February 2021
Illuminate HIGHL IGHTS DEDICATED TO UNI VERSI T Y OF SAN DIEGO GR ANDPARENTS AND FAMIL IES
Message from Sister Virginia Rodee Dear families, How I wish we were welcoming you to our USD campus for Grandparents’ Weekend! Though that is not possible this year given the pandemic restrictions, please know that you are most welcome to visit any time. I always look forward to this weekend when I offer a tour of Founders Chapel to our grandparents and families. In viewing the chapel —— sometimes called “the hidden jewel of the university” —— the University of San Diego’s history naturally comes into the conversation. One of these is the philosophy of Mother Rosalie Hill. Many of you might already know that USD was founded by Bishop Charles F. Buddy, first bishop of San Diego, who invited Mother Rosalie Hill, a Religious of the Sacred Heart, to collaborate with him in this endeavor. Shortly after receiving the charter from the State of California in 1949, she began the construction of Founders Hall and Camino Hall. Her philosophy was a simple, yet profound one: that the university would be rooted in beauty, goodness and truth. Visitors to campus speak of its beauty —— a site overlooking Mission Valley and the Pacific Ocean with buildings constructed in a distinctive Spanish Renaissance style. This
was a deliberate choice on the part of Mother Hill. For her, beauty was a reflection of God, the source of all beauty. She spoke of the importance of learning in a place of beauty, where one was surrounded by a deeply spiritual reality. She was intent that students be immersed in the goodness found in faculty and staff who were dedicated to learning and committed to creating opportunities through which students could grow to their full potential. According to Mother Hill. truth, the raison d’être of the university was broad and deep. Truth, pervasive in every aspect of the university —— its academic disciplines and programs, student development opportunities and social dimensions —— had a part in the search for truth. Your children or grandchildren have chosen to attend USD. May they come to discover and experience the fullest meaning of beauty, goodness and truth during these significant years of their lives. When it is safe to do so, I invite you to join them on campus. We shall begin with Founders Chapel, a place that embodies beauty, goodness and truth —— the “hidden jewel of the university.” Warmly,
Virginia Rodee
Sister Virginia Rodee, RSCJ, ’57 (BA), ’74 (MA)
Message from the President Dear families, It was about this time last year that the
had the privilege of meeting so many of
world was just starting to take action against
our returning parents and grandparents
the global pandemic we came to know as
who actively share their time and talents to
COVID-19.
enhance our campus life.
Here at the University of San Diego, we were providing members of our campus
Even though the classroom experience is a bit different these days, our students are
community with nearly
still deeply engaged in their
constant updates, connecting
academic pursuits. They are
with our students who
combining their God-given
were studying abroad and
talents with what they’re
encouraging them to come
learning in class and using it to
home. We were also beginning
have an even greater impact
the process of transitioning
as they serve communities
to remote learning and taking
around the world.
stock of our immediate and
That is what the world so
extended family.
desperately needs now and in
If there’s one lesson we’ve
the days to come.
learned, it’s that there’s
One day soon, it will be safe
nothing more important than
enough for everyone to gather
family.
and for grandparents to return to
That’s what makes this year’s Grandparents’ Weekend so special. It
campus and to see the change, the progress and what’s on the horizon for
looks different. It feels different, but at its
the University of San Diego.
heart, it’s still time that we dedicate each
Until then, from the entire Torero family ——
year to celebrate the importance of family
stay safe, stay healthy and ... always cherish
and, specifically, the bonds we have with
family.
grandparents.
Sincerely,
Grandparents are the heart of family. The parents of our parents, they set the course for who we are, what we might become and what we hold most dear. This is the 17th anniversary of the Grandparents’ Weekend event, and I’ve
James T. Harris, DEd President
Student Spotlight A global pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn have only added to the challenges today’s young people are facing. But new USD graduates have responded with courage, resilience and success.
