N otre Da me de Na m ur Un i ve r s i t y
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Myles McCormick '98 A conversation on his journey from student to CEO
inside: Human Services students pursue their passions creating unique and relevant programs throughout the Bay Area
A c u lt u r e o f g i v i n g b ac k
Reaching for Dreams Scholarship Benefit Luncheon raised over $90,000 for Hispanic and low-income students NDNU BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mrs. Anne Hannigan '70, '72
Chair Sr. Ann Bernadette Barnes, SND '59 Mrs. Marie Batton '37 Ms. Gloria R. Brown '94 Dr. Elaine L. Cohen Mr. Carlos Collazo Mr. Andy Cresci Mr. Marc Desautels Mr. Chester Fisher Sr. Sally Furay, RSCJ
Dr. Abbas Milani, who was the chair of NDNU's History and Political Science Department, 1997-2004, and is currently the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, with President Greig at the Reaching for Dreams Scholarship Benefit Luncheon. Milani spoke about his life as an immigrant to the United States and the role his California education and the Sisters of Notre Dame had in setting his life's direction. His story has much in common with many of our current students, particularly our scholarship recipients.
Dr. Richard Giardina Dr. Judith Maxwell Greig Mr. Frank L. Hannig Mr. Joseph J. Heinen '78 Sr. Donna M. Jurick, SND
p r e s i d e n t ' s M E SS A G E
Sr. Mary Laxague, SND '58 Mr. Charles Lynch Mr. James McGovern Dr. Lizah McLaughlin '91 Mr. Richard Roche '82 Sr. Barbara Thiella, SND '64 Mr. Raymond "Dee" P. Tolles II Ms. Cynthia Vrooman Mr. Robert Webster
Top: Over 200 community members and friends of the university attended this event. Left: Keynote speaker Dr. Abbas Milani, author of The Shah, signs a book at a reception before lunch. Right: Sr. Roseanne Murphy, SND, and President Judith Maxwell Greig wait with trustee Marie Batton to meet Dr. Milani. The proceeds from this successful fundraiser netted over $90,000 for the university earning a matching sum from federal grants, for a grand total of $180,000.
NDNU Magazine,
Spring 2012
Publisher Michael Romo
Advancement EDITOR Manuel Nungaray
EXECUTIVE Editor Richard Rossi
CONTRiBUTING WRITERS Kaia Eakin Neil Gonzales Dr. Ali Ferdowsi
Managing Editor Karen Plesur AssistANT EDITOR Claire Karoly
Class Notes Kaia Eakin
PHOTOS: NDNU Public Information Archives Special thanks to all who contributed to this magazine. PrINTING: St. Croix Press
co n t e n t s Letter From the President.......... 3 Campus News........................... 4 Faculty Corner.......................... 6 A Conversation With................ 8 Feature: Human Services Students Give Back................... 9
Ralston Hall Mansion.............. 14 Athletics Highlights................. 16 Alumni Events........................ 17 Class Notes............................ 18
The happiest day of the year has come and gone at NDNU as more than 400 graduates walked, danced and pranced across the stage to receive their diplomas. And that makes it a good time to pause and take stock of what an incredible year it has been. We started off by saying hello to our biggest entering class ever, and all those new freshmen and transfers pushed us to a record enrollment. Add to that the news that the first-generation program we’d put in place was producing outstanding results in terms of student retention and it’s no wonder we were bursting at the seams. Then came the news that we’d received not one but two grants under the federal government’s Hispanic Serving Institution program and the campus virtually exploded in joy. Those grants will make it possible for us to institute cutting edge programs that ultimately will benefit all our students. One of the unique aspects of the grants is that they provided up to $1 million in endowment money for NDNU provided we could come up with matching funds. I’m happy to report we are well on our way thanks to two large donations and a hugely successful fundraising luncheon held in March that
raised $90,000. All of that is detailed in this issue, which also highlights one of the new services we’ll be offering all incoming students – success coaching. But this issue is really special for another reason. It reports on some of the academic programs that make us most proud, and the achievements of several of our alumni who bring recognition and honor to NDNU. Undergraduate students in our Human Services Professional Studies Program are required to do a major project with a local nonprofit or social service agency. The project must be important and must make a difference and, as you will see, making a difference is what these students do best. We also profile two alumni who have carved out successful careers as entrepreneurs, and one who is making a name for herself in local politics. All in all, lots of reasons to be happy and lots of reasons to be proud! Sincerely,
Judith Maxwell Greig, Ph.D. President
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C am p u s N E W S
Dr. John Lemmon We are pleased to announce the appointment of John Lemmon, Ph.D., as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He has served as interim dean since August 2011. Dr. Lemmon has extensive experience in mediation training and is the founder of the Lemmon Mediation Institute. He is the author of "Family Mediation Practice" and co-author of "Social Work and the Law," and he contributed a chapter for the "Social Workers' Desk Reference." Previously, Dr. Lemmon taught in the School of Social Work at San Francisco State University, and was an administrator for the College of Extended Learning part-time Master of Social Work program. Other past teaching experience includes positions at Dominican University; University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign; University of California, Berkeley; and University of San Francisco. "Dr. Lemmon was selected for this critically important leadership role from among a large and exceptionally strong applicant pool," said Provost Diana Demetrulias. "I am confident he will provide vigorous leadership for the College of Arts and Sciences, working with faculty and staff to provide outstanding education for NDNU students."
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C A M PUS N E W S
Coaching: It’s Not Just for Athletes Anymore
Where are they now?
NDNU uses innovative coaching techniques and supplemental instruction to assure student success
O
ne of the biggest
Now that the majority of employees previously working in Ralston Hall have moved, you may not know where to find them. The following offices have moved to the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 350 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City. Advancement Alumni Communications Conferences and Events
Enrollment and Admissions Finance Marketing Payroll
Spread the word! Did you discover Notre Dame de Namur University thanks to an NDNU student or alumnus? If so, you are in good company. Many of our students are referred by friends, family and co-workers who also attended NDNU. Refer a friend or someone you
know who is interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree in the day or evening, or considering a master’s degree or credential, and we will send you a $20 Amazon gift card. To complete the referral form visit ndnu.edu/referral.
challenges colleges and universities have is helping students who come from lowincome families, or families where they are the first to attend college, to transition to college life and stay in school. As the number of those students has increased, NDNU has had to find innovative ways to help them succeed in college. With the help of several grants, including two federal grants totaling $6 million, NDNU has launched a number of support services to boost student success. Among the most important of those services are mentoring and coaching. Even before receiving the federal grants, NDNU had a very successful program in place focused on helping first-generation students remain in school. The "Gen 1" program was based on three principles: peer mentoring, improvement of study skills and an early warning system for students in trouble. And the program has worked. Since 2008, first to second year retention for the freshman cohort has increased by 10 percent, from 67 percent fall 2008 to fall 2009 to 77 percent from fall 2010 to fall 2011 — and the university aims to continue this upward trend. “The peer mentors proved to be really important. These students don’t necessarily have someone to show them the ropes of being a
college student, because their parents didn’t go to college and often don’t speak English very well,” said Hernan Bucheli, vice president for enrollment management. “The mentors, upperclassmen who are usually first-generation students themselves, fill the role of advisor, confidante, friend and guide. And now, thanks to the federal grants, we are expanding that oneon-one service to include coaching by professionals from InsideTrack and making it available to all incoming students.” InsideTrack is a counseling firm based in San Francisco with a strong track record of improving student persistence and success by providing them with a coach to help them identify where they want to go, how to get there and how to overcome obstacles.
