Reunion

Clockwise from top left: Sister Gervaise; Cecily Stock; Sister Gervaise with Laurie Sweeney Doolittle and Class of ’77; Carol Chase and Sister Patty with Paws the Panther.

Alumni Awards

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD | Katherine Theiss-Nyland ’02

Katherine personifies the values of San Domenico School through her work as a global public health expert and infectious disease epidemiologist. Since graduating from San Domenico, Katherine has devoted her professional focus to infectious, vaccinepreventable diseases. After graduating from San Domenico, Katherine attended the University of British Columbia before spending two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi. She went on to earn a Master of Public Health from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Following five years as a Senior Epidemiologist and Program Coordinator at the Oxford Vaccine Group, Katherine recently accepted a new position with Johnson & Johnson as Vaccines Partnership Lead for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Real-World Evidence.

Katherine demonstrates the mission and values of San Domenico through her efforts to bring awareness to global issues and researching new, collaborative ways in which she and others can inspire real change. Currently, Katherine resides in London with her husband, Issam Badri, and two children, Nayla and Layth. Although Katherine was unable to join us in person at the Reunion Luncheon, she prepared a video message that was shown on her behalf. Additionally, we were so grateful that Katherine’s mother, Patricia Theiss-Nyland ’73, and aunt, Barbara Theiss-Juniper ’71, were both able to join us at the luncheon to honor Katherine!

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD | Laurie Sweeney Doolittle ’77

Her former classmates recognize her as the "glue" for her class. Laurie Sweeney Dootlittle has been their stalwart, thoughtful Class Representative since her graduation in 1977. She organizes reunions, is present with classmates at funerals and memorials of classmates' family members, remembers the sick by reaching out to them in thoughtful and creative ways, and can be counted on to share both the good and the sad news with all of her classmates.

Laurie and her family have a long history with San Domenico.

Her mother, Anne Laurie Lund Sweeney ’53, and sisters Trish ’79 and Shawn ’53 are also San Domenico alumni. Laurie earned her BA from UC Berkeley and her MBA from Golden State University. She serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Matson Navigation Center in Oakland, where she has worked for 18 years. Laurie and her husband, Rob, have three children: Sara, Ross, and Erin. Her little grandson is the newest recipient of Laurie's love and delight!

Laurie has lived her life in service to others. Faithful and truly beloved. The same is true of her love of San Domenico—always faithful, consistently supportive, and unfailingly devoted.