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Mardi Gras Celebrates 60th Anniversary

UST SALUTES

Deacon Louis Provenzano BA in Pastoral Theology ’98 MA in Pastoral Studies ’01 Provenzano & Associates, Inc.

D

eacon Louis Provenzano sees an opportunity for ministry at every turn – from his professional career to creating art and participating in community theater.

After 20 years of building his advertising, web design and public relations agency, Provenzano & Associates, Inc., and raising a family of three children with his wife, Vita Grace, Provenzano said he paused to reflect on “God’s long-range plan” for his life. That plan led him to the University of St. Thomas, where he earned a bachelor of arts in pastoral theology in 1998 and a master of arts in pastoral studies in 2001.

“I was in a good place in my secular life, so the Lord led me to believe that there is more to life, and I needed to slow down and re-evaluate my priorities,” Provenzano said. “When I did that, I found that having a deeper understanding of my faith superseded the desire to expand my business or to be more successful.”

Provenzano takes every opportunity to live his faith and be an example among his professional colleagues.

“I have a wonderful opportunity to bring a sense of balance to my business associates in the secular world where money and power are often the driving concerns,” he said. “I try to show them that it’s our faith and beliefs that define us in the long run.”

When he isn’t working with clients or serving as a deacon assigned to St. Justin Martyr parish, you may find him in his Memorial-area home, paintbrush or sculpting clay in hand. An avid art collector and self-taught artist, Provenzano has created large-scale religious paintings, including “The Elevation of the Cross”(left), “The Mourning of Jesus” and “St. John the Baptist.”

He also channels his creativity into writing, directing plays and acting in community theater.

He wrote, directed and acted in two plays, The Missionary Journeys of St. Paul and The Life of St. John the Baptist. He has acted in Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee and 12 Angry Jurors at Pasadena Little Theatre, Arsenic and Old Lace at Country Playhouse and A Christmas Carol at Clear Creek Country Theater.

Provenzano has recently turned his attention to a new volunteer project that brings him back to the University of St. Thomas. He will employ his expertise to help launch a marketing campaign for UST’s School of Nursing, which is currently in development. Provenzano is in the process of creating a Web site, recruitment video and printed materials that feature testimonials of nursing alumni.

What St. Thomas has meant to Louis

He describes his UST experience as “being in the right place at the right time,” where he was able to grow in his faith and begin to answer a “deeper call to mission.” Provenzano said he often reflects upon the “wonderful education, camaraderie, the brotherhood, the sense of belonging, the faculty at UST, and the challenges that I was able to overcome while I was at the school.”

– Elise Marrion

UNIVERSITY OF S T. T H O M A S

IN THIS ISSUE

HOUSTON TEXAS | SPRING 2010

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David Weekley is the 2010 recipient of the award that honors those who display uncommon ethical leadership and have acted in ways that are good and right.

ON THE COVER

2010 Mardi Gras Gala saluted honorees and the University’s legacy families. Seniors Lukas Simon and Emily Calasanz were crowned student king and queen. Highlights on page 10.

EDITORS

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CONTRIBUTORS Brenda Benkenstein Cooper ’05 Stephanie Dedeaux ’96 Elise Marrion Ronnie Piper Heather Saucier ’95 Chris Zeglin

Catholic Medical Workers Should Face Hostility with Courage Archbishop J. Michael Miller Lecture presented Archbishop Charles Chaput, who addressed the implications of health care reform for Catholic medical professionals.

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Alumnae Find Careers in Houston Consular Corps UST Center for International Studies prepares students for a variety of careers, such as working in consular offices, the local junctures for global affairs.

Marionette Mitchell Director of Publications Sandra Soliz, MLA ’01 Director of Communications and Marketing

David Weekley Receives Ethical Leadership Award

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Mardi Gras Celebrates 60th Anniversary 2010 Mardi Gras Gala celebrated 60 years and raised nearly $800,000 benefiting the Fr. Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship fund.

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Thomas Aquinas and the Contemporary Catholic University Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, insists that Catholic universities continue to encourage the intellectual pursuit of knowledge and the role faith plays in learning.

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USA Today Editor Speaks on the Importance of Mentorship Catherine Straight shared the journey from growing up in a small town in Mississippi to working for one of the most widely read newspapers in the country.

The University of St. Thomas Magazine is published four times annually for alumni and friends of the University. UST is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

The University of St. Thomas is committed to providing equal educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status.

On the Mall 2 UST/Archdiocesan Essay Contest • Grant Targets Science and Math Scholars • Thomistic Studies offers New Degree Program • George Foreman to Address 2010 Graduates • Houston Young Professionals Support Irish Studies • Champions Club Hosts Annual Luncheon • Strake Foundation Establishes Pope John Paul II Forum • University Events

Copyright 2010 by the University of St. Thomas H. Ken DeDominicis, publisher VP for Institutional Advancement 3800 Montrose Boulevard Houston, TX 77006-4626 Phone: 713-525-3100 ken@stthom.edu www.stthom.edu

Faculty and Staff 16 Professor Nicole Casarez elected to the American Law Institute • Alumna Virginia Galloway featured in The Taste of Home Cookbook Alumni Chronicles 18 Homecoming Highlights • Alumni Socials • Honor Your Professors • Join the Alumni Class Challenge Classnotes 20 Are you among the alumni who met their mates at UST? In Memoriam 21 UST remembers family and friends

ON THE MALL

2010 Essay Contest Winners Announced More than 600 Catholic school students, parents and teachers from 31 schools attended the UST/ Archdiocesan Essay Contest Mass and Awards Ceremony in February. The event coincided with the nationwide observance of Catholic Schools Week.

Over the last six years, the number of participants has grown from approximately 350 students to a record-breaking 3,196 submissions this year. Students could choose from the topics “ways to find peace and hope in a world of conflict” and “how having a Catholic education helps one lead a Catholic life in a secular world.”

Right: Director of UST Catholic Outreach Elsie Biron, His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Sister Kevina Keating, CCVI, and Dr. Robert Ivany

Andie Tong, a seventh-grader at St. Anthony of Padua, was a first place essay winner who read her essay at the ceremony. First place high school winners were Katherine Quiroz, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, ninth grade; Nicolas Witkowski, St. Thomas High School, 10th grade; Cate Bissell, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, 11th grade; Colin Rog, St. Thomas High School, 12th grade. (complete list at stthom.edu)

women and underrepresented groups to the STEM fields. Using successful models established

by UST, retention and academic success will be increased among students, particularly first-generation college freshmen.

“The National Science Foundation’s support will directly help more students obtain a University of St. Thomas degree in the STEM areas,” said Dr. Michelle Steiger, program director and assistant professor of chemistry. Dr. Maia Larios-Sanz, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Sheila Waggoner, mathematics chair, will assist Steiger in program implementation.

Through the S-STEM Scholars Program, students will receive mentoring from senior-level STEM students, career counseling and a hands-on undergraduate research experience. They will also have the opportunity to conduct outreach events to high school students at several Houston Independent School District science magnet schools.

“The goal of this S-STEM awareness campaign in high schools is to increase the number of students enrolling in STEM fields at the college level by providing role models and information about the vast career opportunities that a degree in these fields provides to underrepresented students,” Steiger said.

All S-STEM scholars will interact with professionals in their fields by visiting laboratory environments, and attending professional society meetings and guest lectures. All program participants will have access to student counseling, financial aid, tutoring and other student support services to help ensure their success.

George Foreman to Address 2010 Graduates Grant Targets Science and Math Scholars The National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program has awarded the University of St. Thomas a $575,000 grant to provide undergraduate students scholarships in these fields of study.

The program will provide $100,000 in scholarships each year for the next five years to 25 STEM students, excluding pre-health majors. The first scholarships will be awarded for the fall 2010 semester.

The goal of the University of St. Thomas S-STEM Scholars Program is to increase the number of students graduating in the fields of science, pre-engineering and mathematics. UST aims to reach the diverse communities in the Houston area, and to recruit 2

World heavyweight boxing champion and businessman George Forman will address the 2010 Commencement on May 15 at Reliant Arena.

The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of 305 undergraduates and 320 graduate students.

Baccalaureate Mass will be held on May 14 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

In 1994, Foreman became, at 44, the oldest fighter ever to win the heavyweight crown. When not

ON THE MALL

promoting Meineke mufflers or selling Lean Mean Grilling Machines, Foreman tends to his ministry and charitable work, including most recently his “Knock-Out Pediatric Cancer” initiative.