The student success coaching model is based on the understanding that student success depends on the presence of multiple motivational factors, such as proactive experience management, frequent feedback, a sense of purpose, mentoring and recognition. Most importantly, student success coaching equips students to succeed and graduate by providing them with the skills necessary to connect their everyday activities to their long term goals. “We’re a small school but we have a big mission — to provide access to higher education for anyone who seeks it, and especially underserved populations such as Hispanics and first-generation students,” said Bucheli. “It is our expectation that with the addition of these new support services, we will be able to continue to do just that.” 2012
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FA C ULT Y C O RN E R
“The current clamor of politics is therefore by
Dr. Ali Ferdowsi
about real or perceived injustice in the governance of the world. “
From Cairo to Oakland, Justice Is What People Want
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Cairo’s Tahrir Square in the summer and live in Oakland where just a couple of months ago the police shot tear gas canisters and rubber bullets into a crowd of the “Occupy Oakland” protestors. Although it would be hugely unfair to compare police brutality in Oakland with the savage ferocity of their counterparts in Cairo, or in Tehran (where I witnessed it in person), or even worse in Bahrain or Syria, I cannot help but see a common thread running through the political clamor that is the sign of the opening decades of the 21st century. That common thread is a call for justice. Let me explain by taking a theoretical detour. In his "Politics," Aristotle defined a constitution as both the blueprint and the morphology of a state. Constitutions could be of three kinds based on the size of the segment of the populace that enjoys the right to govern. Political sovereignty, or citizenship, could either be invested in one person, or in a few or in many. Monarchy visited
Dr. Ali Ferdowsi is professor and chair of NDNU Department of History and Political Science
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is the citizenship of the one, aristocracy the citizenship of the few and “politeia” (constitutional democracy) the citizenship of many. These three state forms were good or just in so far as those who ruled did so in the interest of the city as a whole, and not their own interest. To these three just forms of state are opposed three “perverted” forms. We have a perverted state form when those who enjoy the rights of sovereignty exercise it not in the universal interest of the city, but in pursuit of their own particular interest. So oligarchy is a perverted form of aristocracy in which plutocrats use their power to amass wealth in the hands of themselves and their families. For Aristotle what mattered most was not the morphology of the state but whether or not it governed justly, that is, for the universal interest. Basing ourselves on this Aristotelian symmetrical distinction between good state forms and their perverted mirror images, we could safely say that the current political situation in
the world, epitomized by “Occupy Wall Street” protests in the West and the “Arab Spring” in North Africa and the Middle East, is characterized by the revolt of the large masses of the people against what they perceive to be a “perversion” of the state. Nearly everywhere people feel that their governments are betraying them by putting the interest of the small group of the powerful and the wealthy above the universal interests of all the people, or in the jargon of the “Occupy Wall Street” protestors, that of the top one percent above the remaining 99 percent. This is precisely the content of the revolts in Egypt against Mubarak, in Libya against Qaddafi, in Syria against the Alwaite minority regime of Bashar Asad and the minority Sunni tyranny of Al Khalifa in Bahrain. In the words of the UN Secretary General in his address in the 125th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in mid-October, the biggest challenge the world faces today is not “lack of resources” but “a deficit of trust” in governments.
The current clamor of politics is therefore about real or perceived injustice in the governance of the world. Defining the Arab Spring solely as a movement for democracy obscures the commonality of what happens in Tahrir Square in Cairo and Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, and perpetuates the myth of the “deprived them” from the “lucky us” in an already globalized world. That said, then how does democracy figure here? “Don’t Arabs want democracy, something that they do not have, but we do here in the West?” Of course, they do, but only because they want justice. Democracy is their way to emerge from the perverted forms of the state that rule them. Our fight in the West is to use our democratic rights to reverse our governments’ slide into wealth-controlled states. We fight from two different locations in the sequence of democracy and justice. But in the end, like Aristotle, what matters most to us both is not so much the look of a state but whether or not it is just.
First in a series of faculty authored articles. This article was originally published in the Japanese magazine World Trends.
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C O NV E RS ATI O N W IT H
Myles McCormick ’98 From Student to CEO
Q: What is the most difficult business lesson you’ve ever learned?
W
hen he decided it was time to take his career to the next level, Myles McCormick turned to Notre Dame de Namur University (then CND) for his Master of Business Administration. Since NDNU, Myles has gone on to successful careers at Gymboree (CFO), Bare Escentuals (CEO) and now as a top executive at Berkshire Hathaway. We recently caught up with Myles, who filled us in on lessons learned in the classroom and the “real world.”
Q: How did you end up at NDNU? A: I was working at Esprit in the early to mid-nineties and my friend/ roommate Rich Boragno was working at Wells Fargo Bank. We were both ambitious and wanted to take our careers to the next level. Rich surveyed all possible graduate schools in the Bay Area and decided CND was best.
Q: How did NDNU benefit you? A: I was able to apply what I learned in real time. For example, I remember I was taking a financial analysis class and one of my assignments involved analyzing a balance sheet and comparing different types of accounting methods. At the exact same time at work, I was asked to analyze the balance sheet of a company Esprit had just bought. My classroom work was extremely helpful in allowing me to do that analysis. I saw how relevant my coursework was in the real world. 8 ndnu
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A: Two come to mind:
Q: What was your impression of NDNU? A: The students and professors were great. The education was very practical. I was impressed by both the professors and the students, who had interesting careers, expertise and talents. The curriculum required a lot of team work, the projects were meaningful and my classmates were easy to work with.
Q: Tell us what NDNU is not. A: If I were interested in working in New York in private equity, I would go to a different school. NDNU is not for everybody. But it is great for someone wanting practical knowledge and mentoring to be a manager in Corporate America. I have a young friend who wants to take some time off from his career and go into private equity at the top levels. I recommended Santa Clara to him, instead of NDNU. However, another friend was interested in a more fundamental, practical education and I recommended NDNU to him. If you are a young, ambitious professional in management, NDNU is a great choice.