Chloe Zakhour ’20 (BA) Her father passed away unexpectedly less than two years ago; her mom had then joined the workforce, but was laid off when the pandemic took hold. To help support themselves, the family started a home baking business, using their 80-year-old grandmother’s recipes. Their Orange County neighbors and other customers quickly started snapping up their baked goods. Between May and December 2020, the business, dubbed Bright Bread Company, had sold hundreds of loaves of bread and banana bread. “We love being local; our goal is to make the business even bigger,” says Chloe, who earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies in December 2020. She’s used the social media skills she acquired during an internship with USD’s Digital Communications and Institutional Marketing department to promote the business, which has a robust presence on Instagram (#brightbreadco). The mission of the small, family-run business is to “spread joy through (the founder’s) oldest recipes: homemade bread made with only five ingredients.” The traditions of the company date back three generations, beginning with 80-yearold Mrs. Bright, the mother and grandmother of the women who make up the business. “My grandmother is all about clean ingredients,” says Chloe. Judging by the glowing reviews, they’ve hit the mark. And for those who believe one cannot live on bread alone? A wide variety of delicious, visually stunning charcuterie boards are also available. In a word? Yum. Read more at https://sites.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/2020/08/rising-to-the-challenge.
Student Spotlight Momo Bertrand ’19 (MA) Raised in Cameroon, in Central Africa, by a single mother who became widowed when he was small, Momo Bertrand recalls the ways his family banded together to create a better life. “Every holiday, we would go down to the basement and work in our home-based printing shop. My mom didn’t have any idle time. She told us, ‘If you really want to make it in life, work every moment you can.’” After graduating from the Catholic University Institute of Buea in Cameroon with a bachelor’s degree in management, Bertrand — who’s fluent in his native French as well as English — saw an opportunity and jumped on it. “I looked at emerging trends around the world and noticed Cameroon was lagging behind in terms of digital communications,” he says. “Even the biggest companies didn’t have a Facebook page.” So Momo opened his laptop and launched a digital marketing agency from his house. He subsequently worked with refugees and became determined to help people share the stories about Africa that we all too rarely hear. In 2016, he decided that a master’s degree in social innovation from USD’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies would give him the skills he needed to do just that. A full scholarship helped it happen. “It’s my life’s goal to train the next generation of Changemakers and storytellers, and ultimately, change the narrative of Africa,” he says. Read more at https://sites.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/2019/08/the-power-of-stories.
Student Spotlight Harmony Prado ’24 (BA) What does it feel like when anxiety, happiness and a sense of accomplishment happen all at once? Well, when the winner of the second Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) was revealed in late October of 2020, the above emotions expressed were in perfect Harmony. “I am so shocked, eternally grateful, I was feeling so many emotions when I won,” says 18-year-old first-year USD student Harmony Prado. “I saw my competitors and ... oh my gosh, I’m the youngest competitor. But I knew I had a strong community supporting me, an amazing mentor and everyone believed in me, so I believed in myself. But I still can’t believe I won first place!” Believe it. Prado’s idea, called Harmony’s Room, is a digital safe space and mental health and well-being platform offering emotional support services for youth. It earned the top scholarship prize of $15,000 from a pool of $45,000 generously provided by Ron and Alexis Fowler. She first thought of the concept when she was just 15. Clearly, being a teen herself and wanting to help others so they might not have to endure pain is evidence that Prado is wise beyond her years. “This is my purpose in life. I’m dedicated and determined. Winning this competition really validates my determination,” she says. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you have a passion and you’re rooted in that passion, you can go out and accomplish anything.” Read more at https://sites.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/2021/01/in-perfect-harmony-3.
