During construction, USD co-founder Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ, was carefully inspecting the installation of the front doors of Founders Hall when a worker said she was looking so intensely that she must have hoped the iron-barred door would last for 100 years. she replied. “No, my good man,” “For 300 years!”
Welcome to our renewed and refreshed University of San Diego Magazine . We’re excited to present this issue to you and to share stories of interest to our Torero family. The magazine was reimagined with an eye toward the many ways our vibrant community is unique — and the sections, stories and imagery reflect how we lead and serve with faith, justice and love.
There’s also another reason we decided to give the magazine a makeover. Throughout 2024, we’re commemorating USD’s 75th anniversary under the theme, “Lighting the Way Forward.” Seven and a half decades ago, Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ, and Bishop Charles Francis Buddy sparked a light through their bold vision to build a Catholic university in San Diego. Today, tens of thousands of Torero alumni, brilliant faculty members, bright students and dedicated staff members carry that light forward through their work to confront humanity’s urgent challenges. We want USD’s flagship magazine to be one of the ways we light the way forward through sharing these important stories with you.
We hope you will join us to celebrate USD’s past, present and future by attending an event — on campus, virtually or somewhere around the world. You can download some virtual swag and follow the latest news and events on the USD 75th anniversary website or by engaging with us on social media.
University of San Diego Magazine is written, designed and produced for you — our incredible Torero community. To deliver the stories and content you seek from USD, we want to hear from you. Scan our QR code to complete a brief reader survey and share your thoughts, preferences and story ideas. We look forward to evolving this magazine and the other ways we connect with you.
I'm also excited to share that I am a new member of the Torero alumni community! In May, I walked across the stage and officially earned my PhD from USD's School of Leadership and Education Sciences.
Thank you for all you do to make this university stellar. Please join me in wishing USD a happy 75th anniversary — and, together, let's continue Lighting the Way Forward.
In Torero Spirit,
Complete a reader survey and share your thoughts with us
Since its founding in 1949, the University of San Diego has prepared generations of Toreros to lead inspired and meaningful lives. Commemorate USD’s diamond anniversary throughout the year with special events and stories that celebrate USD’s past, present and future.
July 13, 3 p.m.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming signature events: For news, videos and a full calendar of events, visit sandiego.edu/about/75-years
Nov.
[7] Forging Community
USD leaders working to promote greater diversity, equity and inclusion on campus through the creation of a new employee resource group.
[18] From Grassroots to the Vatican
Wendel Callahan, PhD, was invited to the Vatican for a conference to discuss mental health and the role the Church can play in helping those who are struggling.
[9] Celebrating Impact
The third annual Diversity and Inclusion Impact Awards recognize the university leaders who make USD a welcoming and supportive place.
[10] Aesthetic Aspirations
The University of San Diego is recognized as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country. Mary Whelan ’86 (BA) shares the vision of USD co-founder Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ, to utilize 16th century Spanish Renaissance architecture as the unifying design element throughout campus.
[22] The Stories Within
Every day, fascinating stories from across campus are revealed through the podcast, At the Edge of it All.
[49] A Simple Yet Grand Vision
Alice B. Hayes, PhD, USD’s second president (1995-2003), leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence and a commitment to service.
[20] Decade of Discovery
The USD Madrid Center grew from an initiative in the strategic plan to expand the university’s global footprint.
[14] Lighting the Way Forward
The Lighting the Way Forward Conference was held to explore what it means to be a Catholic university at a time in history riddled with urgent global challenges.
[40] Twice as Nice
USD Men’s Soccer enters this upcoming season looking for a three-peat — the program has won back-to-back West Coast Conference championships. A commitment to each other is the key to their success.
[24] Those at Our Core
USD’s core values are an embodiment of the university’s mission and vision statements. For Toreros, these six values are our true north and serve to inform all decisions and paths. Members of the community live these core values daily in their work across campus.
[38] Aiming for Excellence
Barcelona native Claudia De Las Heras was recruited to USD and has been a crucial part of the USD Women’s Tennis team’s recent success, putting the program on the national map.
Bright morning sunlight diffuses through a decorative metal screen, casting a patterned shadow on an adjacent wall. These screens were installed during the renovation of Camino and Founders halls in 2020-21, and the design was intended to mimic the Moorish influence in Spanish architecture that allowed for filtering of light and shade. This cover image serves as a powerful example of light being a guiding force as USD ON THE COVER
“Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things
differently;
we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others.”
—
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy
The University of San Diego presented Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy with a Laudato Si’ Fellows Award following his keynote address at the university’s Lighting the Way Forward Conference on Jan. 11.
“Cardinal McElroy, in recognition of your exemplary leadership in educating the Church and broader society regarding the imperative Caring for Our Common Home, it is a supreme honor for the University of San Diego to name you as a Laudato Si’ Fellow,” said USD Vice President of Mission Integration Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD.
USD President James T. Harris III, DEd, presented McElroy with a framed plaque on stage to a round of applause from the audience of conference attendees.
Envisioning 2024 pathways that embodies Pope Francis’ urgent call of Laudato Si’.
In the 2015 papal encyclical, the pope called for urgent action to support the poor and the vulnerable, who are disproportionately impacted by global environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, access to clean water and loss of biodiversity. Care for Our Common Home remains one of USD’s six core values.
Environmental and Ocean Sciences Associate Professor Michel Boudrias, PhD, introduced the award by providing the audience with a brief history of the university’s efforts during the past several years to live up to the pope’s call.
McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, was appointed as a fellow for his work promoting Care for Our Common Home, one of the university’s
“My first conversation with Jim [Harris] was in August 2015. Laudato Si’ had just come out, and I said, ‘We can be a university of Laudato Si’. We can be a university dedicated to environmental justice,’” Boudrias recalled for the audience.
In September 2021, USD became one of the first universities in the world to align its investment policy with Laudato Si’. Included in the university’s investment policy are the three key tenets of the encyclical.
“Climate change is real and it’s happening now, it’s disproportionately affecting the disadvantaged and the poor, and we must work together in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary way to come up with solutions,” said Boudrias.
In April 2022, USD and the Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought and Culture honored 21 faculty members, staff and community members as the first Laudato Si’ fellows in recognition of their commitment and dedication to environmental issues and initiatives.
“Your talk about what Catholic universities can do is really core,” Boudrias told McElroy.
“In recognition of the efforts of Cardinal McElroy and others in Laudato Si’, we present him this special award.”•
The Black Employee Alliance (BEA) was established in 2019 to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for Black employees at the University of San Diego. Now, the alliance is an official Employee Resource Group (ERG) on campus.
“BEA was created with support from the USD community and USD leadership, who have been working hard to promote greater diversity and inclusion on campus,” said Pauline Berryman Powell, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and a founding member of the alliance. “For many Black employees, finding a sense of community on the USD campus has been a challenge, which creates major problems when it comes to inclusion and retention. The BEA was established to provide avenues for Black employees to be seen and heard — as well as offer a space for relief and joy.”
ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups whose aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with the
organizations they serve. Such groups have become an important mechanism for providing representation and support to employees with specific interests and concerns at workplaces throughout the country.
“Having the BEA as an official ERG means that the alliance now has dedicated funds to support initiatives specifically designed to support Black employees at USD,” explained Powell.
“It allows us the funding to promote community engagement, education and awareness, and recognition of the efforts of Black employees,” she said.
Each academic year the alliance has grown both its membership — now more than 90 employees — and important partnerships around campus with departments like the Center for Inclusion and Diversity, the Black Student Resource Commons and Mission Integration, as well as student-led groups like the Black Student Union and the National Society for Black Engineers. •
Adedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last August to officially open the Purcell Family Championship Golf Practice Facility. Located in the northeast quadrant of campus, the state-of-the-art facility was designed by San Diego native and golfing icon Phil Mickelson and includes a one-acre natural turf short-game area, complete with an 8,000-square-foot putting green, three practice sand bunkers and a 40,000-squarefoot fairway and rough area, designed to perfect every possible golf shot.
“This world-class facility was designed to build teamwork and encourage a healthy sense of competitive spirit,” said USD President James T. Harris III, DEd.
The $2 million gift courtesy of the Purcell family was originally announced in May 2021. USD alumnus Paul M. Purcell ’97 (BA) joined the USD Board of Trustees in 2019 and currently serves on the board’s athletics committee and the university advancement committee. Purcell helped in the planning and shepherding of the gift.
“This is a great day for our family,” said Purcell, dressed in a Torero blue USD golf polo. “I stand before you humbled and full of gratitude. This place was a big part of my life.”•
Approximately 80,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces in USD’s new Wellness Center and Basketball Practice Center, where the campus community can find connections between physical activity, diet and nutrition, mental health, engagement and belonging. The center will feature indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, meditation spaces, counseling services, fitness areas, a pet therapy space, a teaching kitchen, juice bar and more. The facility is expected to open later this year.
Astronaut Matthew Dominick ’05 (BS/BA) made history as the first USD alumnus to journey to the International Space Station. He serves as NASA’s commander of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission.
More than 20 years ago, an idea began taking shape at the University of San Diego: Bringing the campus’s four science programs together into a brand-new, thoughtfully planned building with up-to-date instrumentation and equipment, a focus on interdisciplinary teaching and collaboration and the potential for program growth. In December, the College of Arts and Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of the idea, which ultimately turned into the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology.
The University of San Diego held its third annual Diversity and Inclusion Impact Awards in February. The luncheon, co-sponsored by USD’s Center for Inclusion and Diversity, recognized more than a dozen faculty and staff members from across the university for their contributions to making USD a more diverse and inclusive community.
“We encourage all the members of our community to be inspired by the awardees and to commit to doing more individually and collectively to ensure that USD lives up to her mission, vision and values to be an inclusive community of leaders and lifelong learners who are prepared to change the world through their teaching, scholarship, service and activism,” said Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Regina Dixon-Reeves, PhD.
The Impact Award was created in 2021 to honor and recognize the experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) on campus. The award was established in response to an open letter
written in 2020 by Black faculty members. It highlights the often under-recognized work by those who mentor members of the community and contribute to cultural changes on campus and beyond.
