Saturday, March 8, 2025
Cathedral Catholic High School
Proudly Presented by the Costa Corbosiero Family and the Mulvaney Family
Saturday, March 8, 2025 Cathedral Catholic High School
MENU
BY CULINART
Italian Beef Meatballs
Ricotta Crostini
Caprese Skewers
Mixed Green Salad, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Cucumbers, Goat Cheese and Vinaigrette
Seaside Market Cardiff Crack Burgundy Pepper Tri-Tip with Seaside BBQ and Horseradish
Seaside Market Grilled Salmon Fillet with Lemon Pepper
Herb Roasted Vegetables
Mashed Potatoes
Dinner Rolls
Dessert Station
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Presented by the Iagmin Family
WELCOME
John Montali ’88
INVOCATION AND OPENING REMARKS
Dr. Kevin Calkins, President of Cathedral Catholic High School
Margaret Mauro
The Late Dr. Richard “Dick” E. Kelly
Tom Mulvaney ’67
Dr. Don C. Weir ’69
DINNER
Richard Kozlowski ’70
Sister Sue Dunning ’75
REMARKS FROM THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI
Anne Pickard Majer ’95, Director of Alumni
Louis (Mike) Costa ’83
Dr. Kevin T. Murphy ’85
Amy Philpott ’86
DESSERT
Lee Ann (Najjar) Iagmin ’87
The Honorable Stephen McGreevy ’87
Andrea Lockhart ’89
Scott Wahl ’91
Proceeds Benefit Alumni Scholarships
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
JOHN MONTALI ’88
John Montali is a proud Class of 1988 graduate of University of San Diego High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball. He is currently in his twenty-ninth year teaching biology to the Dons in the classroom. Additionally, he has coached the Dons Varsity Football Team for the past thirty-one seasons, serving as the defensive coordinator for twenty-nine of those years. He is also serving as the head JV softball coach this year.
Montali has led stellar defensive units that have achieved remarkable success, winning CIF titles in 1998, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Under his leadership, the team also secured a State Division II Championship in 2008, State Division I-AA Championships in 2016 and 2021, and they were crowned Southern California Champions in 2018.
John is married to his high school sweetheart, Michelle (LeTourneau) Montali, also a graduate of the Class of 1988. Together, they have four children: Ava ’19, Joseph ’22, Daniel ’26 and future Don, Caroline ’31.
DONS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD
PRESIDENT
Dawn (Manning) Surprenant ’83
VICE
PRESIDENT
Jonathan Benet ’02
TREASURER
Lee Ann (Najjar) Iagmin ’87
SECRETARY
John Knudsen ’76
Don Weir ’69
Nate Porlas ’79
Sean Doyle ’80
Antoinette (Busalacchi) DeSantis ’81
Maricris (Quini) Enriquez ’86
Tracy Skorheim ’06
Brian McArdle, Jr. ’12
Teresa Murphy ’12
Braden Surprenant ’13
Kiki Ayers ’19
If you are interested in getting more involved with the Dons Alumni Association, please contact the Office of Alumni at alumni@cathedralcatholic.org, (858) 523-4000 or contact anyone on the board.
THE ACADEMY OF DISTINGUISHED DONS
The Dons Office of Alumni recognizes and honors distinguished Dons Alumni and special friends who positively impact the world by using their talents and resources to benefit Catholic education and the communities around them. These distinguished Dons support the mission of Catholic education and also value the Dons’ shared traditions and memories.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
1. The candidate is a graduate of Cathedral Girls High School, University of San Diego High School or Cathedral Catholic High School or a person who has a special relationship with the aforementioned, such as a teacher, administrator, volunteer, donor, etc.
2. The candidate has achieved success or recognition in an occupation, avocation or accomplishment that reflects positively on the reputation and Catholic Tradition of USDHS, CGHS and CCHS, according to the collective judgment of the selection committee.
3. Candidates will be considered for admission to the Academy every other year through an open enrollment nomination by a member of the community. They will be voted in by the selection committee with the consent of the CCHS administration.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Steve Boudreau ’69, Distinguished Don
Veronica Myers ’72
Karen (Tisi) Jassoy ’84
Tom Rickling ’85
Lisa (Costa) Corbosiero ’86
Martin Correia ’87, Distinguished Don
Lee Ann (Najjar) Iagmin ’87
Dawn Lee ’89, Distinguished Don
Susanne (Robertson) McComic ’93
Andrew Balelo ’99
Valentyna Garcia-Banner ’02
Scotty Prunty ’20
HONORING THE 2025 INDUCTEES
MARGARET MAURO
HONORARY DON
Margaret Mauro was raised by Yolanda and Mel Mauro, along with her brother, Phil, in Long Beach. She was active in sports and played basketball and softball at St. Anthony High School. Margaret had an opportunity to play basketball at San Diego State University but instead chose to attend the University of San Diego, earning her Bachelor of Arts in English along with a Secondary Teaching Credential in 1977.
Just after graduating from college, Margaret became a part of the Dons family as an English teacher and the girls basketball and softball coach. She was a wonderful English teacher, engaging her students and fostering in them a love of English. Margaret taught a number of junior and senior literature classes, but her favorites were the American literature and short story classes. In 1982, just five years after she began teaching at UNI, Margaret became the English Department Chair. Then, in 1986, she became the Director of Curriculum for two years while still teaching her English classes. In 1998, Mark Sperrazzo was selected Dean of
Students and persuaded Margaret to become Assistant Dean. His powers of persuasion included calling Margaret’s mother at her house to convince her to take the job. Margaret agreed as long as she could still teach one class. Then, in 2003, Tim Derenthal chose Margaret to become the Assistant Principal. As Assistant Principal, Margaret worked closely with the faculty and students alike. She was responsible for student services, admissions, co-curricular/ extracurricular programs, faculty and student orientations and graduation activities. She kept this role of Assistant Principal as the school moved over to the Cathedral Catholic campus, and she was influential in hiring many teachers who are still there today. Margaret worked closely with the Directors of ASB, Campus Ministry, Technology and the Learning Center. In 2018, Margaret became the Assistant Athletic Director, which was her final role before retirement.
Margaret was able to juggle her responsibilities as English teacher, Department Chair, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Principal all while coaching. She coached varsity girls basketball her first five years and coached varsity softball during her entire time at UNI. She won hers and UNI’s first softball CIF San Diego Section Championship just a few years later in 1982. This win and this team are unforgettable to Margaret. Over her forty-one years as the Dons softball coach, Margaret accumulated 770 wins, twenty-four League Championships, nine CIF titles and seven other appearances in the championship games. She was the winningest softball coach in the history of the San Diego Section with a 770-334-13 record when she retired in 2019. Throughout her career, Margaret coached numerous Dons Hall of Famers, including Amy Booth ’95, Kelly (O’Neill) Drobeck ’91, Tierra Falo ’15, Megan Faraimo ’18, Hannah Gilliland ’14, Genoa Grosch ’95, Laura Ibarra ’01, Sarai Niu ’15, Jade Quentin ’97, Viki Vechinski ’91 and Lisa Ziomkowski ’86. She coached the 1995 Hall of Fame team that went 26-5. Perhaps her most notable player was Megan Faraimo ’18 who was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year her senior year before winning an NCAA Championship
at UCLA.
Margaret was an excellent coach and pushed her girls to excel both on and off the field. She taught her Dons the importance of treating people with respect, having fun and being strong in their faith. She was beloved by all on campus. Children of employees quickly learned that Margaret was the unofficial campus auntie—always ready to listen to their latest dramas, triumphs and playground scandals. Of course, the drawer full of candy did not hurt either, making her office the hottest spot on campus.
