UST Today - Fall 2015 by University of St. Thomas

Fall 2015

Justice League

UST law alumni lead with ethics, passion in courtrooms and boardrooms across Houston

Entrepreneurship

Campaign Success

Courageous Survivor

Robert C. and Janice S. McNair make generous gift for new center

Construction to start on USTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for Science & Health Professions

Inspiring recent UST alumna sees future full of promise, hope

from the president

Reinforcements

Supporting Our Students to Help Them Succeed

f there’s one thing I learned from my years in the U.S. Army, it’s that it’s always important to have reinforcements. I shared this with our wonderful UST faculty as the fall semester began. My goal was to assure them that whatever challenges come our way, UST has the reinforcements we need to win in the battle for outstanding students. These “reinforcements” are the backbone of UST, and they come in the form of people, programs and principles. Our reinforcements include a team of faculty, staff, board members, benefactors, alumni and others who possess the skills and gifts to help our students succeed. They include robust, relevant courses and programs that prepare our students to be the leaders of tomorrow. Finally, our reinforcements include our guiding principles – a noble mission and Basilian charism that create a distinctive culture based on goodness, discipline and knowledge. In this issue of UST Today, we share some major achievements and milestones that further reinforce and strengthen our university: • We met our $47.3 million fundraising goal for the main building of the Center for Science and Health Professions, the highest priority of Faith in Our Future: The Campaign for the University of St. Thomas. We look forward to breaking ground in November. • We earned reaffirmation from our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, in March. Regional accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to self-examination, compliance and quality – and is vital to our success. • We launched several new courses and programs, including the establishment of the McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. It will advance research and education on the role of private enterprise, individual initiative and entrepreneurship. This issue also spotlights the Pre-law Program and the liberal arts foundation supporting it – producing successful alumni who bring ethical character and leadership to their roles as lawyers and judges. Eight of them are featured in this issue. Please join me in thanking our good Lord for the many blessings this past year and for His continued presence, guidance and mercy. I am confident He will send the reinforcements we need to go forth in His service. With faith in our future,

Robert Ivany President

Fall 2015

4inside

UST TODAY is published biannually for alumni, friends, students, faculty and staff of the University of St. Thomas.

Legal World-Changers

UST law alumni bring ethical leadership to the courtroom and the boardroom

EDITORS Cynthia Colbert Riley, MLA ’95 Jessica Rush

A Promise Kept

Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Family Business

A Star Producer

Plane crash survivor and recent UST graduate inspires others with her purpose-filled life

CREATIVE SERVICES Dr. Michelle Morris Ric Morris GideonStone, LLC Greg Golden Goldengraphix

The generous McNair family makes possible a new entrepreneurship center at UST

Troy Fields Photography CONTRIBUTORS Deema Al-Rasheed ’15 Emily Bushnell Brittany Coons Brenda B. Cooper ’05, MBA ’09 Katie Haugland Darnell Miller ’10 Deana Nall Cindi Nellis Kathleen Paid Ronnie Piper, MLA ’11, MBA ’15 Elaine Rivera ’15 Sandra Soliz, MLA ’01

Kelly Hackett’s heart for giving leads to career helping others achieve their dreams

Alumna wins second Emmy for producing show starring popular host Steve Harvey

12 Faculty Features 22 Faith in Our Future Campaign Update 24 Celebrating Donors and Friends 30 News & Notables 40 Alumni Highlights 42 Campus Couples

Honor Roll of Donors ON THE COVER: Judge Natalie Fleming ’85 presides in Harris County criminal courtroom No. 3.

2 015 -16 U S T B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S Ms. Cecilia Abbott ’87, M.Ed. ’93, MAT ’94 Msgr. James Anderson, STD ’74 Rev. Edward Baenziger, CSB Mr. Philip Bahr Rev. Patrick Braden, CSB Rev. Michael A. Buentello, CSB ’83 Ms. Denise Castillo-Rhodes, MBA ’92 Mr. Robert Corrigan His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

Dr. Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr. ’69, Chair Mr. Michael Fleming ’84 Ms. Lois Folger, P’13 Ms. Marcia Galatas ’95 Rev. Anthony Giampietro, CSB Mr. George Goolsby Ms. Paula Savage Hansen Mr. Curtis Huff, Vice Chair Dr. Robert R. Ivany

Ms. Gloria Kalman Mr. Andrius R. Kontrimas, P’14 & ’15, Secretary Mr. Raymond A. LeBlanc Mr. Harry Mach Mr. Dennis Malloy Mr. George Martinez Mr. Oniel Mendenhall ’04 Ms. Ruth Metzger Mr. John Niemann, P’13

Mr. Stanley Paur Rev. Joseph Pilsner, CSB ’88 Rev. Stephen Reynolds ’89 Mr. Reynaldo Reza Ms. Mary Ricciardello, CPA Rev. Thomas Rosica, CSB Very Rev. George Smith, CSB Mr. Michael Stuart Mr. Ignacio Torras, P’15 Mr. Jesse Tutor

* P = Parent

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LEGAL

WORLD-CH From the Courtroom to the Boardroom, Ethics and Values of UST Law Alumni Set Them Apart

Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s east downtown area, with its many courthouses and high-rise legal offices, is the heart of the Harris County justice system.

Photo courtesy of Katie Haugland.

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www.stthom.edu/prelaw

HANGERS

LEAD IN HOUSTON UST alumni in roles ranging from city attorney and judge to general counsel for a fashion chain agree that UST provided the ideal preparation for success in the legal profession.

“Success in law school requires a strong ethical foundation, excellent writing skills and highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills,” said Dr. Rick Young ’70, UST Pre-law advisor and professor. “Participation in our Pre-law and mock trial programs can enhance a student’s ability to learn these skills and develop confidence in public speaking.” The 80 percent acceptance rate of UST graduates into competitive law schools indicates the preparation is working, Young said. Many of UST alumni who earned degrees attended tier-one law schools, including Harvard, Columbia, George Washington, Baylor, the University of Texas and the University of Houston, among others. Overall, about 60 percent of alumni who go to law school attend one in Texas, with UH and South Texas College of Law attracting the largest numbers of students. Alumni often report to Young and other UST professors that UST’s rigorous liberal arts curriculum gave them an advantage when they started law school. The Pre-law Program at UST is known for offering personalized assistance in navigating the law school admissions process. Courses include Law and Society, the History of Common Law, American Constitutional Law and and Mock Trial. All students in the Pre-law Program declare a major and participate in UST’s core curriculum. UST mock trial students compete with about 600 teams from schools across the country, including Baylor University,

UT-Austin, Houston Baptist, the University of Houston and Southern Methodist University. The competition allows students to participate in trying a national case. Local lawyers assist the students as they engage in regional tournaments. Dr. Jon Taylor, political science professor, said, “One thing we emphasize is the ethical standards of our Catholic faith and the values of Christianity. We encourage students to always pursue a moral course of action.” This fall, UST is offering another path for students into the world of law and the criminal justice system. Dr. Roberto LaCarra is directing a new bachelor’s degree program in Criminology, Law and Society. The social justice-oriented CLS degree focuses on the problem of crime and on understanding the social, cultural, political and economic forces that interact with the law. “This rigorous program offers students a serious inquiry into the study of crime and society,” LaCarra said. “I want my students to reach for the highest level of jobs in that system – judge, forensic psychologist, lawyer, public policy maker. I believe UST graduates are equipped to change the world.”

To find out more about UST’s Pre-law Program, contact Dr. Rick Young at cryoung@stthom.edu or by phone at 713-525-3816. g

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eing an intellectual property attorney requires “intellectual curiosity, and that’s what the liberal arts cultivate,” said Andy Cao ’98. “Every day I’m learning about my clients’ businesses.” Cao, a member at McGlinchey Stafford PLLC, said he cultivated an array of skills in college because UST’s smaller environment allowed him to indulge a wide range of interests.

While at UST, Cao played men’s soccer four years and served as team captain for two. He also was employed as a system administrator by the IT Department, a position that later influenced him to concentrate largely on patent disputes related to technology. Cao, who has a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, concentrates his area of practice on business issues related to commercial litigation and intellectual property (patent disputes, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets). In 2011, he was elected to be a member of his firm, which meant his peers thought he was proficient in the technical aspects of the law and endorsed him. He’s also been included for the past few years on the Texas Super Lawyers (Rising Star) list and received a preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell. One of the biggest challenges Cao said he faces is finding ways to stay ahead of the competition. “What I did yesterday was fine, but it’s not enough for today,” he said. During his time at UST, Cao tried to learn from everyone there. “I wish I could convey to students that the choice to try to do well really makes a difference in the end.”

Intellectual Curiosity, Liberal Arts Background Fuel Attorney’s Success From childhood, Cao’s teachers and his parents encouraged him to strive for excellence and integrity. “I feel like my Catholic schooling and upbringing gave me an ethical anchor many young attorneys don’t have,” he said. When Cao is not thinking about technology patents, he is spending time with the two people who bring him the greatest joy in his life: wife Amy and their 4-year-old daughter Sabine. He recently completed a term on the UST Alumni Board and helped re-launch the UST Law Alumni group. “Almost everything involves relationships,” he said. “You need to be good at what you do, then use that to be helpful to others.”g

I, do solemnly swear that I will support the 4

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Judge Sees Her Role as Helping People Get Their Lives Back on Track

hen Judge Natalie Fleming ’85 first recited the Pledge of Allegiance at age 5, she did so in a Spanish accent. Although she’s proud of her Cuban heritage, not a trace of that accent can be heard today as she presides from her bench in Harris County criminal courtroom No. 3. While she was born and raised in the United States, both her parents were from Cuba – yet her Dad is a son of the American Revolution. “My maiden name was Jackson, and my ancestors were some of the first settlers in Newton, Mass.,” Fleming explained. “My dad’s father owned a publishing company that had offices in Cuba, and they moved there. Fleming’s dad used his connections as a labor lawyer with Delta Airlines to help his family flee to the U.S. with one suitcase each in the early 1960s. “I greatly admired my dad, and I wanted to be a lawyer before I knew what it was,” Fleming said. Understanding their daughter’s ambitions for her future, Fleming’s parents sent her to UST. “My UST philosophy and theology courses had a tremendous impact on me,” she said. “I learned compassion, understanding, patience and insight.” After earning her bachelor’s in political science there, she attended South Texas School of Law. She rose quickly in the ranks in the district attorney’s office, then took a break for 15 years after her third child was born. She and husband Michael P. Fleming ’84 (a UST board member) have six children: one in medical school, one in law school, two in college and two in high school. Fleming oversees cases such as driving with a suspended license, driving while intoxicated, assault and possession of marijuana, and her goal is to try to rehabilitate as many people as possible.

“So many are young offenders, and I want to help them get their lives on track,” she said. Fleming spends an extraordinary amount of time focused on an intervention program called SOBER, and she thinks all the extra hours are worth the impact on lives. Although Fleming’s Cuban roots are no longer obvious, her dad’s Spanish nickname for her, Mi Zurda, reminds her they have more in common than the law and their deep Catholic faith. They’re both left-handed. “My dad is so proud of me,” Fleming said. “When he comes into my courtroom, he just beams.”g

Constitutions of the United States, and of

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aving an entrepreneur’s drive and focus is essential for success as a lawyer when choosing the small-firm route, said commercial litigation attorney Jared LeBlanc ’01 of Welsh | Leblanc, LLP. “We work hard and take calculated risks,” said LeBlanc, son of UST’s School of Education dean, Dr. Robert LeBlanc ’70, and entrepreneur mom,

aviation disputes to all aspects of energy, including pipelines, exploration and production. “When I was growing up, a lot of my father’s friends were attorneys, and I thought it seemed like a cool thing to do,” he said. Welsh | Leblanc’s goal is to develop long-term relationships with clients as partners. One of LeBlanc’s clients has grown to 700 employees, and the deals keep getting more complicated. He counts on LeBlanc and the team to handle all of them. The firm handles matters around the country, from Tampa to Denver. LeBlanc was a philosophy major with a theology minor, and the challenging curriculum and intense writing requirements gave him an advantage in law school. Now, his favorite projects involve putting together deals. “I love the psychology of negotiation,” LeBlanc said. “It’s like putting a chessboard together and looking 20 moves ahead. In the end, the thrill comes when you get the deal done.” The honors graduate from South Texas College of Law has been named a Texas Super Lawyer (Rising Star) annually for the past five years.

Entrepreneurial Spirit Drives Young Lawyer to Follow His Dream of Opening a Firm Rebecca LeBlanc ’70, who opened her own psychology practice. “The bottom line is this: you find clients, and you keep them happy.” Fortunately, LeBlanc is good at both. The four attorneys in his firm handle a wide range of commercial issues – from patents on robotic technology and

LeBlanc is involved with the UST Law Alumni, and occasionally he shares his knowledge and expertise through a continuing legal education course on campus. While still at UST, LeBlanc learned a memorable life lesson about never settling for mediocre work or half-baked preparation: “Fr. Daniel Callam returned a paper with these words scrawled in red: ‘You seem to have some good ideas… at least, as best as I can tell in wading through your tortuous prose.’ What a great comment; I never forgot it. It made me a better writer, and it made me a better lawyer.”g

this State; that I will honestly demean mysel 6

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Accounting and and L aw ILaw ntersect in in Accounting Intersect A lumnus’ Three-Decade C areer

Alumnus’ Three-Decade Career

erry M. Scroggins Jr. ’81 helps clients plan their financial future as an attorney specializing in estate and gift planning. He’s a partner with Fizer, Beck, Webster, Bentley & Scroggins, PC, and he’s worked with that “great group of people with a great reputation” for 29 years. Scroggins is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and he is board certified in estate planning and probate law. Scroggins, consistently named a Texas Super Lawyer, combines education and experience from two fields in his professional work. He is an attorney and a certified public accountant. His love of learning and his willingness to tackle tough academic work began at UST. Scroggins said Fr. J. Michael Miller, CSB, professor of theology, challenged him “more than any other teacher. It was one of my most rewarding classes.” Professor Mary Stevens gave Scroggins his foundation in accounting and encouraged him to set a higher vision for himself. Scroggins later earned his law degree from the University of Houston. He believes his business background was good preparation for law school and his later estate planning career, and he encourages students interested in this path to take business classes – but to also focus on core classes like philosophy, theology and English. “What you learn in the core classes can be just as important as the business classes once you get out in the real world,” Scroggins said. UST figures prominently in the Scroggins family. His father was part of the first graduating class, and several other family members attended the school. Scroggins is actively engaged with UST, serving on the Planned Giving Advisory Board. Although he had always gone to Catholic schools, Scroggins said UST was where his faith journey truly began. “The professors sparked my interest,” he said.

Now, one of the biggest ongoing challenges and opportunities Scroggins faces is trying to integrate faith into work. “We’re called to live our faith in the secular world,” he said. “What does it mean to be a Catholic mentor, a Catholic boss, a Catholic manager? I’m trying to figure that out.”g

lf in the practice of law; that I will discharge

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alancing work and family has been one of the biggest life challenges for Houston Assistant City Attorney Maria Hamzo-Saliba ’05. She was pregnant with her first child her first year of law school – giving birth a day after finals – and with her second child soon after she started her job.

Fortunately, she left UST with knowledge and insights that help her cope with day-to-day life. She said UST classes like philosophy impact “the way you think and your outlook on life. You learn that life isn’t in neat boxes; it all blends together and intersects.” Life in the criminal division for the City of Houston can be daunting. When she is assigned to jury court, she handles roughly 150-200 cases that day; to date, she has tried 52 cases before a jury. In addition to trial duties, she serves as one of the mayor’s legislative liaisons, staying current on legal issues that might affect the criminal division of the city. She earned her law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2012 but believes that UST prepared her for her role “almost as much as law school.” UST provided Hamzo-Saliba critical thinking skills and “a different perspective.” Although she considers herself a spiritual person, she stays focused on the law and its implications when she’s in court. “I’m a prosecutor, and I try to keep my faith separate in my mind,” she said. “My main role as a prosecutor is to ensure that justice is served.” UST’s Catholic environment and positive reputation were two of the reasons she first chose the school. Her husband, George, attended as well.