Honorary doctorates will be given to David M. McClanahan, president and CEO of CenterPoint Energy, and UST President Emeritus Dr. Joseph McFadden. McClanahan previously served as president and chief executive officer of Houston Lighting and Power and Reliant Energy Regulated Group. He also chaired the UST Board of Directors from 1998 to 2002. McFadden served as president of the University from 1988 to 1997. Upon his retirement, he returned to the classroom at UST as a professor of American and Irish history. He is the executive director emeritus of the International Council of Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Vincent J. Guinan Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to the Vincent D’Amico, class of 1952, for his continual volunteerism and tireless efforts to raise scholarship monies, recruiting new students and general promotion of the University to the community.

Houston Young Professionals Support Irish Studies The Houston Young Professionals Supporting Irish Studies was founded in spring 2009 to promote the mission of the University’s Center for Irish Studies through awareness-building and fundraising activities.

Young professionals, both alumni and members of the Houston community, who desire to give back to UST and build the Irish Studies academic and cultural programs are the driving force behind HYPSIS. Drew Wilson, a 2002 UST graduate who now works for international corporate law consultant Thomson Reuters, said he joined HYPSIS because he fully supports the goals of the Center for Irish Studies and its director, Lori Gallagher JD, who was one of his favorite professors.

“For me, it’s about giving back to the University and helping raise money for study abroad scholarships, especially because I benefited from scholarships while I was a student,” Wilson said. “I think it’s important for others in the community to know that their support is going to give students an opportunity to travel abroad and see a culture outside of the U.S.”

Thomistic Studies Offers New Degree Program The University of St. Thomas Center for Thomistic Studies will offer a five-year combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts degree in philosophy beginning in fall 2010.

The UST BA/MA program in philosophy provides a strong curriculum of study based upon the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. The program will prepare students for doctoral programs, law school and other professional studies. Admission to philosophy PhD programs is extremely competitive and students can significantly improve their academic profile with an MA degree.

Students will be eligible for UST financial aid and the new Cullen Undergraduate Scholarships in Philosophy. (more at stthom.edu/cts)

Left: Laura Medard, James Phelan, Drew Wilson, Center for Irish Studies Director Lori Gallagher, JD, Alexis Harrigan and Brendan Morgan

Through the work of young professionals like Wilson, HYPSIS founding Chair Maidie Ryan and other officers and members, the group helped raise more than $7,500 for the 2009 Irish Gala, the Center’s annual major fundraising event. The group continues to raise awareness for the program by hosting happy hour events and inviting other young Houston professionals to similar events that focus on the Center’s mission. Currently, HYPSIS is 60 members strong and growing. (more at stthom.edu/irishstudies)

hampions Club Hosts Annual Luncheon for University of St. Thomas Athletics Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes will lead the line-up as the keynote speaker at the University of St. Thomas Champions Club Benefit Luncheon scheduled for May 6. The mission of the Champions Club is to strengthen the University’s Athletic Department by providing financial support for the athletic program, promoting community awareness and increasing involvement in the University. For ticket information, contact Laura Dozier, 713-525-3118.

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ON THE MALL

University Events (stthom.edu/calendar)

April 7, 14, 21, 28 & May 5 “The Holy Spirit and Evangelization” 2010 Lecture Series 7 pm St. Mary’s Seminary Nold Auditorium 9845 Memorial Center for Faith and Culture, The Congregation of the Holy Spirit 713-942-5066 April 13 University of St. Thomas & Houston Community College Chamber Music Ensemble 7:30 pm UST Cullen Hall Music Program 713-525-3159 April 15 Annual Earth Day Lecture Stratford Caldecott 7:30 pm Jones Hall Environmental Science and Studies, Pope John Paul II Forum, Honors Program 713-525-3894 April 18 Student/Faculty Woodwind Recital 7:30 pm UST Cullen Hall Music Program 713-525-3159

April 20 Jazz Ensemble Concert 7:30 pm UST Cullen Hall Music Program 713-525-3159 April 21 – 24, 28 – 30, May 1 “Steel Magnolias” 8 pm Jones Theatre Drama Program 713-525-3520 April 26 Performing Arts Showcase Reception and Dinner 6 pm Scanlan Room, Jerabeck Center RSVP by April 21 UST Performing Arts Society 713-942-3436 April 26 – 27 Pop Singers Revue 7:30 pm Cullen Hall Music Program 713-525-3159 April 29 2010 Spring Fashion Event 11:30 am River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Office of Institutional Advancement 713-525-3173 May 14 Baccalaureate Mass 6:30 pm Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 Pierce Campus Ministry 713-525-3588

May 15 Commencement Ceremony 10 am Reliant Arena One Reliant Park Registrar 713-525-3889 June 10 – 11 2010 Rev. William J. Young Social Justice Institute Summer Conference: "Caring for God's Creation" 9 am Scanlan Room, Jerabeck Center Rev. William J. Young Social Justice Institute 713-525-3814 May 4 University Singers Concert 7:30 pm Chapel of St. Basil Music Program 713-525-3159 Chapel of St. Basil 3802 Yoakum Crooker Center 3909 Graustark Cullen Hall 4001 Mt. Vernon Jerabeck Center 4000 Mt. Vernon Jones Hall 3910 Yoakum Jones Theatre 3910 Yoakum

April 14 Mosaics of Faith Conference: The Irish Experience, Part One 12:30 pm Mass at the Chapel of St. Basil 1:15 pm Lunch and Student Presentations, Ahern Room, Crooker Center 7 pm Two-Part Lecture, Scanlan Room, Jerabeck Center Rev. Bill Shaw, Director, 174 Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, “Crossing the Divide: Learning to Walk in Another Person’s Shoes” Rev. Harold Good, Former President, Methodist Church of Ireland, Belfast, “Dealing with the Past: Can our Faith Release and Heal Us?” Center for International Studies, Center for Irish Studies, Healing Through Remembering, The Irish Society 713-525-3592 4

Strake Foundation Gift Establishes Pope John Paul II Forum The Pope John Paul II Forum for the Church in the Modern World was established with a gift from the Strake Foundation. In 2009, philosophy professor Dr. John Hittinger coordinated efforts to bring this forum to the University of St. Thomas. The gift will sponsor its activities over a three-year period.

The mission of the forum is to promote a broader and deeper understanding of the thought of Pope John Paul II and to facilitate its application to contemporary issues. The activities and resources of the forum will focus on the great work and vision of Pope John Paul II and make it accessible to the University community, Houston and the nation.

Through his life and work as a pastor, scholar and man of the world, Pope John Paul II developed an expansive range of speeches and writings. The forum will provide opportunities for students, faculty and the community at large to avail themselves of this legacy. The promotion of the thought of Pope John Paul II is primarily an educational apostolate. The work of the forum includes public lectures, workshops for faculty development and conferences. A website is available at www.jp2forum.org.

Events sponsored by the forum include a visit to Houston by Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archdiocese of Denver, March 1-2, and a visit to the University of St. Thomas by Sophia Institute Press editor and author Stratford Caldecott, April 15-16.

May 5 Mosaics of Faith Conference: The Irish Experience, Part Two 12:30 pm Mass at Chapel of St. Basil 1:15 pm Lunch and Documentary Film, Ahern Room, Crooker Center 7 pm Lecture, Scanlan Room, Jerabeck Dr. Peter Harbison, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, Ireland, “Walking in the Paths of Early Irish Christians: Monasteries, Crosses and Pilgrimages” Center for International Studies, Center for Irish Studies, Center for Faith and Culture, Office of Academic Affairs, Friends of Archaeology, The Irish Society 713-525-3592

David Weekley Receives Ethical Leadership Award For his selfless leadership, moral business acumen and unwavering level of social responsibility, David Weekley, Chairman of David Weekley Homes, has been named the 2010 recipient of the Ethical Leadership in Action Award by the University of St. Thomas Center for Business Ethics.

Weekley stands tall among servant-leaders in the Houston community. His highest priority is making sure that the needs of others–employees, customers and citizens of the world–are being served first.

Though Weekley has built more than 60,000 homes and received nearly 400 awards for home design, his purpose goes beyond providing shelter; he wants to enhance people’s lives. In addition to providing the American dream of home ownership to many, Weekley encourages his employees to use their “entire potential” and to give back to the community in volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity and many local charities.

Weekley began his homebuilding company at the age of 23. His approach to business is a commitment that business leaders all over the country should strive to emulate.

“If ‘tone at the top’ sets the standard for a company’s ethical performance, then it is no wonder that Weekley Homes is such an admired company,” said longtime friend Bruce Wilkinson, retired chairman and CEO of McDermott International, Inc. “Weekley Homes has avoided many temptations of a growing business over the years–taking on significant debt, overspending and cutting quality to improve profits; instead David focuses on continual improvement.”

His dynamic approach to building an excellent workplace culture has landed Weekley on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work” list for seven years, an award based in large measure on employee satisfaction. Since 1976, he has been recognized twice by Inc. magazine as having one of America’s 500 Fastest Growing companies. In 1986 he was the National Association of Homebuilders’ Builder of the Year, and he was named Houston Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. in 1989.

