WORD the
Spring 2017
New Frontiers
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WORD Spring 2017 Credits Managing Editor Debra Del Toro Coordinator Brance Arnold ’10 MA Art Director Michael Hood ’16 MA Graphic Designer Marisol Martinez Photography Brance Arnold ’10 MA Steve Holloway Tony Morano Carl Myers
Word Advisory Committee Sr. Kathleen Coughlin ’67 BSN Vice President for Institutional Advancement Vincent Rodriguez Chief of Staff to the President Dr. Lisa McNary ’91 BA ’95 MA Dean of Alumni & Parent Relations Debra Del Toro Director of Communications and Marketing Michael Hood ’16 MA Director of Printing Services and Graphic Design Brance Arnold ’10 MA Publications Coordinator
The Word is published by the Communications and Marketing Office of the University of the Incarnate Word for the alumni, parents, benefactors and friends of the Incarnate Word community.
UIW Presidential Search Update The search for the next president of the University of the Incarnate Word is well underway. Three preliminary tasks are completed. First, a search committee was established by the Board of Trustees. Chaired by Bobby Rosenthal, a member of the Board, the committee is made up of nine members representing the Board, the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Dr. Denise J. Doyle Incarnate Word, faculty, students and alumni. Acting President The first order of business for the Search Committee was to recommend a national search firm to lead the process. The Search Committee recommended Academic Search with Dr. Ann Die Hasselmo as our search consultant. The search is a cooperative effort between the university and Academic Search. Our consultant is interacting extensively with the search committee while engaging a national audience of potential candidates, providing continual guidance and strategies for the completion of a successful search. Hasselmo was particularly helpful in getting our job announcement and university profile completed by the end of December. You can view those materials by going to the UIW homepage (there is a link at the very top of the page). You can also see our materials on Academic Search’s webpage, http://academic-search.com/. While people from all over the country are considering the opening at UIW, applying or nominating candidates, the university community will be refining the qualities and qualifications we are seeking. Hasselmo was on the campus Feb. 1 and 2 to conduct over a dozen listening sessions with various constituent groups of the university, concluding by debriefing the Search Committee. Meanwhile, the university hosted three presidents of Catholic universities for open conversations about the role and responsibilities of the president. Each conversation was lively and inspiring, shaping the expectations of the community for the next stages of the search. The work of the Search Committee will involve narrowing the applicant pool, conducting initial off-campus interviews of up to 10 applicants, and the selection of the finalists. The tentative timeline for these steps begins late in March and will continue through May or until a successful candidate has emerged and accepted the presidency at UIW. The overarching goal is to select the president who best fits the Mission and vision of the University of the Incarnate Word. The Board of Trustees and Search Committee are committed to taking the time necessary to accomplish this goal. Once a candidate has been selected by the Search Committee, the Board will vote to recommend approval of the candidate to the Congregation. If the Congregation approves the candidate, a press conference will be held to introduce the new president to the public.
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contents Campus News
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New Frontiers
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The Honor of a Lifetime
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Professor Brings Climate to Life
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Family Ties
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Study Abroad Program Offered Unique Learning Experiences for SPS Student
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Cardinal Athletics
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Seeds of Friendship
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Class Notes
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Moment for Reflection
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University Collective
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Upcoming Events
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Do you know someone interested in attending UIW? For information on what UIW has to offer or to schedule a campus visit, go to www.uiw.edu/admissions
campus news
UIW receives 2016 HEED Award
Runners participate in the 5K run.
UIW hosts Golden Harvest 5K UIW’s Ettling Center for Civic Leadership, in collaboration with the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Engagement, and the Human Performance & Sports Management Organization hosted the inaugural Golden Harvest 5K Run/Walk on Nov. 20. Funds raised from the event benefited the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of San Antonio (SVDP) which provides a variety of services including clothing, rent and utility assistance. Moreover, the SVDP provides over 400,000 meals annually for many citizens of San Antonio at St. Vinny’s Bistro® on the Haven for Hope campus. SGA created and established the Golden Harvest event. UIW has conducted this annual fall campaign to gather canned goods to help the Greater San Antonio area. Since 2012, as a result of this campus community effort, the university has collected over six tons of canned food to help those in need. This year, the faculty, staff and students of UIW donated 6,103 pounds of food that went directly to the SVDP food pantry. According to Feeding America, UIW’s Fall 2016 canned food contribution was valued at over $10,375. In an effort to involve those beyond the campus community, the Golden Harvest 5K Fun Run was created and in this inaugural year hosted over 550 runners, walkers and joggers.
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UIW is proud to announce that the Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) has received a 2016 Inaugural Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The FSOP is one of only three pharmacy schools in the country to be recognized. As a recipient of the Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. medical (allopathic and osteopathic), dental, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — FSOP was featured, along with 30 other recipients, in the December 2016 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “From inception, the Feik School of Pharmacy took its cues from elements of the university’s Mission: recognition of God's presence in each person, and welcomes persons of diverse backgrounds. From these foundational concepts, the school sought to enhance human intellectual diversity to build a student body, faculty and staff that reflect our society while fostering a climate of inclusiveness, equity and respect for human dignity. We work continuously to do just that. It is thrilling to see that others recognize our work,” said FSOP Founding Dean Dr. Arcelia JohnsonFannin, who retired in December. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected FSOP for several reasons including the balanced ethnic profile of its students, faculty and staff.
campus news
Meet the Mission celebrates 11 years On Sept. 16, UIW kicked off the fall semester with the 11th annual Meet the Mission. More than 200 UIW students and faculty began the day with a spiritual send-off before they traveled to more than 30 organizations throughout the city where they provided approximately 1,500 hours of service. Some of the organizations visited by UIW included Providence Place; Corazon Ministries, Inc.; Guadalupe Community Center; Ella Austin Community Center; Jewish Federation of San Antonio; Inner City Development and the Raindrop Turkish House. Students assisted with landscaping, painting, teaching English to refugees, clearing brush from the Headwaters Sanctuary and cleaning kennels and walking dogs at the Animal Defense League. Students participated in Meet the Mission at the Pax Christi Church. Meet the Mission is a university-wide day of community service and collaboration between faculty and students who reach out to the community at large by providing necessary services to the underserved and the needy. The program is a continuation of the Mission of service that brought the first Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word to San Antonio in 1881. Community service is an integral part of each student’s educational experience at UIW. On Sept. 30, 35 UIW employees volunteered for the United Way Day of Caring. Volunteers worked at the San Antonio Food Bank warehouse with donated food items checking expiration dates, inspecting packages and sorting items. The next United Way Day of Caring will be held Sept. 29, 2017.
UIW offering program in Cyber Security Systems UIW now offers a major in Cyber Security Systems (CSEC) providing students with the skills needed to face the challenges of ever-increasing threats to our vital information infrastructure. Areas of study include personal security, hardware and networking, programming and software, network security, designing businesses and information systems for security, securing organizations, and internships and practicum experiences. San Antonio already has the highest concentration of cyber security expertise outside of Washington D.C. according to the Cyber Texas Foundation. With the knowledge and hands-on experience, students will be ready to compete in the industry. CSEC graduates are in demand now as the need to protect physical and virtual computer resources has never been higher. Graduates will fill the need for people who have a broad range of knowledge of computer information systems and who understand the issues and complexities of cyber security at the personal, physical and organizational levels. For more information on the CSEC program, visit www.uiw.edu/cis.
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campus news
UIW hosts 45th Annual Southwest Conference on Asian Studies The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Department of History; and Asian Studies Program hosted the 45th Annual Meeting of the Southwest Conference on Asian Studies (SWCAS) at UIW, Oct. 14-15. While San Antonio has been the venue of this conference several times before, this was the first time UIW was host to the conference. The president and local chair of the 45th Annual SWCAS meeting was Dr. Lopita Nath, associate professor and chair of history and coordinator of the Asian Studies Program at UIW. The two-day conference was attended by 100 participants from universities and colleges around the U.S., as well as from Canada, Spain, India, Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. Conference presentations focused on a variety of topics including Asian history, literature, art, and politics among others. There were 60 presenters presenting at 19 panels. UIW was represented by its own faculty and students as well. The 20 UIW student volunteers at the conference not only helped out with the many tasks, but attended the sessions and received the full experience of an academic conference. On Oct. 14, UIW hosted the dinner and keynote speaker at the McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room. The keynote speaker was Ambassador Sichan Siv, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, White House, and State Department deputy assistant. He is also a former refugee from Cambodia and is the author of the bestselling memoir “Golden Bones.” Siv spoke about his journey from the conflict in Cambodia to the United States and his role as an ambassador.