Alumna Finds Great Joy In Balancing Legal and Family Matters “Some of the best times of my life happened at UST, and my professors were amazing,” she said. Given the complex and diverse nature of her work, her advice to incoming college students is sage and grounded in real life: “Be as well rounded as you can,” she said. “Don’t just concentrate on one thing, but soak up the entire experience of UST.” Hamzo-Saliba’s own well-rounded life brings her joy. “I can’t wait to get home and play with my kids every day,” she said. “I also love my job and get to work with wonderful attorneys. UST totally prepared me for what I do today.”g

my duties to my clients to the best of my ability; 8

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Young “Super Lawyer” Says Theology, Philosophy Teachings Keep Him Grounded

fter leaving Texas in 2003, Habeeb I. Gnaim ’00 looked at his new Georgetown University Law Center peers and wondered, “Can I hang with these people?” Initially intimidated because many students had attended well-known, prestigious universities, Gnaim quickly discovered the value of his undergraduate UST education. “UST prepared me to not only handle Georgetown, but to excel and graduate with honors,” he said. Gnaim, now a partner at Chamberlain Hrdlicka, received his Master of Laws degree from Georgetown in ’04 with a specialty in taxation. He said his UST liberal arts education was one secret to his success. “Those teachings keep you grounded and equip you to deal with adversity,” Gnaim said. UST’s smaller class sizes and intimate campus environment allowed him to participate more actively and to thrive. Gnaim is not the only member of his family to thrive at UST. In fact, approximately 25 relatives are fellow alumni. In 2003, Gnaim earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law before he went on to Georgetown. He became a partner in his law firm just five years later. He heads the General Tax Section at Chamberlain Hrdlicka and calls himself a “hybrid” attorney because he can complete both corporate and tax work. Because of his quality work, he has been named a Texas Super Lawyer for several years by Texas Monthly and has also been honored several years as one of Houston’s top lawyers by H Texas magazine. Through the years, Gnaim has continued his involvement with UST. He served on the Alumni Board for the Cameron School of Business and participated in the mentorship program and alumni week.

Gnaim credits his faith and his upbringing by his parents as instrumental in his roles as “a successful lawyer, husband, son and brother” and, he hopes, as a successful father of his three young children. While he is proud of his educational and career successes, he said one of his greatest achievements was marrying his wife, Faten ‘03, whom he met at UST. “The highlight of my day is coming home from work and seeing my wife and three children,” he said. g

; and, that I will conduct myself with integrity

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his summer, Marty (Thompson) Lundstrom ’99 made a serious career shift – from litigation manager for an international oil and gas company to assistant general counsel for popular fashion retail chain Charming Charlie.

“This change definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Lundstrom said. “But I know it’s the only way I’ll grow and learn as a lawyer. I’m not afraid to fail.” She said her ability to take risks “harkens back to UST, where you could not just sit back and let things happen. You got involved, you tried different activities, you spoke up in class.” As one of two attorneys at the 350-store fashion chain, Lundstrom is “a jack of all trades.” She previously worked at Hess Corporation, an oil and gas company with 900 retail locations. She managed litigation and arbitrations across the globe, handling roughly 800 cases. The jump from oil to fashion isn’t as odd as it sounds. “I really like the retail business,” she said. “I understand what it takes to create the sale of a necklace.” Lundstrom has been named a Texas Super Lawyer (Rising Star) and named to the Houston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40.” Life is busy for Lundstrom, who has a law degree and an MBA from the University of Texas. The newlywed married Bruce Lundstrom in May, started the new job in July and runs Kennedy Dance Theater in Clear Lake.

UST Experience Equips Lawyer to Make the Leap from Energy to Retail Law

She is the producer/choreographer for NightCourt.org, a lawyer-cast musical production that raises money for Houston-area legal charities. Several UST alumni are participating in it this year. Lundstrum is grateful for the lifelong friendships she made at UST and for the ways UST prepares students for higher degrees. A member of West United Methodist Church, Lundstrom said her faith helps with her career and her day-to-day decisions and choices. “God and Jesus have the hurdles under control; that gives me a sense of peace,” she said. “I can respond calmly and prayerfully to things that happen, which has been a great benefit to me as a lawyer.”g

and civility in dealing and communicating w 10

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David vs. Goliath: Lawyer Sees His Work as ‘Balancing the Scales’

ean Patrick Tracey ’88 was first drawn to the law profession at age 10 when he watched the movie “Inherit the Wind.” “In the movie, all the power of the government was brought against a powerless school teacher,” Tracey recalled. “Watching Darrow try the case planted the seed for me that trial lawyers are the great equalizers.” Tracey moved to Houston from Detroit to attend UST. “I was the 11th one in our family, including my cousins, to graduate from UST,” he said. Since earning his law degree from South Texas School of Law in 1991, Tracey has committed his life to defending and helping people who have been injured or who have had a family member who was injured or killed. His cases are often against large corporations. Tracey’s first major breakthrough pharmaceutical case began when a woman from Pearland walked through his door in late 2005. She had been prescribed an antidepressant while pregnant, and her baby was born with a catastrophic heart defect. The baby’s second surgery caused a stroke that left the child in an almost vegetative state. “I tried the first case of this kind in the country, against GlaxoSmithKline,” he said. “I later represented a couple hundred other women with similar challenges.” The board-certified personal injury and civil trial attorney has more than 20 years experience trying cases and obtaining verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in Texas and nationwide. “If you don’t want to help people, you shouldn’t be doing this,” he said. He has been named a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine every year since 2004 and one of the Top 10 Lawyers of the Year by U.S. Lawyers Weekly in 2009. He and his associates spend 80 percent of their time dealing with scientific, not legal, issues. “We may deal with 20 million documents for one case,” he said.

Tracey recently presented at an international ethics conference in Rome about the corruption he believes exists throughout the medical research industry, particularly related to drug development. He credits his philosophy and theology courses at UST for his ongoing interest in ethics. The husband, dad and now granddad has stayed involved with UST. He and his wife Kari are chairing the 2015 Irish Gala to raise funds for the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies. “While I don’t advertise my faith, I don’t run from it either,” Tracey said. “It informs what I do as a lawyer every day.”g

with the court and all parties. So help meGod.

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facultyfeature What do a law professor, a novelist and a surfer have in common? For UST’s Dr. Rick Young ’70, the answer is simple. These three diverse career paths are interwoven as his life’s passions.

Longtime Law Professor Might Be Found Catching a Wave The director of UST’s Pre-law Program has been teaching law at UST for a quarter century. When he’s not in the classroom, he can likely be found teaching surfing – or catching some waves himself – on the beaches of Galveston and Surfside. Young has also recently published a novel, Island Undertow: Conflict and Greed in Galveston – the first in a trilogy. He is now seeking a publisher for his second novel. Surfing has been natural to Young since he began the sport in his teens, but his calling to the legal profession came later, and in a more roundabout way. Having always been drawn to history, Young earned a history degree at UST and planned to someday teach history at a university. But this was the late ’60s, and the Vietnam War and its accompanying draft were breathing down the necks of most men his age. “In those days, men had a II-S deferment from the draft while undergrads,” he said. “Once you graduated with a bachelor’s, the deferment was up. I got a draft notice a week after graduation.” Young decided to go to law school and enroll in ROTC at the University 12

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of Houston, which would result in a military deferment and allow him to continue his education through law school. But the summer after he graduated, his father passed away, leaving him as the sole-surviving son. This prompted a deferment of another type. “Our lives in those days were driven by the war,” Young said. “Nearly all males my age faced this dilemma.” Once Young started law school, he discovered a lot about the legal field he enjoyed. He sought out history, his first academic passion, within his law classes, and developed a deep interest in the history of law. After law school, Young went on to practice law for 20 years before deciding to leave the courtroom for the classroom. “I was a trial lawyer, and that’s kind of a young man’s adventure, anyway,” he said.

Now, Young has taught law for 25 years at UST, and he coaches the university’s mock trial team. Through his teaching and coaching, he hopes to impart a strong sense of ethics and critical thinking to his students. While some of his law students might be surprised to learn their esteemed professor can teach them Constitutional Law – and how to spot an epic wave – these areas of expertise are not so dissimilar in Young’s mind. “I’ve learned how to reach students and help them understand analysis and legal thinking,” he said. “Some of that has been transferable to teaching students how to surf. Both disciplines require patience, professional demeanor and up-to-date technique for getting students to listen to you and do the right thing.” g

facultyfeature The founder and director of UST’s newly formed Criminology, Law and Society program, Dr. Roberto LaCarra, has a close-up and personal understanding of criminal justice, victimology and gangs.

Divergent Paths: Life Experiences Shape Teaching of Criminology Professor Growing up Latino in California’s San Fernando Valley, LaCarra witnessed crime and its impact and contributing factors. “I watched friends who were smart and talented end up dropping out of school, going to the streets and eventually entering the criminal justice system,” said LaCarra, associate professor. “Their lives took a different path, and I believe that was unnecessary.” LaCarra’s own brother became a gang leader in Los Angeles. “My parents were good people,” he said. “They were never involved in gangs or drinking or drugs. We’re proof that two people with the same parents can choose two different paths, based on social contexts and their life experiences.” LaCarra’s own early life experiences serve as a foundation for his teaching. In contrast to traditional criminal justice programs, UST’s Criminology, Law and Society program takes an approach that combines sociology and law. Only one of five programs of its kind in the U.S., the new program was developed to consider recent national issues, such

as understanding how police action relates to minority communities. “It’s a very academic and rigorous inquiry into the study of crime and society,” LaCarra said. “Criminal justice programs mostly prepare students for work in law enforcement, and we will, too, but criminology goes beyond that into an academic inquiry regarding the root problems of crime and justice.” Having dropped out of high school in ninth grade, LaCarra is keenly aware his life could have taken a different direction. Because of mentors and other people who cared about him, LaCarra found his way back to education through community college. He eventually served in both the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. After his service, he returned to the L.A. streets that had claimed his brother and so many friends. LaCarra worked with a community-based

organization to help negotiate a truce among the gangs of the San Fernando Valley, and he also worked with gang members and inmates to help them complete their own education. He kept going to school, as well, earning seven college degrees – with a goal to earn three more. LaCarra believes life is an ongoing education journey. This is a philosophy he modeled for the inmates he worked with years ago, and he continues to impart it to his current UST students. Despite his many degrees and academic achievements, the ninth-grade dropout he once was is never far from his mind. For that reason, he considers his career both a professional venture and a personal mission. “I want to make a statement through my life that if people are cared about, validated and encouraged, they can reach any goal,” LaCarra said. g

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facultyfeature Political science isn’t just a classroom subject to Dr. Jon Taylor. It’s in his DNA. His grandparents were active in the Republican Party in Taylor’s hometown of Dallas.

Political Science Expert Brings the World to His Classroom In junior high, he acted as a selfappointed pollster who surveyed his peers about Nixon and Watergate. “I’ve been working political campaigns since I was 6 years old,” said Taylor, professor of political science and chair of the Political Science Department. “It’s something that has always been a part of me.” So majoring in political science as an undergrad at the University of Oklahoma came naturally for Taylor. Starting graduate school in the mid-’80s – when most of Taylor’s fellow students were writing papers about what was then the Soviet Union – Taylor’s interest turned toward a different Communist country: China. He wasn’t able to devote much research time to China until he joined the faculty at UST, where research is emphasized and encouraged. In this collegial environment, he was able to build up a body of scholarly work on China over time. In addition to journal articles, conferences papers and a book manuscript, Taylor is a sought-after consultant and speaker who often appears in the media. His China research focuses primarily on public 14

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administration, and he regularly travels to China for conferences and to share insights with local officials. “Ethics and urbanization play a key role in how China functions today,” said Taylor, who also directs UST’s Master of Public Policy and Administration program. “Public administration and China merge happily together.” A popular professor at UST, Taylor’s offerings include courses on federalism, public policy and comparative public administration. Having campaigned for candidates as a child, he now teaches a joint undergraduate/graduate course on Texas politics. In all his courses, he has high expectations of his students. Except in the American and Texas Government class, he allows no multiple-choice tests in his department because he wants his students to do more than simply grasp basic concepts.

“I want them to understand why those concepts came to be and why they’re part of the class,” he said. “For example, why are codes of ethics important? How do we discourage behavior that goes against the public good? We want them to learn something and be able to apply it in school and in life.” A native Texan who spent 20 years in Oklahoma as a student and professor, Taylor is a passionate Sooners fan. But UST has been the ideal setting for living out his passion for equipping students to be effective and ethical leaders in their future careers. “At UST, we emphasize the ethical standards of our Catholic faith, but also Christianity in general,” he said. “Pursuing a moral course of action – we emphasize that concept in every class.” g

facultyaccolades

Recent UST Faculty Achievements > Dr. Andrew J. Hayes, assistant

> Dr. Higinia Rimbau, professor

professor, Department of Theology, published in the journal Oriens Christianus; presented at the Seventh North American Syriac Symposium; and presented at the XVII International Conference on Patristic Studies in Oxford.

> Dr. Jeffrey Kottler, visiting

professor, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, was the keynote speaker at the 2015 American Counseling Association National Conference in Orlando; published four books during the last year focused on therapy, counseling and learning-group leadership; and was involved with a medical team in Nepal helping with earthquake relief. The Nepal work was featured in Counseling Today.

assistant professor and director of Graduate Programs in the Cameron School of Business, co-authored publications in the International Journal of Management in Education and in The Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest.

> Richard Sindelar was appointed

as chair of the Houston District Export Council for the Department of Commerce and launched a renewal of student scholarships in the fields of international commerce, trade, business and shipping.

and founding director, UST Music Preparatory School, gave a lecture and presented a master class at the International World Piano Conference in Serbia. UST’s Joseph McFadden Award for Excellence in Service.

> Dr. Elmer Ledesma, associate

professor, Chemistry, co-authored a book titled Academia and Industrial Pilot Plant Operations and Safety with the American Chemical Society; co-authored an article in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research; co-presented at the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition in Vienna, Austria; and published numerous other book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.

> Dr. Charles Stewart received UST’s St. Edith Stein Award for Excellence in Research.

> Dr. Hans J. Stockton, director

> Dr. Elizabeth Maynard, associate professor and director, Clinical Counseling, edited a book, Understanding Pastoral Care, with Springer Publishing.

> Richard Nunemaker, adjunct

professor, clarinet, saxophone and chamber music performed in the ClarinetFest® 2015 at the International Clarinet Association in Madrid, Spain.

of the Center for International Studies, associate professor and Cullen Trust for Higher Education/Fayez Sarofim Chair in International Studies, was the principle investigator for the 201415 Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Languages grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support East Asia curriculum and development. He recently had two publications related to Taiwan and Japan and was appointed “center associate” to the Election Studies Center, National Chengchi University, in Taipei, Taiwan.

> Dr. Jon Taylor, professor and

chair, Political Science, authored an article published in the Journal of Chinese Political Science; presented at the 2014 International Symposium on Ethical Leadership

in the People’s Republic of China; authored three chapters in the book World Democracy: From Ancient Times to the People’s Revolutions of the 21st Century; and published numerous book reviews and conference papers.

> Dr. Robin N. Williamson, professor and chair of Communication, recently published two articles in Parliamentary Journal LV and co-authored “Managing Meetings Effectively,” published by McGraw Hill Education.

> Dr. David D. Schein, visiting

> Paul Krystofiak, professor of piano

> Dr. Maia Larios-Sanz received

and chair, Bilingual and Dual Language, completed her Fulbright Specialist Program assignment by teaching Englishlanguage teachers, and by visiting schools and educational experts to discuss the future of trilingualism on the island in San Andres, Colombia.

> Dr. Sunny Zhang received UST’s St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Teaching.