Weekley is also a community leader serving on many boards, including the Boy Scouts and St. Luke’s

Hospital, and he served on the Vestry at Palmer Memorial Church.

Beyond the obligations of his business career and family commitments, he gives generously through the Weekley Family Foundation. He and his wife, Bonnie, travel to Africa regularly, working with organizations such as Living Water and Hope International. Living Water drills water wells throughout the most impoverished countries of Africa and around the world. Hope International and its affiliated organizations provide microfinancing to create small businesses throughout Africa, India and Latin America. Weekley commits substantial financial resources as well as fully 50 percent of his personal time to working on these projects. Weekley holds degrees in economics and geology from San Antonio’s Trinity University.

Every two years the UST Center for Business Ethics and the Greater Houston Partnership recognize an outstanding local business person with the prestigious Ethical Leadership in Action Award. The Houston corporate leader chosen to receive the award participates in numerous events, including campus lectures with graduate students, an open forum discussion, and an Ethics Dialogue.

Previous recipients of the Ethical Leadership in Action Award are Charles Miller (2000), Jack Blanton (2002), George Martinez (2004), Jim Ketelsen (2006) and Drayton McLane (2008).

– Sandra Soliz, MLA ’01 5

Catholic Medical Workers Should Face Hostility with Courage Archbishop Charles Chaput addressed health care professionals in Houston, inciting them to “have courage” and “speak up” in defending their Catholic faith within the workplace, especially as governments encroach on the rights of religious believers. The Denver archbishop challenged all Catholics to live the faith, saying, “there's no room in American life for easy or tepid faith.”

The 2010 Archbishop J. Michael Miller Lecture was sponsored by the UST Catholic Studies Program and the John Paul II Forum.

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Hosted by the University of St. Thomas, the archbishop gave the Archbishop J. Michael Miller Lecture for medical professionals on March 2 at the Hilton Houston Plaza–Medical Center.

Archbishop Chaput opened his address by discussing the primary task of health care professionals, which he traced to the ancient Hippocratic Oath.

“That’s your mandate, whether you’re a doctor, nurse, pastoral care worker or administrator. Your purpose is to serve the life and health of the human person; to help and protect; to do no harm,” he stressed. “The common ground that links Christian revelation with the founding philosophy of medicine is exactly this: the sanctity of the human person.”

“Unfortunately we live in a time when both of those simple words–‘human’ and ‘person’–have disputed meanings, and the idea of the ‘sanctity’ of human life is sometimes seen as little more than romantic poetry,” he noted. “And this cultural confusion, fueled by trends in our science and technology, is magnified in the current debates over health care reform.”

This confusion has also led to increased instances of hostility towards Catholics in health care, Archbishop Chaput said. “In Colorado, to name just one example, lawmakers recently tried to block the sale of two local hospitals to a large Catholic hospital system unless the Catholic system agreed to demands that it arrange for abortions, sterilizations and other so-called women’s services.”

“This was a fairly bald attempt at bullying, and it failed.” Although the state attorney general sided with the Catholic system and the sale was eventually

approved, Archbishop Chaput explained to his audience that “hostile lawmakers remain in the state Assembly. They haven’t given up. And they continue to work on undermining the conscience rights of religious believers, communities and institutions.”

“The question we should ask ourselves is this: What kind of a society would need to coerce religious believers into doing things that undermine their religious convictions–especially when those same believers provide vital services to the public?” the archbishop said.

The recent statements of Massachusetts senate hopeful Martha Coakley further underscored the willingness of government officials to force Catholics to sacrifice their beliefs, he noted, recalling a radio interview in January in which Coakley, being asked her views on Catholic health care workers potentially having to administer abortifacients, said “You can have religious freedom, but you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room.”

“Embedded in that remark is a bias worthy of a 19th century Nativist bigot,” the archbishop charged.

“And it captures the situation many Catholics now face across the country. In effect Catholics, because of their backward religious beliefs, should exclude themselves–or should be excluded–from some of society’s important health care positions.”

At the root of Coakley’s remarks is a belief that families, churches, synagogues, and fraternal and charitable organizations–any group that is not part of the government–ultimately derives its rights from the government. “And following that logic to its remote but real conclusion, human dignity and religious freedom are not finally God-given and inalienable

rights, but benefits that government may distribute or withhold depending on its priorities,” he explained.

Archbishop Chaput also commented on the ongoing federal legislative health care debates, saying that “the health care reform proposals with any hope of advancing now in Washington all remain fatally flawed on the abortion issue, conscience protections and the inclusion of immigrants.”

“But the even harsher reality is this: Whether we get good health care reform or not, legislative and judicial attacks on Catholic health care will not go away, and could easily get worse.”

In consideration of the challenges health care workers face, Archbishop Chaput offered his thoughts on what the Catholic response should be.

“The first thing all of us need to do–and I mean bishops, priests, deacons, religious, mothers and fathers, mechanics, lawyers, shopkeepers, business executives and doctors–is to ask God for the gift of honesty,” he said.

“We need to examine our hearts with real candor.

And we need to ask ourselves how ‘Catholic’ we really want to be. If the answer is ‘pretty much’ or ‘sort of’ or ‘on my own terms’–then we need to stop fooling ourselves, for our own sake and for the sake of the people around us who really do believe.

There’s no more room in American life for easy or tepid faith.”

“If, on the other hand,” the prelate continued, “you’re one of the many in Catholic health care– too many to count, starting with the people in this room–who see the Church and her teachings as the ministry of Jesus himself, and seek God in your vocation, and see the face of Christ in the suffering persons you help; then you are what the soul of the Catholic health care vocation has always been about.”

“In God’s plan,” he pointed out, “you have a beautiful and demanding vocation. God asks you to be servants of life and guardians of human dignity through your healing and care of others. It’s a noble calling, and it’s threatened by trends in our society which are magnified in the current debate over health care reform.”

“Have courage,” he urged. “Trust in God. Speak up and defend your Catholic faith with your medical colleagues. Commit yourself to good and moral medicine. Get involved and fight hard for the conscience rights of your fellow Catholics and their institutions. Remember the Hippocratic Oath.

Dedicate yourselves again to being truly Christian and deeply Catholic health care professionals.”

“You and I and all of us–we’re disciples first,” Archbishop Chaput concluded. “That’s why you gave your heart and all your talent to this extraordinary vocation in the first place. Remember that as you go home today. Use up your lives for the glory of God and the dignity of your patients.”

“You walk in the footsteps of the Healer of humanity and Redeemer of history. In healing the sick, proclaim His Kingdom with the witness of your lives.” © CNA/EWTN News

Edmundson Receives Archbishop J. Michael Miller Award The Archbishop J. Michael Miller Award was presented to Dr. Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr., for his service to the University of St. Thomas Board of Directors and its Academic Committee, as well as for his dedication to the UST Basilian Fathers over the years.

Edmundson was asked to hold the award in the name of his professional colleagues who strive to integrate their faith with their medical practice.

Above: Sister Paula Jean Miller, FSE, director of Catholic Studies, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Dr. Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr.

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Alumnae Find Careers in Houston Consular Corps Houston is an international hub of trade, technology and culture. Serving the city’s diverse international population is an expansive network of consulates representing 91 countries.

Established in 1981, the Center for International Studies is Houston's oldest degreegranting center of international higher learning. International studies prepares students for careers in international business, law, politics and public service. In addition, it promotes understanding of international relations and cultural differences.

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Equipped with a broad understanding of global issues and political, economic and cultural forces, graduates of the University of St. Thomas Center for International Studies have woven themselves into the city’s international tapestry. Katherine Raley Goodman, Azeemeh Zaheer, Alicia Campos and Diana Caicedo and among the UST graduates who hold key positions in the Houston Consular Corps.

“The interdisciplinary knowledge and skill sets that the Center for International Studies provides to our students prepare them for a variety of careers, such as working in consular offices, the local junctures for global affairs,” said Dr. Hans Stockton, associate professor of international studies.

Katherine Raley Goodman graduated from UST in 2007 and currently serves as the Media Liaison and Assistant to the Director of the Press Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Goodman was among the first group of UST students to study abroad in Taiwan in January 2006. The group was led by Stockton, whose academic expertise is in U.S.-China-Taiwan relations. That experience opened the door to future career opportunities when Stockton alerted Goodman to a position at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

“If I hadn’t studied with Dr. Stockton and traveled to Taiwan, I would not have this job,” Goodman said.

“Dr. Stockton’s expertise in Taiwan sparked an interest and helped me become passionate about the policy issues that we deal with in this office.”

Goodman said the versatility of a UST international studies degree gives graduates flexibility to pursue a variety of opportunities. Goodman has been accepted to the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies, and will begin her studies in September 2010.