UIW celebrates Fall 2016 commencement UIW conferred degrees to over 1,200 students, the largest UIW Fall graduating class to date, at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum on Dec. 10. At the ceremony, former UIW President Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr., who retired in December, was honored with the titles of president emeritus and trustee emeritus for his 31 years of service to the university. Board of Trustees Chair Charlie Lutz presented the honors. The 2016 Moody Professor, Dr. John Perry, presented the commencement address. Perry is a full professor in the Department of Communication Arts in the School of Media and Design. He also served as chair of the speech department for 20 years. The 2016 Alumni of Distinction for Service in Mission was presented to Dr. Maria Falcon-Cantrill. Falcon-Cantrill is a 2001 graduate of UIW, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. In 2007, she completed her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In addition, Dr. Jei-Fu Shaw was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters. Shaw has served as president of I-Shou University, a UIW sister school, in Taiwan since 2011. Shaw is a renowned international scientist and an expert in functional genes and biotechnology and his achievements have earned him international acclaim. Shaw holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Chemistry from the National Taiwan University. UIW grads pose during fall commencement.
BSN to DNP offers two concentrations and graduates inaugural class
(L-R) Thompson, Matthews, Smith, Miles, Hernandez, Hernandez and Garza. 4
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UIW’s three-year full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) track prepares students for a career as a nurse practitioner (NP). There are two concentrations available: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The program prepares students to pass the NP boards and assume the role of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. For more info, visit http://www.uiw.edu/dnp/ At the Fall 2016 commencement ceremony, the BSN to DNP track graduated its inaugural class. The graduates included Litzie Garza, Maricela Hernandez, Charlotte Matthews, Heather Miles, Rubeena Smith, David Hernandez and Laura Thompson.
campus news
Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word open Heritage Center On Sept. 18, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word celebrated the opening of the CCVI Heritage Center, a sacred space that holds and honors the legacy of the ministries of the Congregation of the Sisters. The celebration included a Mass presided by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller followed by a blessing and reception. The physical spaces making up the center include the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, gallery spaces on the first and second floors immediately adjacent to the chapel, and the Brackenridge/Sweet House, among others. As part of the Heritage Center, the exhibit, “A Life for God and a Heart for Others,” was designed to express the core values that inspired the Sisters for nearly 150 years to live lives of service. The galleries consist of photos, letters, stories, artifacts, and other notable items documenting the ministries of the Sisters throughout the world. To view additional photos of the exhibit, visit www.thewordonline.org The entrance to the Heritage Center exhibit.
UIW celebrates 30th anniversary of Light the Way with lights, Santa and snow The crisp, clear skies provided the perfect backdrop for fireworks, twinkling lights and even snow as UIW officially kicked off the holiday season at the 30th anniversary of Light the Way. The event held Nov. 19 brought a record breaking crowd of over 8,500 guests to the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium where UIW Acting President Dr. Denise Doyle and her special guest, two-year old Eleanor Tucker, flipped the switch and illuminated the campus in nearly a million vibrant lights. The event was the finale to a fun-filled evening sponsored by H-E-B. The highlight of the evening was a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus who entered the stadium in a horse drawn carriage, courtesy of Yellow Rose Carriage Company, accompanied by angels from UIW’s Brainpower elementary schools amidst a sprinkling of snow generated by snow machines. Special guests for the evening included Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and Dya Campos, H-E-B director of government and public affairs. The evening began with the National Anthem performed by UIW alumna Dionne Bedell. The audience also
The entrance to the Heritage Center exhibit.
enjoyed performances by UIW’s Chorale and Wind Ensemble, the UIW Spirit Team, Incarnate Word High School Madrigals and St. Anthony Catholic School. The St. Anthony Catholic High School Jazz Band entertained the crowd along with headliner Tejano music legend and three-time UIW graduate Patsy Torres. Guests were treated to a complimentary reception hosted by H-E-B and Sodexo. THE WORD | SPRING 2017
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NEW FRONTIERS By Rudy Arispe ’97 BA
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s a boy growing up in the ’60s at the height of NASA’s race to the moon, Paul Spana ’84 BA dreamed of suiting up in a metallic spacesuit and blasting off into deep space while strapped inside Apollo 11. “I couldn’t wait until the next edition of Look or Life magazine came out to see the pictures of the moon,” he said. “I couldn’t get enough.” Now, Spana doesn’t have to launch into orbit to satisfy his curiosity about space travel and far away galaxies. He has reached for the stars and today is the exhibits manager of Space Center Houston, which he declares is the best job on the planet. “I’m not exaggerating when I tell you, my colleague and I get together once a week and remind each other how fortunate we are to be here,” he said. “We work alongside NASA, the astronauts and engineers. Just today, I had a meeting with the food scientists. We had a lunch of real space food.” Spana’s journey to becoming an exhibits manager began while at UIW, then Incarnate Word College, as an art major with a minor in anthropology. “My botany teacher, Dr. Don McLain, inspired me to explore other career choices involving drawing skills,” said Spana. “This inspiration led me to explore the technical side of drawing, which led me to explore drafting and architectural design.” After graduating, he accepted a temporary position at the Witte Museum, after he was contacted by fellow alumni Mimi Quintanilla ’78 BA, who was then museum school coordinator. This steered him to a new career path as he pursued a master’s in architecture from the University of Houston. As exhibits manager, Spana researches, coordinates and brings to Space Center Houston – the official Visitor’s Center for Johnson Space Center – both permanent and traveling exhibits, some more than 5,000-square-feet. “We always have something new and fresh to offer,” he said. “I keep an eye out for those exhibits and look for ones that are appropriate for us and try to plan two to three years out.” He learns about many of them by attending the Association of Science-Technology Centers conference each fall and has built a rapport with traveling exhibit coordinators throughout the country and Canada, as well as private exhibit museum companies. “Over the years, I’ve built relationships with people who travel with those exhibits to the point where they call me
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and say, ‘We’re thinking about building a new exhibit and we want your input on it.’ Those relationships have helped me to be one of the first to get those exhibits here.” Spana, who was previously director of exhibits for The Children’s Museum of Houston, has a hand in the design of all of the permanent exhibits. “With smaller exhibits, I’ll design and find somebody to build them for us. I look for outside contractors who specialize in design and tell them this is the story I want to tell and this is how I want to tell it. They’ll help me design the exhibit, and then we’ll find a fabricator to build it.” However, his most ambitious project to date, Independence Plaza, came five years ago when he was tasked with bringing a fullscale shuttle replica from Kennedy Space Center to Houston for permanent display. “We had challenges such as how to get it into the bay, then across the street into Clear Lake,” he said. “I learned a lot about tides and moving things by ship. Unbeknownst to me, what I was learning from that project was setting the stage for something 100 times bigger.” Spana explained that just as he and his team had finally managed to bring the shuttle to Space Center Houston and were about to build a tower so people could walk up to it, they received an important call from Johnson Space Center, letting the museum know they wanted to donate the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, which had done the majority of work piggybacking the shuttle. The plane was eventually flown to Ellington Airport some eight miles from the museum. “I said, ‘Would you let me put the shuttle on top of it?’ They said you may have to just display it side by side. But I knew you can’t have a shuttle carrier without a shuttle on top of it. It lasted almost four years. My whole life was devoted to that project.” Still, he was left with the challenge of getting the 747 from Ellington Airport to Space Center Houston. Thankfully, Spana said, Boeing agreed to take the plane apart into pieces that were small enough to move. “It was broken into seven pieces,” he said. “Six were small enough to go onto an 18-wheeler. The largest piece was the fuselage which was 190 feet long. It went on top of a self-propelled, hydraulic trailer that had 88 wheels. It took two nights to move eight miles since they were only allowed to move at night.” Once on site, exhibits were built inside the shuttle and the 747. “The shuttle was already designed to be an exhibit, so that was easy. I made some minor modifications to the structure of the shuttle so it could be on top of the airplane. The airplane had
Spana in the 747 cockpit. been completely stripped on the inside. It was just the skin and the frame. But in order to have visitors in there, I had to have a controlled environment for the comfort of the guests and to protect artifacts.” Today, visitors are in awe of the finished display showing the 747 with the shuttle in the piggyback configuration just as it had been used by NASA to transport the shuttles for 30 years. Incidentally, Independence Plaza was honored with two important accolades at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo Brass Rings Awards Ceremony in November. It was awarded the Impact Award and Best New Product for Displays and Sets. “Independence Plaza has totally transformed Space Center Houston into something brand new,” the exhibits manager said. “It has put us on a whole new track with a whole new way of thinking.” Since opening in 1992, Space Center Houston has welcomed more than 18 million visitors and hosts nearly one million visitors annually in its 250,000-square-foot educational complex, according to its website. Working on large-scale projects, such as Independence Plaza, makes Spana feel like he’s landed on the moon. No doubt, it also makes his mother, Dr. Caroline Spana, professor emerita of nursing, proud. She also graduated from what was then Incarnate Word College and recently retired from UIW after 50 years teaching in the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions. “UIW has been a big part of my family,” he said. “I spent so much time there, and I remember my mom would come home and tell my dad stories about working there. The school is an extension of my home.” To view more photos and video of the exhibit, visit www.thewordonline.org
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The Honor of a Lifetime
Agnese named UIW President and Board of Trustees Emeritus Lutz presents Agnese with the honor of president emeritus in December.