PROMOTION TO FULL PROFESSOR:

> Mark Turner, Accounting TENURE AND PROMOTION TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR:

> Elmer Ledesma, Chemistry > Alexandra Simmons-Nout, Biology > Charles Stewart, Art History REWARDED ENDOWED CHAIRS:

> Maia Larios-Sanz, Cullen-Smith Professor of Biology

> Elizabeth Coscio, Cullen

Foundation Chair in Spanish

> Ed Houser, Bishop Nold Chair

in Graduate Philosophy

> Trish Vandiver, Cullen Trust for

Higher Education/Delores Welder Mitchell Chair in Psychology

> Mary Catherine Sommers, Cullen Trust for Higher Education Chair in Business Ethics

> Joseph Cerami, Burnett Chair

of Leadership g

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Plane Crash Survivor, Commencement Speaker Optimistic About Her Future After Graduation

A PROMISE KEPT 16

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Fall 2015

WHEN ECHI KWUCHI ’15 BOARDED A PLANE IN NIGERIA TO FLY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT AGE 16, SHE AND HER SCHOOL FRIENDS WERE LAUGHING AND JOKING, LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THEIR FAMILIES. Just moments from landing, the plane crashed, and all but two passengers were killed. Miraculously, Okwuchi survived. She spent a year in South Africa receiving painful, lengthy medical treatment for burns over 65 percent of her body. To continue her treatment, she was sent to Shriners Hospital in Galveston in 2007; she was in 12th grade. An excellent student, Okwuchi had always planned to attend the London School of Economics – a prestigious school in a nation where she had family. But with the need for ongoing treatment to continue her physical recovery, Okwuchi decided to stay in Houston.

She applied to UST, the University of Houston and Rice University. Accepted to all three, she chose the University of St. Thomas because of its smaller size, strong business program and Christian environment. “UST reminded me of home,” Okwuchi said. She grew up in Aba, a city near Port Harcourt in Nigeria, and attended Loyola Jesuit College, a college-preparatory boarding school in Nigeria’s capital. She decided to major in economics and minor in marketing. “While at UST, I constantly juggled academics and medical care, with all my holidays and free time dedicated to surgical treatments and hospital appointments,” she said. That hectic schedule limited her campus involvement, but she still spent a great deal of time in the Welder Hall business building. “I would check the TV screens in the Cameron School student lounge

In addition to advancing her business knowledge, Okwuchi said UST was life-transforming. “What we gained at UST is something to be treasured,” she told fellow graduates as the student Commencement speaker this spring. “We were taught to carry the qualities of faith and character into whatever career path we choose to follow. This core teaching sets apart UST graduates.” Okwuchi has decided to expand her knowledge of global business issues by starting a Master in International Business degree at UST in 2016. Giving credit to God, great doctors and lots of prayer for her ongoing recovery, Okwuchi believes she survived for a reason, and she intends to live her life with purpose. “This degree is not just a degree,” she said. “It is a gift to the 60 students who died in a plane crash

“I’ve told myself, ‘You’re still alive; you’re here for a reason.’ ” – KECHI OKWUCHI

to get an update on upcoming student events,” she said. “Attending those business workshops and talks became a habit, and I came out of every one better informed about different local and international aspects of business.” Faculty members looked forward to having Okwuchi in classes because of her serious focus on learning. “Kechi was the kind of student every professor hopes to have in class,” said Dr. Roger Morefield, associate professor of economics, finance and DEIS. “Her work ethic is magnificent.”

10 years ago. It represents the fulfillment of a promise I made to those students and to their parents that I would reach this important milestone on behalf of those they lost.” Morefield said, “Kechi’s been through a lot, but her attitude is always so positive. She’s an ideal representative of our mission at UST, and I believe nothing will stop her from achieving her dreams.” g

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

The Robert and Janice

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

www.stthom.edu/mcnair

generous leadership gift from The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation made possible the establishment this fall of The McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at UST.

The Center, under the leadership of UST’s Cameron School of Business, will advance research and education on the role of private enterprise, individual initiative and entrepreneurship in fostering economic growth and authentic human flourishing. The gift was commemorated in July with a signing and reception in the historic Link-Lee Mansion. Robert McNair, founder, chairman and CEO of the Houston Texans, said he and Janice were excited to join with UST to launch The McNair Center. “Entrepreneurship is a science and an art that requires keen business acumen and a principled focus on personal responsibility, character and authentic human goodness beyond

Entrepreneurship requires high competence in business skills and a profound sense of vocation on the part of its practitioners, George said. “We encourage students to engage in entrepreneurial and innovative thinking when addressing business problems, and this center aligns with that focus,” she said. “Entrepreneurs are catalysts for progress, and they often develop solutions that generate business value combined with concern for people and the planet.” The McNair Center will have a special focus on the role of small businesses in promoting economic growth. One area of emphasis will be entrepreneurship in health science and biotech industries.

Houston Texans’ owner Robert McNair and his wife Janice and UST President Robert Ivany signed a gift agreement in July during a special event in Link-Lee Mansion.

McNair Foundation Funds New UST Center profit,” McNair said. “The research and public policy activities of The McNair Center will focus on the role of principled entrepreneurship in promoting economic growth – a significant need in today’s business environment.” Dr. Beena George, dean of the Cameron School of Business, believes “entrepreneurism is a fundamental activity of a free society. Through free enterprise, the community flourishes economically, socially and culturally.”

“Through the center, our students will gain a deeper appreciation of the pivotal role free enterprise and entrepreneurship have played in our nation’s history – and their continued importance for our nation’s future prosperity and well-being,” said Dr. Robert Ivany, UST president. Activities of the center will include establishing an annual symposium about entrepreneurship, developing an undergraduate minor in free enterprise and principled entrepreneurship, and

assembling policy fellows, scholars, research associates and graduate students to discuss and study free enterprise and principled entrepreneurship. The search for a director to lead The McNair Center is underway. The McNairs hope to eventually establish a network of these centers across the United States. For more information about the new center, contact the Cameron School of Business at 713-525-2100 or cameron@stthom.edu. g

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Thirty-seven students in UST’s Carol and Odis Peavy

School of Nursing gained real-world nursing experience this summer when they began their perioperative clinical rotations at Ben Taub Hospital and CHI St. Luke’s Health–Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Nursing Cohort Begins

First Hospital R tations This was the class of 2017 cohort’s first hospital rotation and also marked UST’s first peri-op rotation at St. Luke’s. Dr. Claudine Dufrene, a nursing clinical course coordinator, said adding rotations at St. Luke’s provides a wider range of opportunities for the nursing students. During their perioperative rotation, the students gained knowledge about services provided to patients before, during and after surgical operations. The students rotated through various areas within perioperative services, including the operating room, preoperative screening, endoscopy and the post-anesthesia care unit.

Working in these perioperative settings provides students valuable experiences with fundamental concepts, including asepsis and sterile procedures, maintaining safety in caring for patients, and professional collaboration, teamwork, observation and communication. The students are the fourth cohort since the nursing school reopened in 2012, and they are demonstrating compassion for patients and great enthusiasm for their future profession. “Everything we learn is interconnected,” said Mary Cheung, president of the UST chapter of the National Student Nurses Association. “Even though classes are difficult, it has definitely reinforced my love for the nursing profession. I’m looking forward to seeing the fruits of our hard work.” Cheung, who has personally experienced the importance of healing,

yearns to be a healer herself. “I want to serve and aid in the healing of others, and I truly believe nursing is a way I can do that,” she said. Theresa Nguyen, treasurer of UST’s student nursing organization, said her passion for nursing is a result of her experiences in her home country of Vietnam, where she volunteered at a local orphanage. She is also concerned about the people in need she observes across Houston. “I saw so many people suffering through life, and that really pulled me toward a healing profession,” Nguyen said. “As I grew older, I knew I wanted to interact with patients in order to truly contribute to their healing.” Students interested in joining UST’s next cohort can find out more information at www.stthom.edu/ nursing. g

UST Nursing Student Awarded Scholarship from Houston Chronicle Kara Jones, a senior in UST’s Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing, received one of three prestigious scholarships awarded by the Houston Chronicle. These scholarships are awarded annually during National Nurses Appreciation Week to exceptional nursing students attending Houstonarea colleges and universities. Jones received a $1,000 scholarship and recognition in the Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses special section. Dr. Poldi Tschirch, dean of the School of Nursing, nominated Jones. 20

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Fall 2015

Jones has impressed her nursing professors with her academic excellence, strong work ethic, volunteerism and determination, Tschirch said. She has served as a tutor for her medical-surgical class, mentors prenursing students and participated in a summer medical mission to Haiti. Jones chose to attend UST because of its focus on holistic nursing and the liberal arts. After graduation, her goal is to become a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, caring for infants.

Senior nursing major Kara Jones works alongside Dean Poldi Tschirch in the simulation lab.

“I love babies and would love the opportunity to teach parents about how to care for their children,” Jones said. “This specialty area is geared toward the whole family.” g

Solid FOUNDATION

Liberal Arts Core Prepares Students for Science and Technology Careers That Do Not Yet Exist

rom NASA’s exploration of Mars and Pluto to artificial intelligence and gene sequencing, the need for ethical and critical thinkers in the sciences has never been more important. UST faculty across multiple disciplines realize they are equipping science, technology, engineering and math graduates for careers that exist today – and developing leaders who can address challenges the world will face decades down the road. That preparation at UST begins with a strong liberal arts core of theology, philosophy, English, history, fine arts and more. Students build on this foundation through hands-on science and technology courses and research opportunities. This learning experience equips students for prestigious graduate and professional schools, to run their own firms and to launch careers at corporations such as Huntsman, which regularly hires UST graduates. “UST is dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, and Huntsman Corporation needs those leaders,” said Peter Huntsman, president and CEO. UST graduates are distinguished from alumni of other schools because they gain skills and knowledge in the social and natural sciences – and they explore the moral implications of their professional fields through a liberal arts lens.

These students leave UST with the foundation to become creative, collaborative and flexible doctors, engineers, nurses, professors and researchers. They learn to synthesize, revise, question and reflect – all important skills in the lab, office and executive suite. Umer Khan ’15, UST cooperative engineering program graduate, is now a software engineer and member of Apple’s ResearchKit team. “A liberal arts background helps you understand the morality of the engineering work,” Khan said. “Whether I’m building a machine or software, I know it’s designed for humans, and I keep their needs and perspectives in mind.” The combination of liberal arts and quality STEM instruction has proven successful for UST graduates, leading to a high acceptance rate into medical schools and prestigious graduate programs. Many students are awarded fellowships and are hired by a variety of companies and organizations. Dr. Herbert P. “Bert” Edmundson Jr. ’69, UST board chair, earned a bachelor’s in Classics and French, a master’s and a Ph.D. in Classics, and eventually, a medical degree. “Studying the liberal arts at UST creates a supple mind and critical thinking skills,” Edmundson said. “That training of the mind, with growing awareness of one’s self in relation to the world, changes a person at the core.”g U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

GroundBreaking Campaign Meets First Major Goal with More than $47 Million in Gifts

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

hange is in the air. Over the next

several months, the University of St. Thomas landscape will undergo a significant transformation as construction of the new Center for Science and Health Professions begins.

Crews are scheduled to break ground Nov. 12 on the Center’s main building, a four-story, 103,338-square-foot facility, with completion slated for early 2017. At a cost of $47.3 million, the main building has been the highest fundraising priority of Faith in Our Future: The Campaign for the University of St. Thomas. “We’ve achieved a major milestone in this unprecedented campaign,” said President Robert Ivany. “With the help of hundreds of generous friends over the last six years, we surpassed our fundraising goal for this first phase by securing $47.5 million in gifts. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for this outpouring of support.” When the Faith In Our Future campaign was launched in 2009, the prospect of raising $47.3 million to construct the new facility seemed “an ambitious, far-away goal,” Ivany said. Time passed quickly, however, and as the project took shape, gifts of all sizes came from an array sources, including private foundations, corporations, alumni, faculty, staff and many others. The main building will house the departments of Nursing and Biology initially, with the addition of Chemistry labs on the fourth floor as additional funds are procured. Eventually, north and south wings will be added to accommodate the departments of Physics, Math, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Cooperative Engineering. The Center for Science and Health Professions will position UST to continue producing leaders in these highdemand fields – especially as related job opportunities continue to expand in the region.

With the help of hundreds of “ generous friends, we surpassed our fundraising goal for this first phase.” – UST President Robert Ivany

The new Center will be located on Yoakum Boulevard between West Main Street and Colquitt Street.

To learn more, please visit

www.ustfaithinourfuture.com

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

YOU MADE IT POSSIBLE

THANK YOU! The University of St. Thomas community thanks the following benefactors for their generous support of the Center for Science and Health Professions. A S OF AUGU S T 12 , 2 015

$1 Million +

$250,000 - $490,999

Anonymous (3) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Blackburn III Cullen Trust for Higher Education Lois and Carl Davis Mrs. Evelyn H. Griffin Faith and Joe Gutierrez Houston Endowment Inc. J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Carol and Odis Peavy The Brown Foundation, Inc. The Elkins Foundation Weatherford International, Inc.

Anonymous CenterPoint Energy Estate of Ruth E. Westkaemper Mr. and Mrs. Hubert F. Hawthorn, Jr. Marek Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David M. McClanahan Mr. Patrick J. Moran Norton Rose Fulbright Parks Foundation Mr. and Mrs.= Stan Paur /’81 Mr. and Mrs. Ignacio Torras

“We believe UST gives its future graduates the tools to go out into the world to help others. This university is a gem.” – Maureen and Jim Hackett Hackett Family Foundation Honorary Committee, Faith in Our Future Campaign

$500,000 - $999,999

$100,000 - $249,999

Cullen Foundation Dazzio-Gutierrez Family Foundation Frankel Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Graham Hackett Family Foundation Dorothy and Ray LeBlanc Lyons Foundation The West Endowment Mr.= and Mrs. Edward P. White

Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Anwar Barbouti ’95 Dr. and Mrs. David J. Braden Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lee Butler ’60 Mr. and Mrs. Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Howard B. Chapman David J. & Judith Beck Foundation Dr. Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr. ’69 Estate of Nell Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Fluor Fondren Foundation Harriet and Joe B. Foster Mr. and Mrs. Vincent D. Foster Mr. and Mrs. George F. Goolsby Mr. and Mrs. Francis S. Kalman Dr. and Mrs. John Rains Kelly ’69 Lowenstein Foundation M.D. Anderson Foundation Malloy Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Marcon ’13 Mr. and Mrs. George Martinez Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. McCormick /’86 Mr. James S. McDermott ’60 Mr. and Mrs. Clarence J. Metzger Mr. and Mrs. Keith Mosing Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Reckling III Mr. and Mrs. George A. Rizzo Dr. and Mrs. B. C. Robison III ’69 Mr. Anthony J. Zagorksi Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Zeidman

$50,000 - $99,999 Mr. and Mrs. David J. Beck Mr. and Mrs. George A. DeMontrond III Ms. Lori M. Gallagher and Mr. Curtis W. Huff Mr. and Mrs. Andrius R. Kontrimas Mr. and Mrs. John O. Niemann Kusum D. & Kautilya “Cody” Patel /’00 Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Reza Ms. Denise M. Castillo-Rhodes, MBA ’92, and Mr. Robert J. Sergesketter

= Indicates Deceased

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

“Faith in Our Future is the most ambitious campaign in UST’s history, but it will transform the campus and better prepare students to meet the challenges of today’s world.” – David Harvey, Jr. CEO and Chairman, D.E. Harvey Builders Chairman, Faith in Our Future Campaign

Patricia M. Ricciardello The Meadows Foundation Inc.