All awardees have provided exemplary service to USD, worked tirelessly to support students and are committed to advancing excellence.•
Awardees included: V. Dozier (Copley Library); Jannise T. Baclig ‘08 (MSN), ‘14 (PhD) and Bianca Vazquez-Pantoja (Hahn School of Nursing); Jason Campbell, PhD, and Jacqueline Greulich ‘85 (BBA) (Knauss School of Business); Mary Jo Wiggins, JD, and Emily Keehn, JD (School of Law); Tom Lupfer and Lorena Silvas (in memoriam) (Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering); TJ Tallie, PhD, and Amanda Ruiz, PhD (College of Arts and Sciences); Kristopher G. Hall, PhD, and Perla Myers, PhD, (School of Leadership and Education Sciences) and Lissette Martinez ‘03 (BA) (University Marketing and Communications).
One of the key mantras of USD’s 75th anniversary is “to lead with love.” On a brilliantly blue April morning, more than 130 members of the Torero community put those inspiring words into action, donning their walking shoes and Torero blue “Team USD” T-shirts and traversing the 5K (3.1-mile) course through downtown San Diego in an effort to raise funds for, and awareness of, cancer research at the 2024 Padres Pedal the Cause event.
“ We’re so thrilled to partner with the Padres in the fight against cancer,” explained USD 75th Anniversary Co-Chair and Associate Vice President of University Events and Partnerships Coreen Petti. “This event aligns with many of the core values of USD’s mission and vision; values we’re proud to celebrate during USD’s 75th anniversary in 2024. Cancer has, in some way, touched everyone’s lives, and to be here and see the support of not only the USD community, but all of San Diego, is really inspiring.”
Team USD contributed more than $15,000 in funds. All told, the 2024 event has raised more than $2.4 million to date, with every dollar raised going toward cancer research institutions based in the San Diego region.•
By Ryan T. Blystone
The University of San Diego is annually recognized as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country — it’s testament to a poignant decision made 75 years ago by co-founder Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ, to utilize 16th century Spanish Renaissance architecture as the unifying design element throughout campus.
In unison with Hill’s vision, USD’s Office of University Design champions this unique style, upholds history and tradition and has a flexible focus for both the present and future. USD alumna Mary Whelan ’86 (BA) has been the office’s executive director since 2000. She began as a student worker for inaugural design director Therese (Terry) Whitcomb ’53 (BA), and assisted Ruth Stanton, who served in the role until her retirement.
Whelan’s office is “responsible for the aesthetic integrity of the university.” She is in all discussions for needs of existing and new buildings, picks furniture and furnishings and approves public displays. She is also co-chair of USD’s Space Committee and interim director of University Galleries. To coincide with its 75th anniversary in 2024, Whelan sat down to discuss USD’s distinct aesthetic, including its relevance to the past, current and future of the institution.
[Q] Can you provide insight into Mother Hill’s decision to construct USD wholly in a 16th century Spanish Renaissance style?
A: Mother Hill was quoted often about how the architectural style was chosen; it was really to give students a sense of history. Although it was not specifically about our history, it is now. It was also a sense of permanence. We are such a young university, even at 75 years, but we feel like an older university because of a timeless architectural style. Choosing the 16th century Spanish Renaissance over the Italian Renaissance was because the Spanish Renaissance had Moorish and Arabic influences you didn’t necessarily find in Italy. But renaissance, a rebirth, is the age of discovery happening in Spain and the Catholic identity was emerging at that time, post-1492. There was an exuberance of this style that set the standard as a Catholic country.
Above, a sketch of decorative panel by Edgar V. Ullrich (1893 -1958), produced for the university administration center/diocesan chancery.
Mother Hill looking to the University of Alcalá, in Spain, as an influence is part of the Spanish Renaissance architectural style decision, but also it is the burial place for Saint Didacus, San Diego, for whom our city is named. It is a style used in some buildings in Balboa Park.
[Q] What USD building best exemplifies this style?
A: The best example on campus is The Immaculata's facade. It’s this shallow relief of plateresque style highlighting the entrance. It calls you to the entrance of the building. As you get around the sides and the back, it simplifies. You don’t see articulation, but you do see the windows and pediments, some of them repeating themselves, the deeper windows to create shadow, the sense of weight and the human scale of these buildings. The Immaculata is an exception in that you want the exuberance of reaching for the sky; a being closer-to-God feel.
“ It’s what you want to attract the students, to have them feel a sense of home, a sense of learning, a sense of timelessness.”
[Q] How are these elements reflected in the original buildings?
[Q] How did your office come to be the stewards of maintaining this aesthetic?
A: Terry Whitcomb was given the role as the first director of University Design in the mid-1980s. After the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science building was built, there wasn’t a lot of money, despite fundraising and donor names on the building. When Terry visited the space, she was aghast. The building had wicker furniture and things that were not Spanish. She wrote a long, handwritten memo to President Hughes to tell him this was against everything Mother Hill envisioned. We needed to maintain the design consistency of the campus. Hughes then appointed her director of design. The Manchester Executive Conference Center and Olin Hall were her first foray in the new role. She was also teaching art history. I was a student of hers. I remember being taken with the role she had. I recall, very distinctly, her coming in to give a lecture. She was all dressed up, carrying a basket with a bell that jingled. She threw down the basket, pulled out a tile and asked us, “Does this look blue to you?” She was holding up a teal-colored tile. ‘This is not blue.’ She had come from a meeting about Olin Hall. She had to give a lecture, but she was going on about this tile piece. I thought, “Wow, what a fascinating thing she does.”
To the right, Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, RSCJ
A: The way I look at Founders and Camino [Halls] — the original College for Women buildings — is that you go in the two-story buildings that are a more personal scale. It’s what you want to attract the students, to have them feel a sense of home, a sense of learning, a sense of timelessness. Part of the Spanish style is these open courtyards, the arcades and all of the different elements. There are so many things that resonate with the Spanish Renaissance that go back to the consistency of the harmonious aesthetic our campus has.
[Q]
What advice did Whitcomb pass along that still resonates with you?
A: Details matter. Looking at design, good design doesn’t have to break the bank. You can spend just as much money doing something poorly as something that is good design. Invest in materials that last.
What is front and center is that what our students and faculty experience should be timeless. The other takeaway from Mother Hill — we don’t follow current trends. We really should be looking at timeless design. Trends age quickly. You look at other institutions and there are a lot of trends that come and go.
[Q]
Describe USD’s design processes to maintain the same style across campus?
A: The 16th century Spanish Renaissance is a melding of styles — Gothic, classical and Moorish — and unique. Our buildings aren’t cookie cutter. If you go to Spain, they’re not cookie cutter, either. Each has unique qualities. Each building is unique because it speaks to whom it serves. The design consistency when working with architects we bring on board is one of the fun things for me. When we’re interviewing architects, we let them know these buildings have to be 16th century Spanish Renaissance on the exterior. We can play a little with the interior. If you look at our campus, there’s formal and informal and that really depends on the building’s use. Formal is the academic buildings, but Hahn University Center has a red tile roof, arcade in front and it is more of a stripped-down look than what Spanish Renaissance is. It was very purposeful because it is supposed to be the students’ living room. The Degheri Alumni Center is a hybrid. We put a tile roof on that, but you don’t see it on the west side of campus so much because that’s where our academic buildings are. The Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology was one I worked on to infuse both a Moorish and Arabic sense of design.
[Q]
Did Mother Hill ever consider another kind of architectural style?
A: I’ve never read anything that Mother Hill would have considered another architectural style. If you think about the timeframe, post-World War II, midcentury modern was really the style. New building materials were coming out. Mother Hill convinced Bishop Buddy that the Spanish Renaissance was a timeless architectural style and she felt it gave the university a presence and a look that it was older than it really was.
“ It’s about respecting where we’ve come from and understanding our mission and our vision.”
How does USD’s architectural style contribute to its Catholic identity?
A: It really resonates with Mother Hill’s quote, “Beauty will attract them, goodness will lead them, but the truth will hold them.” I fall back on that. I have those words stenciled on the wall in my office because I think it is part of my job to maintain that, which leads into our mission, vision and values. The architectural style is part of who we are.
[Q]
Describe what it’s like to preserve a campus established 75 years ago.
A: This role has great responsibility. It is a chance to work for the greater good of the university. It’s about respecting where we’ve come from and understanding our mission and our vision. There are decisions we make today that will influence what comes tomorrow and I really do take that to heart. It is one of the most unique aspects of this position. So much of what we do is cross divisional. We touch on every aspect, one way or another, whether it is a chair, artwork for the library, something outdoors or a new building.
[Q]
Have you been to Spain and brought back ideas for the campus?
A: I was very fortunate to have taken two separate trips to Spain. Each time, I’ve taken away something new that helps enrich me as I look at our campus. When you go to our Bishop Buddy Sala in SOLES, as you enter, that’s the dissertation room at Alcalá. I saw it and said, “this is what we’re going to do in this space.” I wouldn’t have known that without the opportunity to go to Spain and see it firsthand. You can look at travel books and see pictures, but to go through the buildings, look and go, “Oh my, look how they did this handrail, look at the tile on the floor,” those types of things. That’s really informative and helps me to inform the campus on our sense of aesthetic.
[Q] Do you have a favorite architectural place on campus?
A: My favorite is Founders Hall, not just because it is an original building, but the French Parlor and Founders Chapel, to me, are signature spaces.
USD Convenes Thought Leaders for Important Dialogue on the Future of Catholic Higher Education
Warm afternoon sunlight magnified the row of stained-glass windows high above the congregation gathered inside Founders Chapel for the opening Mass of the Lighting the Way Forward Conference. The assembly included members of the USD community and guests from around the country — and the world — all of whom had convened to discuss the future of Catholic higher education.
The Eucharistic Liturgy of the novel conference carried a distinguished air as both a warm welcome to guests and the official beginning of the university’s 75th anniversary — appropriately themed Lighting the Way Forward.
“It is timely for us to gather at this moment to rethink, reimagine and rearticulate our deepest purposes and our highest aspirations,” USD President James T. Harris III, DEd, said during his welcome speech. “I sincerely hope this conference will provide an opportunity to draw wisdom from the incredibly rich history of Catholic higher education and chart a course forward to navigate a more inclusive, sustainable and hopeful future.”
Roughly 250 individuals representing more than 40 Catholic colleges and universities and numerous K-12 districts participated in the conference, held to explore what it means to be a Catholic university at a
time in history riddled with urgent global challenges including climate change, structural racism, lack of trust in institutions, polarizing political discourse, breakdown of communities and more.
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy provided the keynote plenary session on Care for Our Common Home. After his talk, McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, was named a Laudato Si’ fellow for his efforts promoting Care for Our Common Home (see page 6).
Other plenary topics at the conference included Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging; Pope Francis’ Pontificate and Catholic Colleges and Universities; the Liberal Arts; and the Emerging Needs, Challenges and Opportunities of Generation Z.