Margaret’s accolades include 1984 Kiwanis Softball Coach of the Year, 2003 CIF Model Coach of the Year, 2008 Dons Hall of Fame, 2010 High School Sports Association All Star Recognition, 2014 California State Softball Coach of the Year and 2019 San Diego Union Coach of the Year. Most recently, Margaret was inducted into the San Diego High School Coaching Legends Hall of Fame in 2022.
Margaret retired from Cathedral Catholic in 2019. She is missed by the Dons family but is enjoying some much-earned downtime. She is still very close with many of the teachers at Cathedral Catholic, and they meet regularly for game nights. Margaret is an avid Dodgers fan and also enjoys playing as much golf as she can, which is at least twice a week if not more. Margaret is truly grateful to the teachers and fellow administrators for their unwavering support, passion and dedication in making Cathedral Catholic High School a premier school.
THE LATE DR. RICHARD
“DICK” E. KELLY
HONORARY DON
The Late Dr. Richard “Dick” E. Kelly was born in Des Moines, IA, and raised by his parents, Estelle (Maguire) and Patrick Henry Kelly, with his siblings, Bill Kelly and Sheila (Kelly) O’Neil, in Omaha, NE. After attending St. Augustine Elementary School, he graduated from Creighton Preparatory High School and then went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Latin from Regis College (now Regis University) in Denver. Dick served for four years of active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve and continued for seven more years in the reserves, separating with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Dick’s passion for education led him to complete both a Master of Arts in Secondary Administration & Guidance Counseling and a Ph.D. in Education Administration at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He held various teaching and administrative roles in Colorado and South Dakota before moving to California.
In 1975, Dick moved to San Diego with his foster son, Marc, and became Principal of the School of the Madeleine in Bay Park. He later served as Vice Principal at St. Augustine High School before joining University of San Diego High School. Over a distinguished fifteen-year tenure, Dick served as Vice Principal, Principal and ultimately the first President in the school’s history, leaving a lasting impact on the entire community.
After years of advocating for the preservation of the UNI campus, Dick recognized the changing landscape of education. He understood that as San Diego County grew, so did the need for co-ed Catholic education. His vision for Cathedral Catholic High School embraced this shift, and he was instrumental in building a school that would provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students.
Dick’s leadership established a legacy of stability, tradition, Catholic values and community. He was pivotal in hiring exceptional teachers and administrators who helped solidify the school’s reputation for excellence. Under his leadership, the school developed a college-preparatory curriculum that set high academic standards and introduced technology to the campus by equipping every teacher, administrator and assistant with a desktop computer. He implemented a uniform policy, expanded the Learning Center to meet diverse student needs and oversaw the growth of athletic and arts programs. He also increased the number of Advanced Placement courses and saw significant growth in enrollment and course offerings. Lastly, Dick was devoted to enriching the faith lives of both students and employees. He pushed for the all-school Mass that Cathedral Catholic still has today, and he oversaw the creation of the Campus Ministry program that has evolved to the current Mission and Ministry program.
Dick led by example. He was often seen on the quad greeting students, picking up trash to keep the campus clean and attending sporting events, drama productions and fundraising activities.
Known for his kindness and thoughtfulness, he frequently left handwritten notes for teachers and coaches congratulating them on jobs well done.
Although he retired in 2004, Dick’s dedication to education continued. He served as a professor at the University of San Diego’s School of Education and was a founding member of Nativity Prep Academy, a school focused on providing educational opportunities for underserved students. He also supported the Global Leadership Connection, which offers leadership scholarships to high school students.
Dick’s work was guided by his belief in creating opportunities for others. As former student Maria (Centanni) Power ’01 said, “His career was all about creating spaces for others to succeed.” Above all, Dick was a devoted family man and a faithful Catholic. He was an active parishioner of All Hallows Catholic Church. He was married to Ruth (Pflaum) Kelly for thirty-four years and cherished Ruth’s four children, his foster son, Marc, his eleven grandchildren and the three of many great-grandchildren that he was able to meet before he passed.
Throughout his life, Dick Kelly was the ultimate community builder, an advocate for students and a champion of Catholic education. His legacy continues to inspire all who knew him. Cathedral Catholic High School proudly honors his contributions with the Dr. Richard E. Kelly Memorial Scholarship and the serene Dr. Kelly Garden next to the St. Thérèse Chapel, a tribute to his influence on the school’s history. Dick passed away on February 4, 2019, surrounded by his family at home.
TOM MULVANEY ’67
Tom Mulvaney graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1967. He was raised by his parents, Ruth and Jim Mulvaney, Sr., in the Bay Park and Pacific Beach neighborhoods and attended School of the Madeleine in Bay Park. Tom began his high school years at UNI in 1963 alongside his identical twin brother, Bob. Tom and Bob were the first in the family to attend UNI, followed by their brothers, Larry ’72 and Jim, Jr. ’74. As a Don, Tom played basketball and was involved in student government. His favorite teacher was Mr. Gibson, a retired Marine who cared for his students and gave Tom an understanding of how to write well. He also feels that his time at UNI taught him to better understand his fellow human beings and to put himself in their shoes. Tom has many fond memories of his time at UNI and of the wonderful people he met, including many employees: Father Dickie, Mrs. Cafky, Coach Macias, Bull Trometter, Mr. Thoennes, Cdr. Kulot, Chuck Williams, Miss Wilson, Fr. Kulleck, Fr. Mooney and J. Barry McGrath, and his classmates: Brother Bob, Ed Couppee, the Sextons, Mike Carey, Dan Leonard, Steve Dunning, Pat Shea, Brian Bennett, Larry Flores, Gary Beagin, Bob Bahne…
the list goes on and on. Tom feels that the Dons community was and still is a family that cares for each other.
Following his high school graduation in 1967, Tom served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After discharge, he attended San Diego City College before transferring to Santa Clara University, where, in 1972, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy. Tom then went on to earn his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1977.
Tom began his career as an attorney for SDG&E. In 1981, he joined CP National Corporation, a $600M diversified utility company, and served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. In 1988, he joined ALLTEL as President of Control Communications Industries before becoming the CAO, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at VLSI Technology, a $900M NYSE company, in 1990. In 1995, Tom became the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Conner Peripherals. He then moved on to Seagate Technology, serving first as Senior Vice President, Counsel and Secretary and then as the Senior Vice President of Internet Solutions. While there, he settled patent and shareholder class action lawsuits and led the company’s venture fund acquisition/ disposition team of the world’s largest manufacturer of disc drives. In 2001, he became a private investor, managing and directing the assets of several real estate investment enterprises.
Tom and his partner, Karen have been together for forty-five years. They have four children and eight grandchildren, including one Don, Peighton Mulvaney ’23, who recently graduated from Cathedral Catholic. Tom and Karen have lived in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and they now reside in Lafayette and Carmel.
Tom and Karen are passionate about community service. In 2014, the couple generously helped establish the Karen and Tom
Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action, or “CASA,” at USD. The Mulvaney Center allows USD students to give back to the community while incorporating Catholic Social Teaching principles. The couple feels a strong connection to USD, where Tom and their son, Mason, attended and where Tom’s father, Jim, also taught at the USD School of Law. Tom is a member of the University of San Diego Board of Trustees and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees. The Mulvaneys have also created the Head+Heart+Hands endowment within the Catholic Institute for LaSallian Social Action (CILSA) at St. Mary’s College of California.
Tom would like to thank the Cathedral Catholic community for continuing the Don spirit he so fondly remembers at UNI. He would also like to impart some wisdom to the community: Listen more than you talk. Consider all your fellow humans and try to treat them the way you want to be treated.