$25,000 - $49,999 Mr. Bernard L. Hebinck ’55 Ms. Mary C. Little ’61 Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. O’Donnell /’78 Dr. and Mrs. John Mario Pezzetta /’84 Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Williams

$15,000 - $24,999 Mr.= and Mrs. Rodney C. Galatas ’95/’95 Hirtle Callaghan & Co Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Ivany Drs. Sylvia and Theodore Trumble II

$5,000 - $14,999 Anonymous Mr. John Boland Mr. and Mrs. Leandro T. Calasanz Dr. and Mrs. Raymond T. Casserly Jr. ’70/’70 Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Martin Dufilho ’66/’66 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eichelberger ’73 Ms. Frances Escriva ’78 and Mr. Joseph T. McKay Estate of Frances C. Cardwell Mr.= and Mrs. Charles Fischer ’52/’52 ’91 Ms. Margo P. Geddie and Mr. William L. LaFuze Mr. and Mrs. James Hennessy Mr.= and Mrs. Ernest G. Hotze Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jain The Honorable Carolyn Dineen King and The Honorable Thomas Reavley Penny and Paul Layne Dr. Boris L. Payan Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick J. Plaeger II T. Ragan Ryan Foundation

$2,500 - $4,999 The Honorable Lee Rosenthal and Mr. Gary Rosenthal Dr. Poldi Tschirch Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wood

$1,000 - $2,499

Up to $999

BlueCross and BlueShield of TX The Honorable and Mrs. Garnet F. Coleman ’90 Delphi West Development, LLC Dr. Robert H. Ellison Estate of Kathleen Eichelberger Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Hall Mr. David H. Huang ’90 Ms. S. Loretta Ivany Mr. and Mrs. James Lewandowski ’85/’02 The Rev. Stephen Bartlett Reynolds ’89 Ms. Antoinette M. Romano ’80 Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Sofka ’61/’65 Dr. and Mrs. Andrew C. von Eschenbach /’84

Anonymous (11) Dr. and Mrs. Gilberto Aguirre ’68 Mr. John Albina ’80 Ms. Vickie A. Alleman Dr. Shivas Amin Dr. and Mrs. Dominic A. Aquila Dr. and Mrs. David G. Arreguin ’84 Dr. Alfred C. Avenoso ’64 and Mrs.= Nancy M. Edwards Mr. David I. Bacus ’15 Rev. Edward J. Baenziger, CSB. ’83 Dr. Jessica R. Basciano Miss Karen M. Bautista ’05 Dr. Sidika G. Bayram Ms. Marlena J. Berger ’78 and Mr. William Toomey=

= Indicates Deceased

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Dr. Michael W. Boler ’00 Mr. Paul Braden Ms. Susan E. Bradford Dr. Lucindra Campbell-Law Dr. and Mrs. Pierre Canac Dr. Angelina Chambers Dr. Richa Chandra Ms. Diana Chapman Dr. and Mrs. James Braun Clarage Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Clayton, Jr. /’91 Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cooper ’05/’09 Ms. Sylvia Cortez Mr. Larry Toth and Mrs. Sylvia A. Coy ’04 Professor and Mrs. Thomas J. Crow Dr. Charlene Dykman and Dr. Charles Davis Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Deiterich ’60

Dr. William M. Harris Ms. Lenora Kate Henderson ’10 Mr. and Mrs. Alex Herrera Dr. Sujin K. Horwitz Dr. Nora M. Hutto and Mr. Rodney Hutto The Rev. Janusz A. Ihnatowicz ’94 Mr. and Mrs. Bernard E. Jones Dr. Mary A. Kelleher ’85 Dr. Irving A. Kelter Dr. Jean Kiekel Dr. and Mrs. John F. Knasas Professor and Mrs. Charles S. Krohn ’58 Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Krustchinsky Mr. Paul Krystofiak Prof. Maia Larios-Sanz Ms. Patricia A. LeBlanc Drs. Robert and Rebecca LeBlanc ’69/’70

“We owe it to our students and community

to provide the best possible learning environment for our future scientists and health professionals.” – Dr. Robert Ivany UST President

Mr. Emil Joseph Del Valle ’09 Mr. John P. Denholm III ’99 Dr. Jill S. Dewey Ms. Amanda Dimit ’12 Dr. Lawrence DiPaolo Mr. Drew Dolino ’09 Mr. and Mrs. David S. Durham ’99 Dr. Charlene Dykman and Dr. Charles Davis Ms. Mary Ann Eichelberger Mr. Daniel M. Elustondo ’99 Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Emery Dr. Edward J. Espineli ’05 Dr. Christopher P. Evans Mr. and Dr. James D. Fairbanks /’93 Dr. Mary Flagg Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Foust Dr. Rogelio Garcia-Contreras and Ms. Constanza Carrillo Mr. Glenn Rafael Garrido Dr. Sarah Ghaoui Mr. and Mrs. Frederic L. Glover /’66 Dr. Lynn R. Godwin Mr. Joseph E. Goetz Sr. Madeleine M. Grace, CVI. Mrs. Maria A. Green ’64 Dr. and Mrs. Gerald L. Gries /’92 Dr. DaeJan-Elizabeth H. Grigsby Dr. and Mrs. Terry R. Hall Mr. Thomas P. Harmon

Dr. Elmer B. Ledesma Mr. Donald A. Lewis ’87 Ms. Lauren E. Loyal ’03 Miss. Laura C. Manzo Ms. Rebecca M. Mattis ’03 Dr. Elizabeth Ann Maynard Mr. Benjamin Eric McCrary and Mrs. Meredith Stasny McCrary ’03 Professor Claire McDonald and Mr. Scott McDonald Dr. and Mrs. Joseph M. McFadden Mr.= and Mrs. James M. McKinley Dr. Jo Anne Meier-Marquis Dr. Birgit Mellis Mr. Steven J. Meyer Ms. Cynthia G. Miller Mr. Darnell L. Miller ’10 Dr. Marlene Moore ’69 Dr. and Mrs. Roger D. Morefield ’85 Mr. Michael and Dr. Lisa Mundey Rev. Romanus Muoneke Mr. Edward A. Nam Rev. Donald S. Nesti, CSSp. Mr. Mark A. Newcomb Mr. Jonathan M. Newsome ’10 Ms. Loan T. Nguyen ’11 Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Nolan Mr. and Mrs. Martin Notzon Ms. Patricia O’Connor Dr. Thomas M. Osborne, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ott Ms. Melina P. Papadopoulos ’99 Mr. and Mrs. Mike Perkins Rev. Joseph E. Pilsner, CSB ’88 Ms. Maria N. Quintero ’81 Dr. Albert Ribes-Zamora Mr. James M. Riley and Mrs. Cynthia Colbert Riley, MLA ’95 Ms. Roberta J. Rivera ’05 Dr. Robert R. Rodriguez Dr. Dempsey Rosales Acosta Mr. and Mrs. Howard A. Rose Ms. Susan Rose Dr. Rosemarie C. Rosell Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ruff /’88 Mr. Jaime R. Salazar Ms. Elizabeth A. Sauer Ms. Danielle F. Schwartzenburg ’09 The Rev. Ronald G. Schwenzer, CSB Ms. Patricia E. Seitz Ms. Brandy Shaw Dr. Margaret L. Shelton Dr. and Mrs. Hassan M. Shirvani Dr. Rose L. Signorello and Mr. Odon J. Hidalgo Dr. Alexandra D. Simmons Nout Dr. Michele A. Simms Mrs. Jan S. Skrehot ’13 Ms. Frances M. Smith Mrs. Lenora G. Smith Dr. Ravi Srinivas and Ms. Surekha Vankadari /’96 Dr. John W. Starner Dr. Michelle Steiger Dr. Charles A. Stewart Ms. Emily E. Stickle ’14 Dr. and Mrs. Hans Stockton Dr. John Story Dr. Lorraine Talbot Ms. Lauren L. Thompson ’10 Dr. and Mrs. Mark A. Turner Dr. Kelly Vandenberg Ms. Amanda I. Villanueva ’09 Mr. Peeranut Visetsuth Dr. Sheila J. Waggoner Mr. and Mrs. Norman Weisbrodt Mr. B. T. and Dr. Robin N. Williamson Dr. Crystal Young Dr. Shuoyang Zhang

= Indicates Deceased

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Seekers&Sages

Explore Area, Engage in Discussion Since its inception almost a decade ago,

UST’s Seekers and Sages program for adults age 50-plus has engaged participants in nearly 30 trips and lectures. “In Seekers and Sages, participants learn something new and meet friends while exploring UST, Houston and beyond at special lectures and day-long field trips,” said Diane Thornton, UST assistant vice president for principal giving and constituent relations. The group provides pre-retiree and retired UST alumni and friends with a way to continue learning and remain connected to the university. For lectures and luncheons, UST faculty members have spoken about theology and faith, arts and science, philosophy, education, business, and even an historical presentation on George Washington. The luncheons serve as a unique way for attendees to discover fascinating topics and engage faculty with questions. Eleven daylong bus trips have been offered in the past, to locations within 120 miles of Houston.

In September, the group took a day trip to the George H.W. Bush Library in College Station and to the Messina Hof Winery in Bryan. The next luncheon and faculty presentation are scheduled Oct. 23 as part of UST’s Alumni and Family Weekend. Seekers and Sages is sponsored by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Cost is minimal to cover day trip expenses only. For more information or to receive invitations to future events, contact Diane Thornton at legacy@stthom.edu.

ABOVE: Seekers & Sages

participants visit the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. LEFT: Visiting the

Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum was a recent trip highlight.

Contributing to the Education of Future Generations UST invites alumni and friends

to help ensure the continuity of the school’s mission – educating leaders of faith and character – through a planned gift. Gifts may include bequests, annuities or gifts of retirement assets or life insurance. To learn more about simple and meaningful ways to give, including remembering UST in your estate plans, please visit stthom.giftlegacy.com or contact the gift planning office at 713-942-5080 or by email at legacy@stthom.edu.

“It takes a noble man to plant a seed for a tree that will someday give shade to people he may never meet.” – David E. Trueblood, Author and Theologian

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Martedi Grasso!

2016 Mardi Gras Gala to Evoke a Taste of Old Italy Led by Honorary Chair Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, UST will host an elegant, Italianthemed evening at the 66th annual UST Mardi Gras Gala. The event will honor Fr. Donald Nesti, CSSp. Scheduled Feb. 9 at the Hilton Americas-Houston, the event is co-chaired by Ginger Blanton, Rosie Carrabba, Jan Duncan, Ginger Niemann, Regina Rogers, Annette Strake and Shelley Tortorice. As guests arrive to support UST’s premier annual scholarship fundraiser, they will travel back in time to the streets of old Venice, adorned by the elegance of an old-world masquerade carnival: ballgowns, tuxes, elaborate masks, dinner, dancing and live music. “This will be the can’t-miss event of the year!” Ginger Niemann and Regina Rogers agreed. “Beautiful

décor and a gourmet ‘fete’ will bring excitement and fun, but raising scholarship funds for future leaders of faith and character is the focus of this 66-year-old Mardi Gras Gala tradition.” The evening will also highlight the life’s work of Fr. Nesti as founding director of UST’s Center for Faith and Culture. His Italian heritage inspired the evening’s Old Italy theme. “Father Nesti embodies our commitment to the religious, ethical and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education, and it will be a great joy to celebrate his legacy and recognize the Center for Faith and Culture as a pillar of our mission,” said Dr. Robert Ivany, UST president. “I am twice honored to support this event – first to honor my dear friend Father Nesti, and also to be the only man in the company of seven

SavetheDate

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016 6:30 p.m. • Hilton Americas-Houston

women co-chairs well known for their philanthropic and community leadership,” Archbishop Fiorenza said. The evening features a live auction and UST’s famous “paddles-up” as well as the new After-Party tradition, which gives the next generation an opportunity to contribute to The St. Thomas Fund, UST’s primary scholarship fund. For more information or to purchase a table, contact Lela Anne “Muffy” Buvens, director of events for the Office of Institutional Advancement, at 713-525-3118.

Annual Two Saints and a Taco Tasting Breaks Records for Scholarships A record-setting 500 alumni and friends attended the fourth annual Two Saints and a Taco Tasting at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. in April, raising more than $85,000 for scholarships. The funds raised exceeded last year’s total by $25,000. The April event featured savory tacos from some of Houston’s mostloved eateries, world-class beer from Texas’ oldest craft brewery, and live entertainment. Winners of the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice Awards were given piñatastyle, decoupaged trophies. Newcomer Bourbon and Bacon won the People’s Choice competition. Judges John Marion Carrabba ’80 of Piatto’s and Greg Gatlin of Gatlin’s 28

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BBQ selected Skinny Rita’s Grill as winner of the Judge’s Choice Award for their beautifully-presented variety of tacos. The Two Saints host committee, led by UST alumni Kathy and Joe Ridley ’69/’69, included more than 30 alumni and student volunteers. Lead event sponsor was Michael P. Fleming & Associates, P.C. The next Two Saints and a Taco Tasting is scheduled April 21, 2016. g

Sharing the Wealth

Millennial Philanthropic Leader Helps Families Meet Their Giving Goals To Kelly Hackett, daughter of longtime UST supporters Maureen and Jim Hackett and sister of UST junior Maureen “Mosie” Hackett, philanthropy means much more than financial gifts. “In our family, philanthropy has always meant involvement,” said Hackett, who works in the trust and advisory group of asset management firm Salient Partners, L.P. The former UST student and Georgetown University and UT Law graduate said her parents did not come from wealth, “but whatever they did or didn’t have financially, they always gave of their time and talents.” As their family income grew through the years, Hackett said they were never defined by how much or how little they owned. “Our parents made sure wealth never changed our values, but just enhanced and expanded our responsibility to the community and potential for impact,” she said. Hackett comes from a long line of Irish Catholics, and “faith was the one constant.” Looking back on her own life, Hackett said her faith has carried her through some interesting educational and job transitions. “I studied finance, then law, and now I’m back in finance. Seems a bit odd, but I know it was all part of God’s plan for me,” she said. “The experience I gained in both those fields provides a solid foundation for what I do today.” At Salient, Hackett works with colleagues to serve as the “quarterback” for families of means, advising them with respect to their accounts, assets and overall estate plan. She and the Salient team manage a wide range of financial projects including investments and assets, retirement planning and trusts, philanthropic goals and the transition of wealth to the next generation. Hackett, like many of her client partners, cares deeply about her family’s philanthropic legacy. She works with the Hackett Family Office, including the Hackett Family Foundation, helping determine appropriate investments and structures for the family’s portfolio. She always knows her parents’ priority is to share what they have with the community that has supported them for so long. Like her parents, Kelly and her sister are committed to making an impact and stewarding the family legacy. In her role with Salient and in the Hackett Family Office, Kelly has found fulfilling work she wants to do for the rest of her life. “We listen to clients’ dreams and goals, then we bring together all our resources to help make them a reality,” she said. “That gives me tremendous joy, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.” g

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Irish Gala Tickets Sell Out; Still Raising Funds for Endowment UST’s annual Irish Gala, scheduled Nov. 6, is raising funds for the William J. Flynn Endowment in honor of the Most Rev. Brendan Cahill, STD ’85.

Chairs Kari and Sean Tracey ’88 and honoree Bishop Cahill, STD ’85 look forward to the November event.