By Margaret Garcia
A gala held in honor of Agnese and wife Mickey.
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r. Louis J. Agnese, Jr., was honored with the titles of president emeritus and board of trustees emeritus at the Fall 2016 Commencement Ceremony. Board of Trustees Chair Charlie Lutz presented the honors. In addition, Agnese’s legacy was celebrated with dinner hosted by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word on Dec. 11 with family and friends at the Brackenridge Villa, a gala in honor of he and his wife Mickey in the McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room and a Mass held in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word both on Dec. 12. Agnese served as the eighth president of Incarnate Word beginning in 1985, when at the age of 33 he became one of the youngest college presidents in the United States, until his retirement in 2016. His was the second longest presidential tenure in UIW’s 135-year history, after Sr. Columkille Colbert’s 37-year tenure. During his presidency, enrollment at UIW rose from 1,296 students in 1985 to 11,422 in 2016. Paralleling that growth, UIW went from being the 19th largest private university in Texas to the 3rd largest private university in the state, based on global enrollment. Incarnate Word now has more than 30,000 living alumni, compared to 8,000 in 1985. The number of academic programs doubled during Agnese’s presidency. This includes the creation of Incarnate Word’s first two Ph.D. degrees and the addition of professional doctoral programs in pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, nursing practice and business administration. In 2017, students will begin classes in UIW’s new School of Osteopathic Medicine. UIW also launched a football program and moved to Division I athletics. In addition, UIW expanded its statewide and international presence. In 1985, UIW had only one location, today there are nine in San Antonio, sites in Corpus 8
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Agnese speaks during Mass in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word.
Christi and Killeen, European Study Centers in Heidelberg, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, and two campuses in Mexico. Under Agnese’s tenure, UIW became a leader in international education. Today, 28 percent of UIW students represent more than 70 countries. UIW also has 140 “sister schools” in 44 countries. Agnese was the recipient of many honors and awards during his UIW career. He was named one of Five Outstanding Young Americans and one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World in 1989, when the American Marketing Association also named him Marketing Person of the Year. In 1996, he received the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He was also named Hispanic Educator of the Year, and was awarded the Gold Medal in the President and Public Category from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. In 2000, he was named the Outstanding Leader in Catholic Education by the Archdiocese of San Antonio and received the International Leadership Award from the San Antonio Council for International Visitors. In 2006, he received the Ford Salute to Education Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to higher education. In 2009, Agnese was the recipient of the Sister Cecilia Bush Award from the Dear Neighbor Ministries for his Commitment to Minority Education, and he also received the Best and the Brightest Award from the University Roundtable of San Antonio. He was the recipient in 2011 of the Gov. Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Salute to Excellence Award from the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, he was the recipient of a Legacy Leaders Award from the San Antonio Business Journal. Agnese was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from South Korea’s Woosong University in 2014 and an honorary Ph.D. from UIW in 2016. He had previously received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Gannon University in Pennsylvania and the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award from St. Mary of the Plains College in Kansas. Agnese has been a very active member of the San Antonio community, serving on the boards of several organizations. He is a past board member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and was the former Chairman of the Partnership for Hope, a Rockefeller Foundation poverty project. He served as chairman of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and vice chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of San Antonio. He also served on the City Public Service Affirmative Action Commission, the San Antonio Literacy Council, the Executive Committee of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, and MATT.org, a bi-national think tank. Agnese holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Pittsburgh; a Master of Education in Counseling and an Education Specialist Degree in Supervision of Counseling Services, both from Gannon University (Erie, Pa.); and a Bachelor of Art in History and Psychology from St. Mary of the Plains College (Dodge City, Kan.). A native of New York City, Agnese and his wife Mickey have two children and four grandchildren. 1. Louis “Papa” Agnese Sr., Sr. Margaret Patrice Slattery, CCVI, UIW president emerita, and Agnese visit at the Brackenridge Villa. 2. Friends and family of Agnese gather for a photo at the Brackenridge Villa. 3. Marcos Fragoso (right), vice president for international affairs, and representatives of the International Student Association present Agnese with a thank you at a reception following the Mass. 4. Former Congressman Henry Bonilla (left) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (right) present Agnese with a Congressional Record at the gala.
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Professor Brings Climate to Life By Crystale Galindo
Mulvey in his office at Bonilla Science Hall.
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r. Gerald Mulvey, assistant professor of meteorology at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), is bringing climate change to life in the classroom. An essential element to the meteorology program, Mulvey brings in actual samples of the ocean floor to depict to students what the weather was like ages ago. “I tell all my students at the very beginning of the program that climate change is in fact occurring and at a much faster rate than it was decades ago,” Mulvey said. “I explain to them they will be charged with figuring out what to do with these changes.” When charged with such a large task, Mulvey shared that his students become responsive and alert to this challenge. “They realize they are our future and will be responsible for the environment and taking care of the earth, because by then, I will not be here to do it for them,” he said. “They have to do it.” Mulvey, however, does not just pull out his notes and lectures to teach his students.
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“If you teach climatology the old way – the students go to sleep,” he said. “I incorporate in-class demonstrations and/ or observations with ocean core samples and whole trees that have been cut in half.” Mulvey explained he was involved in a series of three workshops offered by the American Meteorological Society that was sponsored by the National Science Foundation that looked at different aspects of climate. The workshops included “Climate Studies Diversity,” “The School of Ice,” and the “Re-Creation of Earth’s Climate History (REACH).” “I had the opportunity to pick up some concepts and ideas of how to teach climate and climate change to my students,” he said. “The REACH program was one of the most interesting and was conducted at the Gulf Coast Repository in College Station. This is also where they keep more than 100 kilometers of ocean core.” Mulvey was able to take samples out of those cores and brought them back to UIW to place on microscope slides to share with his students. “We had talked about ocean core
Mulvey displays a core sample from the ocean floor. samples and discussed the kinds of calcium animal remains you could see in the samples – these are called diatoms,” he said. “They saw pictures of them in their textbook, so I was actually able to say ‘here are the diatoms we discussed, tell me what you see.’” Mulvey extended the samples so far as to using Google Earth to zoom in and show his students where the core sample was taken from in the ocean. “I zoom in to the hole that was drilled in the ocean floor and I can tell my students, by the labeling on it, how far down the core sample was taken – all the way down to the centimeter.” Jill Guse, a junior in the broadcast meteorology degree program at UIW, said Mulvey has made all her courses interesting and she is eager to learn each time she enters the classroom. “I appreciate all the examples and samples Dr. Mulvey provides for all his courses,” she said. “I think the examples provide me with visual representation of how we, as a whole human population, have affected and will continue to affect everyone on earth.” Mulvey has also brought pieces of trees into class to teach his students about measuring past climate history. “I have taken out a tree crossection, about one foot across, and laid it on the table in the classroom,” he explained. “Students must have read the material on how to interpret core samples on trees, so I am able to ask, with the tree in front of us, ‘what can you tell me about the climate this tree grew in?’” Mulvey explained the reasoning behind his teaching methods is partially for the students’ exploration and to challenge them, and part of it is allowing them to make their own discoveries. “By the time our students leave UIW, we want them to not only be able to analyze and evaluate, we want them to be able to create new information,” Mulvey shared. “We try to build them up this ladder of going away from simply memorizing
information, to trying to incorporate information and expand on that information.” Guse shared that she has genuinely enjoyed the meteorology courses she has taken over the years at UIW and they have helped her realize the path she wants to pursue for her career. “The hands-on approach in the class really brings out the material we are learning,” she said. “It not only makes the lessons interesting but makes the information resonate as I move onto other classes.” “Courses in the UIW Meteorology Program are more than simply teaching about climate study,” Mulvey said. “They are integral with the UIW Mission and educate our students about caring for the earth and about caring for the people on our earth.” Mulvey said educating students to make informed decisions about climate policies and regulations, and in their personal actions is what will help protect our planet. “There are seven billion people on earth,” Mulvey explained. “Each one of us as individuals do not impact the climate at all, but as an aggregate of seven-plus billion people? We impact the climate. If each of us, or even 10 percent of us, do some small thing – it has a large impact on the climate and our future.”
