With the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the resultant political turmoil around the world, it has become apparent that critical global issues are best analyzed through an interdisciplinary approach. Other more recent conditions requiring this wider focus include the collapse of the Argentine economy, terrorism, international trade agreements, human rights, the continued proliferation of international narcotrafficking, development assistance, as well as the expansion of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. International Relations (IR) graduates gain an understanding of the interrelatedness of issues necessary for developing and analyzing programs and policy in the global arena. Four decades after Mai’s successful foray into cross-

departmental program development, the master’s degree program offers four areas of concentration: InterAmerican Studies, International Economic Studies, International Conflict Resolution and Security Policy. The curriculum attracts students who want to be a part of the solution

relations–careers in government and/or nongovernmental sectors, in addition to traditional private sector employment.

Learning from Practitioners

Students of the graduate IR program have benefited tremendously over the past decade by the presence and tutelage of two Diplomatsin-Residence: Ambassador The curriculum attracts students Eugene Scassa and Senior Foreign Service Officer John who want to be a part of the solution Salazar, both of whom have aroused increased interest in public and nongovernmental to the complex problems sectors. They have opened doors for internships with facing the world today. governmental agencies, invited more than 30 high-ranking to the complex problems facing the diplomats to speak at St. Mary’s, and world today. It is telling, then, that served as positive role models for over the past decade the number of students. graduates seeking employment in Practicality is fundamental to public service and nongovernmental students pursuing IR careers; sectors of the economy has increased therefore, as part of the program, we dramatically. utilize adjunct faculty to promote that Today, more than 100 students are practical approach to study. Those enrolled in the International Relations supplemental teachers have included: Graduate Program, which emphasizes Samuel T. Scott Jr., a senior foreign “applied” international service officer who spent his entire

career in developmental assistance work; retired U.S. Secret Service Agent Stephen Harrison, Ph.D., who is a former director of White House security and the security coordinator of the 1984 Olympics; Nina Stewart, a foreign service officer who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for counterintelligence and security countermeasures; and, Roger Spotswood, Ph.D., of the Defense Intelligence Agency, who, at the time of his retirement, was the agency’s senior substantive expert on China strategic assessments, military forces and future estimates.

Having active duty military in the graduate IR program, both on campus and at Fort Hood in Killeen, means some students complete and take courses online. Alumnus Samuel Shattuck is stationed in Saudi Arabia. Among current students, Christine Dunbar is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she is a Farsi linguist. Mark Van

Measuring Achievements

Weezondonk and Katherine Barber

What have been the results over the past nine years? Ten of our graduates have become foreign service officers. And, thanks to Scassa and Salazar, more than 40 IR students have completed internships within the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, and Agriculture, and with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency, in Washington, D.C., as well as in locales such as Croatia, Lithuania, Chile, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Belize, Mexico and Bangladesh. Two students have been recipients of the prestigious two-year Presidential Management Internship, working in the intelligence field at the Department of Defense. Four alumni of the joint J.D./M.A. (law and international relations) degree program have served or are serving in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Several dual JD/IR graduates work in the areas of human rights and immigration law.

are in Sarajevo and Kosovo,

Affecting the Nonprofit Sector Others illustrate the opportunities available in the nonprofit sector. Graduates of our program work with Women for Women International to develop programs in Colombia, Afghanistan and Pakistan; at PACT, to assist nongovernmental organizations in Mexico, Peru, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe; and with Chemonics in Washington, D.C., to launch and advance environmental initiatives. They also work at the Institute of Integrated Rural Development in Bangladesh and the Center for Justice in Maquiladores in San Antonio.

participant materials for readiness training exercises related to weapons of mass destruction.

respectively, and Ryan Bentley and Alvin Lewis are in South Korea. And, Carlo Niño, a young Marine officer, completed his final coursework for graduation while in combat in Afghanistan. Today, the Internet and the Armed Forces take the graduate IR program throughout the world.

