USD Grandparents' Weekend and Family Summit Innovate Booklet

February 2022

Innovate HIGHL IGHTS DEDICATED TO UNI VERSI T Y OF SAN DIEGO GR ANDPARENTS AND FAMIL IES

Message From the President Dear Families, As we move into the third year of life during a global pandemic, we’ve learned to be flexible. We’ve learned to adapt — to turn on a dime and to adjust as the world around us changes. We’ve leaned into innovation and learned to do things differently — oftentimes better than before. Most of all, we’ve learned the importance of family and cherishing every moment we’re able to share with those we hold dear.

This weekend, at its heart, is dedicated each year to celebrating the importance of family and, specifically, the bonds we have with grandparents. Grandparents are the heart of the family.

That’s what makes this year’s Grandparents’ Weekend and Family Summit so special. It may look different. It may feel different, but since it’s being held virtually, we hope it will allow more grandparents and families — including those from afar who otherwise might not have had the chance to travel to campus — to participate in everything we have to offer.

We hope you enjoy the 18th annual Grandparents’ Weekend and Family Summit. Our students are deeply engaged in their academic pursuits, combining their God-given talents with what they’re learning in class and using it to have an even greater impact as they serve communities around the world. That is what the world so desperately needs, both now and in the days to come.

We look forward to once again bringing grandparents and families to campus to see, firsthand, the great work of our students and to share in what’s on the horizon for the University of San Diego. Until then, from the entire Torero family — stay safe, stay healthy and always treasure those you’re lucky enough to call family.

Peace,

James T. Harris, DEd President

Welcome grandparents and families!

Though we are not able to meet in person this weekend, please know that you are most welcome to visit the campus. I always look forward to this special weekend, when I offer a tour of Founders Chapel. In viewing the chapel, sometimes called the hidden jewel of the university, USD’s history naturally comes into the

BE AUT Y 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.

conversation. One of the topics discussed is the beauty of the campus.

GOODNESS

Many of you might already know that USD was founded by Bishop

Though Mother Hill did not refer to goodness directly, she was intent

Charles F. Buddy, first bishop of San Diego, who invited Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, a Religious of the Sacred Heart, to collaborate with him in this endeavor. Shortly after receiving a charter from the State of California in 1949, she began the construction of Founders Hall and Camino Hall, the first two buildings on campus. Her philosophy was a simple, yet profound one — that the university would be rooted in

that students be immersed in goodness found in faculty and staff, who were dedicated to learning. In addition, they would endeavor to create opportunities through which students could grow to their full potential.

TRUTH According to Mother Hill, truth, the raison d’être of the university,

beauty, goodness and truth.

was broad and deep. Truth, pervasive in every aspect of the university

Your grandchildren and children have chosen to attend USD. May

opportunities and social outreach — all had a part in the search

they come to discover and experience during these significant years of their lives the fullest meaning of beauty, goodness and

— its academic disciplines and programs, student development

for truth.

truth. I invite you to also join them on campus. We shall begin with

Sincerely,

Founders Chapel, a place that embodies beauty, goodness and truth

Sister Virginia Rodee, RSCJ, ’57 (BA), ’74 (MA)

— the hidden jewel of the university!

Parent Advisory Board Chaplain

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Student Spotlight Mitch Flippo ’22 (BA) Mitch Flippo has crafted a career path doing what he loves: creating visual stories through video, photography and fashion. The USD senior — who’s produced music videos for rapper Macklemore, traveled on tour for producer and electronic dance music artist DJ Cesqeaux and filmed at music festivals and concerts in pre-pandemic times — describes himself as supercompetitive, although he comes across as soft-spoken and deliberate.

Drawn to things aquatic, the Seattle native knew as a teen that he wanted to attend college in Southern California. A trip to USD’s campus sealed the deal. “Once I visited, it was hard to get over the beauty of campus,” he says.

Although he doesn’t consider himself a social media influencer, a video that he made of himself and his friends simultaneously surfing and playing basketball went viral with millions of views when ESPN and other big athletic accounts promoted the video.

“A lot of the stuff we did was surfing and watersports, which got a lot of views and engagement,” he explains. “So I started a clothing brand that I’d been working on, which I dropped online. It ended up taking off overnight, which was supercool.”