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USD Grandparents Support Their Grandchildren —— and Yours It’s natural for grandparents to dote on their
if they can afford it. They were among the first
grandchildren.
to donate to a new Grandparents Endowed
When Pat Whalen shares updates about her
Scholarship Fund at USD and now urge other
granddaughters –– Erica, a current master’s student in the teaching
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UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROGRAM U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
program at USD and Holly
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BEST COLLEGE IN THE WEST BUSINSS INSIDER
support. Raised to respect the importance of education, Whalen has been pleased with what
’08 (BBA) –– there’s a
USD offers.
tremendous amount of pride,
“We love the passion the educators and the staff
especially when it comes
have for the students,” she says. “From the time
to knowing their education
when Holly first interviewed with them, we’ve
fuels the path to successful futures.
been impressed. This university is very in tune
Similarly, grandmother Esther Rodriguez is excited
with the students.”
when the conversation turns to her grandson,
Whalen, credited with
W. Taylor Cottle ’17 (BA), who was a double
giving USD officials the
major in biochemistry and music. The important
idea to host an annual
scientific research he’s doing –– first at USD and
event for grandparents
now as a PhD candidate in the Biochemistry,
of students in 2005,
Cellular and Molecular Biology program at Johns
hopes current
Hopkins University School of Medicine –– is
grandparents, as well
praiseworthy.
as grandparents of
“I will always be a goodwill ambassador for USD,”
alumni, will share her goal of supporting
Rodriguez says. “My grandson graduated with
students’ dreams.
honors. He’s in the fourth year of his doctorate now, and I’m so grateful for the education he
Rodriguez is already on board, noting that
received at USD. He was
Whalen’s determination and her message during
groomed for success while
a recent lunch meeting was persuasive.
at USD, and his mentor,
“Think of the value there is to help others,” says
Chemistry Professor Joe Provost, was wonderful.”
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grandparents to grow the fund with their own
But Whalen and Rodriguez
Rodriguez. “Even if it’s only $15 or $20 a year, that accumulates, and we can give students help who might be struggling to make it. We can
are grandparents who aren’t content to just
contact parents and ask if they’ll donate in the
dote; they have a broader vision. They’d like to
name of a grandmother or grandfather. It’s a
see other people’s grandchildren attain a USD
great opportunity to help.”
education, while spending less time worrying
The New Learning Commons and Copley Library Renovation Provide Innovative and Flexible Learning Spaces In more ways than one, the University of San
are learning. It couldn’t have happened at a
collaborative study spaces, classrooms and is
Diego has experienced a Renaissance.
more opportune time.
home to the Honors Program and USD’s Writing
Initially, it was due to an endeavor known
The renovated Copley Library provides places
Center.
as the Renaissance Plan, a plan to not just
for active learning, teaching, collaboration and
“As we work to manage physical distancing,
renovate some of the original and most
research, as well as spaces for classes, group
these extra classrooms and study spaces
cherished spaces on campus, but to also
projects, discussions, events and exhibits.
help us meet this new challenge,” says Chief
construct new buildings to enhance learning
“My hope is that the entire campus community
Operations Officer and Vice President of
and the overall student experience. A key phase of that plan was already in motion when COVID-19 hit, which included the renovation of Copley Library as well as the
will be awed by the new environment and
Operations Ky Snyder.
spaces we’ve created to support their studies,
“These teaching options will allow USD to open
their research and their quest for knowledge,” says Theresa S. Byrd, EdD, dean of Copley
in a careful and safe manner while continuing to provide a meaningful educational experience
construction of the Learning Commons, USD’s
Library.
newest academic building. Both buildings
Located adjacent to Copley Library is a new
“We all have a shared responsibility to prioritize
opened in the fall of 2020, and will transform
two-story, 36,000 square-foot building known
our commitments to health, safety and the
how professors are teaching and how students
as the Learning Commons, which features
well-being of our community.”
for our students,” adds Provost Gail F. Baker.