“The longer I am out of school, I realize the value of my degree and how the breadth of my education prepared me to do anything I wanted to do,” Goodman said.

Azeemeh Zaheer, who graduated from UST in 2005, was also working in the corporate world when she decided to pursue an international studies degree at UST. She had various management roles in her eightyear banking career. Zaheer was appointed as Vice Consul for Oil & Gas Lead and Energy Financial Services at the British Consulate-General in 2006.

Zaheer is responsible for all oil and gas trade and investment work for British government in the United States. She works with oil and gas companies in the upstream, midstream and downstream sector that are interested in the UK, and she assists them with greenfield projects, expansions, technology transfers, acquisition targets, and promotes licensing rounds in the North Sea. “It is estimated that 80 percent of oil and gas decisions worldwide are still made out of Houston,” Zaheer said.

“My team has helped thousands of British companies either by advising on their marketing strategy of entering the U.S. market or providing them introductions to potential clients. That positions me to be in the center of some

the most important decisions in the world of oil and gas, and it has been an incredible opportunity.”

“UST international studies courses gave me a competitive advantage working for a consulate because I have a better understanding of the cultural nuances,” she said. “Working with the British can be different than working with Americans. My St. Thomas education also helped improve my writing skills, and I also took an energy class that helped me look at energy issues on a worldwide scale.

I was also able to start the first UNICEF chapter at UST and network with the business community while in school.”

Zaheer said she is always eager to help reciprocate the opportunities she received as a UST graduate. In her current position, she has recruited four interns from UST and one full-time business development associate. She also invites UST students to volunteer at the Offshore Technology Conference every year.

“Giving back to the school is really important because I feel that the professors invested a lot in me,” Zaheer said.

Alicia Campos graduated from UST in 2008 and serves as Assistant/Secretary to Ambassador El Husseini Abdelwahab at the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt. She is a liaison between the consulate and the State Department concerning security, commerce and governance issues.

She also facilitates outreach activities between the consulate and the Houston community. Campos came to UST after working in marketing and sales for the petrochemical industry for several years.

“As a devout Catholic my whole life, I felt very drawn to UST and the core

values of the Basilian Fathers,” Campos said. “They encouraged us to be stewards of the community to the world, and that message was reinforced by the Center for International Studies.

“By the time I came to UST, I had traveled around the world a few times, and I had been exposed to different cultures, but the Center for International Studies gave me the cross-disciplinary education in history and economics and truly helped me learn to communicate with people in a much better way.”

Diana Caicedo graduated from UST in 2009 and is the Community Outreach Liaison for the Consulate General of Colombia. A native of Colombia, Caicedo credits much of her career success to the contacts she developed at UST. While in college, Caicedo interned with a Colombia Consulate program called ColombiaNosUne and with Literal Magazine: Latin American Voices, founded by UST alumna and adjunct professor Rose Mary Salum.

“I advise UST students to take full advantage of the university experience– the research projects, the lectures, the networking and the personal attention from professors,” Caicedo said. “It was a very easy transition for me to start this job because I gained so many contacts through the Center for International Studies. I already knew a lot of the staff throughout the consular corps.

“One of the things that landed me this job was my writing skills in both English and Spanish. The international studies program emphasizes strong writing skills and academic research, and now my job requires me to do a lot of research,” Caicedo said.

– Elise Marrion

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Mardi Gras Celebrates 60th Anniversary A jubilant crowd of 480 revelers reminisced about 60 years of Mardi Gras memories at the “Court of Diamond Jubilee,” the University of St. Thomas Mardi Gras Gala, on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The gala raised nearly $800,000 benefiting the Fr. Francis E. Monaghan Scholarship fund for the education of current and future students. Minnie and Will Baird chaired the event.

Honorees Dr. Mikki Hebl and David Harvey have dedicated their time, talents and treasure to support many worthwhile causes. One that has had the most impact on our campus is their participation in the GRACE program. They are dedicated to ensuring a Catholic education is available to all families and sustaining the long tradition of Catholic schools in the inner city.

This year the University recognized the contributions of UST legacy families from each decade of the University’s history. The Legacy Honorees were the Annette and George Strake family, the Rev. Robert Crooker and family, the Betty and Charles Fischer family, the Ginny and Dennis

Malloy and Michele Malloy families, the Norma and Joseph McFadden family, and the Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi family.

A live auction featured a dinner with Texans Coach Gary Kubiak and numerous luxury vacation packages including trips to England, Vancouver, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Telluride, Colorado and Cibolo Creek Ranch in Marfa, Texas. A silent auction was also was part of the festivities.

Highlights of the evening also included the crowning of UST seniors Lukas Simon and Emily Calasanz as this year’s student king and queen. Serving as mistress of ceremonies at the black tie event was alumna Daniella Guzman, Channel 2 KPRC reporter and weekend anchor, a 2004 UST graduate. Alumnus Walter Suhr and his band, Mango Punch!, provided the Latin music.

LEGACY FAMILY HONOREES

The STRAKE FAMILY is among the University of St. Thomas’ founding families. George Strake, Sr., served on the organizational committee of the University in 1947 and on the first Board of Trustees from 1947 to 1948. Thanks to a gift from Susan and George Strake, Strake Hall became one of the first buildings to open on the University Academic Mall in September 1958. Annette and George W. Strake, Jr., have continued the family legacy of keeping a strong Catholic presence in our community that benefits not only the Catholic population but the city and state as well.

The CROOKER FAMILY has supported the University of St. Thomas since its founding. In fact, it is rumored that the legal papers founding the University of St. Thomas were drawn up in the family living room of John H. Crooker, Sr., founding partner of what is now one of the country’s largest law firms, Fulbright. The Crooker family funded the Crooker Student Center and helped secure the Chapel site. They have supported the Link-Lee Beautification Project, the Plant Capital Drive, Doherty Library, the Philosophy and Medieval Studies programs, and this year created the Marguerite Crooker Scholarship.

BETTY AND CHARLES FISCHER, members of one of the pioneering classes, helped to establish many of the traditions and organizations at the University of St. Thomas. Both are graduates of the class of 1952, the second class to enter and graduate.

Their contributions include the Friends of the University Campaign and establishing the Charles and Betty Koenig Fischer Classroom in Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center. Betty and Charles were honored with the Vincent J. Guinan Distinguished Alumni Award in 1987.

The MALLOY FAMILY has long been avid supporters and benefactors of the University of St. Thomas, starting with Flip and Gene Malloy. Gene served on the University Board in the 1980s when the future of the University was in doubt. Gene stepped up and made a significant pledge, leading the way for other members of the board to do the same. University of St. Thomas students studying education and humanities pass through the doors of the building bearing the Malloy name every day.

The building, which completed Phillip Johnson’s vision of the Academic Mall, was named in memory of Felice and Eugene Malloy by their son, Dennis Malloy. Then a member of the University Board, Dennis presented the $1 million gift in 2001 to the University on behalf of the Malloy family.

NORMA AND DR. JOSEPH MCFADDEN, University of St. Thomas president emeritus, are no strangers to longtime friends of the University.

Serving as president of the University from 1988 to 1997, he was the University’s sixth president and first lay president. Upon his retirement as president, he returned to the classroom at UST as a professor of American and Irish history. He also serves as the executive director of the International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas (ICUSTA), part of UST’s commitment to providing international opportunities for its students and faculty.

CATHY AND GIORGIO BORLENGHI moved to Houston from their native Italy in 1978. The Borlenghi family has been active in real estate development in Europe, South America and California for more than 60 years. Giorgio has served on the University’s Board of Directors.

In 2000, Giorgio and Cathy chaired the UST Mardi Gras Gala, and in 2004 the University honored them at the annual Mardi Gras Gala.

ON THE COVER Mardi Gras gala chairs, honorees and legacy families (left to right): Dr. Joseph and Norma McFadden David Harvey and Dr. Mikki Hebl George and Annette Strake Minnie Baird Charles and Betty Fischer Will Baird Linda and Barry Hunsaker Fr. Robert Crooker Leigh Sherman Michele Malloy Dennis and Ginny Malloy Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi

Thomas Aquinas and the Contemporary Catholic University When Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, returned to the University of St. Thomas as the guest speaker for the 2010 Aquinas Lecture, the former UST president had an important observation to make: The Jan. 28 lecture was the first without the Rev. Victor Brezik, CSB, who died last year and is most known for founding the Center for Thomistic Studies–the only one in the nation–30 years ago.

The St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture was sponsored by the UST Center for Thomistic Studies.

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At the time when the Center for Thomistic Studies was founded, Archbishop Miller was an assistant professor of theology instilling in students Aquinas’ cornerstone teaching that faith and reason can exist in harmony. After becoming president of UST in 1997, leaving in 2004 to serve as Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome and then becoming Archbishop of Vancouver, British Columbia, last year, Miller found himself completing a circle as he stood before a packed auditorium at Jones Hall, paying homage to Aquinas once again.