“I don’t know what the new normal is,” he admits. “We have to take things day by day, but I think things are starting to settle down. I’m excited to see San Diego how it used to be.”

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Student Spotlight

An immigrant herself, Etleva grew up in

At USD, students are encouraged to use

Etleva Bejko ’19 (MA)

Albania and moved to the United States in

their talents to be engaged, compassionate

the 1990s after the fall of an authoritative

citizens who lead the charge for change.

Etleva Bejko — a graduate student earning

regime. As a young girl, she would have

Because of the crucial work of students

her MA in nonprofit management and

never dreamed of traveling to a foreign

like Etleva, Washington Monthly ranked USD

leadership at USD’s School of Leadership

country, much less the freedom to move

as fourth in the nation for promoting public

and Educational Studies — was recently

halfway around the world to the United

service in 2021. USD is also one of only 42

featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune for

States. “As often happens, it was the college

universities in the world to have earned the

her work helping displaced people fleeing

students leading the charge for change.

Ashoka U designation as a Changemaker

to the United States settle into their new

Once the government fell, it was my family’s

campus that empowers students to develop

American lives.

chance to escape to find a better life,

knowledge and experiences to confront

though we had to leave everything we knew

humanity’s most urgent challenges.

in our world behind.”

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Fowler Business Concept Challenge $15,000 Prize In the fall of 2021, the face coverings

Team EcoBreeze came away with the top

The Fowler Business Concept Challenge

attendees wore couldn’t muffle their cheers

prize of $15,000 in scholarships. Their idea

was created in 2019. It’s powered by the

for the winners of the third annual Fowler

for an environmentally friendly, low-cost

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Catalyzer

Business Concept Challenge. After 16

alternative to conventional air conditioning

at USD’s Knauss School of Business. USD

semifinalist teams spent the day pitching

was not only a hit with the judges but

President James T. Harris III summed up the

their innovative business concepts to

also with the audience — they received an

spirit of the student participants best in his

panels of judges from San Diego’s business

additional $1,000 Audience Choice Award for

opening remarks at the event. “Students,

community, each delivered their elevator

most engaging pitch.

you are daring greatly,” he said. “Thank you

pitch in front of a live audience at the award ceremony.

The EcoBreeze team included Kylie Rios ’22 (electrical engineering), Mary Hinek ’22

for having the courage to step up and be in the arena.”

The pitches ranged from high-tech ideas

(marketing), Meghan Pipitone ’22 (electrical

Learn more about the Fowler Business

like electric car charging stations, a social

engineering) and Colton Landaiche ’22

Concept Challenge at sandiego.edu/

network for families and a virtual learning

(integrated engineering). The team planned

business/centers-and-institutes/

assistant, to products like a pillow system

to have their first prototype completed by

entrepreneurship/fowler-business-concept-

that provides disabled or elderly people with

January of 2022.

challenge.php.

more mobility at home.

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USD Grandparents Support Their Grandchildren — and Yours It’s natural for grandparents to dote on their

They were among the first to donate to a

grandchildren. When Pat Whalen shares

new Grandparents Scholarship Fund at USD

updates about her granddaughters, Erica ’13

and they now urge other grandparents and

(BA), ’21 (MA) and Holly ’08 (BBA), there’s a

familes to grow the fund with their own

tremendous amount of pride, especially

support. In its first year, the fund raised

when it comes to knowing their education

approximately $20,000 and awarded its first

fuels their path to successful futures.

scholarship of $5,000 to a communication

Similarly, grandmother Esther Rodriguez is excited when the conversation turns to her

funds to finish and graduate.

Raised to respect the importance of

a double major in biochemistry and music.

education, Whalen has been pleased with

The important scientific research he’s

what USD offers. “From the time when Holly

doing — first at USD and now a fifth-year

first interviewed with them, we’ve been

PhD candidate in the Biochemistry, Cellular

impressed. This university is very in tune

and Molecular Biology program at Johns

with the students.”

he received the prestigious Career Impact Award — is praiseworthy. “I will always be a goodwill ambassador for USD,” Rodriguez says. “My grandson graduated with honors.

He’s in the fifth year of his doctorate now, and I’m so grateful for the education he received at USD. He was groomed for success while at USD, and his mentor, Chemistry Professor Joe Provost, was wonderful.”