First, in my opinion, the most important decision you ever make as a manager is the people and the culture around you. The most difficult decision you will ever make is whom you choose to work with. That is much more important than your financial plan or your marketing plan. Good management and corporate success is about people and a cultural fit. It is important to be very smart about the talent you hire and to make sure they share a dynamic of collaboration. Second, it is important to stay a learner. Adults have a tendency, or natural inclination, to be knowers, but it’s important to listen, ask questions and stay curious.
Q: What characteristics do you value in an employee?
Human Services
A: Creative thinking, creative problem solving, flexibility, openmindedness, curiosity.
class launches projects to fulfill
Q: How would you characterize your style of management? A: Fair. Direct. I trust my teams. Well, I guess to really know, you’d need to ask my employees. I have trust and respect for the people who work for me. I rely on them.
Q: What is your favorite phrase? A: “Just put the boat in the water.” It’s sort of another way of saying, “Just do it.”
academic requirements while meeting Above: Professor Therese Madden (right) talks with students from her Human Services class
community needs By Neil Gonzales
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I'm getting the opportunity to hopefully make a difference
M
ilitary veterans and their
Top: Sabrina Greenawald ’12, Right page: Kim Magni ’12
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care have always been close to Sabrina Greenawald’s ’12 heart. All throughout her youth, her grandfather – a veteran who had suffered a stroke – spent much time receiving treatment at the VA Palo Alto Hospital. “I had always been going to the VA Hospital until he passed in 1981,” said Greenawald. So it is fitting that she has come up with a project to serve rehabilitating veterans as part of the Human Services Senior Seminar course this spring semester. “There’s a personal connection with me at the VA Hospital,” she said. Greenawald is among the 25 seniors in the class who have launched various service projects across the Bay Area to fulfill requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. They are also seizing the opportunity to pursue a personal interest or passion and give back to the community.
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The projects are a requirement of the capstone course taught by Dr. Therese Madden, professor and program director of the Human Services Department. The projects involve teaming up with a public agency or nonprofit organization and putting what the students have learned in class into action to benefit those in need out in the community. “The students have to manage a project for a human services organization,” Madden said. “They are managing efforts of others and coordinating.” Madden praised the projects that her students have come up with and organized. “I think it’s a taste of what they’re going out to do with the rest of their careers with different organizations,” she said. “It’s exciting to be part of that.” Greenawald’s project brings monthly classical concerts to Fisher House Palo Alto, which accommodates families of veterans recovering from severe injuries at the VA
Hospital. “I’m getting the opportunity to hopefully make a difference,” Greenawald said. “This is an opportunity to give them a break from the challenges of their day. Music in the evening might allow them to have an interlude.” A friend who is a bassoon player has been helping Greenawald out in her project. The friend performed in a bassoon quartet for the project’s first concert in early March. Over the following months, Greenawald hopes to enlist Stanford University Music Department students and other local musicians to play for the veterans and their families at Fisher House. Earning a bachelor’s degree in human services in May might not necessarily lead to a fullfledged profession in that field for Greenawald, who already has an established career as a marketing manager for an intellectual property law firm. But it will accomplish a long-running, personal goal of a four-year, undergraduate degree. “It’s very important to me to have that education - that experience,” said Greenawald, who had been attending community colleges off and on over the years. Like Greenawald, Kim Magni ’12, has never earned a degree but remained determined to achieve it. After high school, her college education got off track because of work. But Magni feels fortunate to have enrolled at NDNU as a human services major and is now in line for that long-sought degree. “This will be an 18-year process,” said Magni, a human resources director for a construction company. For her capstone project, Magni organized a fundraiser to benefit Dress for Success San Francisco, which provides disadvantaged women professional attire and employment programs. She and her friends served as guest bartenders
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It just really hit home for me since I always help people find their career passions.
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Left: Connie Puccetti ’12 with Burlingame Intermediate School teacher and NDNU alumna Amelia Ramos ’04, MAE ’09. Right: Puccetti leads a meeting with Latino parents.
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at a San Francisco establishment, collecting $800 in tips for Dress for Success. Along with individual donations, she was able to raise a total of nearly $2,000 for the nonprofit. She hopes to make the fundraiser an annual event and to continue to work with Dress for Success as a volunteer. Magni picked Dress for Success for her project because the group’s mission speaks to her strength and skills as a human resources professional. “They help people develop interviewing skills and write their resumes and provide networking,” she said. “It just really hit home for me since I always help people find their career passions. This was a perfect match.” Gia Barsi ’11, program coordinator for Dress for Success, was grateful for Magni’s involvement. “It generated a lot of awareness,” said Barsi, an NDNU graduate in liberal studies from last year. “We are a volunteer-driven organization, so whenever someone can do something for us, we are always thankful for their support.” Because of her Mexican heritage and strong
belief in the value of education, Connie Puccetti ’12 has a passion for helping Latino students and their parents. For her project, Puccetti has started a program at Burlingame Intermediate School for Latino parents who are mostly Spanish-speaking and not too familiar with the U.S. educational system. “The services needed by these parents are to be educated and to be empowered on how to assist their children to become better students,” said Puccetti. Her program includes monthly informational meetings about various school events and issues as well as classes in which the parents learn topics ranging from child nutrition and good study habits to how to navigate through Burlingame Intermediate’s website. Puccetti envisions expanding this program throughout the Burlingame School District and turning her capstone project into a career. “I plan to have my own nonprofit, providing this service for all schools,” she said.