In his lecture titled, “The Church’s Common Doctor: Thomas Aquinas and the Contemporary Catholic University,” Miller used carefully-selected papal documents to demonstrate that Aquinas’ teachings not only remain relevant in Catholic curriculum, but they are imperative to surviving a culture that rejects the notion that faith in God can be anchored in human reason, and that man’s questions can be answered by faith.

Keeping Aquinas in the Catholic curriculum promotes the intellectual and spiritual development of students living in challenging contemporary times.

Known as the “Doctor Concordiae,” or teacher of the harmony of faith and reason, Aquinas insisted that humans are capable of knowing truths about the world, such as physical information detected by the senses, as well as conclusions reached about that information from intellectual reasoning. Miller went on to explain that when science and reasoning reach their limitations, truths revealed by God complete the picture. John Paul II once described faith and reason as “the wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of the truth.” Faith helps reason find true and fulfilling answers to our problems.

Miller pointed out that it was only inevitable then that Catholic universities emerged from Catholic churches over time to cultivate the minds and souls of students. Walk outside the UST campus, however, and secular universities reveal a stark contrast, Miller said.

Many have fallen prey to relativism, which dictates it is impossible for a person to objectively know truths about the world. If a person cannot successfully pursue knowledge, then faith loses its intellectual foundation and is reduced to an artificial comfort. Calling relativism “the malaise of our days,” Pope Benedict XVI said fighting such beliefs is a major challenge of the Church in this century.

“Far too many colleges and universities stifle the students’ natural desire to know and to know the truth,” Miller stressed. “This entices them to avoid the humanities and liberal arts and take refuge in the professional and practical arts alone with their expected financial rewards.”

Keeping Aquinas in the Catholic curriculum promotes the intellectual and spiritual development of students living in challenging contemporary times, Miller noted. Although Aquinas’ teachings have been around for centuries, their truths have transcended time and have practical application even today. Pope Leo XIII endorsed this view when he initiated a revival of Thomism, the study of Aquinas, in the mid 19th century, suggesting Aquinas’ teachings were the Church’s only philosophy. Leo XIII called Aquinas a “supreme genius” for his teachings on relevance and “a lover of truth for its own sake.”

Following Pope Leo’s sentiments, Pope Pius X suggested that Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae should be a basic text in pontifical institutions and advised in an encyclical that one should “go to Thomas” for answers, Miller said.

According to Miller, Aquinas’ teachings even influenced Vatican Council II documents. It was the first time the Council recognized a specific theologian and made special mention of his teachings on the compatibility of faith and reason.

Miller went on to point out that in the most recent edition of the Program for Priestly Formation, the American Bishops wrote, “The fruitful relationship between philosophy and theology in the Christian tradition should be explored through studies in Thomistic thought….” Pope John Paul II, who was trained in Thomism, called Aquinas the “model of a philosopher.”

Returning to his opening remarks, Miller expressed gratitude to Father Brezik for continuing the legacy of endorsements of Aquinas by establishing the Center for Thomistic Studies, “As Father Victor Brezik once reminded us, ‘the combination of the world of revealed knowledge with the world of rational knowledge gives the Catholic university a much more challenging horizon of study.’ Catholic universities are broader in their outlook because the study of divine revelation expands the world beyond the one discovered by reason alone.”

“To remain true to their foundations, Catholic universities must continue to encourage the intellectual pursuit of knowledge and the role faith plays in learning,” Miller said. “The University of St. Thomas Academic Mall without the Chapel of St. Basil would be incomplete; and the Chapel without the Mall would be in solitary exile. What we are blessed to have at UST is an architectural embodiment of a sound Thomism.”

– Heather Saucier ’95

Archbishop Miller awarded the Order of St. Thomas To mark its 25th year in 2006, the Center for Thomistic Studies initiated the Order of St. Thomas, to be awarded to persons who have testified to “the incomparable value of the philosophy of Saint Thomas” (Fides et Ratio 5, §57) in their writings, teaching, philanthropy or way of life. Each recipient is presented with a medal bearing an image of Thomas Aquinas and the motto of the Order, Quantum Potes, Tantum Aude: Dare to do all that you can.

This year the Center presented the Order of St. Thomas to Archbishop J. Michael Miller for his superb contributions toward realizing the vision of Ex Corde Ecclesiae in Catholic universities all over the world and for his firm friendship with the Center for Thomistic Studies. Archbishop Miller has worked with admirable effectiveness towards the goal of ensuring that “every Catholic university, as Catholic” has the “essential characteristics” enumerated in Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

Above: Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, and His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

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USA Today Editor Speaks on the Importance of Mentorship Throughout her education and career in journalism, Catherine Straight, national assignments editor at USA Today, has learned a simple, yet valuable lesson: show that you are willing to work for it, and others will be willing to show you the way. She spoke about the mentors who contributed to her current success at a Black History Month Lecture on Feb. 26 at the Menil Collection.

The Black History Month Lecture was sponsored by the St. Martin de Porres Society, Black Student Union and Social Justice Program at the University of St. Thomas

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One of 10 siblings growing up in the small town of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Straight said she never expected to become a national editor for USA Today, one of the nation’s most widely read newspapers.

“Catherine’s speech was able to capture the spirit of the mission of the UST St. Martin de Porres Society by emphasizing that we all need mentors in all spheres in our life,” said alumnus Larry Payne, president of the Society whose aim is to maximize alumni participation at UST. “She is a successful role model for how to achieve your goals, and how our students can benefit from having mentors in their lives.”

Mentorship began in the home, Straight said, watching her father, a retired Army cook and selftaught handyman, plumber and carpenter. From him, she learned the “value of working hard, earning your way, being forthright and speaking your mind in a quiet way,” she said.

“I watched my father deal with the stresses of raising 10 kids without a lot of money in the South, and it wasn’t an easy road,” Straight said. “I learned about keeping your head about you when there is stress all around. That still helps me navigate the newsroom on a daily basis.”

As a Catholic who strives to live her faith in an often challenging professional environment, Straight said she frequently relies on the spiritual foundations instilled by her parents.

“My team often covers tragic events and the negative side of humanity,” Straight said.

“Understanding the role of forgiveness and grace has helped me in very trying times, most recently my work during Katrina and earthquakes in Haiti. Sometimes the suffering can be overwhelming.”

Prior to coming to USA Today, Straight earned a bachelor of arts in journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She was inducted into the university’s Journalism Hall of Fame in 2007.

She has served as managing editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press in the Twin Cities and deputy managing editor of news and a reporter for The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville. In her role as managing editor in St. Paul, she was part of the first-responder coverage team from Knight Ridder newspapers who coordinated coverage of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. That team earned a public service Pulitzer for coverage in the Sun Herald newspaper in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Through the course of her career, Straight noted numerous African-American newsroom colleagues who served as mentors – some, she said, unknowingly gave comfort and inspiration through their presence alone, and others whose influence was more direct.

“There were times early in my career that I would look around the newsroom and did not see many, if any, people who looked like me,” Straight said. “But along the way, there were editors and reporters who were silent mentors. To see them do what they do and excel was so valuable.”

Dwight Lewis, an editorial writer at The Tennessean, was a role model who imparted career wisdom that has helped Straight become successful.

“The status of being an editorial writer at a major daily paper was a big deal. He was the editorial voice of the newspaper,” she said of Lewis. “At the time, I was doing grunt reporting jobs. To see that [Lewis] had risen from similar jobs to a position of status got my attention.”

2010 Spring Fashion Event “Lewis taught me to concentrate on the job you have, all the while making your aspirations known,” she said. “He also taught me to aim for the next thing. Stay the next couple of chess moves ahead.

You can’t keep all that stuff inside. No one is going to know your potential and goals if you don’t say it out loud.”

Straight said she has seen newsrooms become more diverse and inclusive than when she began her career.

“As racial equality and acceptance grew, more companies became more inclusive,” Straight said.

“If you are a newspaper that serves a community that is growing more diverse, and your staff on the pages of your newspaper and your Web site doesn’t reflect that growing diversity, you are shooting yourself in the foot. Your readers want to see themselves in your coverage.”

Equally important, Straight said, were the lessons she learned from editors who “were not the mentoring type.”

“One of my first editors was so brusque and mean and unforgiving. But I always wanted to get up, do better, try harder the next time and not make that mistake again. Managing that relationship taught me a lot.”

Straight said she makes every effort to return the favor and mentor those around her, including her niece who is also pursuing a career in journalism.

She advises aspiring student journalists to be versatile.

“Be aware of the many methods of information delivery. That’s the future,” she said. “Don’t just be that person who knows how to report and write.

