In Memoriam Professor of Religion and Theological Studies Ed Shirley passed away on August 15. Shirley began teaching at the university in 1985. St. Edward’s University Magazine asked one of his former students, Austin Gunter ’09, to share an excerpt of a blog post he wrote on Shirley. You can read Gunter’s complete memorial at www.austingunter.com.
the Financier After practicing law at international firms and facilitating multi-billiondollar international infrastructure transactions for private banks, Kate Baragona ’87 was hired by the World Bank in Washington, D.C., as a senior infrastructure finance specialist. She focuses mainly on countries in Africa that are restructuring their economies, like Nigeria and Mauritania. Her goal? To create financially sustainable transactions for developing governments — and to celebrate similarities among people of other cultures while also respecting their many differences. The rewards of working with evolving African countries: It’s probably the most exciting and dynamic market in the world. I meet people who are the Benjamin Franklins and Thomas Jeffersons of their nations. They’re thoughtful, well-educated, hopeful and hardworking as they bring their country into the 21st century. This is what our country was like when it was being formed. These types of people are willing to sacrifice their personal lives to build a dream. And I think, “I’m blessed to be here.” Your perspective on other cultures: As one who has walked among people of other nations, I know that these are people whose hearts and minds are no different than mine. They want a better world for their children. They want interesting work. They want a comfortable life where they can grow old with their grandchildren. It doesn’t matter what the outer shell looks like. It doesn’t matter how educated you are. We’re much more similar than we realize. Best course at St. Edward’s: The World Religions class is the one I go back to the most at a core level because I work with Taoists, Confucianists, Muslims and Hindus, and it’s amazing to be able to remember similarities and differences. I don’t think I would have ever considered that important when I was signing up for my classes. Most interesting person you’ve had dinner with: I had dinner at an event and sat next to Madeleine Albright. I find her fascinating, and it’s amazing how intellectually sharp she is. She’s a woman ahead of her time and a real inspiration to me.
To Angela Garcia Lindfors ’08 and Gunnar Frederick Lindfors III ’10, son Gunnar Frederick Lindfors IV on January 26
To Della Spoor ’02 and husband William, daughter Aemilia Holland on November 4, 2011
Ed Shirley was one of the first professors I had as a freshman at St. Edward’s, and he helped me develop an awareness of where faith and science meet. Shirley knew how to find unity in the middle of controversy. He had a profoundly vital impact on how I continue to view the world today. When I stop for a moment, I know that Shirley gave a part of himself to hundreds of 19-year-olds like me who had no clue how to be adults yet. He helped us keep our values intact as we navigated college and stepped into the lives we lead today. One of Shirley’s specialties was showing the world how to inject joy and humor into our lives. The stories he told and the songs he would sing to us always sounded better with the twinkle he had in his eyes. I remember when he hijacked my Segway and drove it around the building singing “Wild Thing” as if he were on a Harley. Those were his legacies: hijacking our lives and our hearts, teaching us how to sing our own wild songs, striking the balance in our lives between science and faith, between humor and hard work, and growing up and growing old. His life is proof-positive that it is possible to grow up and keep a smile on your face and bring laughter into every room you walk.
Ron Cinal ’60 of Reston, Va., passed away Oct. 12, 2011. He served as a lieutenant commander in the Navy and as an operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency, where he conducted several overseas tours in his 28 years of service to the agency. Cinal’s inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery took place on June 26. Several of Cinal’s classmates attended the ceremony, including Bart Cronin ’60, Bob Kamm ’61 and Tony Scaperlanda ’60. For photos of the ceremony, please contact Cronin at tbartcronin@hotmail.com.
To Kristin Stork ’02 and husband Chase Thomas, daughter Emerson Lilli on May 26, 2011
To Tyler Pivec ’03 and wife Megan, child Jaylen on March 16
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