Trinity Magazine Spring 2025

THE MAGAZINE OF TRINITY UNIVERSITY SPRING 2025

HISTORIC CAMPAIGN AND STRATEGIC PLAN WILL SHAPE TRINITY UNIVERSITY’S FUTURE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

In February, President Beasley and Vice President for Student Affairs Andrew Wells, Ph.D., went to see Les Misérables at the Majestic Theatre with 10 lucky students.

Dear Reader,

This is an extraordinary moment in Trinity University’s history, one defined by bold vision, shared purpose, and an unwavering commitment to our students. With the launch of Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University, we are embarking on the most ambitious fundraising effort in our institution’s history. At the same time, our Ready. Set. Rise. strategic plan is guiding our actions to strengthen student-focused education, expand opportunities, and elevate Trinity’s national standing.

Every decision we make, every goal we set, and every dollar we raise is driven by one purpose: to ensure that Trinity students today and tomorrow have access to the education, experiences, and opportunities they need to lead in a rapidly changing world. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and supporters, we are already making remarkable progress. So many of you have already risen to the challenge to create lasting impact for our community, and we are forever grateful.

In these pages, you will read stories of progress, generosity, and ambition. You’ll see how Trinity is rising—from our recent recognition in the Carnegie research classification to our growing national reputation in business education to the achievements of our community, including prestigious Fulbright scholarships. These milestones are only the beginning. We are building a future where Trinity remains a leader in higher education, a champion of interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and an institution that transforms lives.

This is Our Time—to open doors, to create opportunities, and to ensure a legacy of excellence. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Warmly,

TRINITY Spring 2025

Editors

Kennice Leisk ’22

Molly Bruni

Jeanna Goodrich Balreira ’08

Magazine Staff

Anh-Viet Dinh ’15

Jeremy Gerlach

Interns

Caleb Aguiar ‘25

Luke Banfield ‘28

Molly Barkis ’25

Odalys Caballero ’26

Contributors

Cade Bradshaw ’14

Kenneth Caruthers ’15

Jim Dicke III ‘93

Ryan Finnelly

James Hill ’76

Reign Kingsberry

Emily Melton M’27

Rose Minutaglio ’15

Art Director

Laura Rodriguez

Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D. President, Trinity University

Mason McLerran

Josh Moczygemba ’05

Mackenzie Gasner ’23 M’25

Layal Khalil ’27

Carter Nicol ’25

Eve Slemp ’27

Sarah Moser

Justin Parker ’99

Tom Payton

Aimee Rowse

Ryan Sedillo

Carla Sierra

Cal Siewert ’22

Amanda Wise ’06, M’08

Trinity is published by the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing and is sent to alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University who remain engaged with Trinity.

Editorial Office

Trinity University | Strategic Communications and Marketing 1 Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200 marketing@trinity.edu | 210-999-8406

trinity.edu/trinity-magazine

President

Vanessa B. Beasley

Board of Trustees

Ruth K. Agather

Shari Becker Albright ’83, M’86

April Ancira ‘02

Erin M. Baker ‘99

Annell R. Bay ‘77

Ted W. Beneski

John Brozovich

Stephen W. Butt ‘77

Miles C. Cortez ‘64

Sally Deitch M’03

Janet St. Clair Dicke ‘68

Cydney C. Donnell

Marshall A. Hess ‘88

Gen. James T. Hill (Ret.) ‘68

Jelynne L. Jamison M’88

E. Carey Joullian IV ‘82

The Rev. Dr. Richard R. Kannwischer ‘95

Christopher M. Kinsey ‘79

Katherine Wood Klinger ‘72

John C. Korbell

Oliver T.W. Lee ‘93

Michael Lynd Jr. ’95

Steven P. Mach ‘92

Melody B. Meyer ‘79

Jeffrey Mueller ’00

William Scanlan Jr.

Thomas Schluter ‘85

Pat Semmes

Nicholas A. Severino ’88

Darsh Preet Singh ’08

L. Herbert Stumberg Jr. ‘81

Jessica W. Thorne ‘91 † John Thornton ’87

Scott W. Tinker ’82

John Tobola ’94

Paul Hensley ‘87

National Alumni Board, President

The Rev. Dr. James D. Freeman ‘83 Synod of the Sun Rep.