In late June, Pope Francis appointed Cahill as Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria. He previously served as an adjunct professor in the UST School of Theology and is a member of the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies Advisory Board. The endowment honors Cahill’s service at various Houston-area parishes,

UST Welcomes New Board Members Three new members of the UST Board of Directors began their two-year terms this summer. They are Dennis Malloy (left), Robert Corrigan and Ruth Metzger.

his post at the Chancery and his service at UST. Chairs for this year’s gala are Kari and Sean Tracey ’88. Sean is owner of Tracey and Fox Law Firm in Houston and serves on the Irish Studies Advisory Board. Kari has served on the Development Board of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 2012. Additionally she has been on the board of the Shepherd’s Cup golf tournament since 2008. The Traceys have been the title sponsors for the Shepherd’s Cup for the past eight years. They have one daughter and two grandsons. Both Cahill and Sean Tracey are Irish-American and proud to be involved with the Flynn Center and the gala. Although tables for this popular event have already sold out, donations are still being accepted to the Flynn endowment in Cahill’s honor. To make a donation in his name, contact the center at 713-525-3592 or Lauren Summerville at irishgala@stthom.edu. g

Malloy and Woo Receive Honorary Degrees at Spring Commencement Former UST board chair Michele Malloy and global nonprofit leader Carolyn Woo were presented with honorary UST doctorates at the spring commencement Michele Malloy ceremony. Malloy served on the board for 11 years. She has made an “impressive contribution to our university through service and philanthropy,” said Dr. Robert Ivany, Dr. Carolyn Woo UST president. She has practiced law in Houston since 1977 and is currently with Fishman Jackson Stewart in The Woodlands. Malloy went into private practice so she could provide estate planning advice and wills to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay. She practices estate planning, probate and business law. Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, also served as the spring commencement speaker. She formerly led the business school at Notre Dame. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Woo immigrated to the United States to attend Purdue University, where she received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. “Dr. Carolyn Woo exemplifies the sheer goodness that one dedicated leader can create in her lifetime,” said Ivany. Both women were honored for their shining example and for their positive impact in the community and around the world. g

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UST Freshmen Study Abroad in New First-year Experience

Student Interest in East Asian Studies Continues to Grow

In the spring, UST launched its first-ever study abroad program for freshman students, touring sites across Italy for 11 days as part of the first-year seminar course. Students learned about and visited sites including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the tomb of St. Francis, the bones of St. Peter and the Sistine Chapel. Fr. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta served as the faculty mentor for the course. The goal of the program is to help the students develop intellectual and practical competencies while expanding their worldview and self-awareness. Mary Alice Waddel, now a sophomore, Dr. Ulyses Balderas, director of visits Rome in spring 2015 as part of UST’s study abroad, knows the benefits that First-Year Experience Study Abroad trip. exploring new cultures offers students. Malone said. “We also loved meeting “Studying abroad requires students to interesting people – from the Sicilian leave their comfort zone and interact professor on the flight over to the boy with others from around the world, outside the hotel with while offering whom I played soccer.” them a supportive “Physically standing one of environment in those places made our threeDuring trips to the with fellow students learning come to life.” Vatican, the students and faculty,” saw Pope Francis. Balderas said. – Luke Malone, UST student “He gave the “Physically crowd a blessing after standing in those places made our the Mass of Pentecost,” said UST student learning come to life,” said Luke Mary Alice Waddel. “It was the most Malone, UST student. beautiful experience. When he came out Experiencing Italy’s culture also to the crowd, everyone started cheering proved to be powerful. and crying out to him. You could not “We enjoyed everything, from the only see the love but feel it.” street markets to the gelato shops,”

In its inaugural year, the Strategic Areas Certificate Program exceeded expectations in both student enrollment and philanthropic support, said Dr. Hans Stockton, program coordinator and director of the Center for International Studies. Enrollment tripled in Chinese and Japanese language courses in 2014-15, and two students already completed all requirements. The program provides students of any major with a 12-hour course of study in languages and areas of the world deemed of critical priority interest by the federal government, such as those in East Asia, Middle East-North Africa and Russia-Eurasia. Thanks to private donations, all students enrolled in Chinese and Japanese courses this spring received partial scholarships. A federal grant last year allowed UST to hire full-time Japanese and Mandarin Chinese instructors, and fund faculty development and scholarships. Stockton is particularly grateful to former UST board member Don Wang and community leaders Donna Cole, Kei Achizawa and Ginger Vaughn for their generous support and assistance in building the program. Interested students may contact Stockton at stockton@stthom.edu or 713-525-3536. g

Friends Plant Tree in Lucille Wood’s Honor Former Cameron School of Business deans and the family of Lucille Wood (right) plant a tree on campus in Wood’s honor. Wood, the administrative assistant to CSB’s founding dean, Dr. Yhi-Min Ho, from 1968-95, was inducted into the Cameron Hall of Fame in 2012, and passed away in 2014.

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Come and Visit! The Office of Undergraduate Admissions invites future students

and their families to explore UST’s beautiful campus. Set in the heart of the city’s vibrant Museum District, the UST campus is walking distance or a short ride from the Texas Medical Center, downtown Houston and the Galleria shopping mall. Here are some of the ways prospective students can find out all that UST has to offer.

Individual Visit Meet with an admissions counselor, tour UST’s urban, welcoming campus with a student ambassador, and experience a class first hand. By making an individual appointment, a student can visit specific departments to learn more about majors by meeting with faculty. Tours are held Monday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Friday at 10 a.m. To schedule, contact Emily Stickle at 713-525-3504. Group Visit High schools, church youth groups, and community youth organizations

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UST Admissions Team Offers Many Ways to See the Campus are welcome to visit campus. A walking tour of campus is led by a student ambassador and includes academic buildings, recreational facilities, and amenities on campus. To schedule, contact Karen Bautista at 713-525-3506. UST Open House UST invites admitted students to come to campus for a day to learn more about their upcoming year. Students and their families will hear about campus life and summer sessions. During open houses, students can learn more about various degree programs by visiting with faculty, students and academic clubs. Alumni also are available to share their UST experiences. Open house guests attend individualized sessions about financial aid and their admissions status. Overnight Visit An overnight visit is a great way to preview life at UST. High school seniors are invited to dinner and to spend the night in the Guinan Residence Hall with a UST student. Showcase Saturday During Showcase Saturday, students learn more about UST, including sitting in on a sample class. Admissions and financial aid counselors meet with students and their parents to discuss the admissions process, scholarships and financial aid. Campus tours are available.

Transfer Thursday Students planning to transfer to UST can learn about academic programs, student life and future professors. A dedicated transfer admissions counselor explains the transfer admissions process, including a transfer credit overview and scholarship and financial aid options. Campus tours are available. Veterans Visit UST welcomed 170 veterans and their dependents to campus this fall. As a designated Military Friendly School, UST has a dedicated director of Veterans Services, Phil Butcher, who assists with the admissions and educational benefits exclusive to veterans. He can be reached at 713-942-3409. Virtual Campus Tour Through the virtual tour found at stthom.edu/virtualtour, students can see the UST campus before they visit. The virtual tour showcases the facilities and landmarks that make UST a wonderful place for living and learning. Celt Preview Day Future students spend a day learning more about life at UST. Admissions and financial aid counselors are available. Students and their families will also have the opportunity to interact with students, faculty and residence life staff. Campus tours are available. For more information about Undergraduate Admissions at UST, call 713-525-3500, email admissions@ stthom.edu or go to www.stthom.edu/ admissions. g

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Ampersand Festival Sponsored by Shell Exceeds Expectations

orty-three UST students from 14 different majors collaborated this spring to direct, stage and perform 11 original plays during the Ampersand Festival. The festival’s name, based on the across the country and around the symbol for “and,” was intentionally broad world,” McDonald said. to attract creative plays about different The outpouring was so great that topics, said Claire McDonald, professor McDonald called in 50 experienced and chair of Fine Arts and Drama. theater professionals from across the “During my 31-year tenure here, country to narrow selection of plays that we have hosted evenings of short plays senior UST drama majors would direct three times, focused “Bravo! What a fantastic for their final project. on the themes of the Because of the caliber evening of plays!” moon, trees and food,” of writers and the large McDonald said. volume of scripts from – Marianne Ivany For Ampersand, which to choose, UST McDonald promoted the scriptwriting students were able to produce high opportunity on the Dramatist’s Guild quality plays for the festival. website, which reaches a national and Ten student directors in the spring international audience, and offered directing course read the 22 semifinalist an honorarium to the winners. scripts, and each chose a play By the December deadline, to stage and direct. Additional 433 original, 10-minute plays students joined the production had been submitted from as actors and crew members, and amateur and professional an alumnus was asked to direct writers from across the U.S. an additional play. and three continents. The play festival’s four performances “Most of the playwrights had in April were all sellouts. no previous experience with UST, so For the first time ever, this year’s this project helped us gain awareness festival had a corporate sponsor: Shell.

Former student Joey Millilo performs in “There’s No Place Like Gnome,” an original play written by UST senior Daniel Gartland and directed by Chris Tennison ’02.

This support was made possible by Performing Arts Society member Jack Doherty. One appreciative attendee was UST first lady Marianne Ivany. “Bravo! What a fantastic evening of plays!” she wrote to McDonald afterward. “From conception to conclusion, this was an amazing project by faculty, staff, students and the community.” g

UST Introduces Children, Adults to the Love of Music The UST Music Preparatory School makes learning music affordable for children and adults, and 89 students took advantage of seven different MPS summer music camps, said program director Paul Krystofiak. Many of the students attending music camps were able to do so because of generous donations from ExxonMobil, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women and other supporters. In addition to the popular summer camps, the MPS offers individual and group instruction that complements public and private school programs; instruction

for adults with amateur interests in music; and a training school for gifted pre-college musicians. The MPS also offers private, individual lessons in piano, guitar, voice, orchestral instruments and composition. The schedule is flexible, and students have a choice of faculty or student instructors. Classes are available by request at any time of the year. Classes are offered through the MPS in music theory/history and music appreciation, and students can receive instruction in ear training, note reading, sight-reading, rhythm and more. Call 713-525-3566 for more information.

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New Head Basketball Coaches Share Their Plans for 2015-16

ST’s men’s and women’s basketball teams kicked off the 2015-16 season with new head coaches: former UST star player Anthony Medina ’11 and former WNBA player Jae Cross.

Anthony Medina ’11 Men’s basketball coach

Jae Cross Women’s basketball coach

Celts Receive Sportsmanship Award for Third Year Fellow conference members recognized UST’s student-athletes for the third consecutive year with the Red River Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award. UST’s athletics teams swept all three categories – overall, men’s sports and women’s sports. “I am so proud of our coaches and student-athletes,” said Todd Smith, athletics director. “The RRAC Sportsmanship Award is a huge compliment for our entire athletics program. It takes the attitude of the whole group to earn an honor like this.” The RRAC Sportsmanship Award is given annually to the RRAC member institution that displays the highest level of sportsmanship during the most recent academic year, including teamwork, fair play, respect for the game and conduct in competition. The school’s sportsmanship must be apparent across multiple sports, on and off the field, and in interaction with fellow member schools. g

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Medina, new men’s head basketball coach, believes his return to his alma mater was meant to be, and his former coach and UST Athletics Director Todd Smith agrees. “As a player, he was a hard worker and had a great understanding of the game of basketball,” Smith said. “I am thrilled he will be taking over the program.” Until now, Smith has been serving as both athletics director and men’s basketball coach. As a player at UST, Medina mentored the younger players. Now as coach, he plans to cultivate a team of players who want to win every sprint, hit every shot, and win on a possession-by-possession basis. If the team can do that, said Medina, the scoreboard will take care of itself. “When I was 16 years old, I decided I wanted to coach basketball,” Medina said. “To come back to coach at my alma mater is my greatest dream realized.”

Cross, an Australia native, began playing basketball at age 7. She was a member of the Australian national team for 12 years and played on various professional teams, including the WNBA’s Detroit Shock and San Antonio Silver Stars. She coached at Rice University for seven seasons, and is looking forward to coaching the Celts. Cross plans to create a culture of up-tempo play, utilizing presses to create opportunities for quick baskets. She also wants to emphasize character and values such as honesty and loyalty. “After meeting the team and many people on campus, I knew this was a perfect fit for me,” Cross said. “Coach Mike Ricks left a good foundation for a bright future after starting this program four years ago, and I am excited to continue to grow this program and work with the young women here at UST.” g

UST Athletes Excel in Academics UST student-athletes were recognized this spring by the Red River Athletic Conference for having the highest cumulative grade point average: 3.08 on a 4.0 scale. Todd Smith, athletics director, is pleased with the hard work the studentathletes have shown. “Winning this award is a tribute to our coaches and our student-athletes,” Smith said. “Championships are what we strive for in athletics. In the classroom, our student-athletes are committed to the pursuit of excellence. We are working hard to graduate champions of faith and character.” One example of these academic superstars is Juan Gutierrez, junior finance

and economics major, who maintains a 3.89 GPA while enduring 30 to 50 hours of practice and training per week in addition to classes and homework. Dr. Robert Ivany, president, is proud of the positive example these students are setting. “Our student-athletes continue to shine for UST on the field and in the classroom,” Ivany said. “They demonstrate our values in a unique way.” Gutierrez’s academic success has given him the confidence to pursue a career as a professional golfer after graduation. “An athletic career is so fragile,” Gutierrez said. “It is competitive, and anything can happen. Having a good education to build a future on is extremely important.” g

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Show Us How You Are UST Enter the #IamUST social media sweepstakes 1) Like us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook* 2) Post a photo of yourself in a public post and share something positive 3) Use the hashtag #IamUST

instagram.com/USTalumnihtx twitter.com/stthomashouston facebook.com/USTalumni

*Share the post on our Facebook page to make it public

See the full rules: www.stthom.edu/IamUST

Debra Loveless Begins Role as New Registrar Debra Loveless became UST’s new registrar in July. Loveless graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in geography. She later received a master’s in folk Debra Loveless studies and historic preservation from Western Kentucky University. Before coming to UST, she spent three years as the registrar at St. Bonaventure University in New York. Loveless also brings 10 years of higher education experience in the areas of academic advising, transfer credit evaluation, degree auditing, prior learning assessment and as faculty. “We are excited to have her as a part of the UST family,” said Dr. Dominic Aquila, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. The Registrar’s Office keeps official academic records, furnishes transcripts, handles degree audits and posts degrees. g

South Texas College of Law, UST Announce Joint JD/MBA UST and the South Texas College of Law signed an agreement in late spring to create a joint Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Business Administration program. The new program allows qualified students to earn both degrees in as few as four years, rather than the typical five years. “The worlds of law and business are interconnected,” said South Texas President and Dean Donald J. Guter. “This JD/MBA program will play an important role in preparing our students to better meet the needs of both disciplines. We are pleased to embark on this important new venture with a great partner, the University of St. Thomas.” Under the plan, a student would attend South Texas for two years, UST’s

Cameron School of Business for the third year, and South Texas for the fourth year. Students in the program will be trained to think strategically and will learn to leverage the strengths of both fields. The joint program will benefit a variety of students, including those seeking to establish more sophisticated business/law practices and individuals interested in business careers. Dr. Robert Ivany, UST president, said UST is proud to partner with the law school. “Together, we will offer a valuable academic program that future leaders in our community will find of immense benefit for themselves and

UST President Robert Ivany and South Texas College of Law President and Dean Donald J. Guter are joined by academic leaders as they sign a joint agreement.

their organizations,” Ivany said. “I am confident our students will be challenged and richly rewarded by this innovative degree program.” g

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Pope Appoints Two UST Alumni to Texas Posts

n 2015, two UST alumni priests received appointments to serve in leadership roles in Victoria and in Austin. The Pope named UST alumnus the Most Rev. Brendan Cahill, STD ’85, of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston as the new bishop of the Diocese of Victoria. Most recently, Cahill served as director of clergy formation and chaplaincy services and vicar for clergy for the archdiocese. Cahill was formation director for St. Mary’s Seminary from 1998-2001. He later served as the rector at St. Mary’s Seminary from 2001-10 and was an adjunct professor in the UST School of Theology. He is also a member of the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies Advisory Board. He will be recognized at the 2015 Irish Gala. “I was humbled and honored to receive this appointment,” Cahill said. “I trust God, and I am hopeful I can use my gifts for the good of the people here.”

Daniel Garcia ’84 was ordained March 3 in Round Rock. He is the first-ever auxiliary bishop appointed in Austin. Garcia grew up in Cameron. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Tyler Junior College in 1982, a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from St. Mary’s Seminary at UST in 1984, and his Master Bishop Brendan Auxiliary Bishop of Divinity degree in 1988. Cahill, STD ’85 Daniel E. Garcia ’84 He went on to earn a master’s in liturgical studies from Cahill’s Mass of Ordination was St. John’s University in 2007. held June 29. He is looking forward to The Diocese of Austin is made working with the people of Victoria. up of 127 parishes in 25 counties, and “I really think the first thing for Garcia has held many roles there. me to do is listen to the people,” Cahill He served as an associate pastor of said. “It is a new place for me and before St. Catherine of Siena Parish, then I lay out my vision, I have to know what moved to Cristo Rey Parish and the people need. I would like to develop St. Louis King of France. and fulfill the commandments of Jesus, He was later named founding pastor and the way to do it would be to uphold of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. In March the dignity of the people.” 2014, Garcia was appointed Vicar After being appointed by Pope General and moderator of the Curia by Francis to serve as auxiliary bishop Bishop Joe Vasquez. of the Diocese of Austin, the Most Rev. g

Sister Helps Produce Series on Creation, Environment

ister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, chair of Environmental Science and Studies, has spent the last five years collaborating with Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation to create a documentary series that explores the Catholic approach to environmentalism.