Learn how to take and edit video, learn what makes a compelling video story.”

Straight acknowledges that newspapers, like many industries, are struggling. But regardless of the format, Straight said news will always be necessary.

“We may not always be on the front doorstep in the form of a broadsheet newspaper, but we will always be gathering information, shedding light on wrongdoing and writing about interesting people in the community,” she said.

– Elise Marrion

Benefiting the Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund

Thursday, April 29, 2010 River Oaks Country Club Fashions provided by Neiman Marcus-Galleria CHAIR

Katie Earthman Cullen HONOREES

Saba Abashawl ’90 Greggory Fields Burk ’02 Robin Thomas Klaes ’84 Sandra Pezzetta ’84 HONOREE IN MEMORIAM

Betsy Earthman Tables $1,250, $2,500, $5,000 Limited tickets at $125 Raffle tickets available at event for $20 a ticket or 6 for $100

Prizes include catering for 10 from City Kitchen Catering, a wine dinner from Steven DiMatteo and LUCHO, Houston Grand Opera tickets, spa packages and more!

Contact Abigail Showalter 713-525-3173 or showala@stthom.edu Media Sponsor

FACULTY AND STAFF

Nicole Casarez, JD, professor of communication, was recognized in December for her legal scholarly work with one of the highest honors of the legal profession–election to the American Law Institute (ALI). The institute is the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and otherwise improve the law. By participating in the Institute’s work, its members have the opportunity to influence the development of the law in both existing and emerging areas, to work with other eminent lawyers, judges and academics, to give back to the profession and to contribute to the public good.

Casarez teaches journalism, media law, public relations and media ethics. She and her investigative journalism students have participated in the Texas Innocence Network since the fall of 2001. They have investigated many capital and non-capital cases, including the case of Texas death row inmate Anthony Graves. Their Graves investigation has attracted state-wide and national attention.

Recent scholarly publications and lectures include “The Student Press, the Public Workplace and Expanding Notions of Government Speech” in The Journal of College and University of Law in 2008; and “Investigating Innocence Claims,” presented at the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association 7th Annual Forensics Seminar in October 2009.

Cameron School of Business In March, Dr. Natalya Delcoure presented “An Exploratory Study of the Factors that Influence MBA Students’ Attitudes toward Their Areas of Specialization” with C. Morosan, B. Mirshab, and S. Taj; and “Survey of MBA students with Concentration in Finance: Attitudes and Opinions,” with B. Mirshab and B. Wilbratte, at the GBDI conference; and “Integration: an elusive concept,” at the Academy of International Business.

Dr. Charles K. Davis, ICUSTA Lecturer in Santiago, Chile, conducted two workshops on “Online Teaching 16

and Learning” at two campuses of the Universidad de Santo Tomas in November 2009.

English Rev. B. Lee Ligon was ordained to the priesthood, The Episcopal Church, Diocese of Texas, on Jan. 30, 2010, in Hempstead, Texas.

Philosophy Dr. John F. X. Knasas, lectured in the Department of Metaphysics at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland, in December 2009; and presented “Maritain and the Cry of Rachel: Why the Motions of the Will Should Not Be Trusted.”

In January 2010, he presented “The Unavoidability of ‘Religion’ in John Rawls’ Argument for Tolerance” at a conference at Institut Catholique d’Etudes Superieures, La Roche Sur Yon, France.

Physics Dr. Jim Clarage presented “Are the laws of physics actually finetuned?” at the 2010 Physics Seminar series at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in February.

Theology Sister Marie Faubert, CSJ, presented “NCQ Collaboration” with R. D. Nordgren, PhD, associate professor and coordinator, Master

of Urban Secondary Teaching (MUST), Cleveland State University in January.

Sr. Madeleine Grace, CVI, presented “Liturgical Roles and Responsibilities within the Early Church, Especially as Seen within the Celebration of the Eucharist” at the Society for Catholic Liturgy conference, Greenville, South Carolina, January 2010.

PUBLICATIONS Schwartzenburg, D., R. Nguyen, Y. Ishak, H. Sosa, A. Gifford, S. Mnjoyan, M.A. Steiger, and J.A. Palasota.

“Identification of Amino Acids in a Dipeptide

by Hydrolysis,

Derivatization, and HPLC Analysis,” J. Und. Chem. Res., 8, 2009.

Miller, Sr. Paula Jean.

“Catholic Studies in Global Perspective,” The Idea of a University: Proceedings from the 30th Annual Convention of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, September 28-30, 2007, University of Scranton Press, 2009.

“Person-in-Time: an eschatological sign,” Semiotics 2009: The Semiotics of Time, Legas Publishing, 2009.

Axelrad, M.E., J.S. Berg, L. Adcock, S L. French, S. Gunn, Ligon, Rev. B Lee, L.B. McCullough, D. Roth, V.R. Sutton, L.P. Karaviti. “The Gender Medicine Team: It takes a village,” Adv Pediatr, 56, 2009.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Krustchinsky, Rick.

Incredible Edible Science.

Red Leaf Press, 2010.

Talar, Charles J. “Henri Bremond: Preaching Newman the Preacher,” Cahiers victoriens et édouardiens, 70, 2009.

Davis, Charles. Reviews: High Assurance Services Computing by Dong, J., Paul, R., & Zhang, L.; and Building ServiceAware Networks: The Next-Generation Wan/Man by Khan, M., in the Association for Computing Machinery’s Computing Reviews, Jan. 2010.

Garcia-Contreras, Rogelio. “Realpolitik challenges to World Peace: Debating the effects of America’s Foreign Policy during the early years of the second Iraqi war,” Peace Studies Journal, 2.2, Dec. 2009; with Balderas, Ulyses.

“The effects on remittances and relative price variability on inflation: Evidence of 32 Mexican States,” Indian Journal of Economics and Business, 8.2, Nov. 2009.

Gonzalez, E. and M. Faubert. “Language acquisition theories,” Encyclopedia of counseling, American Counseling Association, 2009.

Grace, CVI CVI, Madeleine M. “Archbishop Sheen and His Devotion to Christ,” Homiletic and Pastoral Review, February, 2010.

Book Review: This Flowing Toward Me: A Story of God Arriving in Strangers, by Marilyn Lacey, RSM, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Jan. 2010.

Stockton, Hans Jakob.

“How Rules Matter: Electoral Reform in Taiwan,” Social Science Quarterly, 91.1, 2010.

“Strategies, Institutions, and Outcomes under SNTV in Taiwan, 19922004,” Journal of East Asian Studies, 10.1, 2010. co-authored with Dennis Patterson. Book review: Taiwan: Nation-State or Province by John Copper, Education about Asia, 14.3, Winter 2009.

Little Bites Reap Big Rewards

70 micro-businesses start up around the world Alumna and former UST staff member Virginia Galloway BA,’95, MLA,’97 is featured in The Taste of Home Cookbook for “cooking up quite a success” helping to raise funds for the University’s Micro-Credit Program. The article below and her recipes for Ham & Green Onion Roll-Ups, Prosciutto Parmesan Pinwheels, Smoked Salmon and Chives Cheesecake and Three-Cheese Appetizer Cheesecake are included in the Cooks Who Care edition of The Taste of Home Cookbook, published in September 2009, and online at www.tasteofhome.com/Cooks-Who-Care-Cookbook/Little-Bites-Reap-Big-Rewards.

Although she graduated some time ago, Virginia Galloway keeps finding good reasons to stay at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.

“I believe it’s my obligation to help and encourage our students in any way that I can,” she acknowledges with a smile. For years, Virginia has been working along with university students and cooking for the Basilian Fathers at the school.

“I assist the students in setting the tables, making meals and serving dinner to the Fathers,” she says. “I’ve given many impromptu cooking lessons along the way …frequently referring to recipes and tips from Taste of Home.”

When Ida Orbe, a student whose family is from Tunisia, asked Virginia to make hors d’oeuvres for a fund-raiser, she couldn’t say no.

Ida wanted to raise money for the Center for International Studies’ Micro-Credit Program, which offers micro-loans (an average of just $50) to small entrepreneurs in developing countries.

“I knew this program could make a significant difference in the lives of people who live in dire poverty,” says Virginia. “I was delighted to donate my time and cooking skills to help our students help others.”

Together, Virginia, Ida and nine other students took over the Fathers’ kitchen, working until 1 a.m. the night before the event.

They washed and chopped vegetables, created little pastries, prepared hummus and made mini cheesecakes–along with many other treats.

And they cooked up quite a success!

“We raised over $10,000, which aided the Micro-Credit Program in dispatching loans to over 70 beneficiaries all over the world,” says Virginia. Seventy percent of those went to female entrepreneurs.

The loans helped people do everything from opening a retail store in the Ukraine to starting honey farming in Mexico.