† Mr. Thornton passed away at the time of publication. An obituary will be published in the next issue.

From Instagram “Hi everyone! We’re the Street Team–Jonathan Wang ’27, Kassandra Falcon ’27, Kathryn Detweiler ’25, Gabi Salgado ’25, and Kate Klein ’26. We’re a team of students from the Strategic Communications and Marketing (SCM) office, that helps showcase the real experiences, events, and stories that make Trinity special. We can’t wait to celebrate what makes our Trinity community shine!”

There’s More Online

Interact with videos, photo galleries, and other content through the magazine’s web extras. Type the URL as printed directly into your web browser, or scan the QR code using your mobile device’s camera.

Plus, follow Trinity on social media and stay updated with stories from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. Show your Trinity spirit with #TigerPride!

facebook.com/TrinityUniversity

youtube.com/TrinityUniversitySA x.com/Trinity_U instagram.com/TrinityU gotu.us/linkedin

From Instagram Miller Fountain may be frozen in time today, but don’t worry—just like a hard test or a challenging project, this cold snap won’t last forever! Warmer days, sunny walks, and the grape-soda scent of Texas mountain laurels are just around the corner. Stay safe and warm, Tigers!

This issue’s magazine staff answers: “How will you have an impact on the future of Trinity University?”

Leisk ’22 words

I will help broadcast student voices and strengthen connections between our community members by sharing their stories.

Jeremy Gerlach words

I’ll tell stories that compel curious minds to engage, connect, and support Trinity’s continued growth on a national stage.

I’ll capture Trinity’s essence through compelling visuals that showcase its culture, community, and transformative experiences.

Laura Rodriguez art + design

I’ll use graphic design as a tool for storytelling, communication, and maintaining Trinity’s branding.

Jeanna Goodrich Balreira ’08 design + words

I will help students say “yes,” with joy!, to the things they never thought possible.

We’ll connect the Trinity community to campus events in innovative and engaging ways.

Kennice

Mason McLerran multimedia

Josh Moczygemba ’05 multimedia

At the 2025 President’s Dinner, where Trinity officially launched its new strategic plan and comprehensive campaign, attendees considered how they will impact Trinity’s future. They wrote responses on cardstock tiles and added them to a reflection wall. Read more about the inspiration for these tiles on page 44.

During the 1869 Challenge, I’ll donate to Tiger Football, a program I grew up with and love dearly.

I’ll guide a creative vision that brings past, present, and future Tigers together through shared stories, pride, and purpose.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

“I just finished reading this latest issue, highlighting the accomplishments of the school, its instructors, and the amazing students that walk the halls that I scrambled around over 50 years ago. Never have I been so proud of being a Trinity graduate. The work that is going on there now is hard for me to comprehend. And I don’t think I would be able to match the energy and achievements of the young people attending today. Simply wonderful!! My congratulations to all.”

– Ernest L. Leard ’70

This issue of Trinity magazine is more than a publication—it’s a kairotic harmony of hands, minds, and hearts.

Creating it was a team effort in every sense. We worked in sync and, at times, in beautiful dissonance, offering ideas, refining visions, picking up the pieces when things didn’t go as planned. We were there for one another because we value the work and we value the people behind it.

What a time it was! One of us welcomed a new life. One said goodbye to a parent. One said goodbye to their tonsils (yes, that counts). Several of us cared for extended family. All of us cared for ourselves. Through it all, we embraced the joy and ache of creating. Through it all, we showed up. Through it all, we passed batons and marked up drafts and didn’t let go of the 2 a.m. ideas that drove our heartfelt contributions, because community matters.

And isn’t that what Our Time is all about?

It was our time to come together and build something fun, inventive, and meaningful for our community on the rise. That feels fitting—because at Trinity, we are continuing to build something great. Student by student. Graduate by graduate. Brick by brick.

So we invite you to keep building. Submit that class note, mentor and network with that Tiger in your hometown, serve your alumni community. And we invite you to feel what we felt: inspiration, creativity, community. Let this be your time, too.