Mulvey looks at core samples under microscope.
On Oct. 7, Mulvey was featured on KLRN’s “SciTech Now” program discussing his work studying climate change. To learn more and view more photos from this feature, visit www.thewordonline.org
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Family Ties
Miguel, Daniel, and Sarah Sifuentes 12
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By Brance Arnold ’10 MA
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aniel Sifuentes never imagined that at the age of 60 he would be attending college simultaneously with his son and daughter. A junior computer information systems major, Daniel, became a student at UIW along with his son, Miguel, also a junior studying engineering. Daniel, who was semi-retired for 10 years and owned his own fundraising business for 20 years, decided to return to school after discovering he could take advantage of opportunities as a disabled Vietnam veteran. “No one ever shared with me that I qualified to attend college under the G.I. Bill,” explained Daniel. “While attending a Red, White and You job fair, an employer mentioned to me that I should consider looking into the Chapter 31 program.” As part of applying for the federal program, he visited more than 15 schools in the area and decided Incarnate Word was ideal. “I saw UIW had the best program for what I was looking for and I brought my son along,” Daniel said. “The spring before I was looking at colleges. I wanted to stay local and my dad convinced me that UIW had a great program,” added Miguel. When it came time for his daughter, Sarah, a freshman, to start thinking about college, UIW once again seemed a natural fit. “I saw on the website that they had a good accounting curriculum,” said Sarah. “So, I decided I would come to UIW and then I started getting scholarships.” In fact, Sarah’s first year was completely covered by scholarships. Miguel and Sarah were also able to take advantage of UIW’s sibling tuition discount program. Sarah and Miguel, who live at home with their parents and younger brother, commute with their father to and from school. Though Daniel and Miguel have had classes together, Sarah has not yet had that opportunity. “I might take another core class just to be with her,” Daniel admitted. Sarah and Miguel are involved as students at the university. Sarah is a member of TRiO, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Cardinal Latina Mentorship Program, among others. Miguel is a math tutor in the math lab, camp counselor for Girls in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (minGEMS), a UIW Cardinal Camp leader and a TRiO member. Alejandra De Hoyos, TRiO program counselor, said Sarah has benefited from TRiO, a program providing academic support, leadership development, and educational services to students who meet first-generation, low income, and/or disability criteria. “I have watched Sarah grow from being a quiet shy individual to an outgoing student in a very short period,” explained De Hoyos. “She makes time to make a difference by participating in cultural events, tutoring and providing community service.” Daniel said UIW’s Veterans Affairs office, Student Disability Services (SDS), and his advisors have provided tremendous support. “I know he appreciates the time I take to go over his degree plan with him every semester,” said Dora Garner, Daniel’s secondary advisor. “It is the little things we do that make his life easier that he truly appreciates.” Interestingly, Garner was instrumental in encouraging him to send Sarah to UIW. “He asked for my advice for his daughter. So we talked about
her applying and completing her FASFA. We talked about different options including cost,” said Garner. Beyond the support they receive from the university, the family’s close ties serve as a primary source of encouragement. “Over and above the support that Daniel receives at Student Disability Services, his true support comes from the close bond he shares with his family,” said Michelle Beasley, coordinator of SDS. “I often tell Daniel what a wonderful role model he is for his two children attending UIW. When I see them on campus, I see how they are a very close-knit, Christian family who genuinely care for each other.” Beasley added that Daniel’s lifelong experience benefits his classmates as well. “Daniel brings so much value to the classroom by sharing his military and life experiences with the traditional students that make up the majority of the classes,” said Beasley. The trio, who are the first in their family to attend college, said they are blessed to be able to pursue an education at Incarnate Word; for Daniel, in particular, this hits home. “I was born in Del Rio. We were really poor. I went to work in the fields of California, in the canneries,” Daniel recalls. “We’ve come so far. There was a time when we barely could afford food. There were times when my stomach was really hurting. I had good parents. We just did not have enough money sometimes.” “And from that I think we try to give back,” Sarah added. “They’ve already finished their service hours and this semester I will finish mine. I’m intending to go further because of stories like my father’s.” As for the future, Daniel looks to pursue a career in emergent technology. Sarah plans to continue on to UIW’s master’s degree in accounting with the goal of becoming a CPA. And Miguel hopes to join the workforce for a few years, particularly developing prosthetics for veterans like his father who uses a leg brace, and then pursue a master’s in engineering. In addition, he was offered an internship with Saber Power Services this summer. For the Sifuentes family, UIW is truly a special place. “We feel very at home here,” said Miguel. “It’s big enough so there is a large diversity of people and it’s also small enough so you know people personally.” Daniel agreed, “I like to call this place a family within a family.” For more information on UIW’s sibling tuition discount program, visit www.uiw.edu/news/2016/ 2016siblingtuition.html
The Sifuentes family visits at UIW’s oak tree by Mabee Library in Gorman Plaza.
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Study Abroad Program Offered Unique Learning Experiences for SPS Student By Rebecca Esparza ’99 BBA ’03 MBA
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wenty-seven year-old Ashley Stephens was sitting in her School of Professional Studies (SPS), formerly ADCaP, class with UIW Director of International Affairs Dr. Javier Lozano when he mentioned the UIW’s Study Abroad program. For Stephens, the idea of taking part in immersion studies in another country was intriguing. “After class, I talked more with him about it and expressed my interest. We continued our discussion and looked into testing out the idea of a non-traditional student taking part in studying abroad,” she said. By September of 2016, Stephens was studying in Austria. She is the first graduate student from UIW’s School of Professional Studies to participate in the exchange program with IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences in Austria, a UIW sister school. The university has built an international reputation over the years, with over 2,500 students from all over the world currently studying at the school. Born and raised in New York City, Stephens is one of eight children. She will complete her graduate degree in organizational development and leadership from UIW by May 2017. “I was working full time in human resources and made the decision that this was something I needed to do,” she explained. “Before this experience, I had never even visited Europe. I am so happy that I now see the bigger picture and I will be able to step out of a situation and give a global perspective.” Stephens noted her five-month study abroad experience has helped her appreciate the opinions and feelings of others more readily. “When you are sitting in class at UIW and sharing your opinion with fellow U.S. citizens, you hear their point of view but choose to accept or reject it,” she said. “The people in class have a stake in their own opinion, but a non-U.S. citizen doesn’t. They are sharing what they think from the outside looking in. The view of what is happening overall is better communicated and not filled with personal attachments.” Stephens was attending school in Austria during one of the most controversial times in American history: the 2016 U.S. presidential election. “Every country I traveled to watched the process with wide eyes,” she explained. “In the classroom, I learned how valuable the U.S. economy is in the European world. The whole experience has taught me to think of a world bigger than me, bigger than Americans and see how our actions ultimately affect those around us. Learning to understand this is something that I would not have experienced staying at home.” Stephens added if she had stayed, she never would have been able to be pushed past her own comfort zone and learn how to calmly communicate her own opinion and beliefs. She was also able to visit 12 different European countries during her study abroad experience. “This is valuable, more than I realize now. As I work on completing my master’s degree and re-enter the workforce, I will have to deal with differences of opinions. As a future leader or manager, I will need to be able to listen to the whole story, see the bigger picture and give a global perspective.”