The genesis of the conference emerged during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Fall 2020. USD Vice President of Mission
Conference
There remains tremendous value in Catholic higher education in an era full of division and conflict.
“The Catholic Intellectual Tradition and Catholic higher education have incredible wisdom to offer. If we are going to address humanity’s urgent challenges, we should draw upon the wisdom we have in our tradition.”
USD has an obligation and opportunity to continue its efforts related to sustainability.
“Cardinal McElroy’s talk highlighted that Laudato Si’ really ought to be seen as a guide for the mission and identity of the Catholic university. How are we embodying our commitment to being good stewards of the Earth’s resources? How are we educating people about the importance of that and how they can do it in their own lives? We need to continue what we’ve done in this regard and amplify these efforts.”
The value of a liberal arts education remains high.
“Part of our role is not to just fill students up with facts, but to help them discover a love of learning. We need to become more articulate in how we express the value of this type of education to broader audiences who might not be as familiar with it — or who may even be skeptical of its value.”
Catholic institutions need to meet the unique needs of Generation Z, the first generation to have grown up with access to the Internet and digital technology.
“Catholic colleges and universities are uniquely set up to offer accompaniment and a blend of challenge and support that can respond to issues they are facing in a way that meets them where they are and invites them to walk further into their true selves toward a life that will be, to use the language of our core values, meaningful and inspired, allowing them to truly flourish.”
Integration Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD, began working with others in Mission Integration to determine what a postpandemic world would look like in Catholic higher education.
Pope Francis published an opinion piece in The New York Times on Nov. 26, 2020, titled “A Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts.” In the article — which was subsequently turned into the bestselling book Let Us Dream — the pope makes the argument that society will emerge from any crisis either better or worse, but never the same.
“What will make the difference, he says, is if we take the time to honestly reflect on what happened and then to dream together of a better future,” explained Lovette-Colyer. “We were really struck by that.”
The Office for Mission began to have conversations, both internally and with colleagues around the country, and there was a strong desire to put together this unique gathering.
Ultimately, the conference exceeded expectations, Lovette-Colyer said, both in terms of the attendance and the quality of presentations.
“The energy that came from gathering people from different institutions was really exciting. We can sometimes get caught up in our own narrow focus, but to realize that we are all a part of something much larger elicits a great deal of hope and joy.”
The Lighting the Way Forward Conference was a reaffirmation of USD’s unique identity and an important milestone in the university’s diamond jubilee.
“In the moment, I profoundly appreciated how appropriate it was that we were beginning the conference in Founders Chapel inside Founders Hall, one of the very first buildings constructed at USD,” said Lovette-Colyer. “It was the perfect way to mark this transition from our first 75 years to the next 75. The dream of Bishop Buddy and Mother Hill has come true in so many ways and required an incredible amount of faith and grace. For us to be in the chapel to remember the faith of our founders and all those who got us here was incredibly touching as we think about what is ahead of us.”•
To view more photos from the conference, scan this QR Code with a mobile device.
By Steven Covella
Wendell
Callahan, PhD, might
have thought the image
Photo-
shopped, if he hadn’t flown halfway around the world himself.
The photograph showed his colleague handing Pope Francis a book with Callahan’s name on it. The moment was surreal for Callahan — not just because of what it meant to him personally but also what it could signal for the future of the Church.
Callahan was among those invited to the Vatican in January for a conference to discuss mental health and the role the Church can play in helping those who are struggling.
That’s the subject of the book that was gifted to the pope – Catholic Mental Health Ministry: Guidelines for Implementation, 2nd edition, co-edited by Callahan and Priscilla Martinez ’23 (MA), a former graduate assistant and local school-based mental health counselor. The book had a number of other USD contributors, including Callahan’s former students Liberty Hebron ’07 (BA), ’14 (MA) and Alissa Willmerdinger ’19 (MA), and USD alumnus Bishop John Dolan ’85 (BA). Catholic Mental Health Ministry is a collection of research and
resources that creates new guidelines for clergy members and parishioners to handle mental health discussions and programming.
Training can range from knowing how to approach and talk to someone suffering from something as severe as schizophrenia to creating a space where people can feel safe opening up. Then, when necessary, connecting an individual with the resources or professional treatment they may need.
Callahan is the executive director of USD’s Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry, housed in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. As society becomes more aware and accepting of mental health issues, Callahan believes parishes need to become better versed in how to discuss those issues and help people who are struggling.
“Something that I’ve really come to learn is that there’s a lot of folks that are sitting in parishes and in pews struggling with something … and they’re hesitant to come forward for a number of reasons,” Callahan
said. “Mental health ministry is meant to focus on reducing stigma around mental health and getting people to feel included in the parish or in their religious community.”
Callahan, a clinical psychologist and practicing Catholic, studied and implemented mental health ministry, but he wanted to amplify the message. In 2021, he partnered with USD’s Professional and Continuing Education division to offer online courses to train people everywhere.
While he says the movement is inherently grassroots, Callahan felt validated by his recent trip, where the Vatican hosted experts from around the world to discuss mental health ministry. Some of the attendees had even taken the online course.
“I think there was an aspect of the meeting itself that it was the first time we brought people together on this topic. And the idea that the Vatican sponsored this, I think that’s significant and that really gave me pause,” Callahan said. “Because it wasn’t just us here at USD. There is now support for mental health ministry from the highest levels of the Church.”
Callahan says the work being done on mental health ministry plays an important role at USD, a Catholic institution inspired by the Ladauto Si’ encyclical On Care for Our Common Home. While it’s often tied to addressing environmental issues, Callahan says mental health ministry plays a substantial role in strengthening and empowering the communities we call home.
“It’s human development, not just on an intrapersonal level, it’s community and societal development. It’s care for our common home. It’s all of that,” Callahan said. “I think there’s some momentum here. And so I believe we’re going to see more of this.”•
By Kelsey Grey ’15 (BA)
Megan Soong’s return to the United States after a semester at USD’s Madrid Center is a testament to the profound impact the immersive experience provides. On her flight from Madrid, Spain, to Charlotte, North Carolina, she found herself momentarily lost in translation when a flight attendant with a thick Southern accent spoke to her.
“I just stared at her,” Soong confessed, blushing. “I didn’t understand a single word she said. Not because of her accent, but because I hadn’t heard English in so long.”
plan of growing our international activities and expanding our global footprint,” said Denise Dimon, PhD, who served as USD’s associate provost in 2014 and spearheaded the center.
Soong is one of the thousands of students who have embraced the experiences offered at the Madrid Center.
Nestled in the heart of the city near the famed Retiro Park, the Madrid Center has become an integral part of USD’s international study abroad program during the past decade. What began as a modest, permanent study abroad location has blossomed into USD’s most popular option for undergraduate and graduate students across all the schools within USD.
“The USD Madrid Center was originally envisioned from an initiative coming from the university’s strategic
“Madrid was popular with our undergraduate students, but the vision (and justification) of having a physical space in Madrid was that other units on campus would be able to utilize the space as well.”
Ten years after its opening, the center offers undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as opportunities for faculty research, community engagement, alumni events and more. The center has also established a partnership with Madrid’s Universidad Pontificia Comillas, where students have the unique opportunity to enroll in courses.
For Soong, the charm of Spanish culture left a lasting impression on her.
“What I love about the culture of Spain is everything is much slower paced,” said Soong, a junior double-majoring in international business and supply chain management. “I would walk around the city and it was such a great way to get to know it better. I could people watch and see how the locals interacted with each other, walk past the mercados, smell the fresh food … that’s probably what I miss the most.”
Soong’s semester at the center also inspired her to look into global operations, a career path she hadn’t previously considered. “I took a break from my supply chain management classes in Madrid, which gave me a lot of time to think about what I enjoy.”
“From a growth perspective, that’s why it’s important to have the Madrid Center,” said James Bolender, PhD, associate provost for International Affairs. “The students might not see
“It’s incredibly important for the students to make cross-cultural connections. Study abroad is an immersive experience, and the students should expect to be a little uncomfortable at times — that’s okay. It’s about pushing past your comfort zone and gaining those global skills.”
Bolender emphasizes the long-lasting impact the Madrid Center has on USD students. He shares that about 10 percent of the students who have experiences through the center return to Madrid for further education, work, or to make it their permanent home.
Understanding this strong connection, USD administrators and staff began to ask: How does the university continue to support students, staff and alumni through the Madrid Center?
T he answer: Acquire a new building. Currently, USD leases a 10,000-squarefoot office.
it right away when they initially come home, but it can really change a student’s perspective.”
Bolender teaches courses that span the fields of chemistry and biochemistry, and has led research trips to the Baja Peninsula and Uganda. With his own eyes, he has watched as students have grown and matured, both personally and academically.
Once the lease expires in August, the Madrid Center will transition into a two-story, 12,000-square-foot office building in Argüelles near Parque del Oeste that the university purchased. In a fortuitous twist, the acquisition was facilitated by alumnus Haryán Rodríguez, CEO of Spanish real estate company iKasa, who completed his masters in real estate at USD.
“We’ve had a presence in Madrid
for 10 years now,” said Kira Espiritu, PhD, assistant provost for international affairs and director of international studies abroad. “The new center will not only accommodate our expanding needs, but it demonstrates USD’s long-term commitment to a global presence in Madrid.”
For Soong, the prospect of future USD students embarking on similarly expansive journeys of self-exploration through the new center fills her with immense pride and optimism to know the university will continue shaping students into global citizens.
“Students need to experience the Madrid Center. You come back a changed person, maybe in small ways, or maybe in big ways, but it changes your perspectives. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope the university can continue to promote and support study abroad, so students have the resources to receive a global education.”•
a weekly podcast created to shine a light on all the great things happening at USD and the people who are making them happen. With a growing Hispanic community on campus, the stories are offered in both English and Spanish when the guest is bilingual.
as they work together to study the impact of climate change on our oceans.
USD President James T. Harris III, DEd, told a story about a small piece of advice from his grandmother that informs his approach as a leader.
By Steven Covella
Everybody has a story to tell. You just have to be willing to listen. Each day, fascinating people and ideas pass through the University of San Diego. The campus lies at the heart of a binational region, welcomes students and thought leaders from around the globe and gives people the tools they need to explore and innovate. At the Edge of It All is
Each week, a member of USD’s faculty or administration sits down to share their story. The dialogue offers a unique perspective into who they are, what drives them and what work or research they are passionate about that helps us all to better understand the world. The topics discussed on the podcast are diverse and wide-ranging, from mental health to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to theatre, just to name a few.