Some travel the world as international trade analysts with the Department of Commerce. Others are employed with the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, which provides imagery intelligence and geospatial information to the Defense Department. One IR alumnus, a qualified arms control inspector, is a Russian-German linguist stationed in Germany working for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Several are with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency. The private sector offers opportunities for IR graduates as well. One is at Science Application International Corp. in a division that provides chemical, biological and nuclear material support to the Department of Defense. Part of her job requires that she write scenarios and

Preparing for the Global Arena In San Antonio, graduates are employed by the city, working in economic development and international affairs. A half dozen of our graduates have enrolled in doctoral programs at universities in Texas–Baylor, Texas Tech and Houston–and throughout the country–Old Dominion in Virginia, George Washington University in the nation’s capital, and the University of New Orleans in Louisiana. These alumni, however, represent only the tip of the iceberg. As our program expands, St. Mary’s will produce hundreds of graduates with an understanding of major cultural, economic, historical, political and social themes found in the global arena. Our emphasis on applied international relations also will supply them with the critical thinking and analytical skills needed for success in the public, nongovernmental and private sectors in the 21st century. Ludwig Mai’s legacy lives in the vision of international relations that he created and advanced long before most colleges and universities saw the importance of educating with a global view and understanding. ■

Larry Hufford, professor of political science and graduate director of the international relations program, has been at St. Mary’s since 1993. Hufford’s background includes stints as a VISTA volunteer and migrant ministry social worker. A popular political analyst in the local media, he earned his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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Barrios Siblings Cookin’ Up Recipes for Success by Rob Leibold, Associate Editor

oining a family-owned business can be a stressful proposition. The hours are long; the days are longer. The nuances of the customer dictate the outcome with no guarantee of success. Two St. Mary’s alums have made that transition work. It has taken them from a small downtown Mexican eatery originally housed in a former boat garage to national television show appearances, stellar reviews in national publications and a new cookbook. Along the way their restaurant—Los Barrios—has gained a following of

“It was nice being at a place where people cared about you. They embraced you just like you were family. St. Mary’s was the best move I ever made...” politicians, celebrities and people from all walks of life. Over the past two decades, siblings Diana Barrios Treviño (B.B.A. ’85) and Louie Barrios (B.B.A. ’ 82), have taken their mother’s restaurant to heights none had imagined. Louie credits much of the growth of the business to what he learned at St. Mary’s. “I’d work at the restaurant after classes. This is where I studied,” he says. “As a sophomore I took a marketing class. I passed out marketing surveys at the restaurant and used that information in class. Everything I learned in class I applied at the restaurant, immediately. I got an A on the project and increased revenues at the restaurant.” Adds Diana: “What we saw in class, we lived at the restaurant. The professors would use us as examples, which really helped it all make sense.” The two credit their mother, Viola, with getting the business started with a $3,000 loan and moving Los Barrios to

its present location in a former Dairy Queen on Blanco Road. They agree, too, that the business jelled when Louie implemented a business plan after earning his undergraduate degree that saw the business expand, literally, several times. And Diana’s public relations and marketing skills are taking the business to the next level, including the building of a second location slated to open next spring. “Los Barrios Family Cookbook,” published this past June by Random House, has given them a rare opportunity to expand the family business in unexpected ways. The cookbook came about after Diana was asked in 1999 to host a segment for a television network’s morning show on the River Walk with famed chef Emeril Lagasse. A publishing house editor saw that segment and contacted Barrios about the possibility of doing a Tex-Mex cookbook. “While my name is on it, it really was a total family effort,” Diana says, adding that in addition to the recipes, vignettes about events and people who have graced their lives and business over the years have been included.