“The evening was such a success,” says Virginia, “that we’re making it an annual event!” © 2009 Taste of Home

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UNIVERSITY OF

S T. T H O M A S

H

undreds joined the hoopla celebrating the return of the men’s basketball team, as UST hosted the first Homecoming events in nearly 25 years on Feb. 5-6, 2010. The weekend began with Mass celebrated by Msgr. Frank Rossi ’79, followed by a President’s Reception in the Link-Lee Mansion. More than 100 people attended the reception with each school represented.

The next day, alumni joined students, faculty and staff for the President’s Day of Service, planting flowers on campus, painting a classroom and assembling projects for the community. With tents and balloons covering the Campus Life Mall and music playing through the decades, the Homecoming Festival attracted alumni, faculty, friends and students. Alumni challenged students to soccer and volleyball games, and the students defended their titles. The University also brought back an early tradition and hosted the Shining Star Turtle Derby, where 13 turtles representing UST groups raced to victory for a packed crowd.

At the Homecoming game, the Celts Men’s Basketball team made the University proud, winning 67-59 against Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Alumni celebrated the win with free appetizers and drinks at the Alumni After-Party at The Tavern on Gray. Thank you to everyone who took part in the tradition.

Thank you to the Homecoming Committee members who were instrumental to the success of Homecoming 2010!

Brenda Cooper ’05/’09, Promotions Chair; Daniel Elustondo ’00, Festival Chair; Hank Emery, Sponsorship Chair; Frances Escriva ’78/’00, Mass Chair; Ryane Jackson, After-Party Liaison; Patrick Krause ’93, Soccer Lead; Mandy Luna ’04/’08, After-Party Chair; Margie Poole ’86, Reception Co-Chair; Matt Prasifka, Student Events Chair; Laura Cantu Smith ’85, Festival Vice-Chair; Todd Smith, Director of Athletics, Basketball Lead; Marty Thompson ’99, Volleyball Lead; Maria Younger’05, Reception Co-Chair.

MEMBERS: Leslie Barrera ’04, Fr. Mike Buentello ’83, Marcy Cabrera ’00, Don Clayton, Angel Coronado ’04, Vince D’Amico, Ken DeDominicis, David Durham ’99, Dr. Charlene Dykman, Betty Fischer ’52, Grace Follis ’97, Elizabeth Garcia ’00 , Katherine Goodman ’07, Burney Hebinck ’55, Dr. Virginia Leiker, Lee Holm, ’95, Misbah Khatri, Jared LeBlanc ’01, Gloria Luna ’02, Angie Montelongo, Kathy Ridley ’69, Msgr. Frank Rossi ’79, Freddy Sanches ’93, Jessica Smith ’09, Sandy Soliz ’01, Lisa Llano Taylor ’09, Drew Wilson ’02.

Special Thanks to our Homecoming Sponsors Team Captain Sponsor: UST Alumni Class Agents. Hoopla Tent Sponsors: UST Alumni Association Board, UST Soccer Alumni, Yellow Cab. Soccer Game Sponsor: Sovereign Investments. Volleyball Game Sponsor: Marty Thompson ’99. After Party Sponsors: Gloria Luna ’02, St. Martin De Porres Society.

Homecoming Fan Sponsors: Abigail and Alexandra Konicki, Burney Hebinck ’55, Louis Ditta ’80, Piatto Ristorante–John M. Carraba ’80. In Kind Sponsors: Berryhill Baja Grill, Cimela Kidonakis ’09–Optix Studios, DUO, Houston Dynamo, Houston Health Museum, Saint Arnold Brewery, St. Joseph Medical Center.

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ALUMNI CHRONICLES

Don’t Miss Spring Alumni Socials Join the Alumni Class Challenge

The Alumni Social Hours have continued this spring with mixers in a variety of locations near campus.

On Jan. 27, Bocados Restaurant & Bar, 1312 W. Alabama St., hosted the social hour and provided appetizers.

Thank you to sponsors Teresa Flores ’86, Lily Hernandez ’84 and Bocados.

The Feb. 24 Social Hour was held at Marfreless, 2006 Peden St. where the lounge sponsored appetizers and drink specials.

On March 31, Arcodoro’s Restaurant, 5000 Westheimer Rd., Suite 100 at Post Oak, is where the spirited socials continued.

Make plans to attend the remaining alumni social hours, which take place at 6-8 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month: April 28, Gigi’s Asian Bistro, 5085 Westheimer Rd., and on May 26, welcome

recent graduates to the alumni association.

Location TBD. For details on the events or more information, e-mail alumni@stthom.edu.

Honor Professors and Graduating Seniors Thank-a-Prof and the Senior Class Gift are ways to honor faculty members who made your college experience memorable and graduating seniors.

All alumni are urged to participate in the 2009-2010 Alumni Class Challenge by making a donation to the University of St. Thomas Annual Fund on behalf of their graduating class. The classes with the highest participation rate and the most dollars raised will be honored at the UST Homecoming in February 2011.

In 2008-2009, the alumni participation rate was 9.9 percent. This year, the alumni participation goal is 12 percent. Every gift makes a difference.

The 2008-2009 winners of the Alumni Class Challenge were the classes of 1953 and 1996! These two classes were UST ALUMNI recently honored at the University’s first CLASS CHALLENGE homecoming in nearly 25 years. The class of 1953 had the highest number of participants in their class with an overall participation rate of 50 percent. The class of 1996 was recognized as the class that raised the most money for the University’s Annual Fund, raising $69,134. These alumni and all supporters showed dedication to the University by ensuring students continue to receive a quality academic experience.

The Annual Fund provides tuition assistance, books in the library, equipment in science labs and updated classroom technology. Your support of the Annual Fund also helps the University of St. Thomas maintain its distinction of being among the 21 most affordable and faithful Catholic universities in the United States according to the Cardinal Newman Society.

Please rise to the challenge by making a donation to the Annual Fund by June 30 at www.stthom.edu/classchallenge, or contact Hank Emery, director of alumni relations and annual giving, at 713-525-3111.

Thank-a-Prof for the hard work, dedication and effort that gave you an unforgettable learning experience.

Visit www.stthom.edu/ thankaprof to submit a short note to a professor online. A letter will be sent to the teacher conveying your appreciation and your

comments will be posted anonymously to the Center for Faculty Excellence Web Page.

Support the Senior Class Gift by honoring a professor or a graduating senior. Graduating students will be making

gifts to the Senior Class Gift in honor of faculty members, and alumni and students are invited to support the graduating students’ efforts by making recognition gifts of their own. Make a gift online at www.stthom.edu/give_ online and choose

dedication type as “In Honor Of” or make a note on your Annual Fund reply form received in the mail. The professor or student will receive an acknowledgement of your gift. Take a moment and share your appreciation today.

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CLASSNOTES

Lineage and Legacy of Love At one time, Kiley Rester ’04, MLA ’09, and Marc Swonke ’03, MBA ’06 seemed like an unlikely couple. “I hadn’t heard much about St. Thomas before my first visit,” Kiley said. “But I was looking for a liberal arts college with a close-knit feel; the kind where professors know you by name, and you’re not just a number.

I knew I found that when I visited St. Thomas. I fell in love with the campus.”

When Kiley transferred to UST in 2002 as a sophomore, she quickly found her niche on campus, joining the PoliSci and Philosophy clubs and focusing on her courses. She described herself as “kind of quiet” and a “bookworm” but felt very comfortable working at The Mug coffee shop.

Marc, on the other hand, had a big group of friends at UST and was involved in the Finance club and “just about every intramural sport on campus from ping-pong to basketball to soccer.”

He grew up hearing about UST from his parents, Janice and Jerry Swonke, his aunt, uncles and cousins who were all UST grads. “All of them were successful in their Above: Marc Swonke, Kiley Rester, careers, so it made perfect sense for me to Janice and Jerry Swonke eventually go to St. Thomas,” Marc said.

Kiley remembers Marc and his friends frequenting The Mug when she was still new on campus. “He was always with a group, and they could get a little rowdy, but it was all in good fun,” Kiley recalled.

“Of course I noticed her, but one of my friends asked her out first,” Marc said.

Kiley preferred going as a group instead, hoping Marc might still ask her out.

Weeks passed. So, at her mother’s suggestion, she asked him out. They’ve been a couple ever since.

Kiley and Marc’s story is very familiar to Marc’s parents. It mirrors the story of how they met more than 40 years ago at UST. When Janice (Raines) enrolled in UST, she was among many former classmates from St. Pius X High School. Jerry didn’t know anyone, but quickly joined Janice’s circle of friends.

It wasn’t until the final semester of their senior year in 1967 that Janice and Jerry began dating. When Jerry returned from his deployment in Vietnam, they resumed their relationship and were married in 1972. The Swonkes live in Houston, where they raised their three sons Adam, Marc and Eric.