Darby Vickers, PhD, a professor of philosophy, joined the podcast to discuss the emerging field of artificial intelligence and some of the ethical questions the technology poses for humanity.
Cawa Tran, PhD, shared the inspiring story of how her love of biology coincided with a journey of self-discovery and realization, and how she channels that to connect with her students
“The summer between high school and college, the one job I could get was cleaning restrooms and cafeterias. I remember cleaning and people would walk by me and not say hello. I was a little disgruntled by that,” Harris said, adding that he later talked about it with his grandmother.
“Her advice to me was to never forget what it feels like to be invisible. I think that element of making sure that you recognize people — that they’re seen, that they’re heard — I think that is a piece that has stuck with me.”
The mission of At the Edge of It All is to open our eyes not only to the great work being done on our campus but also the incredible people we pass by every day — each one of them has a story. All you have to do is listen.•
Tips From a Finance Professor to Be Financially Savvy and Avoid Common Financial Mistakes Dan Roccato, clinical professor of finance
Profesor de Música Lleva la Música de Mariachi por Todo el Mundo Serafin Paredes, director of USD’s mariachi ensemble
Piecing Together the Story of Our Early Ancestors With an Archaeologist
Jennifer Parkinson, PhD, associate professor of anthropology
USD President on Leading a University in 2024
James T. Harris III, DEd, president of USD
How a Professor’s Passion for STEM is Inspiring Others and Creating a More Inclusive Industry
Odesma Dalrymple, PhD, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering
Download episodes of At the Edge of It All wherever you get your podcasts or visit sandiego.edu/communications/media-relations
KIMBERLY WHITE-SMITH, EDD
DEAN, SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION SCIENCES
NEURODIVERGENCE AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS
JUSTIN BROOKS, JD
PROFESSOR
OF PRACTICE;
ACADEMIC
DIRECTOR, LLM IN SPANISH
A LAWYER’S FIGHT FOR THOSE WHO ARE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
TARA CERANIC SALINAS, PHD
PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ETHICS; DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF MANAGEMENT HOW WOMEN “TIGHTROPE” IN THE WORKPLACE + WAYS TO BREAK THIS CYCLE
ZHI-YONG YIN, PHD PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCEAN SCIENCES
EXPLORING WEATHER PATTERNS OF THE PAST AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Kimberly White-Smith spoke about how her past experiences pushed her to pursue change from within the world of education. She talks about how the classroom is changing to meet the needs of students who are fully capable, but may be facing unseen challenges or may not fit into traditional ways of teaching.
“The importance of understanding and supporting neurodivergent students in the classroom was fascinating.”
— Lissette Martinez, Co-Host, Senior Director of Media Relations
Justin Brooks joined the podcast to talk about his storied career fighting for people who have been wrongfully convicted, including his first case to exonerate an innocent woman. He discussed what got him into law, how he developed a passion that spawned the founding of the California Innocence Project and why he is now focusing on improving the justice system in Latin America.
“I enjoyed interviewing law professor Justin Brooks for the podcast and diving into his passion for fighting for people who have been wrongfully convicted.”
— Elena Gomez Co-Host, Associate Director of Media Relations
Tara Ceranic Salinas joined the podcast to discuss how she developed the term “tightroping,” which requires balancing on a tightrope to fit in at the workplace and how her research on this topic is shaping her latest book .
“I found the focus on ‘tightroping’ interesting. A term to describe how people constantly regulate their behavior to fit in at work and beyond.”
— Cameran Zech Co-Host and Producer, Associate Director of Media Relations
Zhi-Yong Yin talked about his work researching climates of the past, present and future. He explains how he used ancient trees to learn about rainy seasons from hundreds of years ago, the state of drought in California today and what we can do to help address climate change .
“Dr. Zhi-Yong Yin gave me a new perspective on our weather and climate, things that can often seem ever-changing or intangible.”
— Steven Covella Producer, Assistant Director of Media Relations
In the stories that follow, you’ll learn more about the meaningful and inspiring ways through which Toreros live out USD’s mission, vision and values.
We celebrate academic excellence. We recognize free inquiry and academic freedom as fundamental to the Catholic intellectual tradition. We pursue excellence in teaching, research and creative expression. And we do it with joy and gladness in our hearts, in service to our local, national and international communities.
As an undergraduate chemistry major at USD, Tim Clark ’01 (BA), PhD, spent two semesters working with a faculty mentor to understand how an unusual reaction takes place.
The experience helped him land an internship with a San Diego pharmaceutical company the summer after his sophomore year, and then gain admission to a University of Michigan summer research program the following summer.
“Undergraduate research gives students a definite leg up, whether it be on the job market, graduate school or medical school,” said Clark, a USD chemistry professor since 2011 and now the university’s director of undergraduate research. This position has recently evolved for an increased emphasis on USD’s long commitment to helping students push the bounds of academic inquiry.
While research is instrumental in graduate school, USD has encouraged more opportunities for undergraduates during the past two decades, Clark said. His new position reflects an expanded commitment to undergraduate research.
“It’s become a point of priority among the administration, and it’s recognized as a high-impact practice,” he said. “It’s part of the recruiting process to show students that they have these opportunities to connect with faculty. You’ll hear it being talked about in prospective student tours and in promotional materials.”
Every summer, more than 100 students remain on campus to conduct research with a faculty mentor, which will boost job prospects and improve their chances of gaining admission to prestigious graduate degree programs.
Countless more undergraduate students perform research during the academic year. Many science majors are required to have research experience as part of the curriculum requirements for graduation. Additionally, many students are co-authors on research articles that appear in peer-reviewed academic journals.
“It’s a high-impact educational experience,” Clark said. “Students build confidence in an area of research, whether that be in the sciences, engineering, humanities, arts, social sciences or business. It prepares them for success in ways they otherwise wouldn’t have. They see what they’re learning in the classroom become more relevant.”
Clark’s own work focuses on organic and organometallic chemistry, necessary for advancements in medicine, food science and cutting-edge technologies, among other disciplines. He includes students in every aspect of his research.
Clark, like faculty members across campus, has played an important role in creating opportunities. He’s been awarded more than $2.5 million in external funding — from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the American Chemical Society, and the National Institutes of Health — which has allowed him to mentor more than 70 undergraduates in research. He’s also worked with high school students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
In his new role, Clark will manage programming and funding that emerges from the Office of Undergraduate Research. Summer researchers can secure $6,000 stipends. Students also have the opportunity to apply for $500 in travel expenses, which allows them to present research findings at conferences.
Clark’s own journey began as a kid growing up in Vista, California, when he considered pursuing a career as a chiropractor. He was the first in his family to attend college, initially majoring in biochemistry. That plan took a detour when he started taking classes in chemistry and doing undergraduate research.
“I took chemistry at USD and had teachers who inspired me and excited me,” he said. “By my sophomore year, I had a new career goal in chemistry.”•
– Andrew Faught
“The university is not only my place of work. It’s also my spiritual home.”
We embrace our Catholic identity. As a Catholic university, we cherish our Catholic heritage and we foster faith, engage the world with hope and work in solidarity to create justice and peace.
Sister Maria Dela Paz’s relationship with God took on a new complexion as an undergraduate at Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey.
“It was the first time that I was really introduced to Ignatian spirituality, which opened my eyes to a deeper prayer life and an examination of where I saw God in my life,” she recalled.
Sister Maria grew up in a household that valued the Catholic faith, which included going to Mass, participating in pilgrimages with her family and praying the rosary every day. Faith, she realized, isn’t just about prayer. “It’s about action, too,” she said.
Sister Maria took her own words to heart, joining the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and teaching at a boarding school on a tiny island in the Federated State of Micronesia called Chuuk.
It was the same faith-in-action credo that brought Sister Maria to USD in 2019, when she took on the role of program coordinator for student success where, for two years, she collaborated with mentor programs across campus that support students transitioning to college. She then switched roles to become a resident minister, living in a second-year residence hall and talking with students about faith and life.
more collaborative with lay people? We’re all called to be involved.”
“Asking what it means to be a contemporary Catholic institution empowers our students to ask critical questions about life, about what social justice issues are relevant today,” she added, “but also, when it comes to majors, and the organizations and clubs they’re interested in. They get to define what it means to be a Catholic school today, and there’s a kind of freedom behind it.”
Sister Maria took her vows with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Prior to joining USD, she was campus minister at Neumann University in Pennsylvania and Alfred University in New York.
Because campus ministry was such an important part of her own days as a college student, she relished the opportunity to work with USD students. The experience, she noted, is “like coming full circle.”
“I love my job and I love the work that I do here in University Ministry,” she added. “It’s a great opportunity to support students.”
During new student orientation last fall, Sister Maria gave a talk to get incoming students thinking: “How can I find meaning at a Catholic university?”
In June, Sister Maria Dela Paz, OSF, departed USD to pursue full-time graduate studies. The USD community wishes her well on this exciting new chapter.
USD, Sister Maria said, asks an important question: What does it mean to live the Gospel in 2024? Having been hired as associate university minister in 2021, Sister Maria plays no small role in the conversation.
“As President Harris will say, ‘we’re a contemporary Catholic institution,’ and that’s really true,” she said. “One call of Vatican II [in the Catholic church] was, how can we be
“What’s so special about USD is, it’s not just a place of learning, but it’s also a community,” she said. “In Ignatian spirituality, there’s an idea called cura personalis , in which we care for the whole person. We live that at USD. We’re mission-driven in terms of supporting students. The university is not only my place of work. It’s also my spiritual home.” •
– Andrew Faught
“We all had a deeper purpose for wanting to push this work forward, because we knew how much school meant to us to be able to have this opportunity to change our lives for the better,” said Galy. “We just wanted to create pathways for others to also have that opportunity.”
With 11 current students in the program and as many as 19 prospective students going through the admissions process, Galy is seeing exciting growth in the two-year-old program. Now, he is looking ahead to ensure long-term sustainability, which comes down to funding.
“We have to raise more funds to hire staff for this program. Our other counterparts already have several full-time staff members,” he said. “The goal is to create more resources, hire personnel, and (establish) programming. Once we can do that, I think the possibilities are limitless, because then we’ll have more capacity to be able to fully support every part of the journey, from the transfer all the way to graduation and beyond.”
–
“One person’s efforts, when combined with other people’s efforts, can lead to great change.”