Austin Pershing, coordinator of sister school partnerships at UIW, promotes the conversation between UIW and sister school partners, in order to facilitate the information sharing process and maximize study abroad participation. Pershing noted the benefits of a study abroad program build character and expand the mind. “It allows an individual to develop traits that they may not otherwise have in a typical classroom environment,” she said. “Students are met with social, linguistic, and cultural barriers throughout their immersive experience. Thus, many develop resiliency, boldness, flexibility, and some even develop crosscultural competence, in addition to learning a new language.” Lozano added students who participate in study abroad programs have a competitive advantage in the workplace and increase their cross-cultural competence that will help them succeed in both their personal and professional lives. Currently, 20 UIW students are participating in an international experience, Pershing noted. “We have 11 undergraduate students, three graduate students, and six professional program students. On an annual basis, an average of over 200 members of the UIW community participate in an international experience.” Although there were challenges to overcome, especially being so far away from her friends and family, she would definitely recommend the experience to anyone considering it. “My advice would be to be certain of what you want from the study abroad experience and go after it,” Stephens said. “Prepare to start from scratch and keep an open mind. There is a big difference in what you think you’ll experience and what you will actually experience.”
Stephens in Old Town Centre, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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SAAC officers (L-R) Austin Sandoval, Myah Antwi, Velez, Katelyn Mead, Christy Trevino, Alex Alonzo and Genevieve Pena.
Life Beyond Athletics
UIW student-athletes make a difference By Tricia Lynn Silva
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ust before the Christmas break, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee — the UIW SAAC as it is more simply called — filled 35 crates of school supplies and delivered them to the teachers of Agnes Cotton Elementary School in the San Antonio Independent School District. The Cardinal Crates, as this event was known, was particularly significant for Karina Velez, a member of UIW’s track-and-field team and the current UIW SAAC president. “Teachers do so much for us,” she said. “We wanted to be able to give something back to them.” Over the course of the academic year, UIW’s student athletes participate in a variety of community-service events. And leading the charge for this community activism is the UIW SAAC, which also has worked with such organizations as Pets
Velez (third from left) and student athletes pose for a photo during Cardinal Crates. 16 14
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Alive, the Salvation Army and the Ronald McDonald House. Under the guidance of the SAAC, UIW’s student athletes are living out the university’s Mission of not only educating students, but transforming them into men and women who will become citizens of the global community. But SAAC is also inherently geared to the competitive nature of the student athlete. Consider the community service award hunt — a two-part contest that not only includes friendly competition among UIW’s 23 athletic teams, but a larger contest in which all of the school’s teams come together as one to make UIW the community-service leader among the 13 schools that make up the Southland Conference. UIW took third place in last year’s conference-wide contest — clocking in a total of 5,496 hours in the Fall 2015/Spring 2016 academic year, according to Amanda Pulido, life skills coordinator for UIW athletics. “Our hope,” said Pulido,” is to take first place this year.” The students are off to a good start. By the time the school’s athletes had gone on Christmas break, they had already accumulated 3,290 community-service hours. One upcoming spring event Velez is looking forward to is the SAAC Canned Food Field Day, which will be held at the Alice P. McDerrmott Convocation Center on April 6 — which happens to be National Student Athlete Day, Velez pointed out. The fall event netted 1,000 pounds of canned goods for the Food Bank. True to the competitive nature of the athlete, Velez is predicting an even bigger turnout of athletes for the spring field day.
CARDINAL ATHLETICS
UIW swimming and diving athletes during Meet the Mission.
overcome one of her greatest fears — speaking in public. “Initially, I was not one of those who liked getting up and talking to people,” recalls Brightwell, who ultimately found herself sometimes talking to as many as 500 athletes at a time. The organization prepared Brightwell for the challenge of handling several responsibilities at a time — a skill that will be crucial with her anticipated studies at the college of veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University in College Station. It also continues to serve as a reminder of the difference one person can make — in as little as four years of a lifetime. “You truly can have an impact,” Brightwell said, “you can leave your mark on the school.”
OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS Competition — be it on the field or within the community — is but a small part of the UIW SAAC. “Our goal is to prepare them for life after sports,” Pulido explained, “to be better people and contribute to the overall betterment of the world.” Indeed, as UIW completes its transition to a Division I university, the SAAC will play a pivotal role in the life of the student athlete beyond the field, court, track, etc. Case in point is a new SAAC initiative called Cardinal Concerns, which will serve to inform administrators of the issues that UIW’s student athletes face. The first task was to have each member of SAAC go back to their respective sports and get feedback from teammates. Next, the SAAC met with the administration. Now begins the work to come up with a strategic plan for addressing these concerns, Velez said. The goal, Pulido added, is to not only address the wellbeing of student athletes, but of the larger student body of UIW as well. Just being a part of the SAAC has been a transformative event for students like Velez. “I’ve learned to interact with a lot of different personalities, a lot of different perspectives,” the UIW junior said. “I’ve learned how to take advice and criticism.” Recent UIW graduate, and former SAAC President Karly Brightwell ’16 BS, also credits the organization with helping her
UIW student athletes volunteer their time at the Ronald McDonald House.
To view more photos of UIW student athletes giving back to the community, visit www.thewordonline.org
A national search for the position of UIW Athletic Director is currently being conducted. Mark Papich, director of marketing and development for student life and athletics and former athletic director, is serving as interim athletic director until a new director has been hired.
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Seeds of Friendship By Brance Arnold ’10 MA
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rt can play a profound role in connecting those from all walks of life. For four UIW freshmen, this could not be more true as the quartet meet every week in front of UIW’s mural, “The Source of Life.” UIW freshmen Camila Melero, Ixtaccihuatl Obregón, Savina Garza and Cindy Perez, who are all roommates in Agnese Sosa residence hall, have found the mural to be a place of solace and friendship. Each week, they meet to share about their lives and draw inspiration from the changing colors of the mural. “We talk about our classes,” said Melero, a communication arts major from Dallas, Texas. “We reflect on our day. What was bad. What was good. What we could have done to make it better. We try to be as supportive as we can with each other.” Prior to the beginning of their first semester, when they found out who their roommates would be, the four friends connected via social media, thus planting the seed of friendship. After arriving on campus, their discovery of the mural was a chance encounter. “We first started exploring the campus the first couple of weeks,” recalled Obregón, a mathematics and biology major from Mission, Texas. “We didn’t know the mural lit up at night and we hung around for a good 30 minutes just looking.” More than just providing a sense of community for them, the altering colors of the mural have an impact as well. “Some of the colors they resemble a sun and river and they represent reflections of us,” shared Obregón. “And we discuss what the colors mean to us. When it’s blue, it’s calming and when it’s red, it’s very active. It makes you see the bigger picture and I see the colors as different emotions.”
During one of their meetings, the freshmen had the opportunity to speak with the mural’s artist, Cakky Brawley, who just happened to be on campus that evening. “I remember her telling us that one of the outcomes that she wanted was for people to go and sit in front of it and have a conversation,” said Perez, a rehabilitative science major and New Braunfels, Texas native. “We told her that was what we were doing before she even shared that.” Though the friends would like to see more students use the mural as a source of community and dialogue, they admit their group will continue to meet just the four of them. “I would like to see it expand but for other groups,” said Obregón, “it would help bring people together.” “We plan to continue meeting. It’s always us four. We are roommates and we are always together,” said Melero. “We found a spot that we loved. So we’ve always tried to keep that connection.” The mural was made possible by the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.
(L-R) Obregón, Garza, Perez, and Melero. 18 T H E W O R D | S P R I N G 2 0 1 7
C lass
notes
The window of UIW’s success stories. Submissions: alumni@uiwtx.edu
Photos submitted for Class Notes may be included on the online alumni community site.