DR. DON C. WEIR ’69
Dr. Don C. Weir graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1969. He was raised by his parents, Marcella and James Weir, Sr., in Lemon Grove and attended St. John of the Cross Catholic School. Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, James, Jr. ’61 and Thomas ’65, Don became a Don in 1965. While at UNI, he played football and ran track. His favorite teacher was J. Barry McGrath who had a comprehensive knowledge of American literature and a great sense of humor. In addition to Mr. McGrath, Chuck Williams also inspired Don to read more and to apply that reading to American and British literature. One of Don’s favorite memories from high school was returning home from Hawai’i in the summer of 1968 (leading up to his senior year) and finding over twenty of his teammates getting ready for football on the USD field two weeks before fall camp even began. Players would normally just show up on the first day of camp, and Don was impressed by the dedication of his teammates to make their season a great success. The Dons went on to be the CIF Championship runner-up that season.
Following his graduation from UNI in 1969, Don attended the University of Hawai’i, where he played football (lettering in 19721973) and studied English. During summers and school holidays, Don enjoyed working at the San Diego Zoo, which he continued for twenty years until 1990. Don earned his Bachelor of English (Cum Laude) with an emphasis in British Literature from UH in 1974. He then returned to his alma mater, this time as a teacher. Don taught at UNI for two years while working on earning his teaching credential. Next, he went on to study at San Diego State University, earning his Master of Education in 1978.
After graduate school, Don began his career at Poway Unified for seven years before moving on to the Grossmont Union High School District in 1986. Don taught English, English as a Second Language (ESL), Economics and History. During his time teaching, he also began his doctorate at the University of Southern California. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from USC in 1991. After completing graduate school, he began teaching at Punahou Summer School for seven summers while still at Grossmont Union High School District during the school year. Don remained at Grossmont for twenty years until 2006.
In 1995, Don partnered with his best friend to start Isla Pacifica Expeditions, a fishing guide company targeting Baja California and the Gulf of California. Thirty years later, they still run the company and make five or more trips per year to Bahía de los Ángeles and fish for yellowtail, grouper and skipjack tuna.
Don returned to his alma mater, the University of Hawai’i, as the volunteer booster president for the UH Letterwinners Club for a few years. In 2010, he was named the Executive Director of Na Koa, the UH Football Booster Club. As the Executive Director, Don coordinated the booster club’s fundraising campaign that supported the football program’s needs, such as providing equipment, dietary assistance and funds for scholarships, academic support and tutoring. Don then transitioned to working as the Development
Director for the UH Foundation for a couple of years. Don enjoyed holding these positions at his alma mater before retiring in 2014.
Don’s accolades include 1971 Grossmont College Most Inspirational (football) (ASGC Vice President), 1974 University of Hawai’i President’s Award for Scholarship, 2006 Humanitarian Award (Jonathan Tarr Foundation), 2016 Kane Fernandez Community Service Award (University of Hawai’i Letterwinners Club) and 2019 Community Service Award (Kailua Canoe Club).
Don, however, feels that his greatest achievement in life has been writing a grant for supplies for Pu’ali Koa Kahiko, a nonprofit on Maui for Vietnam Veterans diagnosed with PTSD. These veterans use outrigger paddling for their therapy, and Don’s grant provided two carbon six-man canoes, twenty paddles and twenty personal flotation devices, so they always have canoes to use. Don has been very inspired by these Vietnam Veterans.
Don married Colleen in 1990 while finishing his doctorate at USC. He and Colleen purchased a house in Kailua, Hawai’i, and renovated it completely in 2003. Colleen ran the renovation, and Don moved there in 2006 when he had completed his twenty years at Grossmont. The couple recently returned to San Diego County and live in Singing Hills to be closer to aging family members.
Don would like to thank his wife, Colleen, who does not stand behind him but beside him in all of the community service efforts. He would also like to thank his parents for their many sacrifices in sending all three boys to twelve years of parochial education and Coaches Trometter, Strange, Williams and Hart for pointing out the “right road to travel.” Don also thanks the Zooboys, his fishing partners, who donated part of their catch for eight years to help out the Kailua Canoe Club Fish Fry.
RICHARD KOZLOWSKI ’70
Richard Kozlowski graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1970. He was raised by his parents, Rita and Anthony, in La Mesa and attended St. Martin of Tours Academy. Rick was the only one in his family to attend UNI, as his older sister, Paula (Kozlowski) Quint, attended the all-girls Convent of the Sacred Heart school. At UNI, Rick was very involved in his studies and swimming. He had learned to swim at a young age due to his father being a lifeguard and manager at La Mesa Swimming Pool during the summer months. Rick was a prolific swimmer with League and CIF Championships, school records in the 100-, 200- and 400-yard freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley and the freestyle relay. In his junior year, the sport of water polo was introduced to San Diego. It was a club sport that year and became a CIF-sanctioned sport the following year. Rick earned a Second Team All-CIF Award. Unfortunately, he contracted mononucleosis his senior year and was only able to compete at the end of the swim season. Rick had several favorite teachers at UNI, but Mr. Wilimek, Mr. Williams and Mr. McGrath stand out most of all. Reflecting on his time as a Don,
many special memories come to mind: the Dons beating Saints in the first football game between the two schools in 1966 (now known as the Holy Bowl), placing first in two events and second in another which helped UNI win the Class “C” CIF Swimming Championship in 1967, snow falling on the UNI campus with enough to throw some snowballs at his fellow Dons in 1967 and being a part of the last all-male graduating class of 1970. He also cherishes the experiences he shared with his three close friends, Greg, George and John. Rick feels fortunate to be a UNI graduate.
Upon his graduation from UNI, Rick went on to the University of Southern California, where he was a walk-on for both the swim and water polo teams. USC was a top-three team for winning the NCAA Championship in swimming at that time during the ’70s. During his sophomore year, he qualified for the NCAA Championship but did not make the team because of a limit on the number of team members allowed to participate. It was then that Rick left the team to focus on water polo. With more time on his hands during swim season, he became a lifeguard to help pay for expenses while in school. During his junior and senior years, he was able to make the varsity team and a starting position as the lead sprinter. They won the consolation championship against their rival, UCLA, in 1974. As such, Rick was the first San Diego water polo player to play in the NCAA Water Polo Championship. Rick graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1974.
After graduating from USC and spending some time on the North Shore of Oahu, Rick continued working in the family business, Ara Chem Inc., in El Cajon. He had started there while in middle school sweeping the warehouse and moved on to warehouseman, production formulator, truck driver and finally salesman. While working for the family business, Rick enjoyed spending some of his free time back at his alma mater as a water polo coach at UNI for a couple of years. Eventually, the family sold the business.
It was then that Rick’s life hit a decision point. Before the business was sold, he had competed in the 1980 Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon on Oahu. Later that year, he enlisted in the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School. Rick earned the position of Battalion II Commander since he graduated second in his class. He was commissioned as an Ensign and assigned to basic flight school in Pensacola, FL. There he achieved a level of proficiency to be selected into the jet pipeline at Kingsville, TX. It was during that syllabus that he came to the conclusion that he would rather have a more normal life as a P-3 pilot and based either in San Francisco or Oahu. Unfortunately, the Navy did not see it that way. They wanted Rick to remain in the Navy flying jets or receive an Honorable Discharge. Rick took the discharge.