Her work aligns well with the recent release of the papal encyclical, “Laudato Si,” which encourages better stewardship of the environment. The first three videos of the six-part series are available and cover topics ranging from awe and wonder to integral ecology. These videos were created as resources to be used by universities, seminaries, parishes and high schools. Each video contains two case studies that highlight the issues being addressed. Pope Francis’ emphasis on environmentalism is a natural continuation of the ideas emphasized by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who said, 36

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“The relationship between individuals or communities and the environment ultimately stems from their relationship with God. When man turns his back on the Creator’s plan, he provokes a disorder which has inevitable repercussions on the rest of the created order.” Pope Francis echoes these sentiments and urges all of humanity to carefully consider how their outward actions toward creation are a reflection of their inward nature and their relationships with their fellow man. “I think the encyclical is radical in the sense that radical

means down to the root,” Sr. Damien Marie said. “Pope Francis is getting down to the root causes behind our environmental issues.” g

Sister Damien Marie’s documentary series looks at the Catholic approach to the environment.

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Research Opportunities Open Doors for UST Students

he strong focus on undergraduate research, starting students’ freshman year, continues to give them a competitive edge when applying for advanced research training and to prestigious graduate schools.

For example, this past year medical field, and hoped the SMART approximately 550 applicants applied program would help him decide. for Baylor College of Medicine’s Both Hebert and Hayden agreed Summer Medical and Research the biology courses at UST provided Training (SMART) program, but them with a solid foundation for the only 88 were accepted. Among those sciences. Hayden also credited UST for accepted were UST senior Luke Hebert cultivating his passion for research. and junior Nicholas Hayden. Several UST students have attended The BCM program provides the SMART program in the past, undergraduate students biomedical including Holly Merta ’15. research opportunities in a top Merta participated in the program notch lab, giving them the chance to for two summers and worked at Texas participate in cutting-edge research Children’s Hospital researching Down and network with syndrome acute “I owe everything to the leading medical lymphoblastic researchers leukemia. UST Biology Department and peers. “Cancer is such faculty . . . they’ve been Hebert, a broad and complex my family.” who hopes to topic, and it uses – HOLLY MERTA ’15 become a medical every field of biology, scientist, said the but the curriculum opportunities the SMART program at UST is really broad, too,” Merta said. provided will give him an idea of “We get the whole spectrum here.” what kind of research he would Merta was one of 600 out of 10,400 like to pursue. applicants accepted into Yale’s Graduate Hayden was debating between School of Arts and Sciences, and research in bioinformatics and the received the Gruber Science Fellowship,

Luke Hebert and Nicholas Hayden

Holly Merta ’15

one of the most prestigious awards offered. She is looking forward to developing her research skills at Yale’s top-notch research facilities. “I owe everything to the UST Biology Department faculty,” Merta said. “They’ve been my family, my biggest support system and a huge help in helping me decide what I want to do and how to get there. I’ll never forget UST’s impact on my life.” g

Students Present Papers at International Conference Jennifer Hoang, senior biochemistry major, and Alyssa Mullery, senior chemistry major, presented papers at the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) in June in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Elmer Ledesma, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, said it is rare for UST undergraduates to present at an overseas professional scientific meeting. Hoang and Mullery were the only undergraduate presenters at the conference.

The EUBCE is aimed at highlighting progress in research, technological development and production processes. At this conference, members of the bioenergy community saw a broad picture of the situation and trends emerging in today’s renewable energy market. The conference provided a highlevel scientific program and parallel events, attracting participants from around the world. g

Alyssa Mullery and Jennifer Hoang presented papers at the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition.

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Longtime Chemistry Professor Receives Loving Tribute For 37 years, beloved chemistry professor William Newton “Bill” Tinnerman II drove 90 minutes round-trip from Anahuac to UST. He died April 27 at age 68, and was remembered fondly by alumni and fellow faculty members during a special service. “Rarely has a community come together in such a unified and loving manner as we all did for Dr. Bill Tinnerman’s memorial service,” wrote UST President Robert Ivany in a message to the campus community. “We witnessed a great outpouring of respect and affection for a truly selfless, masterful professor. The stories left no doubt we had been privileged to serve alongside a truly exceptional man.” Tinnerman graduated from Southern Methodist University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. While at SMU, he met Linda Fahring, the love of his life, and they married in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969-72, then earned his doctorate in polymer chemistry from the University of Houston. He taught organic chemistry at UH before beginning his three-plus decades career as a professor and department chair at UST. One class taught by Tinnerman, Organic Chemistry, is commonly considered a “weed out” subject because it is so tough. But Tinnerman treated it differently; he did everything in his power to help students succeed. “His sense of calm and joy when he worked with the students was infectious,” said Dr. John Palasota, chemistry professor and department chair. He learned every student’s name by the second week of class, providing his office and home phone numbers. He offered help sessions, and he 38

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used creative experiments to help students learn the complex chemical concepts and prepare for success in the health professions. Palasota was not only a professor alongside Tinnerman, but also a student in his chemistry classes. “He did not want any of us to fail,” Palasota said. “Rather, he wanted each of us to confront any fear or doubt we had and exceed the expectation we had for ourselves. And he committed himself to giving us the tools to do that.”

His sense of calm and joy “ when he worked with students was infectious.” – Dr. John Palasota

In a 2012 feature about him, Tinnerman said, “The biggest hurdle I have is convincing students that I’m here to help them learn the material. When they come by for help and ask questions, I give them individual attention.” “He would do whatever he could for you,” Dr. Gerald Gries, colleague of Tinnerman. “If you ever needed to talk, he was willing to give you all the time you needed. If you had a problem understanding anything he was teaching, he was willing to spend whatever time you needed to help you understand.” He was a devout member of the First United Methodist Church of

Anahuac, a member of the Anahuac Lions Club and served on numerous committees at UST. His most precious moments were spent grading lab books and exams while driving to Dallas to watch SMU Mustang football and visit his granddaughter. Tinnerman hosted an annual picnic for UST faculty and for every student who was taking or had ever taken organic chemistry at UST. The May event featured boiled crawfish, BBQ, Frisbee golf, softball games, kite flying and swimming. A self-identified “simple organic chemist,” he loved his students, his family, mowing grass and old movies. Tinnerman is survived by Linda, his wife of 44 years; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Helen and Andrew Hall; sister Helen Tinnerman; aunt Doris Cheshier; granddaughter Mary Isabel Hall; nephews and extended family. Contributions in Tinnerman’s honor to the Dr. William N. Tinnerman II Endowed Scholarship Fund at UST will benefit future students studying the subject he passionately taught. To support this legacy fund, go to stthom.edu/give, select “Other,” add the amount, and type “Tinnerman Scholarship” in the memo box. Supporters may also send a check to UST, with Dr. William N. Tinnerman II Endowed Scholarship Fund in the memo line, to 3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006-4626. g

alumnifeature

TOP: Kim Gagne ’86 with TV personality and talk show host Steve Harvey. BOTTOM: Communications alumna Kim Gagne ’86 shines on the red carpet of the Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony.

Alumna Wins Second Daytime Emmy for Producing Talk Show on a TV project in Atlanta five years ago. The project ended, but in 2011 they reached out to Gagne to ask for her help in creating a pilot for a talk show. In 2012 the pilot was picked up, and “Steve Harvey” was created. Gagne packed her bags and moved to Chicago, where the show is produced. Her husband and children stayed in Houston, so Gagne makes weekly “You don’t know who they are, but commutes between Houston and they make the show what it is,” Harvey Chicago to spend time said. Gagne works as a with her family. supervising producer “I leave Chicago on on “Steve Harvey,” a talkFriday, on the last flight variety show. This is the out, and return on Monday third time the show has mornings,” Gagne said. “It’s been nominated for a lot of travel and sacrifice a daytime Emmy and the for everyone in the family, second consecutive win especially my husband.” in the Outstanding Talk One of three Show/Informative category. Kim Gagne ‘86 with supervising producers, Gagne, a native on-set colleague Gagne manages two teams Houstonian, graduated who guide and shape the from Yates High School weekly shows. Gagne and her teams are and earned her UST degree before responsible for filming two shows every beginning her TV career working for Wednesday that are part of the five Fox 26 and KHOU 11. episodes broadcasted weekly. She met Harvey through his Gagne’s favorite part about her job business partner, a longtime friend of is also what she believes makes the her husband who invited her to work

During his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards in April, TV personality Steve Harvey praised his production team – which includes Kim Gagne ’86, UST communications alumna.

show so successful – it tells stories people can relate to. While Harvey does interview celebrity guests, the show consistently features guests seeking advice or help from Harvey. His guests might include single mothers who need help with their children or couples who feel they are losing the romance in their relationships – people facing universal challenges. On some segments, Harvey helps people realize their dreams through college scholarships or donations to help them rise above their situations. For Gagne, it is that ability to give back to people and help them find happiness that is truly rewarding. “For one hour every day, people can watch the show and laugh at how crazy Steve is,” Gagne said. “And hopefully they take away something that makes their lives better.” g

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Fall 2015

alumnifeature

Kitowski Posthumously Wins Alumni of the Year Award

t May 2015 Commencement, Sgt. Charles B. Kitowski III ’98 was posthumously awarded the 2015 Fr. Guinan Alumni of the Year Award. He is the youngest by 30 years to win this award, and his parents accepted it in his honor. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to UST and society through professional and personal excellence and outstanding community involvement. Sgt. Charles B. Kitowski III was known by many people on campus for his smile and contagious love for UST. He was greatly admired by faculty, staff and students, and he lived his life to serve others while at UST and as a soldier. Sgt. Charles B. Kitowski III ’98 “Charles was once asked why he felt such a strong need to enlist, and I will never forget his answer,” said his friend Daniel Garcia ’01, MBA ’09, vice president of the Alumni Advisory Board. “He said he was young, unmarried and had no kids. If by enlisting he could help one parent stay home with a child or one husband not have to go off and leave his wife at home, that was enough reason for him. He was always thinking about others.” In August 2007 while serving in Iraq, Kitowski volunteered to take the place of an ill soldier from another

company. Kitowski and two other soldiers gave their lives that day when an IED exploded near their vehicle. Kitowski was awarded the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Global War on Terror Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for his service. He was also inducted into the St. Thomas High School Hall of Honor. “Charles sacrificed his life doing what he did best – helping other people and serving his country,” Garcia said. “He is an inspiration to those who feel the need to serve others before themselves.” In his honor, Kitowski’s former friends and classmates created the Sgt. Charles Kitowski III Celtic Valor Scholarship for students in the armed services who possess academic merit but are experiencing financial difficulties. The scholarship was awarded for the first time in fall 2015 to Aldon Landers and Jason Dodge. Both plan to graduate in spring 2016. g

inmemoriam Herman Eberhard Detering III ’76, UST lecturer in history and the humanities, died March 21, 2015.

Lawrence McIvor Ross ’60 died March 1, 2015, at age 76. He was a Founding Member of UST’s Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing.

Juanita Dominguez died July 17, 2015. She is the mother of Stephanie Weber ’01; sister of Betty Fischer ’52, ’91, Mary Belle DePugh ’56, Lola Hattox ’60 and Arthur “Butch” Koenig ’66; sister-in-law of Charles Fischer ’52 and Don DePugh ’57.

Myron Steves, Sr., father of Myron “Buddy” Steves, Jr. ‘67, died Aug. 29, 2015.

Rev. Karel J. Fink, M.Div. ’87, died Aug. 5, 2015. Robert Florance, Jr. ’55, husband of Kathryn “Kappy” Traverse Florance ’55, died June 24, 2015. Albert Ryan Ginn ’10 died June 20, 2015. John Albert Greer ’66 died July 4, 2015. Walter Kase, Holocaust survivor, speaker and first recipient of UST’s St. Augustine Award for his life-changing impact on others, died March 4.

Tommy Edwin “Jack” Tatum, Jr. died June 22, 2015. David Underwood, UST benefactor and honorary campaign committee member, died Aug. 31, 2015. UST awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1995. William “Bill” Webking ’78, husband of Priscilla Allison Webking ’78, died Aug. 21, 2015. Irene O. Westman, mother of Christine Westman ’73, died July 11, 2015. Jennifer Windham ’82 died June 17, 2015. She was active with UST’s Celts Coffee and the Law Alumni group. Maria Victoria Valdes Zaayman ’82 died June 9, 2015.

To make a contribution in memory of a friend or loved one, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 713-525-3100.

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Fall 2015

Upcoming Events • Oct. 21, Fall Continuing Legal Education (CLE) hosted by UST Law Alumni, UST campus. • Oct. 23, Noon-1:30 p.m. Seekers & Sages Luncheon with a faculty speaker • Oct. 23-24, Family/Alumni Weekend, UST Campus • Nov. 7, Noon, Mass of Remembrance, UST Chapel of St. Basil 2015-16 Alumni Association Board of Directors (left to right): Kelly Bosworth, BBA/MBA ’08; Aaron Stryk ’01; John M. Carrabba ’80*; Maggie Stroud ’07, MBA ’10; Marcia Galatas, M.Ed. ’95, president; Kia Wissmiller ’99, treasurer/ secretary; Pashun Ballard-Loertcher ’02, MLA ’07; Vivian Ramos MBA ’01; Leslie Barrera, MLA ’04; Teresa Ryan ’83; Sharon Kimble-Kramchak ’00, MSA ’03; Alexis Guzman, MBA ’11, parliamentarian; Joe Ridley ’69; Brian Edwards, MBA ’11*; Dan Garcia ’01, MBA ’09, vice president; Grace Farquhar ’97. Not pictured: Todd Forester ’03; Roberto Gonzalez ’09, MBA ’11; Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber, MBA ’08; Quincy Victorian ’08; Sasan Ziatabar, MBA ’08. (*Denotes new members.)

• Dec. 1, Christmas in the Mansion Alumni Event, Link-Lee Mansion • April 21, Two Saints and a Taco Tasting, St. Arnold Brewery

Stay connected to UST! www.facebook.com/USTalumni alumni@stthom.edu

alumnotes Tom Horan ’66 of Houston recently had a whiskey named after him: Old Tom Horan Irish Whiskey. Frances Kennedy ’75 was named associate provost for academic finance and operations at Clemson University. Kimberly Criswell ’86 was named principal for Jowell Elementary School in Cypress Fairbanks ISD on Aug. 7. She has 26 years of education experience. Cecilia Abbott ’87, M.Ed. ’93, MAT ’94, UST board member and First Lady of Texas, was the keynote speaker at McMurry University’s 2015 Women’s Leadership Luncheon.

Father Richard Gonzales, M.Div. ’97, presented the fifth lecture in the Margaret Moser Memorial Lenten Lecture series at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.

Marylyn Harris, MBA ’07, director of the Women Veterans Business Center, was featured in the Houston Chronicle for her work helping women veterans transition into civilian life.

Laurie Robinson, MBA ’98, is a candidate for Houston City Council at-large position 4. Robinson is owner of Project and Vendor Management Advisors, LLC.

Jessica Morse ’07 was named manager of meetings and events for the American Feed Industry Association.

Kenneth D. Davis, M.Ed. ’99, was named principal of Jack Yates High School in Houston ISD.

Roberto Tovar ’07, formerly an employee of UST Facilities Operations, was hired as a 5th-grade teacher in Cleveland Independent School District.

Lynette Breedlove, M.Ed. ’00 was hired as director of the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics on the campus of Western Kentucky University.

Hafedh Azaiez, M.Ed. ’08, was named a Spring ISD assistant superintendent of administration. Stewart Trapino, MBA ’08, of Linbeck Construction presented in April at the American Institute of Construction Annual Forum 2015.

Sr. Marie Kolbe Zamora (Angelina M. Zamora) ’89, chair of the Department of Theology and Ministry at Silver Lake College, earned the Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Margery Harris, MBA ’04, executive vice president for Apache Corp., spoke at the 2015 Leadership Human Capital Think Tank event sponsored by Argyle Executive Forum.

Richard “Rick” Beverlin ’93 was named director of economic development for the City of League City.

Allison Montiel, M.Ed. ’04, CEO of La Casa de Montiel, was selected for the professional development program, Leadership Fort Smith Class of 2016.

Diane Duvall ’95, New York Times bestselling author of the “Immortal Guardians” series, co-authored “On the Hunt,” a paranormal romance anthology.

Nicola Parente, MBA ’04, displayed his work in the art show titled “Flow” in early spring.