Pat Whalen, credited with giving USD officials the idea to host an annual event for grandparents of students in 2005, hopes current grandparents, as well as grandparents of alumni, will share her goal of supporting students’ dreams.

Rodriguez is already on board, noting that Whalen’s determination and her message during a lunch meeting was persuasive.

“Think of the value there is to help others,”

But Whalen and Rodriguez are grandparents

says Rodriguez. “We can contact parents

who aren’t content to just dote; they

and ask if they’ll donate in the name of a

have a broader vision. They’d like to see

grandmother or grandfather. It’s a great

other people’s grandchildren attain a

opportunity to help.”

USD education, while spending less time worrying if they can afford it.

— Pat Whalen

studies major in his senior year needing the

grandson, W. Taylor Cottle ’17 (BA), who was

Hopkins University School of Medicine where

“ We love the passion the educators and the staff have for the students.”

To support the Grandparents Scholarship Fund, visit sandiego.edu/grandparentsfund.

“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.”

— Esther Rodriguez

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% CURRENTLY EMPLOYED, IN GRADUATE SCHOOL OR DOING SERVICE WORK Data from undergraduate students who graduated between 2019-20.

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$50 Million Gift Creates Knauss School of Business Top administrators, trustees, students and

A confetti cannon added to the excitement

Don agreed with his wife: “We really believe

staff gathered at a press conference on

before Ellie Knauss spoke to the crowd.

wholeheartedly in the mission of the school.

the University of San Diego campus in late

“Don and I have always viewed philanthropy

If you look at the mission statement, the

2021 to announce that Board Chairman Don

as the gift of sharing your blessings.” She

last phrase is, ‘preparing leaders dedicated

Knauss, and his wife, Ellie, had increased

went on to note that she and her husband

to ethical conduct and compassionate

their philanthropic giving to the university to

—

whose son, Mickey ’11 (BAC) graduated

service.’ That’s what this is all about.”

total $50 million.

from USD — found making such a generous

“In honor of their remarkable gift, we now, today, in this moment and forever more,

donation to the university a relatively easy decision.

Dean Timothy Keane, PhD, thanked the crowd, and concluded, “This is a runway for us to explode out of this COVID pandemic

announce that the business school at this

“There are so many incredible leaders at this

and really take the nation by storm. We’re

university will be known as The Knauss

school. We feel that if you put money into

going to be one of the best business schools

School of Business,” President James T.

something, you have to trust the leadership.

in the country, thanks to all of you. And, of

Harris III said. He explained that the new

And quite simply, we trust the leadership

course, thanks to Don and Ellie.”

building in which the Knauss School of

here, and that made our decision very easy

Business will be housed will be known as the

to choose USD.”

Knauss Center for Business Education.

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Learn more about The Knauss School of Business at sandiego.edu/business/about.

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Faculty Spotlight Victor Carmona PhD, Assistant Professor, Theology and Religious Studies A professor introduced Victor Carmona to Catholic social teaching to help him think through the fundamental questions of power and justice that immigrants’ lives raise. That encounter took place during his undergraduate studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in international politics, law and organizations. It moved him to work with immigrants and Mexican border communities. Six years later, those experiences called him to grapple with their implications in light of the Catholic tradition through his graduate studies in moral theology and Christian ethics at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees.

At USD — the only major U.S. Catholic university at the U.S.-Mexico border — Carmona engages his students through courses in Catholic theology, theological ethics, spirituality and Latinx theology including Spirituality and Struggle, Catholic Social Thought and Fact and Faith: Immigration through the Lens of Sociology, Theology, and Latino/a/x Catholicism. In the spirit of acompañamiento, he enjoys accompanying students to nurture their ability to think critically about their spirituality, faith and values as they discern the kind of life and communities they aspire to create.

In his classes, students discuss how immigrants’ and border communities’ experiences raise fundamental theological-ethical questions with deep institutional, social and spiritual dimensions. Carmona’s research explores them by advancing theological-ethical analyses of migration with a global perspective grounded in Latinx points of view. His dual aim is to draw from the wisdom the Catholic tradition offers to create more just immigration systems and to nurture its ability to do so in increasingly pluralistic and interdependent societies.

As a Roman Catholic institution, the University of San Diego is proud of its Catholic identity and offers a values-based, service-oriented, holistic education, helping students develop intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The university is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive community comprised of individuals from a multitude of faith traditions.