Rick returned to San Diego. The sport of triathlon had grown in popularity and prestige while Rick was in the service, and he competed as a semi-professional triathlete, became a substitute teacher for San Diego and Poway Unified School Districts and returned to seasonal lifeguarding. During this time, his mother introduced him to Fr. Joe Carroll who had just been assigned to lead the St. Vincent de Paul Center. Fr. Joe was investigating the possibility of producing a participatory event to raise funds and awareness. After discussing different events, he hired Rick to create the San Diego International Triathlon (SDIT). They suffered growing pains the first few years, but since 1984, the event has profited over a million dollars for the St. Vincent de Paul Center, now Fr. Joe’s Villages. Years later, they created Fr. Joe’s Thanksgiving Day 5K. It, too, has been a big success for Fr. Joe’s Villages.
Fr. Joe helped Rick find his career path. With the success of the SDIT, Rick also planned a triathlon at Mission Bay, then Solana Beach, Imperial Beach and Coronado. Through these events, he created KOZ Events after his nickname, “KOZ.” The business has produced over 400 triathlons, runs and bike rides. It has introduced thousands of individuals to the sports of triathlon, running and cycling. Rick sold the business in 2016 and retired.
During his first few years of growing KOZ Events, Rick also took a position at the Union-Tribune newspaper as the Special Event Manager. It was during this period that he was an integral part of the team that initiated the Trib-10, later to become the Dr. Seuss Race for Literacy and the Children’s Hospital “Kids News Day” edition of the newspaper.
Rick created and produced many events throughout his career, but there is one very special event that stands out: The San Diego Triathlon Challenge. Jim MacLaren was an inspirational amputee triathlete in the 1990s. Unfortunately, during a race in Orange County, a vehicle drove onto the course and hit him while he was cycling, catapulting him into a light post. A group of volunteers gathered to stage a fun-run triathlon to raise money for Jim’s adapted van. They hoped to raise $25,000 and raised $49,000. They put on the event again the following year with a goal of raising $50,000, and they raised $89,000. They decided to put on the event a final year to raise $100,000 and raised $149,000. During this time, other disabled individuals came to them and explained that insurance companies did not provide adaptive sports equipment, only items for everyday needs.
It was then that Jeffrey Essakow, Bob Babbitt and Rick founded the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Last year, CAF celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. It has expanded its reach from providing individual grants to adaptive sports clinics, mentoring and general support to the disabled sporting community. It has raised 178 million dollars and funded over 48,000 grants to individuals in all fifty states and around the globe in more than 100 physically disabled sports. Close to half of the 2024 USA Paralympic Team members have received a grant.
Since Rick’s retirement in 2016, he has continued to be involved with CAF as a member of the board of directors. He has reignited his competitive edge in multi-sport winning championships, traveling across the country and around the world to compete
in the 65-74 age groups. He was named the USAT Great Grand Master Triathlete of the Year in 2022 and 2023. He is also currently a swim instructor at the Copley YMCA. Rick has a son, Ricky, who is an Emergency Room Technician at the UCSD Medical Center.
Rick would like to thank Dan Geiger who nominated him for this award, Our Lord Jesus Christ who has given him such a wonderful and fulfilling life, his parents and sister who influenced and guided him during his time in high school, all of his teammates at UNI and USC and other teams that he has been a member of, all of his lifeguard buddies in keeping the beaches of Los Angeles safe and Fr. Joe for giving him the opportunity that led to his career as a race producer. He is also thankful for his association with Jeffrey and Bob which created the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Dave, Josh and Fred who supported him for thirty years in making KOZ Events a “brand” in the San Diego sports community. Finally, Rick would like to thank his son, Ricky, who has given him the honor of being his dad.
SISTER SUE DUNNING ’75
Sister Sue Dunning graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1975. She was raised by her parents, Donis and John, in the Serra Mesa neighborhood and attended St. John the Evangelist School in Encinitas. Sue followed in the footsteps of her older brothers, Steven ’67 and Michael ’73, becoming a Don in 1971. Sister Sue was very involved at UNI. She was a part of the Jesters, Pep Club and Search Retreats. She was also class president her freshman year, a score keeper for the varsity baseball team and a JV cheerleader during her sophomore year. Additionally, Sister was the Dama of the year her senior year. Sue’s favorite teacher at UNI was Mr. Araiza, and she has many fond memories of the football games and Search Retreats. Sister Sue’s spiritual encounters at UNI, however, most impacted her future. Her spiritual growth during high school helped her begin her search for her vocation and calling in life. The strong Christian values and Catholic atmosphere at UNI nurtured her spiritual growth. The extracurricular activities of sports and the arts fed her spirit of joy for life and community. There were so many opportunities for community and relationship building as well as service that her desire to dedicate her life to serving God and neighbor
within a religious community seemed fulfilling and possible.
After graduating from UNI, Sue went on to the University of California, Irvine, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1979. After graduating from UCI, Sue entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange in 1979. She taught elementary school for five years in Southern California and San Francisco while continuing her graduate education at the University of California, Irvine. Sue earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from UCI in 1983. Afterwards, she really enjoyed serving as a missionary in Mexico for fifteen years. She then worked in Hispanic parish ministry in the Diocese of Orange for nine years during which time she studied during the summers to earn a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality at Creighton University in 1999. Most recently, she has been serving on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange for the past nine years.
Sister Sue has been a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange for forty-six years. She has been inspired by many people throughout her years as a religious, including her parents, her family, her fellow Sisters in community and the people where she has served. She feels blessed that those same people have shared that her life as a Sister has made a difference in their own lives.
Sister Sue would like to thank God first of all for having loved her and called her to love everyone she encounters with that same love. She thanks her family, friends and those who have been hard to love but who have also taught her how to love better in this imperfect world with all her imperfections. After forty-six years in the convent, Sister Sue feels grateful for the many lives that have touched hers and hopes that she has made a difference in others’ lives.
LOUIS (MIKE) COSTA ’83
Louis (Mike) Costa graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1983. He was raised by his parents, Kate and Frank, in the Alvarado Estates neighborhood and attended Blessed Sacrament Parish School (now St. Katharine Drexel Academy). Mike was the first in his family to attend UNI, beginning his high school career in 1979, and his sister, Cora ’84, followed suit just one year later. At UNI, Mike played football and ran track, and he was involved in the drama program. His favorite teacher in high school was Jack Rubidoux, who Mike jokes hated that Mike was so much better looking than him. Margaret Mauro also had a great impact on Mike and told him as she was yet again asking him to leave her classroom for speaking out of turn, “You should find a career where they pay you to speak, Mr. Costa.” Mike has many fond memories from his time as a Don, and he feels most grateful for the people he met and the friendships that still thrive today.
Upon his high school graduation, Mike moved across the country to New Jersey to attend Montclair State University. In 1986, Mike
transferred back home to San Diego State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism in 1990.
Following Ms. Mauro’s advice, Mike embarked on his career of being paid to talk on the radio. Mike was also inspired by his Uncle Lew who coached for a long time in college football and the NFL and sparked his yearning to somehow work in or around professional football. Mike began his career as a sports talk radio host at I-Heart-Media San Diego in 2004 and remained there for sixteen years. He hosted a popular morning sports talk show centered on local San Diego teams and events, along with pertinent national sports news. He also hosted pre- and post-game shows for the Aztecs and continues to report from the radio sidelines for the Aztecs and various national NFL games, including multiple Super Bowls and Final Fours, on Westwood One CBS Radio. Since 2020, Mike has been co-host of “The Big Biz Show,” in which he and his co-host, Bob “Sully” Sullivan, cover business and finance news in an entertaining TV and radio format. Mike has also been the Senior Associate Producer of Sully Entertainment Group and The Loft 100 Studios since 2020. Most recently, he just launched a business of sports TV show, “Off-Side Sports,” this year. Mike says that his life is charmed because he has never worked.