Faculty Spotlight
Working It Out —— Unsolved math problems subject of professor’s book Satyan Devadoss, PhD, Fletcher Jones chair and professor of mathematics Nobody is good at math, even math professors.
characters like Excalibur, the Knights of the Roundtable and Merlin, along with a narrator, Maryam, whose name was inspired by the first
That’s something that Satyan Devadoss wants you
female Fields medalist, Maryam Mirzakhani.
to embrace. “When people get disheartened and
“Merlin is sort of like MacGyver. Arthur, Guinevere
say ‘I’m really not good at math,’ I actually want
and the knights called him to solve problems and
to say, ‘I agree with you, you’re not good at math.
figure out puzzles nobody else can. Merlin keeps
But neither am I,’” says Devadoss.
a journal of problems that even he couldn’t solve.
He’s hoping to level the playing field in a book
This is a collection of those stories.”
he recently co-authored, titled Mage Merlin’s
Merlin and Maryam guide readers through the
Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries.
math problems, allowing them to see that stories are everywhere, including in
The richly illustrated, story-
and the arts deal with
there are math problems even
beautiful stories and beautiful
mathematicians can’t figure
images, but math is on the
out –– which doesn’t mean
about cold facts and formulas.
puzzles are accessible to
We want to change this, and
anyone with basic math skills,
bring these worlds together,”
and the book’s audience and older children, puzzle lovers and educators
Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries is
looking for ways to improve math education for
meant for just about anyone; the puzzles inspire
K-12 and beyond.
readers to collaborate, think outside the box and
“Mathematicians have been trying to crack some
just have fun.
of these problems for hundreds of years, but we
“This book is about you playing with these little
might be looking at it the wrong way,” he explains.
math pieces and building things no one has ever
“Maybe you –– as an artist, musician, political
built before,” says Devadoss.
scientist or plumber –– can think of a fresh
“It’s not about following the instructions, but
story of Camelot. Readers work alongside famous
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he says.
includes parents of junior high
with 16 unsolved math problems woven into the
MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS PRINCETON REVIEW
opposite end of the spectrum,
that people can’t try. The
Readers are transported back in time to play
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math. “We think humanities
driven volume shows that
approach.”
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going off road and having an adventure.” Learn more at sandiego.edu/magemerlin.
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Get to know your Torero lingo! Search and soak up these fun facts. 1. Torero: The USD mascot whose first name is Diego, sparks spirit across campus. He wears USD’s colors of blue and white. Translates to “bullfighter” in Spanish. 2. Knauss Center: USD’s new School of Business building, which will open in 2022. The full name is the Knauss Center for Business Education. 3. Immaculata: The most iconic building on campus, this parish is run by the Catholic Diocese of San Diego and is open to the surrounding communities. The Immaculata church is a prominent USD landmark and is featured in the USD logo. 4. Founders Chapel: Known as “the hidden jewel” of USD, it is the main chapel for university Masses, designed by Mother Rosalie Hill herself! 5. Copley Library: The main library on campus saw a complete renovation in 2020. Its full name is The Helen K. and James S. Copley Library. 6. Alcalá Park: The formal name of USD’s 180acre campus.
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7. SLP: Acronym for the Student Life Pavilion,
is home to USD’s nationally-accredited
the main dining location on campus and
Torero
SLP
programs including leadership, teaching
student life hub.
and counseling, both at graduate and
Knauss Center
Diego
Immaculata
Linda Vista
Founders Chapel
SOLES
Copley Library
Rosalie Hill
Alcalá Park
Bishop Buddy
8. Diego: The first name of USD’s beloved bullfighting mascot, Diego Torero. 9. Linda Vista: The campus is located in the beautiful community of Linda Vista in San Diego. 10. SOLES: Acronym for the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, which
undergraduate levels. 11. Rosalie Hill: A member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill was one of the founders of USD. 12. Bishop Buddy: The first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Charles Francis Buddy helped found the University of San Diego in 1949.
Love WE
OUR USD GRANDPARENTS!
OFFICE OF PARENT AND FAMILY RELATIONS 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110-2492 (619) 260-4808 www.sandiego.edu/parents