Could the Swonke tradition continue into the next generation? That would be just fine with Janice. “Hopefully, one day one or more of their children will be telling a similar story in the UST Magazine,” Janice said.

Despite being busy with work and planning their wedding, Kiley and Marc still make time to give back to UST. Kiley is an energy policy analyst for Shell Upstream Americas and sits on the advisory board of the UST MicroLending Program. Marc is a commercial relationship manager at BBVA Compass Bank and sits on the Alumni Board of Directors of the Cameron School of Business.

–Stephanie Dedeaux ’96 20

CLASSNOTES 1955 Bernard “Burney” Hebinck was selected as chair of the 2009-2010 annual fund drive for the Dominican Sisters of Houston.

1961 Edward Dunbar Benz and his wife, Fran, have just returned from Kenya, where they were missionaries for a month.

Edward taught 8th and 9th grade, and Fran worked as a nurse.

1978 Marlena Berger was reappointed Planning and

S A V E

Zoning Commissioner for Sugar Land, Texas and is a Fort Bend YMCA Board member.

1980 On Jan. 26, Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of Auxiliary Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston as Bishop of Austin.

Installation was held on March 8.

Bishop Vasquez has been an Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston for the last eight years. On Jan. 23, 2002, he became the nation’s youngest active bishop when he

T H E

D A T E

Alumni Association Garage Sale Saturday, April 17 • 8 am to 1 pm Save the date for the Alumni Association garage sale in the Link Lee Mansion parking lot, 3800 Montrose Boulevard.

Alumni Association members will be collecting furniture, household items and clothes during the week prior to the sale. As you do your spring cleaning, please keep the garage sale in mind and check your email for more information in April. The proceeds of the garage sale will benefit the Alumni Association and the Alumni Association Scholarship. E-mail Hank Emery, director of alumni relations and annual giving, at emeryh@stthom.edu.

IN MEMORIAM

was ordained an auxiliary bishop for GalvestonHouston at age 44.

Since 2006, he has been the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Vicar General/ Chancellor, overseeing the operations of the largest diocese in Texas and the 11th largest in the U.S. He has also served as Episcopal Vicar for Hispanics and been the Archdiocesan Liaison for Youth during his years in Galveston-Houston.

1986 Leo A. Lopez has been married for 20 years to Judge Elia Lopez.

Daughter Lucy is 8, and his son, Leo, is 6.

Adam G. Martinez and Jane Pinell Martinez’ youngest daughter, Sarah made her First Communion at St. Helen’s Church, Pearland, in April 2009.

1995 Cameron F. Simoneau was married on June 20, 2009, to Mary Reagan.

2001 Tamarsha Everhart married Marcus Everhart on June 25, 2009, and is launching a new jewelry line: Rochelle’s Wear.

Bishop John E. McCarthy ’56, MA’79, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza, the late Rev. William Steele and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Vincent M. Rizzotto were four young priests on their first trip to Europe in this photo taken in 1964.

On average, one priest in 300 becomes a bishop. To have all three of them standing there, waiting for the Eiffel Tower to fall over, is hard to imagine.

2003 Kelli Kickerillo and Todd Forester were married on Dec. 19, 2009.

2005 Mark Lopez and his siblings Steven, Diana, and Jean Lopez released a book, Family Power: The True Story of How The First Family of Taekwondo Made Olympic History. It is an account of their lives as they made Olympic history in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, when all four made the U.S. Olympic team with Jean as the coach. Mark won a silver medal in the games.

Cindy E. Rodriguez proudly supported the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2010 as a member of the Special Attractions Committee.

2006 Navy Seaman Guido R. Van Hemelryck, was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Guido received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Training included classroom

study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. Emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills

IN MEMORIAM Gean Opiela Borling, mother of Tom Borling, retired music professor, died on Dec. 9, 2009.

Barbara Bradshaw, sister of John Bradshaw ’56, died Feb 20, 2010.

William C. “Dub” Dickson, Jr. ’72, died on Jan. 19, 2010. He met his wife, Margaret Szpak, at UST, and they recently celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary. He was the Grand Knight and charter/founding member of The Knights of Columbus at UST. Dr. Charles Escriva, father of Angela Mary Escriva, visiting assistant professor, and Frances Escriva, president of the UST Alumni Association and a member of the UST Board of Directors, died on Feb. 21, 2010.

and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

2007 Michael H. Baugh serves as Ensign on the USS Cole, based in Norfolk, Va. He was commissioned as a Naval Officer in 2008 and has served on the USS Cole as a supply officer since 2009. ■ Alexander Giampietro, father of Rev. Anthony Giampietro, CSB, died on Jan. 6, 2010.

Ann Picchioni Godley, mother of Agnes Zarcaro ’69, died on Feb. 3, 2010.

Michaline Keating died on Jan. 1, 2010.

Paul Krustchinsky, father of Norman Krustchinsky and Rick Krustchinsky, professor of education, died on Feb. 14, 2010.

Frank J. Liuzza ’52 died on Sept. 19, 2009.

Mark Mouton, son of Gayle Brueggeman Mouton ’63, died on Feb. 23, 2010.

Hayley and Ross Wedelich, great niece and nephew of Sister Charlene Wedelich ’55, died in a car accident on Feb 17, 2010. Ross was a junior at Angleton High School, and Hayley was a freshman.

NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON, TX PERMIT # 8353

Educating Leaders of Faith and Character www.stthom.edu 3800 Montrose Boulevard • Houston, Texas 77006-4626

Board of Directors George A. DeMontrond III, Chair

John E. Hagale

DeMontrond Automotive Group

The Methodist Hospital System

Michele Malloy, Vice Chair

David Harvey, Jr.

Marathon Oil Company

D.E. Harvey Builders

Dr. Robert Ivany, President

Paul Layne

University of St. Thomas

Brookfield Properties

Cecilia Abbott

Raymond A. LeBlanc

Harden Healthcare

Retired, Keystone International

Minnie Baird

Dr. Sandi Lemming

Community Volunteer

Village Family Practice

Rev. Robert J. Barringer, CSB

Cora Sue Mach

University of St. Thomas

Mach Industrial Group

Rev. Michael Buentello, CSB

Phyllis Mandola

University of St. Thomas

Tony Mandola Enterprises

Rev. Patrick Braden, CSB

Rev. Joseph Pilsner, CSB

University of St. Thomas

University of St. Thomas

J. Downey Bridgwater

Rev. Thomas Rosica, CSB

Sterling Bank

Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation

Rev. Brendan J. Cahill

Kim Ruth

St. Mary’s Seminary

Bank of America

Dr. Dorothy E.F. Caram

Rev. Ronald G. Schwenzer, CSB

Retired, Administrator/Educator

St. Thomas High School

Executive Cabinet

Sr. Mary Roberta Connors, FSE

Robert J. Signorelli

University of St. Thomas

Retired, Anheuser Busch, Inc.

Michael Cordúa

Dr. Guillermo Torre-Amione

Cordúa Restaurants, LP

Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates

Rev. Robert W. Crooker, CSB

Randy E. Velarde

University of St. Thomas

The Plaza Group

His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Don Wang

Bruce Earthman

Dr. Kenneth Wells

Earthman Capital, LTD

Allied Health Resources

Dr. Herbert P. Edmundson, Jr.

Raye White

Memorial Neurological Association

Fayez Sarofim & Co.

Frances Escriva

A. Martin Wickliff, Jr.

Mid-South Telecommunications Co.

Epstein Becker Green Wickliff & Hall, PC

George Farris

Bruce Wilkinson

Private Investor

Retired, McDermott International, Inc.

Michael P. Fleming

Fred Zeidman

Michael P. Fleming, PC

Corporate Strategies, Inc.

Elizabeth Lyons Ghrist, Chair Dr. Robert Ivany, President Gerardo Chapa Michael Cordúa George DeMontrond III Marjorie E. Evans Madelyn Farris Joseph A. Hafner, Jr. Raymond A. LeBlanc Patrick Moran Gloria M. Portela Bill Slick Trini Mendenhall Sosa Tom Standish Charlie Thomas Raye White

Rev. Anthony Giampietro, CSB University of St. Thomas

Metro Bank

Vision 2010 Honorary Committee

Joan and Stanford Alexander The Honorable Bill and Mrs. Sharon Archer Ginger and Jack Blanton His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Most Reverend Joseph Fiorenza Maureen and Jim Hackett Barbara and Charles Hurwitz Bette and Leo Linbeck, Jr. Cornelia and Meredith Long Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, CSB George Mitchell Annette and George W. Strake, Jr. Ellie and Jack Sweeney Bishop James Tamayo Lynda and David Underwood In Memoriam Cynthia Woods Mitchell Mrs. Lloyd P. Webre