In 1992, Mike met a woman, Meg, who he became great friends with and who ended up becoming the love of his life. Without her, he would not have been able to live in the highly volatile world of sports media. She is the one who always said after he was laid off from a job, “Don’t worry, I’m working. You’re too talented to not find another gig. Keep chopping wood.” She blessed them with a beautiful son, Topher, who is now 271 months old. They feel lucky to have kept San Diego as their home base.
Mike feels incredibly grateful to be a Don. He is who he is today… the man, husband, father, son, brother, cousin, uncle, godfather and friend because UNI provided him with incredible building blocks in life. Mike would like to thank his wife and son, for without
them, life would be a massive void. He would also like to thank his mom and dad who made the brilliant decision and sacrifice to not send him to Saints but instead insisted on University of San Diego High School. He would like to thank his brother and sisters, who have always kept him humbled and grounded and especially his friends who he met at UNI and those associated with CCHS, including his childhood friend, Mr. Joe Filippone ’83.
DR. KEVIN T. MURPHY ’85
Dr. Kevin T. Murphy graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1985. He was raised by his parents, Joanne and Jack Murphy, in East County San Diego and attended St. Therese Academy. His parents, a high school teacher and nurse, believed strongly in the importance of Catholic education and worked second jobs and sacrificed to send Kevin and his five siblings to Catholic elementary and high school. Kevin was the second in his family to become a Don, starting school at UNI a year after his older sister, Colleen ’84. While at UNI, he was involved in athletics and played both football and golf. Although Kevin’s Spanish teacher, Mr. Atilano, was his favorite, he credits his biology teacher, Mr. Jacobacci, for sparking his interest in science and medicine. His favorite memories from UNI include playing on the football and golf teams, as well as the senior grad trip to Hawaii and Europe with good friends like Mr. Tom Rickling ’85, who is now a teacher at Cathedral Catholic.
After graduating from UNI, Kevin earned a Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Notre Dame. Upon
graduating from Notre Dame in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a second major in Philosophy, Kevin was commissioned in the Navy and moved back to San Diego to serve as an engineering officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV 61). As fate would have it, the Ranger launched the first sortie in Operation Desert Storm. After three years of service, Kevin returned to the Midwest and earned a Master of Science in Neurophysiology from Purdue University in 1993 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 1998. Dr. Murphy remained at the University of Chicago to complete his residency in radiation oncology from 1998 until 2003.
Dr. Murphy began his medical career as a radiation oncologist specializing in tumors of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) as well as pediatric cancer. He was a pioneer and thought leader in the development of frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for pediatric and adult patients, a technique now used worldwide. Dr. Murphy spent fifteen years at the University of California, San Diego, as a physician, department vice-chair and professor in the Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences.
In 2020, Dr. Murphy pivoted from oncology to focus full-time on Peaklogic, a company he founded in 2017 to develop PrTMS®, a lowamplitude personalized approach to neuromodulation. PrTMS® was inspired by Dr. Murphy’s quest to alleviate the symptoms of his son’s autism spectrum disorder as well as the cognitive decline that often plagued his cancer patients after chemotherapy and radiation. Peaklogic’s software enables physicians across the United States and abroad to utilize Dr. Murphy’s personalized treatment protocols to improve the lives of patients suffering from neurocognitive and neurobehavioral conditions.
Dr. Murphy has co-authored numerous book chapters, abstracts and peer-reviewed articles on the topics of cancer and
neuromodulation. His work has appeared in the Journal of NeuroOncology, Translational Cancer Research and Practical Radiation Oncology, among others. He is a frequent invited speaker at national medical meetings and has presented at international conferences in twenty-three countries.
Kevin and his wife, Lisa, met at Notre Dame and married in 1994. God has blessed them with two wonderful children, Ella ’20 and Jack ’22, who are both also Dons. Ella recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame and will begin medical school in the fall of 2025. Jack is currently enrolled at Palomar College and will transfer to San Diego State University in 2026 to pursue a degree in astronomy.
Dr. Murphy would like to thank his long-time friend, Tom Rickling ’85, Coach Sean Doyle ’80 and those at Cathedral Catholic High School for honoring him with the Academy of Distinguished Dons recognition.
AMY PHILPOTT ’86
Amy Philpott graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1986. She was raised by her parents, Anita and Dr. Richard Philpott, in the Del Cerro neighborhood of San Diego and attended St. Therese Academy. Amy followed in the footsteps of her older brother, John ’85, to UNI, with her younger brother, Michael ’91, later continuing the tradition. Amy cherished her time at UNI, appreciating the campus’ beauty, the camaraderie of sharing lunches with friends and the unique experience of walking to classes. A dedicated student-athlete, she played freshman volleyball, JV basketball and varsity softball. One of the most influential figures in her high school years was Margaret Mauro, her junior and senior English teacher and her softball coach throughout all four years. Coach Mauro recognized Amy’s potential early, naming her to the varsity softball team as a freshman. This pivotal moment instilled in Amy the confidence and determination that would shape her future. Under Coach Mauro’s leadership, she and her teammates developed not only as athletes but as students and individuals, embracing teamwork, discipline and respect—values that have remained guiding
principles in her life. Amy fondly recalls the challenges they may have posed to Coach Mauro’s patience, given their spirited nature as a team. Beyond Coach Mauro, Amy was profoundly impacted by UNI’s dedicated faculty. Mr. Jacobacci’s infamous cow brain hall pass, Mrs. Gorsich’s humor and deep understanding of teenage minds, Mr. A’s dual role as a volleyball coach and the “king of ceramics” who brought laughter even while critiquing art projects and Mr. Fischer’s patient attempts to make math more tolerable all left lasting impressions. These educators fostered an environment that encouraged both academic growth and personal development. Alongside her academic and athletic commitments, Amy developed a strong work ethic through her part-time jobs at My Yogurt Palace near SDSU and Del Cerro Liquor. These early experiences ignited her passion for business, as she learned the fundamentals of customer service, small business operations and community engagement. Looking back, she credits UNI with shaping her mindset of “why not try?” and “I can do that.” More than anything, Amy recognizes the strength of the Dons community, built upon the philosophy that “Good people know good people.”
After graduating from UNI, Amy attended the University of Arizona for two years, working in room service and poolside service at The Doubletree Hotel. During breaks, she returned to San Diego to work at Del Cerro Liquor and discovered a passion for community-focused work while employed at the Mission Valley YMCA. She later transferred to the University of San Diego, where a serendipitous opportunity arose—Coach Margaret Mauro invited her to assist the university’s softball team. Coaching for two seasons enriched Amy’s leadership skills and deepened her appreciation for mentorship. In 1990, she graduated from USD with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences.
Following graduation, Amy joined the YMCA while pursuing further education in sports psychology at San Diego State University. A part-time role as a FedEx driver soon evolved into
a fulfilling career. Embracing FedEx’s leadership development program, she quickly ascended to the role of Operations Manager in Fullerton, CA. Over twelve years, she mastered the complexities of operations, logistics and people management, gaining invaluable expertise in adaptability and strategic thinking. Her career then took a pivotal turn when she was recruited as a Regional Vice President at Kinkos, where she navigated corporate restructuring in preparation for its sale to FedEx. However, the events of 9/11 prompted a reassessment of her priorities. Opting for a fresh start, Amy transitioned to Trader Joe’s, drawn by the company’s culture and values.