1980s Francois P. Tomasoa ’87 BA MIS is now living in Jakarta, Indonesia, running a Resort Hotel - Toraja Prince Hotel in Toraja South Sulawesi and owning and operating a Coffee Plantation. Tomasoa graduated with his Master of Theology and doctoral degrees at Apollos Theological School and also is now a dean at his non-profit foundation, a school of theology. He is in the process of establishing a theology school in Bali, Indonesia, as well. Reginald Davis ’88 released his new book, “A Dangerous Journey.” For more information, visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=35I-FQdLhSE
1990s Eugene Esquivel ’90 BA has been the manager for the Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department for the past 24 years. Jose Ruben DeLeon ’92 BA directed the play, “The House on Mango Street,” which was sold out and will be presented again in the spring at the Classic Theatre of San Antonio. His second one-man drama was a musical, “St. Francis of Assisi,” performed at the Classic Theatre of San Antonio. He has performed all over the U.S. and has worked in Ireland.
2000s Dr. Adriana Garcia ’00 BA ’02 MA was recently elected chairwoman of the San Antonio Ethics Review Board. Garcia is an assistant professor in the School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Arnulfo D. Hernandez ’01 BA of Hernandez & Associates, P.C., was named to the Top Latino Lawyers list published in Latino Leaders Magazine. He was one of only two Denver lawyers selected for this national list. To view the list, visit http:// www.latinoleaders.com/DecemberJanuary-2017/Top-Latino-Lawyers-2016/ Marypat Klee ’01 MA has started her own business, Dixie Wreaths By Marypat. Visit: www.Facebook.com/dixiewreathsbymarypat Michelle Martin ’09 BS lives in Dallas and is a cyber security expert for the FBI. Martin also has her own cyber security company, MicheTechnology Cyber Consultants: www.mtcyberc.com/. She is an advisor and guest speaker for InnoTech Dallas.
studio, where guests come to paint, drink, and have fun. For more info: www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteHelotes April Lynn Newell ’12 BA resides in Boerne, Texas, with her husband and two daughters, Emalyn and Olivia. She has published an online magazine, Emboldenzine Magazine (www.emboldenzine.com), and is working on a series of fiction novels. The first of her trilogy is available now as an eBook or print at any major online retailer. The second book will be published around Spring 2017. For more info, visit www.newellnovels.wordpress.com
2010s Sonia (Ramirez) Anderson ’10 BA became a licensed attorney in Colorado and works at Husch Blackwell, LLP, practicing corporate management law, including litigation regarding mine health and safety. Annette Kanko ’11 MS recently published her first novel, “Whence You Came.” She was an adjunct instructor in the UIW Mathematics Department from 2006-2014, teaching a wide variety of courses. She currently is working on a sequel which is expected to be released this fall. For more information, visit www.annettekankobooks. com Teofilo Reyes, Jr. ’11 BS ’15 MS is currently working as a fitness manager at Gold's Gym in San Antonio. He is searching for certified personal trainers. As a way to give back to UIW, he is willing to help train, motivate, and mentor individuals that aspire to get into the fitness industry. For information, email: Teofilo.Reyes@goldsgym.com
Cameron Tufino ’12 BA MA is a fifth grade English teacher at Losoya Intermediate in San Antonio. Their campus promotes college readiness through a program called AVID. Alumnae Arianna Ingle ’11 BA and Blanca Morales ’11 BA ’12 MA visited Tufino’s classes giving AVID template presentations about college life/experiences and how it prepared them for travel and work. Nataly Gutierrez Lopez ’14 IED started a new position as the assistant director of campus engagement at UIW in January.
Future Cardinals Dr. Jeff Martinez ’01 BS and Elizabeth Mora-Martinez ’02 BA announce the birth of their second child Carter Joseph, born April 26, 2016, in Katy, Texas. They also have a daughter, Lilah Elizabeth, age 6.
Santiago Gutierrez IV ’12 BA and his wife, Renee Gutierrez ’07 BBA, just opened Pinot’s Palette in Helotes, Texas. A BYOB THE WORD | SPRING 2017
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Christopher Sullaway ’13 BA and Mercedes Esquivel ’16 BA welcomed their baby boy, Luke Christopher, on Dec. 23, 2016.
Weddings and Anniversaries Robert Balli ’02 BBA recently married Miriam Garza on April 30, 2016. Kelly Alexander ’07 BA ’11 MA married Danny Gallegos on Oct. 10, 2015. Trisha Cardenas ’11 BA ’12 MBA is engaged to Antonio B. Burgess of Memphis, Tenn. The wedding will take place in Weslaco, Texas, where Cardenas works and lives.
Angela Williams ’14 MBA is engaged to Richard Mazzara. Their wedding is planned for September 2017.
In Memoriam Sue Embleton Duncan ’45 IWHS Sara Elizabeth Dyer ’50 BA Florence Jamail Nakfoor ’50 BA Naomi Patricia Trigg Schoppe ’50 BA Mary Wendelyn Waters Laughlin ’53 BSN Kathryn Joann Conlin-Schoen ’55 BSN Sr. Ann Carmel Segura, O. Carm., ’56 BM Shirley Alice Mueller LeBlanc ’57 BSN Brenda J. Harris ’64 BS Susan Chandoha ’65 IWHS Sr. Marianne Kramer, CCVI ’66 BA Col. Luciana Jarma, USA (Ret.) ’67 BSN Bridget Ann Schmidt ’69 BS Linda Mack Haigler ’71 MA Jennifer Cunningham Martin ’72 BS
Cynthia Sigler Giordano ’73 IWHS Sr. Mary Brendan Donegan, PBVM ’75 MA Herminia V. Rosado ’75 BA Col. Laura V. Alvarado, USAF (Ret.) ’78 BSN, Alumna of Distinction ’05 Lt. Col. Arline B. Casterline, USAF (Ret.) ’78 BSN Margaret Loudine Clair ’79 BA ’89 MA Sr. Kathleen Barnes, O.S.U. ’84 MA Mildred Ethel Swensen Reed ’88 MSN Judith Ann Bel ’95 MA, former IWHS administrator Elizabeth “Betty” Coleman ’02 BA Tara Kay Harvey Cooper ’03 BA ’06 MA Phyllis Slaton McLee ’12 BS Emily Denman Thuss, former UIW Board of Trustees member Donna Muslin, UIW Development Board Emeriti Rev. John (Jack) O’Donoghue, former IWC Chaplain, former Development Board member Dr. Annemarie Walsh, former Director of Fashion Management
Gabrielle Gonzales-Alvarado ’11 BA ’16 MAA and husband Zachariah Alvarado, were married on Oct. 29, 2016. The ceremony was held at the Gardens at Old Town Helotes where they celebrated with close family and friends. Trisha Licalzi ’12 BA and Chris Meurin ’13 BBA announced their engagement on Sept. 24, 2016. They met at UIW. The couple plan to wed on Oct. 13, 2017, at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church. Amanda Jo Soto ’12 BS and her fiancé, Macedonio (MJ) Martinez, announced their engagement in September 2016. They are planning a destination wedding in the Grand Cayman Islands. Gloria De La Cerda ’13 BBA ’15 MBA is recently engaged to Hugo Zarate. The two will be married in August 2017 in her hometown of Eagle Pass, Texas.
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Keyes holds alumni mixer in Dallas Margo Ramirez Keyes, who graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from what was then Incarnate Word College in 1974, and her husband, Jim, hosted a Dallas Alumni Network mixer at their home on Oct. 27. Nearly 20 guests, mainly alumni, attended the mixer including Sr. Kathleen Coughlin, CCVI, UIW vice president for institutional advancement; Dr. Lisa McNary, dean of alumni and parent relations; and Dr. Robyn Madson, founding dean of the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine. Madson shared about the exciting new developments at the medical school, located at Brooks City Base. Keyes is a highly-respected Dallas civic leader, philanthropist and community volunteer who held a lengthy career in fashion merchandising, retail and wholesale business. She and her husband currently own Key Development, LLC, leasing aviation hangars and office space at Addison Airport.