Lisa Blanchard '11
The Grateful Garment Project Ten days after her brother died, Lisa Blanchard attended a women’s retreat where she was scheduled to present a workshop. “We have to show up even though life happens,” Blanchard, a May 2011 Human Services graduate, said about persevering through a difficult time. When her workshop was canceled, she made herself a cup of tea and decided to have some time alone. It was May, but it was hailing too hard to go out safely, so Blanchard took a seat on a couch. Next to her was a woman “all bundled up in a sleeping bag.” The woman began telling her that she wanted to start a program where victims of sexual assault are given clothes to replace the clothes they have to surrender to police as evidence in a crime. “I was horrified by what she was telling me,” Blanchard said. After already having suffered through a horrendous experience, sexual assault victims not only have to give up their clothes, but are also often left to wait up to 10 hours to have their examination completed and their statement taken. “I’ll partner with you,” Blanchard told the woman. The two women attempted to exchange contact information, but they had no paper or pen. Blanchard was unable to locate her again at or after the retreat. Who the woman was remains a mystery, but Lisa Blanchard took the idea and approached Valley Medical Center with it. “I told them I was an NDNU student and the program director opened the door,” she said. “We talked about the need for clothing, food, toiletries and making the waiting room comfortable.” Human services majors end their program by performing “a significant project in a human services agency and must
quantify that the agency is a better place because of their work,” explained the program’s director, Dr. Therese Madden, whom Blanchard calls “my favorite professor of all time.” Some, like Blanchard, take it a step further and establish organizations based on their projects. Graduates often have survived “serious hardship that they are drawing strength from, and helping, others,” Dr. Madden says. Based in Campbell, California, The Grateful Garment Project has raised over $50,000 and countless items of clothing for Sexual Assault Response Team centers in 15 different counties throughout California. In October 2011, Blanchard had already raised $25,000 through grassroots efforts alone, just collecting $25 and $100. A donor who wishes to remain anonymous gave $5,000. The vigorous response meant that Lisa had to get a storage unit. “When something is needed, it just shows up,” Blanchard said. Like a truck, for example. “When I started the process, there was an influx of donations,” Blanchard said about interest in her project. When she began in March 2011, the waiting room had “four rinky-dink chairs and a small closet.” “Now there is a fully stocked closet, snack items, a television, a mural, DVD and VHS players,” Blanchard said. Victims can wait 10 hours to give a report, she noted. A full-time student working on a graduate degree, Blanchard was invited to be a guest lecturer at Stanford University Medical School before she had finished her bachelor’s degree. “All my life experiences were leading up to the Grateful Garment Project,” Blanchard says. “It’s no longer just me; it’s a ‘we’.”
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Ralston Hall Mansion
Ciao for Now Closed for business, open for memories...
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March 2012, Ralston Hall shut its doors for now. The NDNU community learned a few months prior that a seismic evaluation of Ralston Hall revealed concerns about the safety of the building in the event of a major earthquake, and the difficult decision was made by the Board of Trustees to move employees and close the building until evaluations and repairs are completed. NDNU (then College of Notre n
Dame) moved to the former estate of William Chapman Ralston, a San Francisco businessman, financier and founder of the Bank of California, in 1923. Now an icon on campus, the mansion started as an Italianate-style villa owned by Count Cipriani and was later purchased by Ralston, who constructed a grand house around the villa and named the estate Belmont, which later became the name of the city in which it is located.
The first floor of the mansion is unaltered, including a ballroom modeled after the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The original mirrors and chandeliers are still in place, and several rooms are furnished in the period. The second and third floors of the mansion have served as administrative offices for several years. Ralston Hall Mansion is a National Registered Historic Landmark and a California Registered Historic Landmark.
Follow Ralston Hall's restoration at www.ralstonhall.com
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At h l e t i c s H i gh l i gh t s
Several Argos Ranked Nationally It was another solid year for NDNU athletics. There were no championships but eight Argo athletes from six different teams turned in performances that were among the best in the nation among all NCAA Division II athletes. Senior Oscar Yniguez of the men’s soccer team finished third in the country in assists per game at 0.65 and seventh in total assists with 11. The 11 assists were the most by an Argonaut since the 2006 season. Senior men’s soccer forward Cristobal Montes, a four-year starter, finished 20th in the nation in total goals with 14. The 14 goals tied a career high set during his freshman season. Christina Villamayor, a senior outside hitter on the volleyball team, finished 31st in the country in kills per set with 3.92. This marked the second consecutive season Villamayor ranked in the top-40 after ranking 11th as a junior. Women’s basketball senior forward Pilar Mullins ranked 21st in the nation in rebounds per game with 10.2. This was the second time in her career she ranked nationally in rebounds, finishing 20th last season. Sophomore center Jennifer Jasper also ranked nationally for the
alumni
women’s basketball team, placing 14th in blocks per game at 2.9. She set a school record with nine blocks in a game twice this season. Junior attackman Nate Jackson had a stellar season for NDNU lacrosse, ranking eighth in goals per game at 2.67 and 11th in points per game at 3.83. Jackson also led the WILA in goals with 32 and finished third in points with 46. Lacrosse junior midfielder Kevin Nguyen also ranked nationally in two categories. Nguyen finished 15th in groundballs per game at 4.92 and 20th in face-off winning percentage at 53 percent. Senior outfielder Janae Reyes turned in an incredible final season for the NDNU softball team. She ranked third in the nation in doubles per game at 0.45 and third overall with a school record 24.
Saturday, August 18 Women - noon Men - 2 p.m. NDNU Koret Field Barbecue immediately following games For additional information: contact Adriene Farrales at adrienefarrales@gmail.com or (408) 250-7971
Notable Standouts All-PacWest Second Team selection junior pitcher Sammy McConvey was 15-12 on the mound with a 1.81 earned run average. Senior Troy Davis closed out his NDNU golf career with a one-overpar 73 in the final round of the NCAA DII West/Central Regional to finish in a tie for 17th place. Top: Sammy McConvey ’13 Bottom: Cristobal Montes ’12
Graduates Luncheon 2012 We celebrated and welcomed over 80 graduating students at our annual Graduates Luncheon event in May. Our guest speaker, Heather Brown, senior recruiter with Advanced Clinical, shared some great insights on job hunting, resumés, and leveraging social media sites such as LinkedIn to find the job you are looking for. The big take away from this event, as we all may know, is to: network, network and network. Congratulations Graduates and Welcome to the Alumni Association!
For more information on all upcoming Alumni Events: www.ndnu.edu/alumni or email alumni@ndnu.edu 16 ndnu
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A LU M NI
1940's
A LU M NI
Class Notes
Donna J. (Wieler) Thompson ’45 Donna lived on the fourth floor of Ralston Hall, a wonderful experience. Many members of her class were lifelong friends. Donna remembers Sr. Roseanne when she was three years old because their fathers were friends. She enjoyed seeing Sr. Roseanne recently.
What about you?
What is new with you? We would love to hear! Please send us an email at alumni@ndnu.edu, call us at (650) 508-3442 or stop by the Alumni Office at 350 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City and let us know what you have been doing since you left campus. You can also help keep our records current by including your work and home addresses, phone numbers and emails. Stay in touch!
1950's Giovanna Andreini Stockman ’50 Giovanna’s daughter Mary Frances Constantino ’11 graduated Summa Cum Laude from NDNU last year
with a degree in human services. She is very proud of her.
1960's Mary Savant ’60 Attending College at Notre Dame was Mary’s first time away from
home. She recalls that it was a wonderful way to explore adulthood and she made lifelong friends. “It was a small school and we were like a family,” Mary says. “I look forward to visiting campus soon.” Mary has been married for over 50 years and has four children and eight grandchildren.