At Trader Joe’s, Amy began as an entry-level supervisor and worked her way up to Captain. She played an instrumental role in the company’s expansion, relocating from Southern California to Chicago and then to Atlanta to open new markets. Despite the demands of constant travel, she embraced the challenges, strengthening her resilience and prioritizing meaningful personal connections.
In 2007, Amy retired from Trader Joe’s to pursue entrepreneurship, purchasing Tuscan Market & Wine Shop in Arlington Heights, IL. Over the next eight years, she transformed it from a quiet specialty shop into a thriving bar and restaurant, building a loyal customer base and fostering a sense of community. Selling the business in 2015 allowed her to focus on family, spending more time in San Diego with her mother.
Amy’s next venture began in real estate, and she earned her license in 2015. For the past decade, she has excelled as a Licensed Real Estate Broker, applying her entrepreneurial expertise and customer-first approach to help clients achieve their goals. This career path has provided her with both professional fulfillment and the flexibility to prioritize what matters most—family.
In 2018, Amy embarked on a new mission, partnering with a friend
to establish a nonprofit dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find meaningful employment. Their efforts led to the founding of Brewing Opportunities, Gerry’s Café. After years of dedicated fundraising and collaboration with passionate volunteers, the flagship café opened in Arlington Heights, IL, in August 2023. Gerry’s Café serves as a welcoming community hub, offering craft food and beverages prepared and served by employees aged twenty-two and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, the café proudly employs thirty-nine individuals, many of whom earned their first paycheck through this initiative. The mission remains steadfast: sustaining operations and expanding opportunities to support this incredible community.
Amy’s contributions have been widely recognized. Her accolades include 2010 Cook County of Illinois Heroine of the Year, 2010 Business Leader Heart of Gold for the Village of Arlington Heights, 2019 Chicago Agent Magazine Agent’s Choice Charitable Services Award, 2022 Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Community Volunteer Leader of the Year and 2022 Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce Not-for-Profit Business of the Year.
Throughout her journey, family and friends have been Amy’s greatest source of inspiration. She credits her parents as her ultimate role models, instilling in her a strong sense of discipline, integrity and perseverance. Their unwavering support provided her with incredible opportunities, and their belief in “If you sign up, you show up” became a core philosophy in her life. Her mother’s wisdom, “To have a friend, you have to be a friend,” has guided her approach to relationships, reinforcing the value of kindness and connection.
Amy is profoundly grateful to those who have supported her along the way. She extends heartfelt thanks to her siblings, Maureen, John and Michael, for their love and encouragement, as well as for
their nomination for this incredible recognition. She is especially thankful for her amazing wife, Chris Nisbet, who has been by her side through every adventure and has been her biggest cheerleader. They reside in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago in the Village of Palatine, IL. Amy also deeply appreciates the lifelong friendships she has built with her UNI classmates and dearest friends, many of whom are present tonight. Their shared experiences and continued support have enriched her life, and she looks forward to making many more memories together. Finally, Amy expresses gratitude to the Dons Office of Alumni. While she wishes she lived closer to attend more events, she remains an engaged supporter, proudly following the Dons community on social media.
LEE ANN (NAJJAR) IAGMIN ’87
Lee Ann (Najjar) Iagmin graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1987. She was raised by her parents, Rose and Sam Najjar, in Detroit until she moved to East County San Diego when she was six years old. She attended Santa Sophia Academy in Spring Valley. Lee Ann was the youngest of six siblings and the only one of her siblings to attend UNI, as her five older brothers and sisters mainly grew up in Detroit. Her favorite teachers at UNI were Fr. Tassi, who taught her the importance of carrying a dictionary with her, Mr. A, who taught several of her art classes and encouraged her creativity, and Mr. McGrath, who taught her English class for two years and even a class her first semester of college. As a Don, Lee Ann juggled academics with her job outside of school as a butcher at her father’s grocery store in City Heights. She has many fond memories from high school, but the most unforgettable moments were just hanging out with her best friend, Maria (Lopez) Sedlock ’87.
After graduating from UNI, Lee Ann started school at Grossmont College and continued working for the family business in the meat
department. Lee Ann had never thought of herself as a “good student” in high school but really came to appreciate her education at UNI while at Grossmont. Several of her professors urged her to transfer to a school with more opportunities for her, and she ended up transferring to the University of San Diego. Going to college was a family effort. Lee Ann was much younger than her five older siblings, who were very helpful in her college career. Her two older brothers had started their successful business while she was at UNI, and they helped pay for USD when she started school there. As for her major, it was a bit of a fluke that she ended up studying accounting. Her older sister thought she would like it, and it was one of two majors at USD that did not have a foreign language requirement, so she decided to pursue accounting. Lee Ann graduated from USD with her Bachelor of Accountancy with Honors in 1992.
At the start of her career, Lee Ann earned her Certified Public Accounting license while working for one of the biggest local public accounting firms. She passed the final section of the CPA exam, Financial Accounting & Reporting, which is considered the most difficult section, with the second-highest score in the state of California. Lee Ann remained at the public accounting firm for several years, mentoring and managing new staff and departments. Her experience gave her broad knowledge and skills in accounting and tax services. She worked with individuals and businesses in a variety of industries, including professional services, real estate, retail and manufacturing. This diverse experience gave her a unique insight into the financial operations of different types of businesses.
In 2000, Lee Ann established a self-employment practice from home, providing the same services to clients while raising her family. In 2019, she transitioned to a “Personal CFO” role, offering business-type services to select high-net-worth individual clients. In essence, she treats their households like a business by providing monthly personal financial statements that include reporting and
reconciling all personal assets and investments with current net values, liabilities, income, expenses and comparable budgets. This unique service provides her clients with assurances they may not have otherwise.
Lee Ann has stayed very connected to the Dons family over the years. She and her now husband, Jim Iagmin ’87, were reacquainted at their ten-year high school reunion. Lee Ann and “Jimmy” had been friends all of high school as they met in Fr. Tassi’s religion class freshman year. They were married in 2001. Lee Ann has been heavily involved with the Dons Alumni Association board for seven years. She currently serves as the treasurer, and she and Jim can be found at most Dons Alumni events, sharing the welcoming Dons spirit with everyone. Lee Ann is also one of the founding members serving on the Board of Regents and on the Finance Committee at Cathedral Catholic, to which she devotes her time to continuing the Dons legacy at Cathedral Catholic. Lee Ann and Jim have had many family members join the Dons family, with several cousins, nieces and nephews attending UNI and Cathedral Catholic. More recently, they have also connected to the community as parents to two Dons, Joaquin ’22 and Vincent ’24. Their boys decided collectively to attend Cathedral Catholic with no encouragement from Lee Ann nor Jim since the commute from La Mesa was so far for them. Joaquin was drawn to the school by the Pre-Engineering program, which he completed, as well as taking American Sign Language. The Special Education program at Cathedral Catholic is like no other in private schools, which the family relied upon more than they had anticipated. While Joaquin was already a sophomore at Cathedral Catholic, their younger son, Vincent, suffered a brain injury and stroke as he was beginning his eighth-grade year, which he essentially skipped. The love and support the family received from Sean Doyle ’80, Anne Pickard Majer ’95, the school and Dons Alumni was overwhelming. It proved to Lee Ann and Jim that no matter what the name of the school is or the location, it is the same community. Once a Don, Always a Don.