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Dr. Dick McCracken 1938 - 2016
r. Richard “Dick” Joseph McCracken, dean of alumni emeritus who was affectionately known as “Mr. Incarnate Word,” passed away on Dec. 5. A beloved member of the UIW community for over 50 years, McCracken arrived at Incarnate Word in September of 1964 to teach English, at a time when enrollment totaled 600 and consisted of all women. Additionally, he served as director of public relations, where he helped forge Incarnate Word’s use of publicity to attract donors and students. In the mid-1970s, he designed the publicity campaign to raise funds to build the Coates Theatre on campus. He served six presidents, helping some to transition into their new role. McCracken was secretary of the search committee that led to the hiring of Dr. Louis Agnese, president emeritus. Under Sr. Margaret Patrice Slattery, CCVI, president emerita, and Agnese, he served as assistant to the president and continued to teach part time. In 1987, he was named dean of alumni and planned giving until semi-retiring in 2005. McCracken continued to serve as a researcher for UIW’s Division of Institutional Advancement as well as writing and publishing articles part time. He was the 1996 recipient of the CCVI Spirit Award, which recognized his service to the university and/or the broader community demonstrated in the spirit of the founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The McCracken Alumni Referral Scholarship (MARS) was named in his honor in recognition of his many years of service and loyalty to UIW and its graduates. The McCracken House, a university office facility, was named in his honor in 2013. In 2015, McCracken was recognized at the university’s annual Heritage Day Ceremony for 50 years of service to Incarnate Word. A friend to countless former students, faculty, administrators, Sisters, and donors, he stood as a vital connection to the history of Incarnate Word. McCracken’s genius for names and events ever helped to strengthen alumni’s ties to their alma mater. His legacy and commitment to the Mission of the university will forever be cherished.
Moment for Reflection
Reflections of Making a Difference By Rick Smith, UIW Development Board member
I was raised in a Christian environment where we went to church weekly. Our social activities were centered in many aspects around our fellow parishioners and our active youth ministries. Both of my parents worked, with dad as an Air Force officer and mom doing special education classes in the public schools. While we did travel around a bit, most of our childhood revolved around San Antonio. Our parents were firm believers in delivering an excellent education and God-centered foundation to their children and we were blessed to be able to attend local private parochial schools. I was fortunate to attend TMI and to participate in many of the sports and music programs while maintaining a rigorous academic curriculum. This foundation was continued in my undergraduate work at Texas A&M and post-graduate work while serving in the U. S. Army. It became apparent to me that I had received many benefits from my parents in their striving to prepare us for our futures. They made a difference in my life with their guidance and leadership. When I returned to San Antonio and to civilian life, one of my first actions after finding a career position in the insurance industry, was to offer my time and talents to my alma mater. As I had found and received the
blessings of learning and growing in a God-centered church, school and community, I felt the need to make a contribution as others had done before me. As in Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” I was honored to be asked to volunteer with other local nonprofits and had the opportunity to raise a family in the same wonderful environment that my parents had provided for me. In 1990, what was then Incarnate Word College became a focus that continues to have a special place in my heart and has allowed me to serve to the growth of our students’ lives through scholarship. We make a difference every day in our thoughts, words and actions. As St. Matthew shared in verse 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” May we continue to serve to his glory and to the benefit of those that we touch. It does make a difference. May God bless us all and our wonderful university.
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university collective Dr. Veronica Martinez Acosta, associate professor of biology, published “Neural Anatomical and Synaptic Changes Observed Following CNS Injury that Underlie Functional Plasticity Displayed in a Regenerating Annelid Model System,” (Program No. 210.07/C16) in the “Society for Neuroscience Abstracts,” 46. Acosta was invited to offer a seminar at the Whitney Laboratory, a Marine Biological Research Institute of the University of Florida in December 2016. The title of the talk was, “Making Heads or Tails of Neural Regeneration and Plasticity Using an Invertebrate Model System.” She was elected to an executive board position, Treasurer - elect, for the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) and was nominated as president-elect of FUN. Dr. William Carleton, professor and chair of kinesiology, co-authored “Utilizing
Inclusion Instructional Methods to Promote Student Motivation and Success in the Movement Environment,” in the “Journal of Research and Contemporary Issues in Human Kinetics and Health Education,” 3(1), 1-7. Henrich, T., Soukup, G., Bowyer, G., Lynch, T. (2016). Dr. Ann David, assistant professor in the Dreeben School of Education, and Elyse Helbig-Guevara and Kaci Boylan, preservice teachers who graduated December 2016, presented a roundtable titled, “What does this have to do with me?: Preservice Teachers and Culturally Responsive Curriculum,” as part of the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in Atlanta, Ga., in November. David discussed the design of the course, Culturally Responsive Teaching, that Guevara and Kaci took before they began student teaching. Guevara and Kaci shared how they applied their learning from the course during their clinical teaching experience in local elementary schools.
Earl Harmsen, associate professor of management, and Michael Mercer, senior instructor of communication arts, were presented with the 2016 Cardinal Impact Award, an honor given by the UIW Office of Admissions, presented to a member of the UIW community who goes above and beyond to welcome prospective families to the university. This is the inaugural year for the award. Harmsen and Mercer were presented the award on Dec. 6 at a Counselor Holiday Showcase, hosted by the Office of Admissions. The event welcomed guidance counselors, advisors and educators to campus to hear about updates at UIW. Dr. Charles Garcia, assistant professor of optometry, received a Master of Arts in Administration from UIW at the Fall 2016 commencement ceremony.
Dr. David Maize, who has served as associate dean of academic affairs for the Feik School of Pharmacy (FSOP) since 2005, became the new FSOP dean effective Jan. 1. Maize is a tenured professor in FSOP as a pharmacologist. In 1996, he was a founding faculty member at Nesbitt School of Pharmacy at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. While there, he received numerous teaching awards and helped start the school’s and university’s assessment committees. Maize holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in pharmacy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has published numerous papers in pulmonary pharmacology, and most recently in the educational research fields of assessment and progression. Maize participated in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy “Academic Leadership Fellowship Program” in 2008-09, and attended the Academy for Academic Leadership “Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program” in 2014. He served as a practicing pharmacist with CVS for almost 15 years and holds active pharmacy licenses in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Texas. Maize is a member of numerous pharmacy organizations including Texas Pharmacy Congress, Texas Pharmacists Association, Bexar County Pharmacists Association, and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, among others. 22
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Dr. Trey Guinn, director of graduate programs and assistant professor for communication arts, addressed the UT Law County and District Clerks Association in Austin. His interactive presentation emphasized how communication skills, presentation tips, and interpersonal competencies enhance effectiveness around the office and in the home. Additionally, two academic papers were presented at the Southern States Communication Association, and he delivered an executive education session to Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Dallas, TX.
In December, Cesar Hernandez, Rosenberg School of Optometry access services library assistant, organized the RSO Angel Tree. RSO collected items to be distributed to the needy in the community through SAMMinistries. During the holidays, homeless families seek assistance from SAMMinistries often arriving with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. To make their new location feel like a home, RSO teamed up with SAMMinistries to ensure each family received a “Welcome Basket.” Dr. Bethany Kalich, assistant professor of pharmacy, presented, “Reduction of Medication Regimen Complexity in
university collective Dr. Michael Moon, associate professor of nursing and health professions, was awarded the 2016 Nurse Educator Award from the Texas Emergency Nurses Association. The award recognizes a nurse who has made significant contributions to the education of colleagues, nursing students, EMS personnel, patients, families, and/or the community through the publication of articles, formal or informal courses or the development of a specific emergency nursing program or curriculum. A nomination letter described Moon’s teaching as “magic,” and read, “He takes very complicated clinical subjects and plays a game. Within that game are pieces that come together to teach you the concepts by taking the time to make lectures interesting, memorable and fun.” Geriatric Patients: The Effect on Quality of Life and Functional Capacity,” at the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Annual Meeting held in Hollywood, Fla., on Oct. 23. Coauthors: Brysch, E.G., Cauthon, K.A.B., Sarbacker, G.B., Kalich, B.A. Chaired by Scott LeBlanc, assistant director of athletic training facilities, the Employee Wellness Committee applied on behalf of the university and was awarded the 2016 Healthy Workplace Recognition, Gold level, by the Mayor’s Fitness Council, City of San Antonio. This marked the fourth consecutive year UIW has been awarded either the Silver or Gold level recognition. UIW nursing’s traditional baccalaureate track is the recipient of a four-year $2.6 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant. The Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program aims to increase the:
number of graduates practicing in primary care, enrollment and retention of full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and number of graduates working in medically underserved communities. Program director for the grant is Dr. Julie Nadeau, assistant professor of nursing. One-hundred percent of funds are designated for nursing scholarships. Four Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) 4th year interns participated in UIW RSO’s fifth annual mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, teaming with Los Quijotes of San Antonio. Dr. Jeannette Wong-Powell, senior clinical instructor, accompanied the interns and assisted with patient care and supervising along with local optometrist Dr. Robert San Martin. The optometric team saw in excess of 900 patients over five days. In addition, four RSO 4th year interns accompanied by Dr. Russell Coates, assistant professor of optometry, participated in RSO’s third eye-care mission trip to Chichicastenango, Guatemala, in November 2016 teaming with ASELSI ministries. The optometric team provided comprehensive eye exams and glasses for approximately 120 patients during the trip.