With years of #TigerPride,

Kennice Leisk Class of 2022

Laura Rodriguez Tiger since 2017

Molly Bruni Tiger since 1992

Anh-Viet Dinh Class of 2015

Jeremy Gerlach Tiger since 2016

Jeanna Goodrich Balreira Class of 2008

Mason McLerran Tiger since 2022

Josh Moczygemba Class of 2005

Glo Cardenas Tiger since 2022

MAKING THE COVER

Crafted from the textures of our campus— the wood of our hand-carved doors, the geometry and patterns that echo our mid-century architectural past—this cover blends tradition with innovation. A touch of generative AI brings it to life, capturing a spirit we hope stirs both nostalgia and anticipation for our university on the rise.

Anh-Viet Dinh ’15 design + multimedia

Molly Bruni editor

Leo Daniel Rodriguez was born to Glo Cardenas and Daniel Rodriguez on Nov. 25, 2024.

The Big Picture

In early March, more than 100 alumni from across the country returned to Trinity University to celebrate the earth and environmental geosciences department’s long-standing tradition of hands-on field learning. This year’s trip took alumni, students, and faculty to Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls, offering a chance to reconnect and celebrate the department’s legacy.

Scan to view the full photo gallery.

Photo by Anh-Viet Dinh ’15

TRINITY TODAY

This issue includes news and updates that made headlines between between November 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025.

Minnie’s sophisticated software captures images that give Trinity researchers unprecedented views of their specimens.

One Giant Microscope, “Minnie” Possibilities

State-of-the-art device brings bright future for Trinity research into focus by Jeremy Gerlach

Meet “Minnie”—Trinity University’s new, powerful, lab-sized microscope that’s already adding a fresh lens to research projects across campus.

Thanks to a $580,000 gift from the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund (Minnie is the device’s namesake), this Nikon NSpark confocal microscope is ready for use by about 10 research teams on campus and will play a crucial role in teaching and training the next generation of Trinity research scientists, according to Corina Maeder ’99, Ph.D., chemistry professor and chair.

“The funding recognizes that Trinity is truly a gem—a place where top research is happening,” says Maeder, who uses the device to study a rare eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. “We’re the first institution in San Antonio to have this type of device. Our science facilities are amazing! The instrumentation that we have parallels that of research-level institutions.”

This is the type of transformative investment that’s behind Trinity’s growing reputation as a place where sciences and the liberal arts thrive together. As Niche’s No. 1 Liberal Arts College in Texas, it’s fitting that Trinity has a confocal microscope of this caliber. This gift is a sign of the University’s continued

investment in biochem and biomed research faculty and students. And it’s a sign of the growth of Trinity’s D. R. Semmes School of Science, boosted (and named) this year by a historic gift from the Semmes Foundation. The nation is taking note of this growth, too: Even before the announcement of the microscope, Trinity was ranked among all universities in the nation at No. 9 for Best Science Lab Facilities by The Princeton Review.

The microscope is already facilitating crosscampus collaboration between chemistry, biology, and engineering sciences, and it will also foster collaboration with nearby institutions—the University of the Incarnate Word, for example, will bring research students to use the microscope.

Biology major Amanda Flanagan ’25, who conducts research with biology professor Gerard Beaudoin III ’99, Ph.D., and aims to receive her doctorate after graduation, says, “I feel incredibly grateful to be working with something like this. If I was at a bigger university, the labs would be filled with people that are above you. They’re going to be filled with master’s students or students working on their Ph.D. But me—I’m leading my own project right now. I’m out there on a confocal microscope, not a postdoc.”

Trinity Launches Partnership with College Track

New initiative will help University support prospective students’ access to a college education

Trinity’s Division of Enrollment Management has entered a partnership with College Track, an organization that supports students from across the country to prepare them to earn a bachelor’s degree—often as one of the first members of their families to do so. This partnership is one of several Trinity has recently made with organizations such as YES Prep Public Schools and the San Antonio Independent School District. In the partnership’s inaugural year, Trinity launched Discover Trinity, which gives the scholars the opportunity to fly to San Antonio and experience Trinity’s campus in person.