Lee Ann would like to thank her class president and “San Diego’s Favorite Don,” Martin Correia ’87, for recruiting her for her first volunteering duty for their ten-year reunion, which began her service to the Dons and where she reconnected with Jim. She would also like to thank Karen (Tisi) Jassoy ’84 for nominating her for this Distinguished Don award, Sean Doyle ’80 and Anne Pickard Majer ’95 for creating a Dons Alumni community at Cathedral Catholic that still feels like home and family and Dr. Kevin Calkins for entrusting her as a member of the Board of Regents. Lastly, Lee Ann would like to thank her husband and classmate, Jimmy Iagmin, who not only inspires her to be great every day but also supports her in everything she wants to do and be - a housewife, a stay-at-home mom, a self-employed CPA and a volunteer at the school.
THE HONORABLE STEPHEN
MCGREEVY ’87
The Honorable Stephen McGreevy graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1987. He was raised by his parents, Judy and Dr. Joe McGreevy, in the Pacific Beach and La Jolla neighborhoods of San Diego and attended Martha Farnum Elementary School and Pacific Beach Junior High. Steve was the second in his family to become a Don, preceded by his older brother, Joe McGreevy ’85, and then followed by his younger sister, Christa (McGreevy) Suba ’93. As a Don, Steve was involved in athletics and played on the varsity basketball, tennis and volleyball teams. Looking back on his time at UNI, he cherishes memories of Friday night football games, his time on the varsity basketball team and being with his friends.
Following his graduation from UNI, Steve attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he played on their Division I men’s volleyball team. During his senior year, he worked in Washington, D.C., at George H.W. Bush’s White House in the
speechwriting department. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science from LMU in 1991. Steve then returned to San Diego to begin graduate school at the University of San Diego School of Law. He graduated with his J.D. in 1994.
After law school, Steve began working for Thornes Bartolotta in San Diego. He spent two more years working in civil law before joining the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Steve proudly served and protected the people of Orange County for twenty-five years, prosecuting the most complex and serious sexual assault and homicide cases. Working with the men and women of law enforcement and everyday citizens, Steve brought justice to Orange County’s most violent criminals. As a prosecutor, he tried 117 jury trials, forty-two of them homicides, and ended his career as the head of the Orange County District Attorney’s Homicide Unit. In June of 2022, Steve was elected a judge of the Superior Court of Orange County in California, securing 83% of the vote. He currently works in the Santa Ana Courthouse handling criminal trials.
Steve met his wife, Wendy, at USD Law School. They married in 1998 and moved to San Clemente, where they still reside. Wendy is a former San Diego prosecutor and is currently an adoption attorney. Both Steve and Wendy have been active in the San Clemente athletic community and at their Catholic Church, St. Edward. They have two sons, Michael (age twenty-four) who is a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Matthew (age twenty-two) who is graduating from UC Santa Barbara this spring with a major in political science and a minor in philosophy and plans to attend law school in the fall of 2025.
Steve would like to thank his parents who have inspired him throughout his life and who instilled in him the value of hard work, public service and always doing the right thing. He would also like to thank his wife and all of his friends who have been there for him throughout the years.
ANDREA LOCKHART ’89
Andrea Lockhart graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1989. She was raised by her parents, Bernita James and Thomas Lockhart, Sr., in the Allied Gardens neighborhood of San Diego and attended Dailard Elementary School and Lewis Junior High School. Andrea was the second in her family to become a Don, with her brother, Thomas (Sean) ’88, in the class above her. At UNI, Andrea was involved as a member of the yearbook staff, and she was on the soccer, softball and track & field teams, though soccer was her true passion. A few teachers at UNI stand out to her as the most influential in her life. Mr. Voss, her science teacher, was always there with a smile and ready to help with anything she needed. High school could be difficult to navigate at times, and he was a wonderful guide in helping Andrea feel as though she could get through it all. Mr. A really led her to enjoy art and helped her see it through a new lens. Lastly, Coach Butch Lee was a positive influence in her life during high school. He pushed her to work harder and to be a better player. His daughter, Dawn Lee ’89, who is now the head girls soccer coach at Cathedral Catholic, was Andrea’s classmate and teammate. Andrea
learned from both Lees the importance of teamwork, dedication and grit. While at UNI, she learned that she could do whatever she put her mind to. Playing in the CIF Finals for soccer is one of her favorite memories. She became so close with her teammates, and they fought hard each and every game together.
After graduating from UNI, Andrea went on to the University of California, Santa Barbara, for two years. She tried out for their soccer team but was cut and told she would never play Division I soccer. This motivated Andrea to train harder, and she transferred to George Mason University sight unseen to play soccer. They were a Division I program and were ranked in the top ten in the country all four years she played for them. Andrea was a starter for three of her four years playing at Mason, and in her third year (1993), they played in the Division I National Championship against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (and Mia Hamm). Andrea and her teammates played in front of 5,000 fans, and it was broadcast on TV, which was a really big deal in 1993 for women’s soccer. Although they lost, they were second in the entire country. That was such a phenomenal experience that Andrea will never forget. She graduated from George Mason with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1994.
Following her graduation, Andrea then had a choice to go to Japan to play professional women’s soccer (the only place really to play professionally at the time) or to go to law school, which was always her long-term goal. She went to the USD School of Law and graduated with her J.D. in 1998. Andrea took and passed the California Bar in 1998 and joined the Navy the same year.
Andrea has been on active duty in the Navy since 1998. Since she had just graduated from law school when she first joined the Navy, she was able to join as a Judge Advocate. Andrea’s first tour was in Norfolk, VA, where she did legal assistance and criminal defense work. From there, she deployed for six months on the USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) on a Mediterranean cruise. The ship had
2,800 men and ten women, which was certainly a challenge. They completed the first-ever U.S. and Croatian exercise when Croatia was seeking to become a member of NATO. Andrea was the legal advisor to their amphibious group, which consisted of three Navy warships and several thousand U.S. Marines. She was then stationed in San Diego as a criminal prosecutor and then worked for NCIS before moving to Pensacola, FL, in 2006, where she was a criminal defense attorney and Executive Officer. In 2008, Andrea moved to Washington, D.C., where she was the lead military prosecutor on U.S. v. al-Nashiri, the suspected mastermind of the attack on USS COLE while she was assigned to the Office of Military Commissions, Office of the Chief Prosecutor. The entire court proceedings were held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She was there for seven years and then moved back to San Diego in 2015 where she was the Senior Prosecutor for the Navy in the Southwest Region. Andrea led a team of criminal prosecutors who handled all of the Navy’s criminal cases in the Southwest Region, and she prosecuted many cases herself as well. She was then the Officer in Charge of the Naval Justice School’s schoolhouse in San Diego, where she supervised and taught all of the West Coast legal training. Andrea became a Military Judge in 2021 in San Diego and has been on the bench since then. She handles a wide range of cases. She is set to retire on December 1, 2025, after serving in the Navy for twenty-seven years.
Throughout her career, Andrea has been recognized with many awards: Expert Certification in Military Justice, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon and Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.
Andrea has a ten-year-old son, Bodie, and a five-year-old daughter,
Audrey. Becoming a mom is the single most important thing she has ever done in her life. She has moved several times due to being in the Navy but has had a few opportunities to live back at home in San Diego, where she currently resides. Andrea has continued her love of sports throughout her many years in the Navy. She played for the All-Navy and All-Armed Forces soccer teams for many years, competing against other service branches and against other countries. Andrea has also given her time to coaching youth soccer and basketball. While she was stationed in San Diego early in her career, she coached the JV girls soccer team at UNI with her brother, Sean. Andrea has also coached the boys varsity soccer team at San Dieguito Academy with her brother and coached club soccer at Encinitas Express for several years.