Helen Rendon ’61 Helen has five grandchildren and is in the process of winding down her business, “Helen’s Walking Tours,” of San Francisco. She is writing her life story with the help of a UC Berkeley professor. Vivian Zelaya ’61 Vivian retired from 42 years of teaching third grade. She loved teaching and loves being retired. Vivian also loves being a grandma to Raphael and she is expecting another grandchild! She is active with “Women in Black” and “Friends of Sabeel” along with “The Ecumenical Peace Institute.” Vivian took two trips to Palestine in the last decade.
Phillip Walker '00
Top Tech-Savvy Entrepreneur
M
ost of the middle-school students
in class were bored, passing notes and goofing off, while a visiting parent talked about his job at IBM. But not Phillip Walker. Something in the way the parent described his work perked Walker up and kept the boy’s attention. “It sounded very innovative. He was inspired about it,” recalled Walker. “It sounded like, ‘Wow, something is happening there.’” That presentation at his school in Southern California opened Walker’s eyes for the first time to the world of computers, but it wasn’t until he enrolled at NDNU that he was able to truly explore that interest. “I saw my first server room at NDNU,” said Walker, who is today the CEO of Network Solutions Provider, a telecommunications company based in El Segundo. Before coming to NDNU, Walker did not have much access to computers or many other amenities. “I grew up in not the best neighborhoods,” he said. But he found basketball as an outlet and became skilled enough to be recruited by NDNU, and took full advantage of the opportunities the university had to offer. “I was able to channel my focus (toward a career) and be successful,” said Walker, who graduated with a business degree in 2000. He credited the small class sizes and his instructors
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for helping him focus. “I was able to get a lot of attention from my professors,” he said. “They gave me a wealth of knowledge and information, and challenged me to grow.” One of those professors was Roger Goodson. “When I first met him, I told him I wanted to be in technology and wanted to own a computer company,” Walker said. “He told me I was in the right place. I became tech savvy.” Goodson was also a good springboard for Walker’s many ideas. “He never shot any of my dreams down,” Walker said. “He always had a smile and said, ‘You always have that creativity and imagination.’” Indeed, Walker came up with ideas that were a bit ahead of their time. One of them was a website to help NDNU students with their academics. “It was kind of like a chatroom where students could share ideas on certain subjects,” he said. “But back then, no one wanted to do it.” Although his innovations may not have caught on at the time, Walker thrived at NDNU, where the pursuit of new ideas was encouraged. “I had access to people and information to try things out,” he said. "NDNU was a great place with great people," added Walker, who expressed gratitude to his roommate and best friend, Travis; his other friends such as Lynette and Eric Karnnarid, Jowanna Lewis, and Adam Walton; and his family.
Patricia Urbano '04
Big Idea in a Small Setting
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Patricia Urbano came to NDNU in 2000 to study music, she felt like she was a lost soul. “I wasn’t sure if I should study musical theatre or classical music," says Urbano. "Fortunately, NDNU was so nurturing I was able to explore both in a nonthreatening environment. My professors were openminded and I knew it was okay to make mistakes.” Urbano went on to get a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and says her rigorous NDNU training enabled her to be one of the few sopranos who consistently performed in that very competitive school. Urbano returned to the Bay Area and teamed up with fellow NDNU alumna Elizabeth O’Neill and friend Cole Grissom to form their own opera company called SF Parlor Opera.“The idea of Parlor Opera,” says Urbano, “is to create an intimate setting with a relatively small audience, so that people feel that they are part of the event. We have the audience move with each act. The first act may be in the basement of the home, the second in the parlor and the third in the garden. We serve our guests wine and they join the cast for a light dessert reception afterward.” The singers do not wear costumes and there are no sets, they are accompanied by a piano and they sing in the original language of the opera. Since 2006, Parlor Opera has presented seven operas, to sell-out crowds and favorable reviews. In 2010, it was featured in the Datebook section of the San Francisco Chronicle and has attracted high level collaborators, such as soprano Patricia Craig from the New York Metropolitan Opera. Urbano now teaches voice at NDNU part time in addition to working as an administrator for Stanford University. She also teaches private voice students. “I love NDNU and I am so happy to be a part of the faculty," says Urbano. "If it weren’t for NDNU, I would not be the person I am today." hen
Priscilla Bedolla ’61 Priscilla works as a Realtor in Santa Barbara, Calif. She has eight grandchildren — “all adorable, of course!" Eileen R. Hill ’61 After being widowed for nine years, Eileen married her next-door neighbor. She and her husband Mike share a love of traveling. They have been to China, Australia, New Zealand, Africa (Cape Town and then on safari in Kruger National Park), various countries in Europe and many U.S. states. Between the two of them they have seven children and 14 grandchildren. They are both retired and enjoying every minute of it. Marie L. O'Brien ’61 Marie works part time at a quilt shop and makes quilt samples for the store. Her husband Bob still flies and loves it. They enjoy traveling and have been to most of Asia and Europe as well as Australia, New Zealand, Africa and India. They have four granddaughters. Marie and Bob recently celebrated a family reunion in Hawaii. Rose Flahavan ’61 In February 2005, Rose became an associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame so she could integrate the spirit of St. Julie in her own life and enjoy the support and friendship of the Sisters. Last July, Rose and her husband Tom celebrated his 75th birthday by taking their family of 16 to a resort in the Bahamas. Laura Roberts ’61 Laura retired in 1999 from her job as an expert witness in hazardous waste criminal cases. She and her husband now spend their time playing tennis and traveling, and she has resumed drawing and painting. They have one grandchild, Hunter, who is majoring in business at the University of Colorado. Both their son and daughter live near them. Mary Ann Buck Robinson ’61 Mary and her husband Arthur have moved permanently to Cambridge, Mass., following their second retirement. They enjoy spending time with their two daughters. Arthur is an avid bird watcher and active in the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, and Mary belongs to a women's group and is doing a fair amount of writing.