We take to heart what it means to care for our common home. Our commitment to the environment and environmental justice is based on the vision outlined by Pope Francis in his encyclical to the world — what became known as Laudato Si’
Essentially what Pope Francis is asking of all of us to do is to realize that by caring for our common home — God’s green earth — we are recognizing that it’s most often the poor and the underprivileged who are most impacted by changes in the climate.
Sustainability is baked into the University of San Diego’s DNA, rooted in its mission and its commitment to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. It is a focus on a greener future, with the campus looking to set the standard for sustainability efforts in the region.
“The university has a very aggressive goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035,” said Director of Sustainability John Alejandro. “USD uses quite a bit of electricity, water and natural gas in its daily operations. First and foremost, our goal is to reduce the consumption of all of these, which in turn will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately help the environment.”
Environmental efforts are underway throughout the university, with projects having widespread impact, from working on air conditioning units to generating renewable energy onsite to be directly supplied to the campus.
“These projects are very important,” said Alejandro. “Oftentimes a lot of the work is behind the scenes that can go unnoticed. But then there are the bigger projects, like installing new solar arrays on campus, that are highly visible. The university is very committed to not only reducing energy use, but also creating new ways of generating power.”
Alejandro’s passion for sustainability is clear, and he loves connecting with members of the community to discuss efforts to achieve USD’s
green goals. From working on a new solar project that’s set to begin in the summer to addressing food waste and composting with his team, Alejandro sees firsthand how sustainability across campus impacts everyone.
“It really does touch virtually every aspect of a person’s life,” he said. “How we live our lives helps to determine whether or not we’ll have a positive impact in making the planet a better place.”
For him, it’s all about applying an environmental lens to everything, which enables one person’s actions to have a greater impact.
“If people live their lives through a lens of sustainability, through a green lens so to speak, they can really see how they can make changes in virtually everything they do,” he said. “One person’s efforts, when combined with other people’s efforts, can lead to great change.”
It is this great change that Alejandro sees as a defining part of USD’s future, a future that takes sustainability practices from the campus and helps build environmental stewardship on a larger scale.
“Our efforts should not only take care of USD’s environment but also that of the surrounding community and the greater San Diego region,” he said. “In doing so, USD can demonstrate to the entire Southern California region how working together can achieve all of our environmental goals.” •
– Allyson Meyer ’16 (BA), ‘21 (MBA)
We promote ethical conduct and compassionate service among our students, our faculty and our staff. We value the study of ethics as a distinguishing characteristic of a Catholic university.
We engage with the imminent social issues of our time to enhance the common good and educate leaders who are committed to choices and pathways that elevate fairness and equity.
Ariela Canizal ‘17 (MA) has come full circle.
The only child of immigrant parents in Los Angeles, she worked hard to get to college. But Canizal didn’t do it alone. She had important mentors along the way.
Now, as USD’s director of community and leadership development, she fulfills a similar role for commuter and first-generation college students, helping them forge a new life on campus.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about connecting the students to the resources that are here for them,” said Canizal, who is also a PhD student in leadership studies at the university. “However, it’s not enough just to make sure they graduate. It’s teaching them how to navigate the world, how to make socially just, civil discourse decisions, and how to be a good human.”
In her current role, she oversees four initiatives. One entails creating programs to onboard commuter students and ensure they experience the campus the same way residential students do. She also co-chairs a team to support students who, like her, are the first in their family to attend college.
In addition, Canizal runs a financial wellness initiative so students understand the full range of options for funding their education. On top of all that, she teaches an undergraduate class on leadership.
Teaching made her reflect on ethics, because while Canizal acknowledges that she loves working with students and they think she’s cool, she is still an authority figure who has to hold them accountable.
Her job is a natural extension of her previous role as a retention specialist in the university’s Office of Student Support Services. That role focused on advising first-generation students on classes, scholarships and internships, as well as coaching them through challenges, including imposter syndrome.
“I was there to basically pop that bubble of self-doubt and self-intimidation and let them know they deserved to be here,” she said. “They worked hard to get here, and my job was to show them how to take full advantage of it.”
Canizal knows what it’s like to be that student. “I’m a Latina, raised in Boyle Heights near downtown L.A. I was always told I was never going to leave.”
But she did, securing a full scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College in New York. She credits her own academic success, in part, to those who offered helping hands. Not only her parents, who believed in her, but also her high school guidance counselor, as well as compassionate faculty members and student affairs leaders — many of them women and people of color — during her undergraduate and graduate career.
Now she’s passing it on.
The students she interacts with are not at the university just to get a degree and land a good job but to make a difference in people’s lives. They want to go back to their communities and say, “Hey, I did it. Let me show you how.”
With Canizal as a role model, they already have a head start. •
– Bonnie Nicholls
“My goal, in every single class I teach, is there has to be some form of talking with, because it’s really about the self
Students who attend classes taught by Leeva Chung, PhD, learn much more than communication and theory. They walk away with lessons they can apply to their future employment, relationships and personal growth. Calling it a shark-tank approach, or organized chaos, Chung incorporates experiential learning into her classes, where students develop solutions
who were part of that class,” she said. Her former students now act as mentors, sounding boards and advocates, bringing new projects to her classroom.
And her current students learn what it feels like when actual stakes are involved. It’s a lot like real life — success often comes from not getting it right the first time. And collaborating with others reveals the good, the bad and the ugly.
Over the years, Chung’s students have tackled many more projects, such as data collection and campaigns for the City of San Diego’s Pure Water San Diego program. The project idea came from Daniel McArdle Jaimes ‘05 (BA), a former student of Chung’s, at Katz and Associates, a public relations firm that helps the City of San Diego raise awareness about water usage.
When the project wrapped up, the winning team received a paid internship at the PR firm. It was also a resume boost for every student who participated; each got a signed letter of appreciation from the City of San Diego.
“My goal, in every single class I teach, is there has to be some form of talking with, because it’s really about the self first and students understanding who they are,” Chung said. “It’s an inspiring challenge to make sure that what students are learning can be used not just in the classroom, but also for the
– Bonnie Nicholls
By Ryan T. Blystone
Roughly 6,000 miles separates Barcelona, Spain, from San Diego, California. Along with the physical distance, the two can also seem miles apart culturally, even when it comes to a sport like tennis.
When Barcelona native Claudia De Las Heras was contemplating where to play tennis collegiately, she had help from a close friend — one who also happened to be a Torero. Enter USD alumna Gemma Garcia ’20 (BA), also a native of Barcelona.
During her tennis career, Garcia suggested that De Las Heras was someone for then-USD assistant coach and lead recruiter Nadia Abdala to follow. “Claudia and Gemma played in the same club program in Barcelona,” said Abdala, the current head coach for USD women’s tennis. “They didn’t have the same coach, but they knew each other and were from the same academy. When Gemma was a sophomore, she told me to watch for Claudia. I looked her up at that time and said, ‘Yes, I’ll put her on my radar.’”
De Las Heras was just 16 at that time. But her tennis ability quickly blossomed and Abdala followed closely from abroad as De Las Heras won Spain’s 18s nationals title. When it came time to pick a college, De Las Heras chose the Toreros over other schools, even some with top-ranked women’s tennis programs.
“Gemma played an important role,” De Las Heras said. “She told me USD was the best experience of her life so that was a green light. During the whole process of talking with the coaches, I had an instant connection with Nadia. Speaking the language was
also important when going so far away. Even though I couldn’t visit campuses due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, I saw pictures and it was such a beautiful campus. I knew San Diego wasn’t some place in the middle of nowhere.”
“Claudia had a ton of offers, but when I called her, she was already biased toward us because someone she knew had a very good experience here,” Abdala said. “She said she came to USD because she wanted to be part of a change to make the program great. Many teams recruiting her were in the top 10. Claudia was looking for a school where she could take a big role in turning it into a top-10 program. That’s exactly what she’s helping us do.”
In February, the USD women’s tennis program earned its highest-ever national ranking — 12th by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Securing
its highest ranking since 1989 (16th), came as a result of a tough pre-West Coast Conference schedule with wins over No. 2 Texas A&M and perennial power USC. Performances from a Torero roster with seniors Elizabeth Goldsmith, Jordyn McBride and Abigail Desiatnikov, sophomore Mia Mack and De Las Heras, a junior, have been key.
“I feel I’ve improved so much, it has been a great experience. I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else,” De Las Heras said. “I came here motivated.
“It doesn’t matter if Claudia is having a good or bad day on the court, she’s going to show up every single day at practice with an incredible attitude and wants to lift her teammates up.”
I liked USD because I wanted to make a difference.”
Following a 22-win freshman season in singles at the No. 4 or 5 position in the lineup and 16 wins last year at No. 2, Abdala put De Las Heras, the 2024 Preseason All-WCC selection, at No. 1 singles this year. She’s facing the best competition and receiving the most growth potential possible.
“It is exciting to play against a lot of very good players who help me improve. And being a No. 1 player means you have a leadership role and can set an example,” she said.
One sure example came when USD faced nationally ranked Florida on the road and a few days later hosted USC. In both instances, De Las Heras’ match was the deciding point to determine a team winner. Against Florida, she won a first-set tiebreaker,
7-6 (7-0) against the Gators’ No. 1 Carly Briggs, but, after leading 5-3, lost a hard-fought 7-6 (7-5) second set. A crushing 6-1 win by Briggs in the deciding set gave Florida a 4-3 victory. The USC match showed that De Las Heras could bounce back. De Las Heras defeated Snow Han 6-4 in the opener, but Han’s 6-4 win set up the match-deciding set. This time, De Las Heras prevailed, 7-5.
“When you’re in that position, you want to win and give your best. Against Florida, I couldn’t close it out. I felt disappointed. Against USC, I thought this was my chance and I overcame it. It was a really good moment.” A teachable moment.
“You got to see who she is as a person,” Abdala said. “The match at Florida came down to her. Unfortunately, she lost. It was a heartbreaker and you could tell she was hurting a lot. Then, against USC, it came down to her again, but she embraced it and was confident. Against Florida she was rushing things, not taking her time. You could tell she was feeling the pressure. Against USC, she was coachable, breathing and she went to her towel. You could see a four-day difference that she managed the situation better. She clinched the win for us, beating USC, which is always a big deal. That’s who she is. When she goes down, she’s hurt, but doesn’t go too low. She’s quick to learn. She wants to learn the game, the emotions.”•
By Mike Sauer
”I’m really proud of the team.
This conference as a whole was the strongest it’s been since I’ve been here at USD.”
— Head Coach Brian Quinn
In September 2022, USD Men’s Soccer Head Coach Brian Quinn found himself at a crossroads.