Andrea feels truly humbled by this recognition and grateful for being selected. There are so many people out there doing such good work in the world, and this is something she will always cherish and remember. She would like to thank her children, Bodie and Audrey, for showing her true happiness in life and letting her see life through their eyes. She feels so fortunate to be their mom. Andrea would also like to thank her parents, Bernie and Tom, for raising her with the right morals and sense of right and wrong. They taught her to be strong and independent and to care about others, and they have been her biggest supporters in life and are always there for her and her children, no matter what. She would not be the person she is today without them both. Andrea would also like to thank her brother, Sean, who is one of her best friends and a wonderful uncle. Having him in her life as a friend, confidant and guide has been a true blessing. He has shown her how to be a good parent and how to fully enjoy life. She is incredibly thankful for that special bond.
SCOTT WAHL ‘91
Scott Wahl graduated from University of San Diego High School in 1991. He was raised by his father, Mike Wahl, and his mother and stepfather, Laurie and Claus Lonning, in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego and attended School of the Madeleine. Scott was the first Wahl family member to become a Don, with his brother, Erik Wegner-Lonning ’00, attending UNI several years later. Scott’s high school years were spent playing football for Coach Sean Doyle ’80 and focusing on his faith development. Playing for Coach Doyle, he learned many life lessons and skills that still inform how he approaches his career to this day. UNI also instilled in him the importance of living a life of service, which would also go on to influence his career choices.
After graduating from UNI, Scott remained in San Diego for college. He graduated from San Diego State University with his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1995 and began his career shortly thereafter. Later on in his career in 2005, Scott also earned his Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from National University.
Scott began his career as a policeman in the San Diego Police Department in 1998, and he has risen through the ranks since joining during the past twenty-seven years. He has worked many of the department’s patrol commands, investigations and specialized assignments such as legislative affairs, critical incident management, operational support, establishing a new division to address neighborhood quality of life issues and managing large-scale events and conferences, among others. In 2024, Scott was promoted to his dream role of serving as the City of San Diego’s 36th Chief of Police. As the SDPD Chief of Police, he oversees the police department for the eighth-largest city in the nation.
In addition to his career with the SDPD, Scott has taught as an adjunct professor for the San Diego Regional Police Academy and Ashford University. He has received numerous awards and commanding officer citations throughout his career.
Scott met his future wife, Stephanie (Stratis) ’90, in 1988 during his sophomore year. They recall having a class together, though neither can remember which class it was. Stephanie and Scott maintained their friendship as they went their separate ways after high school. Scott liked Stephanie in high school and college, but they did not start dating until the late 1990s when the timing was right for both of them. They married on September 2, 2000, at St. Mary Madeleine Church with many Dons present. The couple has remained connected to their Dons family over the years. They participate in alumni groups, volunteer, attend sporting and fundraising events and love keeping in touch with high school friends. Scott has also gotten involved in the community as a freshman football coach for the past couple of years. Scott and Stephanie have many family members who are Dons, including Stephanie’s sisters, a few nieces and their four children, Trevor ’20, Lauren ’21, Brady ’24 and Avery ’26. Scott loves spending time at his alma mater as a parent and feels that the Dons spirit from UNI is very much alive at Cathedral Catholic.
Scott would like to thank his wife, Stephanie, for all her love and support, his four beautiful children who are his greatest achievement and his parents for their sacrifices in providing him a faith-based education. He would also like to thank the Dons faculty, coaches and staff for mentoring and inspiring him to reach for his dreams in life.
MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY OF DISTINGUISHED DONS
Gloria Walton ’44
Rev. William Springer ’62
Larry Van Wey ’62
Marshall LeTourneau ’63
Rev. Jerry O’Donnell ’64
The Late Rick Kneeshaw ’65
Bruce Binkowski ’66
Mike Sexton ’66
Brian Bennett ’67
Bob Burson ’67
Mike Carey ’67
Msgr. Raymond East ’68
Tom Wood ’68
Steven Boudreau ’69
Very Rev. Msgr. Dennis Mikulanis ’69
Rev. Peter M. Escalante ’70
Rev. Michael Sinor ’70
Phil Lebherz ’71
John Cardosa ’73
Cameron Crowe ’73
Mary (Zorn) Meissner ’73
James M. Waters ’73
James F. Mulvaney, Jr. ’74
Mark Snell ’74
Kathy Shelburne ’76
Luis Alvarez ’77
Very Rev. Matthew Spahr ’78
Doug Barba ’80
Sean Doyle ’80
Rev. Brian Hayes ’80
Nezi Balelo ’81
Antoinette (Busalacchi) DeSantis ’81
Most Rev. John P. Dolan ’81
Judge Michael Smyth ’81
Scott Marshall ’85
Jack White ’85
Mattie Scarpella ’86
Guymon Casady ’87
Martin Correia ’87
Amy (Goodpaster) Strebe ’87
John Montali ’88
Dawn Lee ’89
Doug Abts ’91
Gloria (Calderón) Kellett ’93
Brooke (Rinehart) Mandril ’96
Mike Alfred ’99
Amy O’Doriso ’99
Ryan Alfred ’01
The Late Mario Fierro ’02
Honorary Dons
Barbara Chaillou
Msgr. John A. Dickie
Mike Fares
The Late Dr. Estelle Kassebaum
Rev. Michael Ortiz
GRATITUDE
It takes a village to make this event possible, and I am so grateful for our incredible Dons community!
Special Thanks To:
• Sean Doyle ’80 for his vision and guidance
• Kevin Calkins, our school president, for his unwavering support of our alumni
• The Dons Alumni Board for their support in bringing this event to life—especially Dawn (Manning) Surprenant ’83 and Maricris (Quini) Enriquez ’86!
• Corie Straub for her invaluable event support and wisdom
• Elsa Jones for managing online registration and event logistics
Event Operations Team:
• The CCHS Facilities Team, especially Daniel Rodriguez, Susan Greeven and Tanya Letuli, for their hard work behind the scenes
• The Ambassadors for Christ Corps for assisting with setup and check-in
• Our amazing student workers for setting up, clearing and tackling the dishes!
• Joe Filippone ’83, Gary Remiker ’90, Dan Geiger and John Montali ’88 for keeping the drinks flowing as our bartenders
Creative & Production Team:
• Majer Imagineering (my husband!) for providing all of the event lighting
• Cindy Edson for her beautiful floral designs
• Matthew Nguyen ’16 for producing the inductee videos and managing production for the evening
• Braden Surprenant for lending his voice to the event videos
• Sophie (Lillis) Yaeger for her talent in marketing materials and biography writing for the inductees
• Pamela Poe, Director of Communications, for her support
• Acacia Print Group, especially Dave Marlow, for their
printing support
• John Montali ’88 for emceeing the evening
• John Knudsen ’76, our dedicated alumni photographer
I am also very grateful for our event sponsors, the Costa Corbosiero Family and the Mulvaney Family, and for our cocktail reception sponsor, the Iagmin Family. Thank you for so generously supporting our Dons community.
And finally, thank you to everyone here tonight for supporting these incredible inductees. Your presence and generosity directly contribute to alumni scholarships, ensuring the strength and success of future Dons.
Once a Don, Always a Don!
Anne Pickard Majer ’95 Director of Alumni
cathedralcatholic.org/makeagift
facebook.com/donsalumni instagram.com/donsalumni linkedin.com/donsalumni donsalumni.org
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Cathedral Catholic High School Academic Quad
This year, all proceeds will support the enhancement of the lower field athletic area, including replacing the lower field turf and adding a building which will include vital amenities like bathrooms, locker rooms, a concession stand and a large workout room for the dance team and cheer program.
cathedralcatholic.org/wine-microbrew