Denise Heenan ’61 Denise is still dancing and still working in kitchen design. She took up genealogy as a hobby recently, which is very interesting and timeconsuming. Her two granddaughters are real joys in her life. Bernadine Carpenter ’61 Since retiring, Bernadine has been able to spend more time in the Bay Area and enjoy the cool weather. Houston can be oppressive in the summer — heat and humidity! Her three sons are married and living in the Houston area, but they do still visit the land of their births. Bernadine loved her years of kindergarten teaching in Orinda and then in Texas, but she is enjoying her retirement with her husband Bob. Rosemary Guidotti ’61 Rosemary is very active in her church, and a member of the boards of the Historical Society and the Eden Valley Care Center. She has been a 4-H leader for 35 years and is a docent and server at the Steinbeck House in Salinas. All 12 of her grandchildren live within a half hour of her. Dawn Middleton Frederick ’61 Dawn has been retired from teaching for the last 10 years and living in Redondo Beach, CA. She has two daughters who live close by. One of them has graced Dawn with five grandchildren whom she sees often. Another lives in Uganda, Africa and is involved with young people active in the Catholic Church. She has also enlisted her parents in this ministry. Dawn and her husband John have shared rich experiences with her there too! Their son works on the North Slope in Alaska and often beckons them to come spend time with grandson number six. In addition they care for their elderly mothers (ages 99 and 95) and see up close how very important life is from beginning to end. Once in a while, Dawn and John ride their bikes along the beach and also try to keep in touch with friends. She has fond memories of her days at CND. Adrienne Layous Bassetti ’61 Adrienne and her husband Neil have retired from years as produce growers in Greenfield, California, leaving it all now for their adult children to operate. Currently they are enjoying a new home and keeping a small vineyard along the foothills west of town. They have 13 grandchildren 2012
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and two great-grandchildren all living close by. They come often for family gatherings much to their delight. Rosemary Haver ’61 Rosemary is enjoying retirement and traveling the world. She enjoys her 10 grandchildren ages six weeks to 11 years and is looking forward to continued good health. Bernadette Sweeney ’61 Bernadette received a master’s degree in social work from UC Berkeley's School of Social Welfare right after CND and has worked as an LCSW for 50 years. She currently oversees a program called Seniors at Home for the Jewish Family and Children Services which covers an area from Palo Alto to Sonoma and east to Sacramento. Her husband Jim was her date to the senior prom at CND and they have lived in the same San Rafael house for 47 years where they raised their three children.
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work as a substitute to the division. She is enjoying traveling, reading and her nine grandchildren, ages 12 to one. Maria and her husband Joe just celebrated 46 years of marriage! Gerrie Patterson Hennessy ’66 Gerrie retired from teaching this June after 30 years. Her son Robert just completed his doctorate in electrical computer engineering at Stanford and her other son, Michael, just got his degree from UC Davis. Marilyn Armanini Robertson ’66 Marilyn is currently treasurer of the Eastside Republican Club and considers herself a Tea Party person. She is also a precinct committee officer of the Republican Party in Bellevue, Washington. Marilyn is still involved in property management and is awaiting her sixth grandchild. She enjoys boating and fishing during the summer in Alaska.
Virginia Bland Brewer ’65 Virginia was a music major and loved performing recitals in the beautiful Ralston Hall Ballroom. She still has a picture of her senior recital. She now lives in New York, too far to attend all the wonderful music events on campus, but she likes hearing about them.
Patricia Penhallow Greenwood ’66 Patricia and her husband Wes just celebrated their 43rd anniversary. Retirement has been so good to them. They wonder how they ever had time to teach. They are traveling, volunteering and spending time with their precious grandson, which all keeps them happily busy.
Marylee L. Hrabovsky ’66 Marylee is retired and enjoying every minute of it!
Madeleine de la Fontaine ’66 Madeleine cherishes her years at CND. Not only were they formative career-wise, but they also formed the basis of who she is as a woman!
Mary Bell ’66 Mary keeps busy with water aerobics and volunteer church work. No grandchildren yet. Her daughter runs a legal help clinic and her son works at a medical center in New York. Mary still enjoys gardening as much as the bugs and weeds! Retirement is great fun even without money! Sandra Schroeder Farris ’66 Sandra is enjoying traveling with her daughter, her husband and her two grandchildren. She plays a lot of bridge and does volunteer work. Heller Haynes ’66 Heller’s oldest grandson Sean is a freshman at NDNU — hurray!!! Maria Lena Trione Gallo ’66 Maria retired as an Early Education faculty member at DeAnza College but continues to 20 ndnu
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Colleen Foster ’67 Colleen retired as director of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library in 2000, and spent several years on local boards: Library and Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin County (2000 – 2007), Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Stockton (2000 – 2007) and president of the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County (2005 – 2007). More recently, she was a partner in Donna Brown & Associates, a campaign consulting business for candidates for local nonpartisan office (2008 – 2011). Her love for library sciences started at the CND Library where she was a student worker for Sr. Justine. "I remember fondly my time at CND and the many won-
Maureen Freschet ’98, MPA ’07
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t was time for a change.
It’s a story familiar to many: as a divorced parent of two daughters, Maureen Freschet sought a job where she could also get her education, so she could support her daughters and get ahead. An ad for an administrative assistant to the president, highlighting tuition remission as a benefit, got her attention. “I told my sister, ‘I’m going to get this job,’” recalls Freschet. Almost 20 years later, she’s still at NDNU, with that job title and many others under her belt. In that time, she has let her passion blossom. “I was going to get my bachelor’s degree in business administration, but Dr. Don [Stannard-Friel] came to me and said he didn’t see me there,” says Freschet. “He told me I was good with people and should consider human services.” Now, she has two degrees from NDNU: a bachelor’s degree in human services administration and a Master of Public Administration. “My real passion is out in the community working with people,” says Freschet. As executive director of community relations and director of corporate and foundation relations, Freschet lives her passion every day. “I love interacting with people,” says Freschet. “I try to form relationships so that if we need help with something, I can pick up the phone and know who to call.” As she became more involved in community relations, Freschet found another way to fuel her passion. She applied for and served on the San Mateo Planning Commission in 2009, and soon after, “all the stars aligned. People said you should think about running for council,” Freschet recalls. So she went for it, and today she’s serving on the San Mateo City Council through 2015. “I love being involved with setting the future direction of the city,” says Freschet. I enjoy giving back to my community as a council member.” Giving back doesn’t stop at the City of San Mateo; she’s thrilled to do what she can for her alma mater as well. “Whenever I can I talk about Notre Dame,” says Freschet. “This is such an exciting time in our history; we’re on the verge of becoming so much more and I’m excited to be involved in that. I couldn’t have achieved what I have achieved without the support and education I've received at NDNU.” Both of Maureen's daughters are also proud graduates of NDNU. "One of the highlights of my life was in 2007 when my daughter Nicole and I graduated together with our masters degrees. We were able to walk on stage hand-in-hand. It was one of those rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that I will never forget."
derful professors like Sr. Loretta Julie who taught Shakespeare," says Colleen. Margaret Pobywajlo ’68 After CND, Margaret received her MS from Cal State Sacramento and her Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire. She went on to a marvelous career as a professor and retired in June of 2011 after 24 years of teaching and administration at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. Margaret continues to teach education courses as an adjunct professor and recently took on the position of music minister at the Church of the Resurrection in Nashua, New Hampshire. Karen Benjamin Donner ’69 Karen retired from teaching but continues to present workshops for teachers. She enjoys being a eucharistic minister at her church and volunteering in her parish.