Nine games into their season, the Toreros were struggling to find consistent form, and some were beginning to wonder if the major roster reconstruction Quinn had initiated following their disappointing 2-15 2021 campaign would lead the program back to the top of the West Coast Conference (WCC) standings.
A three-goal performance from stalwart midfielder Mason Tunbridge in a season-turning 4-0 win against
Cal Poly promptly quelled those concerns, and propelled the Toreros to a 7-1-1 record over the remainder of the 2022 season, as well as their first WCC title under Quinn’s leadership.
“I give tons of credit to those guys who stayed around and are enjoying that success,” Quinn said, fresh off the team’s 2022 title run. “Kudos to those guys for ramping it up. The whole thing with college athletics is that chemistry and camaraderie go a long way, and these kids put a lot of effort into that.”
Fast forward to the summer of 2023. Quinn and the Toreros made a 6,000-mile, cross-continental journey to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they spent more than a week in the South American capital city. While there, they played several friendly matches and solidified the connection that would ultimately lead them to another WCC title in 2023.
“I’m really proud of the team,” Quinn said, after the squad secured their second consecutive WCC title in a thrilling 1-0 win over Gonzaga last November. “It was a goal at the beginning of the year. The Argentina trip in the summer built a lot of chemistry within the group with the new players coming in.”
During the past two years, the Toreros are 12-1-2 in the WCC after going 1-6 in 2021.
“The success comes from their commitment to our plan and to each other,” Quinn said. “We had a group that believed we could win our conference and get back to the NCAA tournament, even though we knew what a challenge that would be.”
“The character and commitment of all of the players has been the key to our success.”
And while soccer is, and always will be, a sport where success is driven by the sum of the parts, players like Tunbridge go a long way in keeping championship aspirations afloat.
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Tunbridge was named Second Team All-American, just the eighth Torero in program history to ever earn that prestigious honor and just the fourth in the last 25 years.
It capped an incredibly successful season for the team captain and London, England, native, who also was named the 2023 WCC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-West Region and First Team All-WCC.
While Tunbridge may have garnered the bulk of the spotlight for his on-field exploits, it should be noted that no less than 11 other players scored during the season and 12 others had assists. Defensively, they earned 12 shutouts, ranking them among the top 15 teams in the nation in that category.
Ultimately, a heartbreaking loss to California Baptist University in the first round of the NCAA tournament brought the 2023 season to a close. However, given their commitment to maintaining a teamfirst culture, as well as their position atop the WCC, Quinn believes the arrow continues to point upward for the program.
“The character and commitment of all of the players has been the key to our success,” he said. “The leadership from our captains and senior players has been immense. They have set the precedent that this next group of players want to aspire to. Our message in 2024 will be the same as it’s been since I’ve been here — no plays off, no shortcuts and team first, team second and team always.”•
Strange though it may seem, when John Cunningham filled out his first lineup card as manager of the USD baseball team back in 1964, his biggest challenge wasn’t fielding the best lineup possible; it was finding an actual field to play on.
At the time, the Toreros played just about anywhere they could find a suitable space, including Ocean Beach’s Robb Field, the Linda Vista recreation area, Mesa College and parks in National City and El Cajon.
Unfazed by the scheduling challenges, Cunningham built the framework for a program that has since become one of the most successful sports teams in school history. During the next 35 years, he directed the Toreros to 843 victories, 16 winning seasons and four NCAA regional appearances, including trips to the College World Series in 1971 and 1978. He was named the WCC Coach of the Year twice (1993 and 1998), and 47 of his players signed professional contracts, with 10 advancing to the Major Leagues.
Those myriad and impressive accomplishments have earned Cunningham a permanent place of honor in Torero Athletics history, and his many achievements were recently celebrated by the San Diego Sports Association, who named Cunningham the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award.
By Matthew Piechalak
S an Diego Superior Court Judge Rohanee Zapanta believes strongly in the importance of representation.
“Part of being a judge is being out there in the community — being visible and showing what justice looks like, and if it looks like you and me, there’s an emphasis that justice is for everyone,” says Zapanta, a USD double-alumna and member of the USD Alumni Board of Directors.
Zapanta ’98 (BA), ’02 (JD)
was recently named one of the Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network (FWN). She received the award in November at the foundation’s 19th Filipina Leadership Global Summit in Prague, Czech Republic.
“I am so grateful and excited to receive this award,” said Zapanta. The foundation recognizes women of Philippine ancestry who are changing the face of leadership in the global workplace. The award
celebrates outstanding work in their respective fields and acknowledges their contributions to society, mentorship and legacy.
Zapanta was selected from a field of 19 nominees from 10 countries.
“These women are amazing in their passion for what they do in their fields,” said Zapanta.
“I see how their set of values transcends and translates through the work they do for a living and their projects. I am humbled — they really set a
high bar by how they lead and are an absolute inspiration.”
FWN launched the Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World Award in 2006 in the United States and expanded its search globally in 2013.
Awardees have reached the pinnacle of their careers, breaking glass ceilings in the public and private sectors.
Previous award winners include former California Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford.
Zapanta served as a public defender for 13 years, where one of her specializations was advocating for mentally ill clients charged with violent crimes. Understanding the science of the mind and learning to advocate for her clients — many from underserved communities — helped grow her listening skills and her ability to objectively assess each individual client.
“It really broadens your perspective on a case when you understand the root causes of behavior and acknowledging a person in court really comes down to knowing them — you have to listen to what they share.”
Zapanta was appointed to the bench by former California Governor Edmund Gerald Brown Jr. in December 2018 and elected to a six-year term in 2020. She is only the second Filipina-American to serve on the San Diego Superior Court.
As a superior court judge, she is trained and qualified to hear all types of cases.
“We are expected to hear cases from traffic all the way to felony murder,” she said.
“From small claims all the way up through multimillion-dollar civil lawsuits.”
Zapanta was born in Hawaii and grew up in San Diego’s Paradise Hills neighborhood. She always had an interest in the law, which she credits to growing up in an immigrant, bilingual household.
“It was incumbent on the grandkids to really help relatives navigate through the system, from filling out forms to medical care and immigration. All of these things are so important to understanding the rules to navigate the world.”
However, it wasn’t until her senior year at USD when a friend applied to law school that pursuing a law degree seemed like an option.
“What helped me was I really started to think about the ‘why’ behind the laws,” she said. “When I made that connection, that’s what drove me to pursue a career.”
USD helped foster Zapanta’s growth and development, she said.
“USD is such a special place. I went into college thinking I was going to learn and get my degree and quickly realized that it was about finding your values here and rediscovering what you stand for. It was a natural fit when USD awarded me a scholarship to go to law school. USD celebrates what makes its students unique.”
The foundation’s award is considered a working award, meaning awardees are expected to reinvent themselves, pay forward and develop their global imprint with a global pitch project.
As part of the award, Zapanta
is in the beginning stages of launching a local program to support Filipino youth in Southern California. Titled “Brown Faces to the Sun,” the program will target FilipinoAmerican youth 16 to 21 years old and create a support network around art and Filipino culture.
“‘Brown Faces to the Sun’ is borrowed, with permission, from the rap artist Ruby Ibarra,” said Zapanta. “That resonated with me. The sun is one of those images that you see in Filipino culture. It’s one that acknowledges a sense of self.”
Zapanta plans to host creative workshops and artistic collaborations with local artists to help showcase Filipino culture.
“I want this to be a creative way for the youth to rediscover their Filipino core values,” she said. “Working as a juvenile judge, I realized children who thrive through conflict are the ones who have a very strong sense of self.”
Kapwa is the Filipino value of shared inner self. A person who treats another as a kapwa has a shared sense of identity and consciousness with that other person. For Zapanta, kapwa is the framework behind building her project.
“In Filipino culture, you are not really your full self until you give back or pay it forward,” she said. “We are conditioned to watch out for each other. If we can implement that idea so we can talk about it more, can you imagine how valuable that would be for the [Filipino] youth trying to succeed?”•
TOREROS MAKING WAVES MAY BE EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY.
Alma Lyon (BA) retired. She previously worked for the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department as a microbiologist and Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.
Margaret Thrailkill (BA) writes, “After 48 years in Ramona, in the same house, we’ve decided to retire to Sedona, Arizona. Our two Scottish terriers will retire with us and enjoy the red rock views! We welcome the ability to worship in the Chapel of the Holy Cross.”
Debbie (Shattuck) Burke (BA) and her husband celebrated 51 years of marriage in 2023. “Fun to remember the great days at USD,” she writes.
Broeck N. Oder (BA), ‘75 (MA) passed away on June 7, 2023, in Pacific Grove, California.
Blaine R. Smith (BA) retired in 2021 after working for 39 years as a teacher, administrator and football coach. “I loved my years at USD,” he writes.
Deborah Wolfe (JD) recently changed the name of her business to Wolfe Legal Solutions, PC to reflect that she is no longer engaged in litigation of legal malpractice suits. “I am now devoted to advising lawyers and law firms on legal ethics matters and acting as an expert witness on legal ethics and legal malpractice law in court for both plaintiffs and defendants.”
Sandy Barsky (BA) is enjoying writing songs, studying music and delving into artificial intelligence.
Carolyn (Jackson) Bowen (BBA) writes, “My husband and I have three adult children, all active in their chosen careers. We have five beautiful grandchildren that are a joy to our family. After retiring from AT&T, I chose to utilize my skills in negotiation and marketing in the real estate industry, so I joined Berkshire Hathaway. Aside from work, we spend much of our time with family on outings and vacations.”
Scott McKay (BA) writes, “God is great, San Diego is good, Toreros are crazy. Cheers!”
Catherine (O’Rourke) Delano (BA), ’90 (MAT) retired and moved to New England to be with family. “Best decision ever!” she writes.
Mary DiMatteo (BA) retired after working for almost 50 years. She is now spending time traveling and visiting her parents.
Jennifer Cazares (BBA) is a life coach, author and founder of the SHiFT Method of organizing. She has spent nearly a decade working with hundreds of clients affected by hoarding disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other factors associated with chronic disorganization. She uses her past careers, current passions and endless empathy to make meaningful, lasting, life-changing connections with her clients.
Paul Lynch (JD), ’86 (MBA) and his wife, Kathy, are splitting their time between Boston, Massachusetts, and Seabrook Island, South Carolina.
Meredith Alcock (JD) started her own firm in August 2022 and moved to a new space in January
By Gabrielle Horta
When he was around 18 years old, Chris Speed ’21 remembers thinking, “I wonder what Google does?”