Winner Announced for Trinity’s 2024 Stumberg Competition Final Round Powerlifting Depth Checker wins $25,000 Stumberg Prize

Five student startup teams competed in the final round of the Louis H. Stumberg Venture Competition in October 2024. After presenting their pitch to the judges, the students behind Powerlifting Depth Checker (PDC) won $25,000 for their startup and the audience favorite award. Team PDC consisted of founder and manager Faysal Al-Zand ’24, cofounder Lindsey Foushee ’25, and lead

iOS developer Khoi Tran ’26. PDC is a groundbreaking fitness device designed to precisely monitor squat depth for powerlifters, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts alike.

WalletHub Names Trinity No. 65 in Country University ranked among more than 800 institutions

WalletHub has ranked Trinity University No. 3 in Texas, No. 12 in the South, and No. 65 in the nation for its 2025 Best Colleges and Universities rankings. WalletHub analyzed more than 800 U.S. colleges and universities using 30 metrics, including student-faculty ratio, graduation rate, and post-attendance median salary.

Trinity Oral History Research Documents San Antonio’s Evolving Education Landscape

Trinity students shared their research at the Texas Oral History Association Conference

Trinity students Kaleigh Cansino ’26 and Kai Velasquez ’25 presented their research on the evolving educational landscape of San Antonio at the Texas Oral

History Association’s annual conference in September. Guided by education professor Habiba Noor, Ph.D., the students’ presentation, “Schooling in San Antonio,” focused on the intersections of urban change and education. Alongside these Trinity students, high schoolers from the International School of the Americas joined them at the conference, having worked over the summer with Noor on this project.

Trinity Hosts 3rd Annual Financial Literacy Day

Business faculty, staff, students, and alumni welcomed 45 Upward Bound students

In November, Trinity’s Neidorff School of Business (NSB) hosted 45 Upward Bound high school students for the 3rd annual Financial Literacy Day. The event aimed to show Upward Bound students a day in the life of a college student while teaching financial planning, money management, budgeting, computer skills, and income taxes. The event was coordinated by accounting professor Amy Foshee Holmes, Ph.D., and supported by a team of student volunteers, local finance professionals, and NSB faculty, staff, and alumni.

TRINITY TODAY

NSB Ranks No. 27 in Inaugural Poets&Quants Appearance

Neidorff School of Business recognized as a top undergraduate b-school for academic experience, admission standards, and career outcomes.

Trinity University’s Michael Neidorff School of Business is on the rise.

As a pioneer in undergraduate business education and an AACSBaccredited school, NSB has been ranked by Poets&Quants as the No. 27 Best Undergraduate Business School in the nation for 2025. And, among all schools that submit data to be considered for inclusion in the undergraduate b-school list, NSB ranks No. 1 in Texas

“Being recognized on the national stage as a top-ranked business school reinforces the value of our interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate business education,” says Megan Mustain, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “It elevates our standing, strengthens our reputation, and affirms that Trinity is preparing the next generation of thoughtful, innovative leaders.”

NSB’s first appearance on Poets&Quants’ list underscores the School’s ongoing commitment to access, excellence, and opportunity. The School also ranked:

No. 12 for Academic Experience. NSB is dedicated to handson education, faculty and undergraduate research, internships, meaningful collaboration, and leadership opportunities.

No. 24 for Admission Standards. Trinity’s Class of 2028 broke University records with 12,508 applications to the University and a record-low 26% admit rate.

No. 41 for Career Outcomes. For two consecutive years, 98% of recent graduates were either employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.

“This ranking is a powerful recognition of the storied excellence that defines Trinity’s Neidorff School of Business,” says Bob Scherer, Ph.D., dean of the Neidorff School of Business. “We will continue to expand our impact, strengthen our programs, and prepare students for the evolving demands of the business world.”

“Archaeology of Trinity” Course Showcases Campus Artifacts and Research

One man’s trash is another student’s treasure

Tigers in “Archaeology of Trinity University” presented research and an exhibit about historic artifacts found on Trinity’s campus, including Pearl beer bottles, pearlized oyster shells, and even pecan pralines made from a (modern) bottle of Burnett’s vanilla. Trinity is built on an abandoned limestone quarry that was used as an illegal dump site for decades. Thousands of historic artifacts from the 19th and early 20th centuries are rising to the surface and are now the focus of an archaeology class and long-term undergraduate research project. Jennifer Mathews, Ph.D., professor of anthropology, leads the project alongside Abra Schnur, MLS, University archivist.