Brenda Blackmon, M.Ed. ’11, was hired as an assistant principal at Lakewood Elementary in Tomball ISD. She formerly served as an assistant principal with Cy-Fair ISD.

Christine Konecny ’05 is engaged to Sam Hemphill. She is a forensic scientist with Houston Forensic Science Center. After a November wedding, the couple will live in Midlothian.

Julie Norton ’11 was named executive director of strategic partnerships for the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). Prior to joining UHD, Norton was director of communications at Harmony Public Schools.

Dr. Caroline Schreeder ’06 joined the staff at Madison Hospital in Alabama. She recently graduated from the General Surgery Residency program at Louisiana State University.

Lindsey (Fondren) Smith, MBA ’11, was named director of marketing at Chicago Title Commercial.

Patricia Palacios ’95 was named elementary school support officer in the Houston ISD. Alicia Araujo-Elatassi ’97, M.Ed. ’01, won first place for Best Parenting/ Family Book at the 2015 International Latino Book Awards for her book “Querido Papá” (Dear Dad).

Sarah Guerrero M.Ed. ’09, was named principal at Northbrook Middle School in Spring Branch ISD. She has worked in education for eight years, previously with Houston ISD.

Kimberlee Villarreal, M.Ed. ’12, was named assistant principal at Teague Elementary in Pasadena ISD. C.J. Miller ’14 ended his first semester at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center (fall 2014) with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Hilda (Flores) Nanez M.Ed. ’14 was named 2015 Texas Bilingual Teacher of the Year. Amy Poerschke M.Ed. ’14 was named principal of Durham Elementary School in the Houston ISD and is pursuing her doctorate at the University of Houston. Bonnie Treece ’14, founder of The Brain Domain, will have her company featured on thumbtack.com. Umer Khan ’15 completed UST’s Cooperative Engineering Program, earning a bachelor’s degree in math from UST and an electrical engineering degree from Notre Dame. He works for Apple.

We would love to hear from you! Email your alumni updates to alumni@stthom.edu. Let us know how you’re shining for UST!

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

campuscouples

Alumni Couple Relives First Date Each Year at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Ana Laura ’05 and Manuel Aguilar ’05

After being introduced at UST by a mutual friend in fall 2001, Ana Laura ’05 and Manuel Aguilar ’05 landed in the same philosophy class the next spring. It provided the perfect opportunity to connect and spend time together. A Brooks and Dunn concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo served as the backdrop for their first official date, and the couple hasn’t missed a Houston Rodeo since! They now have two daughters – Sophia, 8, and Emily, 6. Manuel is the chief operating officer at the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Ana Laura is a teacher development specialist at Houston ISD while working on her doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Houston. Today, both are members at St. Pius V in Pasadena and the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders. Manuel currently serves as a mentor and a Harvard case study judge for UST’s Cameron School of Business. Ana Laura volunteers as a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade committee member. “Some of the best memories we had at UST have to do with the great professors,” Manuel said. “Their dedication to their craft instilled in us an ongoing pursuit for continued excellence in education, leadership and entrepreneurship” that provides “a life of true happiness and fulfillment.” g

Couple from Energetic 1960s Era at UST Celebrates 48th Wedding Anniversary Marion Gaunt ’69 and Cyril Reif ’68 started dating at UST in 1965, enjoying the vibrant campus arts environment encouraged by the patronage of Dominique de Menil. Cyril was a serious math major destined to work in technology in its developmental years. Marion was a free-spirited art history major, and their favorite place on campus was the loft of the art history library. Both recall many memorable professors, including Fr. Sam Femiano, who married them in 1967. This June, they celebrated 48 years together. Cyril worked for IBM and Sun Microsystems, and today he serves on the advisory board for UST’s Cameron School of Business and as an advisor to technology start-ups. Marion was a full-time mom to their daughter, volunteering at her schools and with the Girl Scouts. She also was a successful artist and ceramicist. Now, Marion golfs and Cyril enjoys photography and motor sports. They also enjoy spending time with their two granddaughters. The couple loved their time at UST during the “swinging ’60s.” “Even though I had a career in high tech, the liberal arts education I got at UST was an excellent foundation; it taught me how to think!” said Cyril. g

Marion Gaunt ’69 and Cyril Reif ’68

To share your Campus Couples story and photo, email alumni@stthom.edu. We look forward to hearing from you! 42

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

UST Prepares Students to Leave Their Safe Harbor By Anthony Pizzitola BA, MBA

ather Robert Lamb, UST history professor, often initiated a conversation, asking, “What are you doing to make yourself famous?”

On one occasion, I answered that I earned two degrees from UST, and he responded, “Then you’re famous.” To date, I am not famous but definitely wiser based on the core values I learned: goodness, discipline and knowledge, at both UST and at St. Thomas High School. Those values instilled in me that scholarship was evergreen. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that if the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever. UST did not keep us in port, but set our sails toward distant shores. In the ’70s, I sailed into a career as a construction manager that commenced with marginal experience but a solid UST education that taught me to ask questions and to persevere. I had the opportunity in the 1990s to manage commercial properties in multiple states, which meant time on flights to continue my learning. After earning a certified facilities manager designation, I began research and publishing in that field. That expertise led me to Ground Zero of the 9/11 tragedy to help determine the sequence of events that caused the towers to collapse. A few years later, my territory covered Louisiana, and viewing the destruction there ignited my urgency to learn about a new topic - disaster preparedness and recovery. My foundational UST education served me well as I researched, developed and implemented resilience plans. Soon, we were able to help units regain power within two hours after storms hit. Based on my desire for knowledge fueled at UST, I continued to study and formulate plans for preparedness and I kept learning – becoming one of only 300

internationally to add a Master of Business Continuity Professional designation to my toolkit. Recently, this led to the opportunity to develop and implement hurricane preparedness and recovery plans for the new 365-acre ExxonMobil campus in Spring. The complex project with hundreds of contingencies and safeguards called on all my experience, education and UST-honed critical thinking skills. When I first finished college, who would have thought this would be my journey? UST gave me the knowledge base, encouragement and confidence to pursue these unique opportunities to make a difference. Because of my experience there, I never want to stop learning. I do my best to live out UST’s legacy of educating leaders of faith and character in my community and in my career. I am encouraged that thousands of others have carried their UST values to distant shores to shine their lights and, perhaps, to become a little famous. Father Lamb would be pleased. g

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

University of St. Thomas Honor Roll of Donors

Thank You!

e are so grateful to the many generous individuals, foundations, organizations and companies that contribute to the University of St. Thomas. Following is a list of donors who contributed gifts and pledge payments of $1,000 or more in Fiscal Year 2015 (July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015). For a complete list of all benefactors, please visit www.stthom.edu/donorhonorroll. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our Donor Honor Roll. We apologize for any errors or omissions and ask that you contact us at 713-942-3455 or advancement@stthom.edu if you have any corrections.

$1 Million + The Brown Foundation, Inc.

$500,000 to $999,999 Basilian Fathers of Toronto The Cullen Trust for Higher Education Ms. Trinidad Mendenhall Carol and Odis Peavy Mr.= and Mrs. Edward P. White

$250,000 to $499,999 The Cullen Trust for Health Care Mr. and Mrs. David M. McClanahan Weatherford International, Inc.

$100,000 to $249,999 Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Mr. and Mrs. David J. Beck Harry S. and Isabel C. Cameron Foundation CenterPoint Energy Mr. and Mrs. Howard B. Chapman Lois and Carl Davis Wayne Duddlesten Foundation The John S. Dunn Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Fluor Frankel Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Graham Dazzio-Gutierrez Family Foundation Ms. Lori M. Gallagher and Mr. Curtis W. Huff The Lyons Foundation Memorial Hermann Healthcare System The Newman Circle Mr. and Mrs.= Stan Paur /’81 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Reckling III Scanlan Foundation 44

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Shiffick Charitable Foundation The West Endowment

$50,000 to $99,999 Mr. Charles Burnett III Texas Children’s Hospital Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Cleary, Jr. The Fondren Foundation The Fulbright Commission Mr. and Mrs. Hubert F. Hawthorn, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Klaes ’85/’84 Ms. Michele Malloy Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. McCormick /’86 Mr. and Mrs. Clarence J. Metzger Mr. and Mrs. Anwar Barbouti ’95 Fayez Sarofim & Co. Mr. and Mrs. William T. Slick, Jr. Vivian L. Smith Foundation The William A. and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation Mr. and Mrs.= Charlie Thomas

$25,000 to $49,999 Bundy Baking Solutions Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lee Butler ’60 The Rev. Paul R. Chovanec BA, MTh ’68 Christus Foundation for HealthCare Ms. Donna Fujimoto Cole E & M Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Earthman ’73 The Ray C. Fish Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gee, Jr. John E. Guida Foundation The Hamill Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John P. Hansen Mr. David E. Harvey Jr. and Dr. Mikki Hebl Hsiao Family Foundation Inc.

Crawford and Hattie Jackson Foundation The John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation Lewis & Joan Lowenstein Foundation The Eugene and Felice Malloy Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Marcon ’13 Mr. and Mrs. George Martinez The Boyd and Evelyn Mullen Foundation The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Strake Foundation Thomas Instrument & Machine Co., Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Sean P. Tracey ’88 The Robert A. Welch Foundation Mr. John P. Whitney

$15,000 to $24,999 Mr. and Mrs. Stephen V. Arbogast ’09 Mr. and Mrs. Will Baird Mr. and Mrs. A. Thomas Bender, Jr. ’64/’66 Mrs. Leni Burrow Estate of Celina R. Peterle Charity Guild of Catholic Women Mr. and Mrs. Ted H. Dinerstein Mr. and Mrs. Jack N. Doherty Dr. Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr. ’69 Natalie and Michael P. Fleming ’85/’84 Harriet & Joe Foster Foundation Mr.= and Mrs. Rodney C. Galatas ’95/’95 Ms. Margo P. Geddie and Mr. William L. LaFuze Mr. and Mrs. Glen Gondo Houston Endowment Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Francis S. Kalman Dr. and Mrs. John Rains Kelly ’69 Dr. Calvin J. and Pat Lyons Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Mach Mr. Patrick J. Moran Mr. and Mrs. John O. Niemann Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. O’Donnell /’78 = Indicates Deceased

Susan and Jim Power Mr. and Mrs. George A. Rizzo Salient Partners, LP Patricia M. Ricciardello Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gerard Scheurich ’99 Mrs.= Alice P. Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. John M. Verba

$5,000 to $14,999 Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Abell, Jr. Mrs. Sherri J. Aleksejczyk ’80 Mr. Robert W. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Arendt Baker Hughes Foundation BDO USA, LLP Mr.= and Mrs. Arthur Bergeron Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur E. Bosarge Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bramanti Mr. and Mrs. Michael John Branda ’76 Mr. and Mrs. Downey Bridgwater British American Foundation of Texas The Burkitt Foundation Ms. Cynthia Burns Mr. and Mrs. Leandro T. Calasanz Estate of Frances C. Cardwell Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Carmouche Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Chambers Dr. John W. Clark, Jr. and Mrs. Betty Stovall (Kit) Clark /’76 Mr. and Mrs. Kevin M. Connelly ’76 Mr. Matt Coscio and Mrs. Ann-Michael Brickey Mr.= and Mrs. David K. Davies Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. DeBesse Dr. and Mrs. Ebrahim S. Delpassand DeMontrond Automotive Group, Inc. Mr. Ugo A. di Portanova Donne Di Domani Mr. and Mrs. Kevin P. Doris Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Dsouza ’03/’04 Dr. and Mrs.= Michael R. Earthman Mr. and Mrs. Peter Eichelberger ’73 El Paso Corporate Foundation Estate of Inez Ellzey Marjorie E. Evans Foundation Mr. David L. Evans, Jr. FirstGiving Mr.= and Mrs. Charles Fischer ’52/’52 ’91 Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Fischer Mr. and Mrs. William J. Flynn Mr. and Mrs. Richard Folger Follett Higher Education Group Mr. and Mrs. Taishen Fong Mr. R. A. Seale, Jr. and Ms. Chalon Fontaine Frost National Bank The Gelb Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Randy Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. George F. Goolsby Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Gordon Dr. and Mrs. Gerald L. Gries /’92

= Indicates Deceased

Faith and Joe Gutierrez Mr. and Mrs. John E. Hagale /’12 George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Juan Hartsfield HBW Resources, LLC Mr. Bernard L. Hebinck ’55 Mr. and Mrs. James Hennessy Dr. J. Pat Herlihy and Ms. Katherine A. Abba Mrs. Roslyn Hill Hirtle Callaghan & Co Mr. and Mrs. Clay H. Hoster Ms. Sue Hsiao The Humphreys Foundation St. Ignatius of Loyola Church Independent Bank The American Ireland Fund Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Ivany Ms. Barbara Monroe Kirsch Charles Koch Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Andrius R. Kontrimas Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Lai ’90 Mr. and Mrs. James P. Landers Dorothy and Ray LeBlanc Dr. and Mrs.= David Litowsky /’90 Ms. Mary C. Little ’61 Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Longmire Marek Family Foundation Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. George B. McCullough Mr. and Mrs. Danford R. Meischen Ms. Cynthia E. Mendenhall Metzger Construction Company Mr. and Mrs. James H. Metzger /’92 Mr. Kevin Miller Mr. and Mrs. J. Alec Mize The Monroe Vos Consulting Group, Inc. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc. Mr. Wiley L. Mossy, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David L. Mossy Mr. and Mrs. Ian A. Nimmo Mr. and Mrs. John J. O’Brien ’61 Dr. Maureen J. O’Driscoll-Levy Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation Dr. Boris L. Payan Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick J. Plaeger II Mr. Paul J. Posoli Ms. Denise V. Poulos ’14 Prince of Peace Catholic Church Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Reza Ms. Denise M. Castillo-Rhodes, MBA ’92, and Mr. Robert J. Sergesketter Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Ridley ’69/’69 Mr. and Mrs. H. John Riley, Jr. Ms. Doris Rodriguez and Mr. Michael D. Stuart Ms. Regina J. Rogers Dr. and Mrs. Richard S. Ruiz Dr. Beverly E. Schneller ’80 Mr. and Mrs. Jerry M. Scroggins, Jr. ’81

Mr. John R. Seale Shell Oil Company Foundation Mark and Jamie Shumbera Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Silva Silver Eagle Distributors Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sotis St. Anne Catholic Church St. Charles Borromeo Church St. John Vianney Church St. Theresa Catholic Church St. Thomas More Church Ms. Marty Estelle Thompson ’99 Texas Medical Center Ms. Mei Wan Tong and Mr. Jerry Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Ignacio Torras Mr. and Mrs. Lun Tsai Universal Weather & Aviation, Inc. UST Chapelle Dr. Kelly Vandenberg The Iris & Lloyd Webre Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Whitlock Professor= and Mrs. John O. Whitney Mr. Steven W. Whitney Mr. and Mrs. Sidney B. Williams Mr. B. T. and Dr. Robin N. Williamson Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Wilson Woodlake Travel Services, Inc. Mr. Robert and Dr. Elizabeth Woolfolk