“There are many St. Mary’s people reflected in the book. They are a big part of the stories,” Louie says, adding that on slow nights when the restaurant was just getting going, he would call his fraternity brothers. “Those guys would come down and fill the place,” he says, appreciative of the business and the camaraderie they provided. Louie says attending St. Mary’s was like coming home after an extended absence. He went to a Catholic grade school and then to public school and one year at a state college before settling at St. Mary’s. “It was nice being at a place where people cared about you. They embraced you just like you were family. St. Mary’s was the best move I ever made,” he says. While older sister, Teresa, attended Trinity University, Diana decided to follow her brother. “It seemed like a good place,” she says. “Louie taught me how to drive and how to study.” Now, the two of them are teaching each other how to turn a little family restaurant into a success story that goes beyond their wildest expectations. ■

Concerning Our Dear Friends by Robert B. O’Connor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology, and the Rev. John A. Leies, S.M., Theology Department Chairman

Editor’s Note: Bob O’Connor and the Rev. John A. Leies captured the many qualities of our dear friends, the Rev. J. Willis Langlinais, S.M., and Brother Ralph Thayer, S.M., who died Aug. 3, 2002, and Nov. 21, 2002, respectively.

hen we speak of the recently deceased, often we describe their lives by the roles they played throughout. I would like to share with you some of the roles through which Willis and I engaged each other for the past 37 years. Teacher . . . He worked us so hard in Moral Theology we began to think it was immoral. Colleague . . . We enjoyed countless meetings and committees ad nauseam. For the past decade I was his would-be tech adviser—“would be” because he always expressed more interest in learning about technology than he seemed to have time for. My boss . . . We always maintained a good, friendly–while not always agreeing– professional relationship. His boss . . . As chairman of the Theology Department, I pushed him to teach a course. Always semi-reluctant at the beginning due to his administrative workload, he was grateful at the end of the semester and never wanted special treatment because of his position. Fellow Ecumenist . . . Many Christians and Jews knew and loved Father Willis. I know some people for whom he was the only Catholic or priest they ever knew.

Confessor . . . Our jobs were clear in this role: I provided the sins, he mediated the forgiveness—always encouraging me to reduce his forgiveness workload. Valued Friend . . . He delighted in joketelling (and was especially fond of the priest-minister-rabbi stories in which the priest didn’t always come out ahead!); he was pleasantly cynical about the increasingly politically correct world in which we lived; and yet he was always upbeat. It was my honor to have known and loved Willis for the past 37 years. A Marianist monk to the core, he animated the lives of those around him, believing and living the doctrine that God-in-the-world is revealed or concealed by the actions of those who profess to believe in Him. The Rev. J. Willis Langlinais, S.M., enriched my life, the life of my family and the lives of countless others just by being himself. He will be missed. ■

here is on one hand a sadness that we experience – the end came so soon, so fast, so unexpectedly. And so soon after we lost Willis Langlinais and Bill Hamm. Brother Ralph Thayer, S.M., was always an interesting person, for he had done so many interesting things. His resume says he taught high school at McBride, Coyle, Victoria and Central Catholic. That he coached football, basketball, baseball – and even boxing. He had academic degrees in both history and library science. That he

learned how to fly. I lived with Ralph for 27 years. For me, his heart was set on three things: the study of history, St. Mary’s University and the Society of Mary. He taught history here at the University for 38 years and served as a member of the San Antonio Historical Society, the Texas Historical Association and the American Historical Association. Ralph retired from teaching and administration in 1992, but he did not sit back and rest on his laurels. Instead, he became the buyer for the community, took care of the community cars and was the community chauffeur. He also was the community barber. I don’t know where he learned the tonsorial arts, but he did. For years, every Monday, he faithfully would make himself available to cut hair. I will admit that in our community there are few, if any, full heads of hair left, but still with more than 40 people in the house, the job was not a small one. We shall miss Ralph. But we also rejoice for his life, his work, his friendship, the years we had with him. When we come to heaven, I think we shall find Ralph talking history with the pioneers and patriots of the past, conversing about airplanes with those who were pilots, talking to educators, engaged in conversation with his family and with all our Marianists, at the same time loving God with his full heart. Farewell, “Tiger” – we’ll meet again, in God’s good time. ■

In Closing

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