Today, it’s safe to say the Knauss School of Business MBA alumnus knows plenty about the tech giant. Now in his role of Pixel Go-to-Market Manager at Google, Speed has pulled back the curtain on the then-mysterious company that piqued his curiosity. But his path to reach the Silicon
Valley superpower was a bit of a windy one.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics from California State University San Marcos, and later a Master of Science in engineering/ industrial management from National University, Speed thrived at several different companies in positions centered around process improvement, project management and business strategy.
“I was able to dip my toes in different waters,” Speed said. “Getting a comprehensive view of many businesses — that allows you to be a Swiss Army knife.”
At Encore Capital Group in San Diego, he led business development and strategy. Despite refining his skill set and finding increasing success, he knew he was meant to do more.
“There was this glass ceiling,” Speed explained. “I’m in the room, but I don’t have a seat at the table. I wanted to be on par with those at the table.”
So, Speed decided that an MBA would help him break through the limitations he felt and position him for the greater level of responsibility he was looking for. Plus, “I consider myself a lifelong learner,” he said.
He chose the Knauss School of Business at USD, an institution he admired in a setting he was familiar with, having grown up in the Linda Vista neighborhood right next to campus.
Learning what he calls “the tricks of the trade” in the MBA program opened the door to Speed’s first job in the tech industry, at Meta. From there, he was given the opportunity to transition into his current role at Google, which carries the influence he had sought but demands a far different expertise than what he’d been honing over the years.
“I had to do a complete about-face when I started at Google,” Speed said, recalling shifting job responsibilities. In his current go-to-market manager role, with product launches of several Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch under his belt, he uses insights to help create a point of view, “distilling a bunch of crazy information” into a recommendation for leadership. Once approved, he then implements the strategy alongside the telecommunications partner to sell the phone.
What was his secret to pivoting positions so seamlessly? Unbeknownst to Speed, the Knauss School of Business
MBA program had prepared him for the job at Google all along.
“My role at Google mirrors a substantial portion of my MBA,” he said, laughing. “Marketing and analytics — that coursework I use every day.”
He explained that marketing courses he took by Professors Seth Ellis and Carlton O’Neal culminated with a simulation in which students make decisions about taking a product to market. “I’m basically doing the exact same thing!” Speed said. “Those courses really prepared me for the stress and the chaos and the nuance and the fun of new product introduction.”
On the analytics side, Professor Amit Kakkad’s course, which Speed admitted he “absolutely hated,” provided him with a leg up.
“Google is so analytical, it’s unreal,” Speed said. “The framework — decision trees, in particular — that he taught in his class I use on a regular basis.”
“The foundation of qualitative and quantitative skills that I got from the MBA program helped me to put on a life vest
and splash my way to shore,” he added.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the seat that I sit in now. Google is the most trusted brand in the world. It’s a bunch of very talented, type-A people that are entrepreneurs building something and moving it forward.”
As to the most unexpected thing about working at the company, “I can move the needle and have an impact — I was really surprised by that.”
Speed admits to working a lot, either remotely or at the Mountain View office, in which he enjoys hopping aboard the Google shuttle to travel to and from his San Francisco residence. So, on weekends, “I spend time with my friends — refill my tank,” he said.
Speed also spends his downtime exploring the Bay Area, calling himself a “constant tourist,” playing tennis, reading anything from the latest trends in AI to personal growth, or hanging out with his dog, Arya, named after a character in Game of Thrones. •
2023. She continues to have a busy estate planning and administration practice. She loves spending time with her two granddaughters, ages 5 and 3, and wishes she had more time to do so.
Linda Barkacs (JD) along with husband Craig are both professors at the USD Knauss School of Business. Linda is an original co-author of Dynamic Business Law (McGraw Hill), a textbook now in its sixth edition. Craig authors a blog for Psychology Today titled Power and Influence. They also own The Barkacs Group that does negotiation and other training for corporate clients. In June, they will celebrate 41 years of marriage.
Angie Gossett (BBA) is currently serving as the regional human resources director for Commander, Navy Region Southwest Fleet and Family Readiness Programs and lives in San Diego. In this role, Angie supports more than 3,200 nonappropriated employees at 10 Navy installations across California and Nevada.
James Myles (JD) served as a United States administrative law judge for more than a decade. He retired and ran for Congress in 2022, winning the Republican nomination in the 11th District of Virginia (Fairfax County) and received nearly 100,000 votes. After a brief stint as a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County Public Schools, he is now teaching a course in administrative law at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University.
Joel Selik (LLM) is the first certified specialist in legal malpractice in Nevada. He is also certified in legal malpractice in California by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.
Jason Tolin (JD) joined the law firm of Lancier Legal, PC, as an estate planning attorney.
Evelyn Huynh (BA) writes, “I am happy as a stay-at-home mom to a wonderful nine-year-old son and married to my husband, Joe Levert. I am fortunate to be able to work remotely as a grant professional consultant.”
Manuel Medel (MBA) founded a company specializing in technological innovations for mining, reaching mining markets in more than 30 countries on five continents. His new projects develop solutions that address the environmental and operational challenges of modern mining.
Jennifer Bowhey (BA) and her husband Steve moved across the country from Seattle to operate one of the largest home-care franchise locations in the state of Virginia. The company was recognized as the Best of Virginia in Home Care in 2022 and 2023 and has expanded its veteran clientele.
Kecia Brown (MA) has authored four books of poetry and is the founder and lead coach for KB Coaching, a career and leadership coaching practice.
Brian Derdowski (JD) writes, “After serving 20 years with the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, I will be representing taxpayers as of counsel with Agostino and Associates, PC, in Hackensack, New Jersey.”
James Britt (BA), ’21 (MS) is a captain with the Seattle Police Department, where he oversees technology and innovation.
Arika Wells (BBA) was named vice president and chief operating officer of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona in July 2023. “I am thrilled to join United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona in a professional capacity, an organization I
CALCAP Advisors, Led by USD Alumni, Makes Million-Dollar Investment in Knauss School of Business
By Russell Yost
Real estate investment firm CALCAP Advisors has pledged $1 million to USD’s Knauss School of Business. Ed Aloe (BBA), CALCAP founder and president, and Pat Wakeman (BBA) and Mark Mozilo (BA), co-founders and principals, are all USD graduates from the Class of 1986.
truly love and for which I have served as a volunteer for many years,” Wells writes.
Tom Kruza (JD) has served as senior counsel for The Boeing Company Defense, Space & Security in Huntsville, Alabama, for the past 12 years, leading in critical Boeing initiatives. Prior to Boeing, he worked as a government contracts attorney in Southern California where he received a pro bono award for work with disabled veterans and natural disaster victims.
Tom and his wife Jeanne have fond memories of their time together at USD, where she completed her MEd in counseling. They attended The Immaculata Church, where they baptized their first daughter. Tom has been an active community volunteer coaching Little League and American Legion Baseball while also serving on various boards in Huntsville where their family resides.
“With the building of the Knauss Center for Business Education, it seems like a good time to make this investment,” says Aloe. “We didn’t want to wait until later in life to make a gift … and this was a rare opportunity to make a bigger gift from the three of us.”
“What an extraordinary example of our alumni thought leaders paying it forward,” says Tim Keane, PhD, dean of the Knauss School of Business.
“Our students, faculty, staff and alumni will benefit from the generosity of Ed, Pat and Mark for years to come.”
USD completed construction of a new complex — the Knauss
The seven-figure gift is among the largest alumni gifts in USD history and has named the school’s Business Advisory Suite in commemoration of the firm the trio co-founded. The space, now known as the CALCAP Advisors Business Advisory Suite, is intended as a hub of collaboration between students and business leaders and a designated spot for alumni to host events and meetings. For Aloe, Wakeman and Mozilo, it is also an opportunity to give back to the university in a way that honors their success in business.
Center for Business Education — along with a significant renovation of Olin Hall in the fall of 2022. The gift comes full circle for the business partners and friends who were business majors at USD and part of one of the earliest cohorts of students in what was then known as the USD School of Business Administration.
Last year, the university hosted a special event dedicating the suite. Aloe, Wakeman and Mozilo were joined by business partners, friends and several of their 1986 classmates for the celebration.
“It speaks volumes when alumni give back to their university,” says Aloe. “The most important thing a university can have are fervent alums who love and support it.”•
Erik Molina (BBA) recently retired from the Navy after 25 years of service and has transitioned to law school at the Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii Manoa.
Katelyn Nichol (BA) lives in Spokane, Washington, and celebrated 12 years of marriage last fall with her husband, Christian Nichol, a San Diego native. They have three young boys and a daughter in heaven whom they can’t wait to join one day.
Elizabeth Spangenberg (BA), ’16 (MA) was stationed on two U.S. Navy ships out of San Diego and is now working at the Pentagon.
Carolyn Straub (BA) writes, “I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since I graduated. What I learned at USD I use every day — critical thinking, empathy, writing — even though my ethnic studies and English lit BA degrees seem very different from my job today as a director of
engineering program management at Google. Go Toreros!”
Sara Forrest (BA) is so thankful and thrilled to have baby daughter Eloise Maisie O’Mara Forrest home, where she joins older brother Oliver Quinn Duke Forrest.
Ryland Gill (BS/BA) has been busy on the USD Engineering Alumni Council trying to foster a strong sense of community and support for students and other alumni.
Kate (Karnas) Johnston (BA) returned to San Diego and is now living in Del Mar with her husband and their son. She is a senior vice president and portfolio leader in Porter Novelli’s Food and Agriculture practice, providing public relations counsel to food and beverage companies.
Jennifer (Ngyuen) Laeng (BA) writes, “I got married in December 2021. My husband is in the Navy and recently got stationed in Key West, so we left San Diego and moved across the country!”
Michael Renna (BBA) has taken the entrepreneurial leap alongside his family by co-founding Triple Temp Cold Storage. This venture has allowed him to carry forward the family tradition of entrepreneurship into the next generation. Life beyond work is a beautiful journey shared with his wonderful wife, Valentina Renna. Together, they’re navigating the joys of parenting with their two lively young kids, ages 5 and 3.
Kristin (Murphy) O’Day (BA) and husband, Connor, moved to Darien, Connecticut, where they welcomed their first child in May 2023.
Phi Phan-Armaneous (BA) graduated with her PhD in IndustrialOrganizational Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and is launching her consulting practice.
Scott Marcus (BBA) retired after 23 years as an active-duty U.S. Navy SEAL. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as a program manager at JHU-APL, working in San Diego.