$2,500 to $4,999 Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Ables Liberty Auto Wash Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Baehr /’00 Mr. Jeffrey P. Beale Mr. and Mrs. William J. Braun ’97 Dr. Donna L. Breen Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Brohn Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Joseph Brophy ’57/’57 Mr. and Mrs. Davey Buratti Cardno Haynes Whaley Dr. and Mrs. Raymond T. Casserly Jr. ’70/’70 Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Childs /’68 Mrs. Stella Cottrell Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Cullen, Jr./’87 Dr. and Mrs. Jay B. Davis Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Detoto Mr. and Mrs. Stan Duchman Mr.= and Mrs. Dan L. Duncan Mr. and Mrs. William Easter Mr. Joel Campbell English ’03 Ms. Frances Escriva ’78 and Mr. Joseph T. McKay Ms. Marjorie E. Evans Ms. Maureen Evans Mr. and Mrs. George R. Farris Mr. and Mrs. Massimo Favoriti ’93/’94 Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Flavin Fundacion Angelicum Dr. John C. Gallagher U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Ms. Regina Garcia Mr. and Mrs. Louis M. Ditta ’80/’81 Ms. Cynthia Gdula ’96 and Mr. L. Charles Westervelt Greater Houston Business Ethics Roundtable, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. Gilmer Mrs. Clare Attwell Glassell Julio and Ana Gomez Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John Goosey Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hall D. E. Harvey Builders Mr. and Mrs. David E. Hessel Mr.= and Mrs. John Heyburn /’60 ’88 Mr. and Mrs. Melvin L. Hildebrandt /’71 Mr. and Mrs. Andrew E. Hill ’57/’57 Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hill, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Holland Ms. Joanne Houck and Mr. Timothy P. Singletary Huntsman Base Chemicals Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Idstein Mr. and Mrs. RIchard Jeter Mr. and Mrs. John M. Kafka Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Kelley Mr. and Mrs. John Kelly, Jr. Mr Stephen Knapp and Ms. Anne Sheperd-Knapp Ms. Patricia C. Lamb ’57 Mr. and Mrs. Alain LeNôtre Mr. and Mrs. Peter Linden /’10 Mr. and Mrs. Mike Long Dr. Marc N. Longo Dr. Martha Ruth Lozano ’76 Mr. and Mrs. Terence W. Lynch Drs. Lorena and Lawrence W. Maher III Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. Malloy /’79 Mr. and Mrs. Luis M. Martinez ’98 Mr. and Mrs. Gary McCormack Dr. and Mrs. Joseph M. McFadden Mr.= and Mrs. Terrence G. McGreevy Mr. and Mrs. Oniel C. Mendenhall, Jr. ’04 Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Miggins ’52 Mr. John W. Mueller ’60 Mr. Louis John Pelz, Jr. ’80 Mr. and Mrs. Randall R. Rainey Mr. Albert Ramos Mr. Antonio J. Ramos ’94 Mr. Joseph Rees and Ms. Anita Broussard Mr. James M. Riley and Mrs. Cynthia Colbert Riley, MLA ’95 The Honorable Lee Rosenthal and Mr. Gary Rosenthal T. Ragan Ryan Foundation Sarmar, LLC Mr. William E. Schroeter Mr. and Mrs. J. Darby Sere Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Sheedy Msg. George A. Sheltz E.V. ’70 Sisters of the Incarnate Word & Blessed Sacrament Dr. John Marcellus and Mr. Thomas Spiriti ’01 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 46

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Fall 2015

St. John the Evangelist Church CHI St. Luke’s Health Mr. Myron F. Steves Jr. ’67 and Ms. Rowena M. Young Mr. Aaron M. Stryk ’01 Mr. Bill Stubbs Mr. Patrick J. Studdert Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Sweeney Southwest Regional Orchid Growers Assn., Inc. Ms. Helen Tinnerman Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Toomey ’71 Mr. Joseph V. Tortorice, Jr. Dr. Poldi Tschirch Mr. Steven Whitney WHR Architects, Inc. Mr. Drew Wilson ’02 William and Marie Wise Family Foundation Wortham Insurance & Risk Management

$1,000 to $2,499 Dr. and Mrs. Gilberto Aguirre ’68 Ms. Blake Anderson ’63 Aramark Mr. and Mrs. Ward W. Arendt Mr. William M. Arnold Ascension Chinese Mission Ms. Louise C. Aydam Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bahr Baker Botts, LLP Mr. Gregory R. Bason Ms. Marta Calleja and Mr. John L. Biggs BioHouston, Inc. Mr. Jason A. Bonifazi ’05 Mr. and Mrs. James J. Bonin /’93 Ms. Lucia Anne Bonno ’57 The Bosarge Family Foundation Dr. and Mrs. David J. Braden Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Breen Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brody Ms. Linda Broocks Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Broussard Mr. Brit T. Brown Mr. William A. Brown ’73 Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Vincent Bruno ’57/’57 Mr. and Mrs. Alan R. Buckwalter III Mr. and Mrs. David H. Bui Ms. Lisa C. Bunse Mr. and Mrs. William J. Burke Mrs. Lucy M. Burns The Most Rev. Brendan J. Cahill, STD ’85 Ms. Mary R. Cahill Dr. Lucindra Campbell-Law Caspian Enterprises Inc. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Clay /’86 Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Clem Cole Chemical & Distributing Inc. The Honorable and Mrs. Garnet F. Coleman ’90 Mr. and Mrs. Edgar J. Conner, Jr. ’85

Core= Financial Strategies, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery J. Courville, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Noel B. Cowart Professor and Mrs. Thomas J. Crow Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Cullen D & L Electric Co., Ltd. Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Danforth Darst Funeral Home Mr. John R. Deboben Delphi West Development, LLC Dr. and Mrs. Peter J. Dempsey Dr. Anna L. Dewald Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Diebra Diocese of Austin Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Ditta Mr. Leland A. Dolan ’54 Tom and Mary Dooley ’59/’58 Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Drury Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Martin Dufilho ’66/’66 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Durch /’79 DYONYX, LP Mr. James B. Earthman III ’56 Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Earthman Ms. Pati Mengden ’79 and Mr. Don Eckhardt Estate of Kathleen Braden Eichelberger Mr. Austin Eichelberger, Jr. ’81 Mr. and Mrs. Mac Arthur A. Elayda Mr. David W. Griffin and Mrs. Juliet Ellis Dr. Robert H. Ellison Mr. Daniel M. Elustondo ’99 and Mrs. Jenna Barnes ’13 Epiphany of the Lord Church Mr. James R. Evans, Jr. ’77 Mr. and Mrs. Larry C. Ewing ’61/’61 Ms. Mary Frances Fabrizio Mr. Eric P. Fahrenthold Mr. and Mrs. Daniel V. Flatten Mr. and Mrs. Remigio P. Flores /’10 Ms. Leslie J. Flynne Mr. and Mrs. George D. Ford Mrs. Kelli Kickerillo ’03 and Mr. Todd A. Forester ’03 Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Forzano Harriet and Joe B. Foster Dr. Marsha Louise Frazier Mr. Robert J. Fritz Mr. Joseph Alfonso Garcia ’03 Mr. and Mrs. James Gillespie Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Gilmer /’78 Mr. and Mrs. Refugio Gonzales, Jr. ’67 Ms. Lynn Gonzalez and Mr. Darrell Bullard Mr. Roberto Gonzalez and Mrs. Irma Diaz-Gonzalez Mr. W. Clarke Gormley Mr. and Mrs. James Goughary Mr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Gracely Mr. and Mrs. Keith E. Gresham ’83 Griff’s Sports Bar Mr. Lawrence A. Gruber, Jr. = Indicates Deceased

Ms. Madeline Haenggi Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Hafner, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. George M. Hall Ms. Mary H. Hall Halliburton Political Action Committee Mr. and Mrs. John E. Hamlin /’00 Mr. Robert T. Handy Mr. William P. Harmon Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. Mr. and Mrs. V. Gregory Hartford ’68/’69 Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hawley /’96 Mr. Edward S. Hayes Mr. and Mrs. John L. Haynes ’84/’99 Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hays Ms. Leslie Keller Heinsohn Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Hennessy Mr. and Mrs. James C. Herbert ’88/’89 Mr. and Mrs. Alex Herrera Mr. and Mrs. Lester L. Hewitt Dr. and Mrs. Yhi-Min Ho Ms. Patricia H. Holmes Mr. David H. Huang ’90 Joseph R.= and Christine F. Imber Innovative Flooring Solutions, Inc. Inspirational Tours, Inc. Society of Iranian American Women for Education Ms. S. Loretta Ivany Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jain Jarco Steel, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Rick Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Arnold J. Johnson The Honorable and Mrs. John B. Kane Mr. and Mrs. George A. Kelt, Jr. Mr. Donald Kennedy The Honorable Carolyn Dineen King and The Honorable Thomas Reavley Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Knapik ’70 Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie W. Knowles Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kobelan Dr. Martin Koenig ’80 Ms. Mary Koks Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. Krause ’93 Mr. Jeffrey K. Kronk Mr. and Mrs.= Charles S. Landram ’53/’54 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Landwermeyer Ms. Erika Y. Lazos ’01 Drs. Robert and Rebecca LeBlanc ’69/’70 Dr. and Mrs. Matthew L. Lenz ’80 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Levine Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Lidiak ’67 Mr. and Mrs. Mark Loveland Dr. Barbara Sunderland Manousso Mr. and Mrs. R. Stan Marek, Jr. Kelly S. Mathews, LLC Mr.= and Mrs. Joe B. Mattei Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McBrayer The Most Rev. John E. McCarthy, D.D. ’56 Dr. Michael W. McDonald ’70 and Mrs. Rebecca Goodwin

Mrs. Lucy Fleming McGrath Mr. and Mrs. Connelly T. McGreevy Dr. and Mrs. Stephen T. McMahon ’61 Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Mengis ’82/’11 Ms. Bridget L. Metzger ’91 Mr. and Mrs. John D. Metzger Dr. and Mrs. George R. Meyer ’66/’76 Dr.= and Mrs. Victor Miranda MMAD Investments LLC Mr. Mark Montondon ’78 Dr. Marlene Moore ’69 Moran Resources Company Mr. Matt Mullenweg Mr.= and Mrs. George Musser /’62 Mr. and Mrs. Franklin J. Naivar Mr. Randall Nelson Mr. William D. Nelson Rev. Donald S. Nesti, CSSP. Mrs. Nancy Nevle ’65 Mr. Patrick R. Newport ’75 Ms. Duyen K. Nguyen ’00 Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Nick Mr. Hector Noriega Norton Rose Fulbright Mr. Ralph S. O’Connor Mr. and Mrs. Patrick T. O’Donnell ’76 Mr. James R. O’Hara ’01 Ms. Genene Orr Ms. Mary Rebecca Palkowetz ’00 Mr. and Mrs. Phocion S. Park, Jr. ’67 Mr. Michael A. Parsons ’69 Mr. and Mrs. Donald Patteson Dr. Linda M. Pett-Conklin and Mr. Jack Conklin Mr. and Mrs. W. Norman Phillips ’87 The Plaza Group Ms. Gloria M. Portela and Mr. Richard E. Evans Mr. and Mrs. G. Edward Powell Mr. and Mrs. David Preng Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Provenzano ’98 Mr. and Mrs. John C. Ratcliff /’79 Mr. and Mrs. Luis Rivera Mr. William E. Rodrigues ’07 Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Rolke /’90 Dr. and Mrs. Mark B. Ryan ’66 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Ryan Dr. Andrew Safir and Mrs. Maralee Beck Ms. Marisol Salazar ’95 Ms. Louisa Stude Sarofim Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Scalzitti Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Scheffler Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Schick Mr. and Mrs.= Jerry M. Scroggins, Sr. ’51 Scurlock Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Marc Shapiro Mr. Madambu G. Shetty Dr. and Mrs. Terry L. Simon SLM Construction Services, LLC Mr. James Smith Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Sommer /’74

Mr. and Mrs. George Soos St. Anthony of Padua Church St. Francis Xavier Church St. Helen Church St. Laurence Church St. Martha Church St. Patrick Catholic Church St. Vincent de Paul Church Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Standish ’84 Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Stulak ’85 Ms. Anne Patricia Sullivan ’78 Sysco Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Charles Szabo Mr. Robert P. Teten, Jr. Ms. Ann H. Thompson ’67= Mr. and Mrs. James R. Thompson Mr.= and Mrs. Richard Lee Torczon, Sr. Mr. Juan Torres ’76 Mr. and Mrs. Saul Torres Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Ms. Lynette M. Uhyrek ’01 Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Ullrich Mr. and Mrs. Herman Vacca Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Vallhonrat ’95 Ms. Barbara A. Villasana ’92 Ms. Lisa M. Vincent ’01 Ms. Tamara K. Vogt Dr. and Mrs. Andrew C. von Eschenbach /’84 Voss, Inc. Mr. Edward J. Walsh ’61 Ward & Ames Special Events Mr. and Mrs. David H. Ward Ms. Patrice M. Ward Ms. Janice L. Warren Ms. Sherry R. Wetsch Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Whalen Dr. and Mrs. Barry J. Wilbratte Mr. Kenneth J. Wild II ’87 Dr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Wilson /’79 Ms. Karen Winston Dr. Zita M. Witte ’82 and Dr. John Maxwell Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wolf Mr. and Mrs. John W. Wood The Woodlands Development Company Wrinkle Gardner & Co, P.C Mr. and Mrs. Claude F. Wynn Wynnton Publishing Company Ms. Karen Yale ’05 Ms. Angela Lynn Young ’00 Mr. and Mrs. John B. Young Mr. Robert J. Young Mr. Anthony J. Zagorksi Mr. and Mrs. Brian Zatarain Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Zeidman

= Indicates Deceased

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

CHARTING PROGRESS

By the Numbers

2014-2015

Giving Back to Help Students Succeed $15.1 million in institutional aid and scholarships awarded 1,330 students received institutional financial aid and scholarships $2.8 million awarded in grants by the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation (more than $9.5 million awarded over the last six years)

$4.6 million raised for The St. Thomas Fund scholarship program $47.3 million funded for Phase I of the Center for Science

and Health Professions ($105.4 million cumulative funds raised for the Faith in Our Future Campaign)

13 new named scholarships created through philanthropic support

463 volunteers serving on boards and advisory boards

8.56% alumni participation: (+54% over previous year) The University of St. Thomas is committed to being excellent stewards of all gifts entrusted to us, and we take seriously our responsibility to sound and prudent financial management. To obtain a copy of USTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recent audited financials, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 713-525-3100 or advancement@stthom.edu.

U S T T O D AY

Fall 2015

Successful Surgical Nurse Says Scholarships Made Career Possible

ust six months after graduating from UST’s Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing, Corey Cowart ’14 transitioned to the operating room at Ben Taub Hospital – assisting surgeons dealing with health issues from gunshot wounds to aneurisms. As a perioperative, or OR nurse, he is part of a team that works together throughout a shift, including the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the scrub technician and a circulation/scrub nurse (generally his role). Cowart is in the midst of his surgical training rotation, and his current focus is neurosurgery. 4 Spring 201

Corey Cowart ’14, featured on the cover of the UST Today spring 2013 issue, is now a surgical scrub nurse at Houston’s Ben Taub Hospital.

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“This has been the most trying rotation so far,” Cowart said. “Thankfully, I have received a lot of positive feedback from the other nurses and team members.” Cowart said everything he learned at UST prepared him for his roles at Ben Taub from day one. For three semesters during school, he shadowed nurses in the OR, and many of the simulations they practiced were the exact duties he handles on a daily basis now. For his capstone course in nursing, he worked on the hospital’s surgical floor under the supervision of a licensed nurse. He was hired by Ben Taub a month before graduating, worked six months in medical/ surgical telemetry (dealing with heart monitors, reading EKGs, etc.), then transferred to surgery. As a Level-I trauma center, Ben Taub receives a significant number of traumas daily. Once the individuals are stabilized, they come directly to the surgical teams as a “stat” case. When a stat case arrives, the surgical team Cowart is serving with drops everything to focus on the emergency patient. “I love my work in surgery,” Cowart said. “This is the area I hope to stay in for my career.” While Cowart started his work life in the travel industry, it was a natural – perhaps inevitable – move for him to change to health care. Both his grandmother and aunt are nurses, and he believes it’s noble and meaningful work. He said making the leap from a full-time job to a full-time nursing student was difficult financially. act Global Imp story ber tells d mem UST boar Pope to the world of the new

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“The scholarships I received at UST through The St. Thomas Fund made it possible to sustain life while getting an education,” Cowart said. “I don’t think it would have been possible to go back to school without them.” Cowart received a transfer scholarship after attending a community college for pre-nursing courses. His dream was always to attend UST. “The UST nursing education is superb,” Cowart said. “The faculty challenge you and support you, the curriculum prepares you … my experience there changed my life.”

To contribute to student scholarships at UST, go to www.stthom.edu/give.

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Fall Has Arrived! UST volleyball players and junior transfer students Alyzabeth Vincent (left) and Candace Grosjean help new students move into Guinan Residence Hall during fall move-in day. View a video of move-in day at www.stthom.edu/moveindayvideo.

• 1st prize - two tickets to UST’s Mardi Gras Gala, Feb. 9, at the Hilton Americas-Houston • 2nd prize - two VIP tickets to UST’s Two Saints and a Taco Tasting, April 21, at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. • 3rd prize - a UST Swag Bag filled with exclusive UST goodies Please share your feedback by Nov. 15.