1970's Dale (Tom) Druger ’72 Things are going well for Dale on Oahu. She is retired from a short stint as an elementary school teacher, and for 30+ years has been the office manager for her husband's pulmonary medicine practice in Honolulu. Their three children are now grown and they love babysitting their two toddler-age grandchildren who live nearby. They enjoy traveling to visit family ... life continues to be busy! Aloha to NDNU! Catherine Gach ’72 Catherine is in her tenth year as principal of Fullerton Union High School and her 20th year overall as a principal. She received her educational foundations at NDNU and always looks back on her time there with fondness. Rob MM ’74 and Terri MAT ’74 Watson Rob and Terri are excited to announce the arrival of grandchildren numbers two and three: twins Dylan and Emma were born to their younger daughter and husband. Their older daughter and husband have grandson number one: three-year-old Miles. Jean Rumiano ’74 Back in 1977, when Jean was a new
college graduate and only 23 years old, she was appointed by thengovernor Jerry Brown to fill a vacancy on the Glenn County Board of Supervisors (near Chico) and then she ran for re-election two years later. After her term was up, Jean went to McGeorge Law School in Sacramento and has practiced family law and estate planning for over 30 years in Glenn County. She also represents the County in Child Protective Services and juvenile law cases. Jean so fondly remembers Sr. Roseanne Murphy, Sr. Veronica Skillin, Mary Ellen Boyling and Sr. Mary Laxague. She looks forward to visiting campus soon. Manuela Guill ’76 Manuela is a division manager in security at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C. She retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2001 with over 20 years of active and reserve service. She remembers Sr. Roseanne and Prof. Laroche-Davis, whom she contacted a few years ago to let her know she used her French in many countries where she lived and traveled for her career. Manuela still remembers the three-person French play they put on when she was at CND. Sue (Marke) Ellefritz ’79 College of Notre Dame was the only place Susan ever considered attending and she loved her time there. Professors like David Ramsey, Mary Ellen Boyling, Sr. R.J. Gavin, Fr. Parmisano and Joe Celotti had a lifelong influence on her. Susan works now as a graphic artist and is busy raising three children. The friends she made at CND are like part of her family! It is a special place.
1980's Kathryn Williams Chere ’80 Kathryn is an Army-wife of 29 years currently living in Tunisia where her husband is assigned to the U.S. Embassy as the Defense and Army attaché. They have three great kids, the youngest of whom lives with them in Tunisia. While Kathryn has worked in a myriad of fields throughout the years, she has mostly been an active volunteer not only in conjunction with her children's activities, but also within the communities in which
they have lived. She has never forgotten CND/NDNU. Kathryn prays for the school, the Sisters and teachers, and all who support them. Patricia E. Keefe MAT ’81 Art is never ending in Half Moon Bay ... it just keeps getting bigger and better. Patricia still works part time as an art therapist and several of her works were featured in a show called "Aftermath" commemorating the 10th anniversary of September 11th at the Coastal Arts League Museum. She is active in the local chapter of the Women's Caucus for the Arts and enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren. Moira O'Hara Jones ’81 Moira is enjoying living in Massachusetts with her husband and son. She loves living in Williamstown. Her husband is a professor at Williams College and she volunteers for her son's school. Janet Peters ’81 Shirley Morrison taught Janet Western Literature back in 1980 while she was working at Stanford Hospital. Shirley encouraged her to continue her education and she earned a master’s degree. Janet spent many years teaching English vocabulary skills to students in China and is now retired in Washington State. She now volunteers at the local college part time and cooks Chinese food the real way. Janet enjoys life to the fullest! Elizabeth ’82 and Mohsen "Q" Rafietan ’80 Elizabeth came to CND from Brazil and met Mohsen (his friends call him "Q"), who was from Iran, on her first day. They were married by Fr. Harris on campus while Elizabeth was still a student. Both of their children were baptized in Cunningham Chapel by Fr. Harris. Elizabeth now works in retail and volunteers to help senior citizens and Q is a manager for government-provided social services. They live in Santa Cruz. Marie Cheung-Truslow ’83 Following her graduation from CND, Marie got an MSW from Columbia University in social work and then a JD from Boston College in 1991. She has done trial and appellate work in Boston for
over 20 years and was recently named executive vice president and subrogation practice leader at ISG in Framingham, Massachusetts. She represents property and casualty insurance companies on matters of subrogation, complex litigation, large losses and fraud. Glenda Lubiner MAT ’84 Glenda teaches elementary art at Franklin Academy in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She is also an adjunct professor of art at Broward College and working on her Ed.D. at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. Glenda is co-president of the Broward Art Education Association and the elementary division chair for the Florida Art Education Association. She also writes the "Tried and True Tips" column for Arts and Activities Magazine (an international art education magazine). Richard Hughes ’86 Richard is happy and retired, living in the hills of Belmont. Karen M. Lutke ’87 After receiving her master’s degree in library sciences from San Jose State University, Karen has worked at the San Mateo County Law Library where she currently serves as director. She has been very fortunate to travel through much of the United States and her love of history and fine art have taken her to Europe nearly annually. In 2011, Karen visited Germany for several weeks in the spring. She enjoyed her education at CND greatly and still appreciates attending concerts at Cunningham Chapel when her time permits.
1990's Sylvia Baker MPA ’90 Back in the 1980s, Sylvia was a staff librarian for the City of Palo Alto and one of her colleagues suggested she take some graduate courses. Sylvia arrived at CND, and the professors convinced her to get an MPA. After she did, Sylvia applied for and successfully earned an appointment to fill an open position as a library manager. She thoroughly enjoyed her career until she retired in 2008. She now enjoys traveling, friendships, volunteering and gardening. Sylvia has fond memories of her professors at CND/NDNU.
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Rita Jones ’93 Rita put her human services degree to good use at NASA Ames Research Lab, and worked for the government at Moffett Field. She is now very active with MoveOn.org working to revive the middle class in the United States. Rita just had her first grandchild, a boy named Nicolas Antonio. She will never forget the day she graduated from College of Notre Dame. Kathleen Soto ’99 Kathleen is currently working as a program coordinator for MidPen Housing Residential Services and doing contract medical social work. Her life is never boring. She practices Reiki, a Japanese healing art that helps bring peace to those in pain. Life is going great and she hopes things are going well for all her alumni friends.
2000's Stan Carroll ’01 Stan works for Boston Scientific.