Taylor Hamer (BA), ‘22 (JD) writes, “After graduating from USD in 2019, I decided to stick around USD a little longer for law school. I received my JD in May of 2022, and moved to [New York City] in September of 2022 to work as an assistant counsel at a startup company here in the city.”
Evan Youngstrom (JD) was promoted to counsel at Latham & Watkins LLP in San Diego, effective Jan. 1, 2024. A member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice and Corporate Department, he advises founders, private and public companies, and venture capital and private equity firms in technology, life sciences and other growth industries.
Margaret Avila (PhD) is semi-retired, maintaining a practice as a nurse practitioner among Latinos with Medi-Medi health coverage in the LA area. She continues to mentor nursing colleagues completing higher education goals, and providing consultation to nursing programs to assure adequate passing BRN licensing rates or national certification rates for APRN graduates. All this in addition to watching her grandchildren after school.
Bonnie Smith (LLM) received the Pro Bono of the Year award from the State Bar of Nevada.
Noel Meza (JD) was just elected to serve as secretary of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association.
Leadership, is now training and coaching people to become better leaders and high performing teams.”
Alan Pleat (MBA) works for Protiviti doing marketing consulting as part of the digital practice.
Nathan Hoong (BS/BA) is working as an engineer at Illumina and also pursuing an MS in systems engineering degree at UCLA.
John Rodriguez (MS) writes, “After earning my MS in law enforcement and public safety leadership from USD, I am pleased to report that I have been appointed chief of police for a tribal community. This role is incredibly fulfilling, and I am committed to ensuring safety and fostering a strong sense of unity within this unique community. It is an excellent opportunity for me to put into practice the leadership skills and theoretical knowledge that I garnered during my time at USD. I am excited to see where this journey leads.”
Daria Lantz (BA) uses her degree to assist her clients with their nutrition and help them cleanse their bodies naturally with water. “I love what I do, and I am a local in Escondido at Restoration Alternative Health Care,” she writes.
Grace Recka (BBA) lives in Mission Valley and works as a realtor for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties and is actively involved in her community.
Rosalinda Puentes (BA) is a family law legal assistant and currently attending the USD Paralegal Program to become certified. “I am loving the transition to law and feel that this is what I am meant to do.”
consulting for private developers and municipalities on a variety of projects and area plans in Southern California. She also ran her first half-marathon!
Ciana Torres (BA) was elected National Board president of Alpha Pi Sigma sorority in 2023, overseeing all chapters of Alpha Pi Sigma across the United States. “I am honored to have learned how to make sustainable equitable change during my time at USD and am committed to the Changemaker ideology to help uplift our communities,” she writes.
Twila Albrecht (MS) graduated from the Kroc School with a masters in conflict management and resolution. She has gone on to work with the organizational culture team at the Fetzer Institute.
Darlene Niyonzima (MA) is interested in bringing her skills and experience to serving immigrant populations. She is also focused on being present and enjoying day-to-day life with her new family.
Submit a Class Note
University of San Diego Magazine keeps you connected to the Torero alumni community. Please submit all class notes for consideration to classnotes@sandiego.edu.
All submissions must include first and last name, name of USD school(s), USD degree(s) obtained, graduation year(s) and a valid email address.
Toreros Making Waves may be edited for length and clarity. Photos must be high resolution, so adjust camera settings accordingly. Engagements, pregnancies, personal email addresses and telephone numbers cannot be published.
Eric Flynn (MSEL) writes, “This past year I’ve accelerated my coaching education and grown my leadership coaching practice through obtaining ICF and board-certified coach certifications. My company, Beacon
Delaney Tax (BA) received a master’s in city planning from San Diego State University in 2023. Currently, she is an environmental analyst for T&B Planning, providing environmental compliance
Online Form
Scan this QR code to submit your class notes online.
by Krystn Shrieve
Alice Bourke Hayes, PhD, who served as the University of San Diego’s second president from 1995 to 2003, passed away on Sept. 24, 2023. She was 85 years old. She was born in Chicago to a proud Catholic family with
roots in Ireland. A lifelong scholar, Dr. Hayes graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology from Mundelein College in 1959. She earned her Master of Science in botany from University of Illinois, Urbana,
and went on to receive her PhD in biological sciences from Northwestern University, where she was a National Science Foundation fellow.
Dr. Hayes had an enduring commitment to science, to students and to the universities
she led, working as a professor at Loyola University of Chicago before serving as a dean, an associate academic vice president and then a vice president of academic affairs. Prior to taking the helm at USD, Dr. Hayes
was the executive vice president and provost at St. Louis University.
She was known at USD as a visionary. When she arrived at Alcalá Park in 1995, her vision was simple, yet grand — to help the university reach its fullest potential. In her earliest days, she made a list of what she wanted to accomplish and checked off goals as she met them. Eight years later, the list — tattered and worn — served not as a to-do list but as more of a got-it-done list.
“Alice Hayes was a brilliant, compassionate and kind leader who embodied all the values we hold dear at USD,” said President James T. Harris III, DEd. “Her impact on this university was immense and she will be sorely missed.”
Upon her retirement, Dr. Hayes left a legacy at USD of robust academics, top-notch students who were dedicated to USD’s mission of service, winning sports programs, state-of-the-art buildings and a university well-positioned to hold its current post as the youngest private university in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the top-100 universities in the nation.
Dr. Hayes capped enrollment and, by doing so, raised the diversity, academic strength and overall quality of each class that entered USD during her tenure. She increased the number of professors at USD by 20 percent and set aside funding to support their academic needs and scholarly pursuits.
During her time as president,
the university constructed many buildings and structures on campus, including the Main Parking Structure, the Jenny Craig Pavilion, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Manchester Village, the West Parking Structure and the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology.
Construction of the Degheri Alumni Center began under Dr. Hayes’ watchful eye and opened in 2004.
Opening the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology was a particular point of pride for the president, who remained a scientist to her core and a botanist at heart. With the precision of a scientist, she photographed and documented every plant on campus — and the greenhouse atop the roof was aptly named in her honor.
Dr. Hayes had a love of traveling and hopscotched around the world — to Greece, Germany and England to Italy, South Africa, China and the former Soviet Union, as well as to Ireland, where she spent time in a house she built with her sisters in the tiny town of Lahardane, population 178.
In her final quote, in her final story in USD Magazine, Dr. Hayes said, “I leave feeling very excited about the things that are going to happen at USD.”
She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 20 years (1981), her parents (1980 and 1990) and her brother Jack (2017). She is survived by her sisters, Gerry (the late Bill) Taylor and Joan Bourke.•
passed away Nov. 18, 2023. A native of San Diego, Lamb received his BA and MA in history from the University of San Diego and his doctorate from Arizona State University. He served as archivist for the California State Railroad Museum and for the California State Archives in Sacramento. He later worked for California State Parks and at the time of his retirement was chief of its Cultural Resources Division. In addition to writing, he enjoyed traveling, collecting toy soldiers and working on his model railroad. Lamb’s publications include articles and reviews in Historical Quarterly, California History, Western, Journal of America’s Military Past, Overland Journal and True West. He is the author of The Extraordinary Life of Charles Pomeroy Stone: Soldier, Surveyor, Pasha, Engineer, published in 2016. He is also the author of Jewish Settlers in the Arizona Territory, published in 2023.
[president]
James T. Harris III, DEd
[vice president, university advancement]
Richard P. Virgin ’24 (PhD)
[associate vice president for university marketing and communications, university advancement]
Russell J. Yost
[editorial team]
Matthew Piechalak
Michael Sauer
Kelsey Grey ’15 (BA)
Steven Covella
[design team]
Barbara Ferguson
Jeff Ernst
[University of San Diego Magazine]
Published two times a year by the University of San Diego for its alumni, parents and friends. U.S. postage paid at San Diego, CA 92110. USD phone number: (619) 260-4600.
[toreros making waves]
(formerly known as Class Notes) Toreros Making Waves may be edited for length and clarity. Photos must be high resolution, so adjust camera settings accordingly. Engagements, pregnancies, personal email addresses and telephone numbers cannot be published.
Please note that content for University of San Diego Magazine has a long lead time. Our current publishing schedule is as follows: Toreros Making Waves received between Feb. 1–May 30 appear in the fall edition; those received June 1–Sept. 30 appear in the spring edition.
Email Toreros Making Waves to classnotes@ sandiego.edu or mail them to the address below.
[mailing address]
University of San Diego Magazine
University of San Diego 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110
[website] www.sandiego.edu/news
[be blue, go green]
University of San Diego Magazine is printed with vegetable-based inks on paper certified in accordance with FSC® standards, which support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
“Leading with Love” was the theme of the 31st All Faith Service, which during the past three decades has become a beloved tradition and a powerful example of the university living its mission, vision and values. The phrase “Leading with Love” was borrowed from the university’s vision statement that reads: Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love.
“At its most profound, the word love is not about preference, affection, friendship or romantic connection,” said Vice President for Mission Integration Michael LovetteColyer. “Instead, the highest form of love is agape, an ancient Greek word best translated as pure and perfect self-gift. This kind of love is anything but trivial — it is profoundly challenging, calling us to go beyond ourselves and those like us, in order to find substantial,
concrete ways of giving our lives away. This kind of love is how multiple religious traditions understand and refer to God.”
The event featured presentations from numerous faith traditions including an indigenous prayer by Stanley Rodriguez, EdD; a Jewish prayer by Danielle Botvin; a Hindu mantra and dance presented by Debjani Chakraborty, Neelu Bhardwaj and Narender Kumar; a Buddhist meditation by Venerable Miaozang; a Christian reflection by Sister Maria Dela Paz, OSF; a Muslim prayer by Taha Hassane; and a closing song by Ken Anderson and the USD Gospel Choir.
The inaugural All Faith Service was held in The Immaculata on Friday, Jan. 28, 1994. Under the guidance of then-Reverend Monsignor Brent Eagen, vice president for Mission and Ministry, the service was designed to usher in the spring semester, similar to how the Mass of the Holy Spirit begins the fall semester.
Members of the USD community sat quietly in collective reverence inside the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre. The warm glow of candlelight cut the darkness as representatives from numerous faith traditions prepared to formally institute the opening procession of the 31st All Faith Service.
UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110-2492
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
We’re all about keeping the Torero spirit alive, no matter where you are! Want to stay in the loop with everything happening at USD? Connect with us on social media. Follow, like, comment and share your Torero pride across our social platforms. Go Toreros!
University of San Diego
USD Alumni Association
USD Torero Athletics uofsandiego gousdalumni usdtoreros