A team of 13 RSO interns (1st, 2nd and 3rd year); three optometric residents; and two faculty, Coates and Dr. Raelyn Ottenbreit, senior clinical instructor; participated in an eye-care and health services mission trip in December. They were accompanied by six UIW nursing students; one nursing faculty, Dr. Christina Hernandez, assistant professor of nursing; one Feik School of Pharmacy student; three UIW undergraduate students; two representatives from the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership, Monica Cruz, director, and Cecilia Elizondo Herrera, global immersion coordinator; and Sr. Marichui Bringas, CCVI. The UIW team partnered with the ARISE and Remote Area Medical (RAM) organizations to provide complimentary eye exams, spectacles, and health wellness checks and education for the underserved population in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area (Alamo, Texas). The team examined approximately 350 patients over two and a half days. Dr. Gregory Soukup, professor of kinesiology, co-authored and published three peer reviewed articles: “Utilizing Inclusion Instructional Methods to Promote Student Motivation and Success in the Movement Environment: The Pool Model,” in the “Journal of Research and Contemporary Issues in Human Kinetics and Health Education,” Vol. 3, 1, 1 – 7, Carleton, W. L., Henrich, T. W., Bowyer, G. R. and Lynch, T. J. (2016); “Physical Education, Health and Physical Education, Physical Literacy and Health Literacy: Global Nomenclature Confusion,” in “Cogent Education,” 3(1), 1217820, 1
– 22, Lynch, T. J. (2016); and “A Study of Rural Chinese Students’ Educational Expenses, Academic Performance, and Extracurricular Activities,” in the “Journal of Chinese Economics,” Vol. 4, 1, 13 – 28, Zhang, S. (2016). On Nov. 15, the UIW community came together to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Sarah Williams, professor of nursing, at the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing. In attendance was Dr. Caroline Spana, professor emerita of nursing. Williams joined UIW in 2003 to direct the RN-BSN degree completion program. She coordinated and led the transition of that program from the traditional classroom to an online program serving more nurses in South Texas. She also added an RN-MSN option to encourage graduates to pursue the master’s degree. Dr. Shishu Zhang, associate professor of business administration, co-authored two papers, “A Study of Rural Chinese Students' Educational Expenses, Academic Performance, and Extracurricular Activities,” in the “Journal of Chinese Economics,” Vol. 4, 1, 13 – 28, Soukup, G., and “The Impact of Religious Regulation on International Health, Wealth, and Happiness,” presented and paper published in the proceedings of the 11th Biennial Conference of Asian Consumer and Family Economics Association (ACFEA), Hong Kong, China, July 7-10, 2016, 356 – 365, Soukup, G. THE WORD | SPRING 2017
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
San Antonio Brass Concert, March 26, Concert Hall, 7 p.m. Cutting Edge Fiesta® Fashion Show, April 19, McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room, 6 p.m. UIW Wind Ensemble, April 23, Concert Hall, 3 p.m. UIW Jazz Ensemble, April 27, Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. Swing-In Auction Party and Golf Tournament, May 4-5, McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room & Republic Golf Course Orchestra of the Incarnate Word, May 5, Concert Hall, 8 p.m.
ALUMNI EVENTS Information & registration for all alumni events can be found at the Cardinal’s Nest at www.uiwalumni.org March 25 UIW Alumni International Day of Service, UIW campus Incarnate Word Day, UIW campus April 15 Annual Alumni Easter Egg Hunt McCracken House, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Easter egg hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m.) April 21-23 Parent & Family Weekend April 23 Cardinal Family Mass, Our Lady’s Chapel, 10:30 a.m. 2nd Annual Ring Ceremony, Convocation Center, 2 p.m. April 13, May 11, June 8 and July 13 Alumni Mixers 6-8 p.m. Locations to be sent out in monthly newsletter or connect on social media outlets @UIWAlumni
Update your email with the alumni office! Have you missed a few alumni events recently and wish you had known about them? If so, please update your contact info on the Cardinal’s Nest at www.uiwalumni.org You can login for the first time by clicking on ‘first time login,’ finding your last name and then entering your old student ID number. If you don’t remember it, call us at (210) 829-6014 and we can help get you signed in. Follow us on Facebook to stay connected with news & events at www.facebook.com/UIWAlumni 24
THE WORD | SPRING 2017
(L-R) Dennis E. Nixon, CEO of IBC – Laredo; Sr. Kathleen Coughlin, CCVI, UIW vice president for institutional advancement; Dr. Robyn Madson, founding dean of SOM; David Garza, president of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association; and Enrique Gallegos, CEO of the Laredo Medical Center.
IBC Bank presents $250,000 to the School of Osteopathic Medicine
O
n Jan. 4, the IBC Foundation, administered by International Bank of Commerce (IBC Bank), presented a $250,000 donation to the University of Incarnate Word (UIW) School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM) at an event held at the Laredo Medical Center. A formal presentation was made by Dennis E. Nixon, an administrator of the IBC Foundation, to Sr. Kathleen Coughlin, CCVI, UIW vice president of institutional advancement, and Dr. Robyn Madson, founding dean of the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine. The donation supports the development of the School of Osteopathic Medicine in areas such as the clinical skills lab for first and second year medical students. In addition, UIWSOM is partnering with the Laredo Medical Center to launch residency programs in Family and Internal Medicine as well as establish clinical rotations for third and fourth year medical students. “The donation is a natural fit for the IBC Foundation,” said Nixon. “With this gift we have the opportunity to support two of our bank’s communities – San Antonio and Laredo. This collaboration between UIW and the Laredo Medical Center will enhance the Laredo community by creating more opportunities for physicians in South Texas and providing care to those most in need.” The UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine will welcome its inaugural class in Fall 2017. The school located at Brooks City Base, is the only medical school in Texas located at a faith-based university. IBC Foundation’s gift to UIW supports San Antonio and directly impacts the citizens of Laredo, the location of IBC Bank’s headquarters. Established in 1998, the IBC Foundation helps organizations in the communities IBC Bank serves across Texas and Oklahoma do more. Story and photo courtesy of IBC Corporate Communications/Laredo Morning Times.
SCHOOL of OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Texas Permit # 1822
University of the Incarnate Word 4301 Broadway San Antonio, Texas 78209
A San Antonio tradition since 1980
Wednesday, April 19 Doors open: 6 p.m. Show starts: 7 p.m.
May 4, 2017 • 6:30 pm McCombs Center - Rosenberg Sky Room
&
May 5, 2017 • Tee Times at 7:30 am & 1 pm Republic Golf Course 4226 SE Military Dr., San Antonio
McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room 847 E. Hildebrand Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212
PROCEEDS BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UIW STUDENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION 210.829.6013 development@uiwtx.edu www.uiw.edu/swingin
For tickets call
(210) 829-6013 or visit
cuttingedge-sa.com
The University of the Incarnate Word provides reasonable accommodation with adequate notice. To request disability accommodation for this event, visit www.uiw.edu/ada
@uiwdevelopment @uiwcardinals