DEAR TOREROS

Summer is a time for fun, family, vacations and so much more. For some, it means lazy days at the beach, a cross-country road trip or perhaps a camping excursion in the mountains. For many USD faculty members, the summer months are spent delving into research while making plans for an enlightening fall semester. At the same time, USD students hit the trail to help with facultyled research projects or head to the office to work with alumni as part of an internship or a summer job, while still others take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad.

If you are focused on the vacation component of summer, we have you covered. Our Traveling Toreros program provides fantastic opportunities for adventures with like-minded travelers during summer and beyond. From spiritual journeys such as walking the Camino de Santiago to exotic Tahitian cruises, we have the perfect itinerary planned for you. And who better to hang out with than your USD family?

For many alumni, parents, and incoming first-year students, this time of year means attending one of more than 20 Summer Send-Offs held around the country. Coordinated by Renda Quinn ’86 and the Office of Parent and Family Relations, these events provide the opportunity for incoming students to meet others from their area, learn more about what to expect at USD, and get answers to all their questions as they start on their path to becoming Toreros for life.

A number of those incoming students are part of a unique constituency — legacies. Family legacies have been an important part of the university for nearly our entire existence. As we approach our 75th anniversary, we can look back to find names that represent multiple generations of Toreros — names such as Stehly, Chucri, Alessio, Partynski and many more. For the fall of 2023, approximately 10% of our first-year class is made up of students who have another Torero in their family.

We are grateful for those strong connections within the Alumni Association, which continues to flourish and grow with and in support of the university. With more than 77,000 alumni living in San Diego and around the world, our staff and volunteers strive to live out our mission, which is to engage and enrich the Torero community for life.

Among those volunters, it is with sincere gratitude that we thank Vince Moiso ’95, whose term as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors is expiring on June 30. Like many others, his is a family of multiple Toreros. Daughter Viviana will graduate in 2024, joining Vince and his wife, Shelby DePriest Moiso ’94, as USD alumni.

Vince’s tenure was marked by a commitment to strategic planning, including representing alumni on USD’s strategic planning task force. He also led the USD Alumni Association to further enhance strategic task forces based on four pillars of engagement — Communication, Experience, Philanthropy and Volunteerism. A Diversity,

Equity, and Inclusion Task Force also was formed during this time and has been incredibly active. We thank Vince and know that the Moiso family will remain very involved!

Taking over the helm in a twoyear term is Helen Kasperick Finneran, a member of the Class of 1981. She is part of a large Torero family herself. She and her husband, John Finneran III ’80, are parents of Dr. John Finneran IV ’08. In addition, five of Helen’s six siblings followed in her footsteps to Alcalá Park. She and her husband both retired after spending their entire careers with Lockheed Martin and now reside in Carlsbad. They have both been active USD volunteers for many years, supporting University Ministry, the Torero Football Club, and other USD projects. We’re excited to have Helen leading the Alumni Association during a critical moment in USD’s history. I’ll end with a quick note of thanks to Julene Snyder, who helped make USD Magazine what it is today.

To all our alumni, parents, colleagues and friends, enjoy the summer. And enjoy being a part of this wonderful university. We hope you’ll join us at one of our many USD Alumni Association events around the country and throughout the world. Network with your fellow alumni. Hire a graduating senior or a fellow alumnus or alumna. And take time to visit our beautiful campus, perhaps for Homecoming and Family Weekend. It’s always a great day to be a Torero!

Charles Bass Senior Director of Alumni Relations