Carmona’s courses contribute to the university’s Catholic identity that is manifested across campus through the vibrant faith community; a commitment to service; the dedication to advocating on behalf of a more just humane and sustainable world; and the consideration of questions of vocation, meaning and purpose.

Log in to Professor Carmona’s class, which he exclusively created for our Grandparents’ Weekend and Family Summit 2022!

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OUR GRANDPARENTS AND FAMILIES

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Search and soak up these fun facts MISSION: The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution committed to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community and preparing leaders who are dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.

VISION: The University of San Diego sets the standard for an engaged, contemporary Catholic university where innovative changemakers confront humanity’s urgent

identity by witnessing and probing the Christian message as proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church. It is committed to the dignity and fullest development of the whole person.

COMMUNIT Y: USD is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative community accentuated by a spirit of freedom and charity and marked by protection of the rights and dignity of the individual.

ETHICAL: USD seeks to develop ethical

EXCELLENCE: USD pursues academic

ENROLLMENT: Total enrollment is

conduct and responsible leaders committed

excellence in its teaching, learning and

9,041 (8,116 full-time students) including

to the common good who are empowered to

research to serve the local, national and

undergraduate, paralegal, graduate and

engage a diverse and changing world.

international communities.

law students.

COMPASSIONATE: USD embraces the

TORERO: The USD mascot adorned in

ALUMNI: 77,143 alumni live in all 50 states

Catholic moral and social tradition by its

USD’s colors of blue and white, translates to

and 100 countries, 64% of alumni live in

commitment to compassionate service, to

bullfighter in Spanish.

California.

foster peace and to work for justice.

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Tune in on Saturday to learn from expert USD faculty and staff about interesting and relevant topics without the stress of quizzes. Then join us on Sunday for a very special Mass.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.

Classes Without Quizzes Session 1: Spirituality and Struggle: An Introduction to Theology Victor Carmona, PhD Hear firsthand, questions Torero students explore to become changemakers who lead lives that transform our communities — locally and globally.

Dr. Victor Carmona is an assistant professor of theology and religious studies. He earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Notre Dame. Carmona joined USD in 2017.

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Classes without Quizzes Session 2: Entrepreneurship – An Interactive Look at the “Toreropreneur’s” Journey Priya Kannan-Narasimhan, PhD Entrepreneurs are not born, they are made — and many are made here at the University of San Diego. The Knauss School of Business at USD breeds innovation and helps students turn bold ideas into booming startups and value-based enterprises. Get a glimpse of the Toreropreneur’s Journey where students are given tools and resources to embrace their most creative ideas to build startups that create jobs and continually innovate.

Dr. Priya Kannan-Narasimhan is the associate dean of faculty and accreditation, and professor of the Knauss School of Business.

She is the founding director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Catalyzer program in the business school where she is also the professor of strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. She received her PhD from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

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11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Classes without Quizzes Session 3: Coffee: Engineering, Science and Social Justice Truc Ngo, PhD Have you ever wondered about coffee beans — who grows, harvests and processes them, and what engineering and science have to do with coffee making? Your students have the opportunity to learn about coffee with hands-on lab activities in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering at USD. Learn how the concepts of engineering, science and social justice are taught with coffee.

Dr. Truc Ngo is Professor and Chair of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department at USD’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. She teaches courses related to manufacturing and sustainability. Ngo has led several service learning trips to the Dominican Republic where her students developed sustainable solutions in the areas of water, energy and waste to help improve the living conditions of local Dominicans.

12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

Classes Without Quizzes Session 4: Centering: Finding Peace in Unusual Times Christopher Burden, PsyD In uncertain and unusual times, we find centering ourselves and slowing down can be the key to getting through. Hear from Dr. Christopher Burden as he guides us through the centering process and discusses mental health support at USD. Dr. Christopher Burden is the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Student Wellness

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 10:30 a.m.

Live Streamed Mass - Founders Chapel As we close our weekend together, join the Torero family to celebrate Mass in USD’s beautiful Founders Chapel via live stream or, if you are in town, in person.

marketing.sandiego.edu/gpw22

OFFICE OF PARENT AND FAMILY RELATIONS 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110-2492 (619) 260-4808 sandiego.edu/parents