Michelle Koski ’02 went on to earn her master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State in 2005 and has worked as a school librarian since. She continues to create costume designs for theatre venues large and small in her spare time. In 2007 she was delighted to be named assistant librarian at Carondelet High School, her alma mater. In addition to librarian duties, Michelle also works with their after school theater program as a costume designer and shop supervisor. David A. Houston ’01, MPA ’09 David is working on his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley and writing self-help books on life issues. He will receive his second associate degree in Spanish next year. He continues to serve as a pastor at the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Oakland. David enjoys spending time with his wife, four children and many grandchildren. David says, “Determination for excellence is my goal!” Emmanuel I. A. Nguyen ’02 Emmanuel was back on campus for a week, working on his MA thesis. It feels like being home again!" he said.
Mary Krugland MPA ’01 Mary works for a top 20 law firm located in the Stanford Research Park. She has excellent colleagues, and meets outstanding individuals from many countries around the world, so her job is often interesting. Her NDNU studies in organizational management and social change are very useful in this setting. Although a cancer diagnosis slowed her down a bit, Mary is now enjoying good health and recently attended the wedding of her son who just completed a doctoral degree in plasma physics.
Lisa M. (Sullins) Wong ’03 Lisa is a stay-at-home mom raising three children ages seven, three, and six months. She especially enjoyed her classes with Dr. Fitzgerald at NDNU and she tries to keep in touch with her NDNU classmates.
Roxanne Lewis ’01 Roxanne has worked for John Wesley Community Health Institute Inc. for nearly 10 years on the Healthy Alternatives for Reducing the Risk of HIV Project. She is a program coordinator, and her program educates women on HIV/STD risk reduction. Roxanne recently returned to campus for her 10-year reunion and really enjoyed it. She hopes more class of 2001 alumni will attend the next one — she can't wait to see how everyone is doing!
Jerome Perkins ’05 Jerome loved his time at NDNU and fondly remembers Professor Ardy Davaran, who told Jerome that he needed to read more and invited him to his office every day to read. Now, Jerome is a voracious reader. Jerome majored in business administration and was hired by Google upon his graduation. In 2009, he partnered with a Stanford Ph.D. candidate named Leanna Samuels and started a business consulting firm called Perkins Marketing Group (www. perkinsperkinsconsultancy.com).
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Charlene Stanley ’04 Charlene loves being a behavioral therapist in the San Mateo area and staying touch with her many friends at NDNU. She always enjoys to stopping by campus for a visit.
Jerome also found love at NDNU when he met classmate Ariel Mays ’05. He recently moved to San Diego to be closer to her. Ruth Victorino Zucca ’06 Ruth loves being an associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame. She has recently taught English at College of San Mateo and before that she taught Spanish at NDNU. She also taught with Sr. Christina for the Puentes Project. Ruth enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. Jasmine Giannelli ’06 Jasmine is currently concentrating on raising her children and getting settled in her new home in Marin County. She loved NDNU – it gave her a great foundation for success. Amanda Peterson ’07 Amanda is enjoying a career as a product analyst for Provident Credit Union and she recently touched base with the Alumni Office to see about recruiting NDNU alumni and students for positions in financial services. Sherry Estrada ’07, ’10 Sherry was just appointed the new financial aid officer at NDNU following four years as an administrative assistant for enrollment. “I love working with the students!” she says. Kimi Carey ’08 Kimi has been working as an assistant stage manager for local Bay Area theatre companies since graduating with a theatre arts degree. She is an extra in Brad Pitt's film "Moneyball" and she performed at the Winchester Mystery House "Fright Nights" last fall. Behrooz Aflak ’09 Behrooz is currently in the Middle East doing IT consulting for an airline. When he returns to the Bay Area, he looks forward to visiting the NDNU campus to say hello to everyone. Gabriel Ortiz ’09 Gabriel is currently attending San Jose State University to earn his master’s degree in library science. He teaches oil painting classes at Art Attack 911 in Burlingame and works as the circulation assistant at The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Library.
2010's Said Waheed Majrooh MBA ’11 Waheed is serving with the United Nations in Afghanistan. He is proud to take the skills and
knowledge he accumulated at NDNU to serve in a larger context. Robert Pena ’12 Robert works for the Veterans Administration in San Jose with soldiers returning from war zones and conflicts worldwide. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues and he helps them readjust to civilian life. Robert plans to get his master’s degree in psychology at NDNU so he can be of further assistance. He is so grateful to NDNU for the tools the university has given him to do this very rewarding and important work.
In Memoriam Maureen (Gilson) Braeden ’55 Eve Devincenzi (Felice) Erickson ’49 Virginia (Summers) Lynch ’27 James Maguire, Sr. (spouse of Patricia Maguire ’62) Jennie (Fox) McCarthy ’75 Paul Neagle (spouse of Mary Neagle ’76) Heidi (Inglis) Renner ’92 Jeanne (Small) Scott ’62 Acca (Purdy) Turner ’33 Carol (Capurro) Waksvik ’57
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ACCESS • EXCELLENCE • ENGAGEMENT The NDNU Annual Fund, through its student scholarships and programs, has made Stephanie Biehl’s senior year a little easier Manny Nungaray ’01, ’05 financially and helped Misael Director of Development Romero become the first person in his family to attend college. Through student callers, mail, email and many other means, the Annual Giving program reminds NDNU alumni, parents and friends of the value of giving annually to the university. Your support will ensure that students like Stephanie and Misael have access to an NDNU education, experience academic excellence and engage in community service. Both students spoke at the recent Reaching for Dreams Scholarship Benefit Luncheon held at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club (to read their speeches, visit www.ndnu.edu/giving). The proceeds from this successful fundraiser netted over $90,000 for the university and a matching sum from federal grants for a total of $180,000. Thanks to all of our supporters, NDNU students benefit from your Annual Fund support. Please join me with a gift to this year’s Annual Fund.
Stephanie Biehl ’12, a recent graduate from the School of Business and Management from Pleasanton, CA, had a remarkable educational experience on campus as the student body president, a resident advisor, captain of the women’s cross country team and as a member of the Student Life and Leadership Office.
Misael Romero ’14, a sophomore from San Diego, CA, who was awarded the Smith-Weinberger Endowed Scholarship and serves as a resident assistant, has a dream of becoming a physical therapist.
www.ndnu.edu/giving
NDNU ANNUAL FUND
Linda West Ballatore ’92 Linda’s first child, a beautiful baby girl named Rebecca Rose, was born in 2010.
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Fifty first-grade students from Nesbit Elementary School in Belmont, just down the road from NDNU, came to campus to read with NDNU students, staff and faculty. The Open Book Project, organized by Gretchen Wehrle’s Community Psychology class, collected donations to purchase books for students who would otherwise not have the means to buy books for themselves. Each student from Nesbit chose a book to take home, supporting the project’s aim to open each child’s world through reading.