Lessons in Law

Alumni working at Jackson Walker welcome Trinity’s Pre-Law Society

Thirty Trinity pre-law students visited the San Antonio office of Jackson Walker, the largest law firm in Texas, in the fall with the help of Trinity’s Alumni Relations. While there, the students met with Trinity alumni, such as Brian Oates ’08, Matthew

Cavenaugh ’03, and Jesse S. Lotay ’03, and other JW attorneys.

“Many Trinity students interested in prelaw are curious but uncertain, so hearing from successful individuals about their career paths makes all the difference in our exploration process,” says Abby Power ’25, president of Trinity’s Pre-Law Society.

University Extends Warm Welcomes

Trinity taps experts for positions on the Board of Trustees and around campus

John Tobola ’94

Trustee, Trinity University Board of Trustees

Tobola is president of Freeport LNG in Houston and chairman of the board of Theatre Under The Stars.

Paul Hensley ’87

President, Trinity University Alumni Association Board (TUAAB)

Hensley is senior vice president and chief financial officer for HOLT CAT and its affiliates.

Kristina Campos-Davis, Ph.D.

Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Campos-Davis was previously the chief of staff to the provost at Baylor University, worked as a strategic communications leader in higher education for seven years, and was a professor of communication and sociology for 17 years.

Tom Evelyn

Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing

Evelyn was previously the vice president for University Communications at Furman University. His prior experience includes leadership roles at several private and public universities.

Trinity is a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars

U.S. Department of State recognizes University scholars’ dedication to promoting global engagement

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recognized Trinity University as one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of faculty and administrators selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Trinity has had 25 Fulbright grantees, including individuals who have received multiple Fulbrights during their careers. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions, such as Trinity, value global connection and support members of their campus communities across the United States in pursuing international opportunities.

“Being a Fulbright Top Producing Institution demonstrates our core values of intentional inclusion and expanding global perspectives,” says Megan Mustain, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Trinity faculty are distinguished scholars and dedicated mentors, and Fulbright Scholars further Trinity’s mission of perpetual discovery, cultivating new questions and hazarding new answers with a wellinformed global lens.”

Trinity English professor Jenny Browne, MFA, has received two Distinguished Fulbright Fellowships to the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, one in creative writing (2019-20) and the second in Irish literature (2023-24). She says, “What makes Fulbright unique for me is the opportunity for both academic and cultural exchange, to be immersed in the rich intellectual life of another institution while also invigorating my own writing and teaching through encounters with new colleagues, students, landscapes, and cultural experiences, and ultimately bring the excitement and lasting connections built from those experiences back to Trinity.”

English professor Jenny Browne, MFA, visited beautiful sites while on her Fulbright trip to Northern Ireland.

TRINITY TODAY

Meet Trinity’s Semmes Scholars

Semmes Foundation support helps fuel Trinity’s commitment to STEM by Layal Khalil ‘27

Trinity University’s Semmes Scholars thrive in STEM research thanks to the generous support of the Semmes Foundation.

Established in 1952 by Dr. Douglas Ramsay (D. R.) Semmes, the Semmes Foundation has a long legacy of generosity at Trinity. The foundation funded the Thomas Semmes Chemistry Hall when Trinity relocated to its current campus and endowed a chemistry professorship. In Spring 2024, the Semmes Foundation gave $26.5 million, the largest gift in University history, to name the D.R. Semmes School of Science.

The foundation also funds the Semmes Distinguished Scholars in Science Scholarship, offering recipients fulltuition scholarships and $5,000 stipends for research, travel, materials, and supplies, to support them as they pursue STEM studies at Trinity.

Read about the experiences of the current Semmes Scholars:

Sydney Mae Barner ’28

Psychology and Anthropology

Dallas, Texas

Barner aspires to study the psychology and societal impacts of addictive behaviors, such as opioid use and eating disorders. In her eyes, what makes STEM so exciting is when it is studied within the context of the world, its intersectionality providing perspective and depth to the world.

Leanna Jo Eldridge ’25

Computer Science

Lexington Park, Maryland

Eldridge’s interest in STEM comes from her fascination with the versatility of technology and how it provides natural gateways into both STEM and nonSTEM fields. Eldridge will join Microsoft in a software engineering role after graduation.

Marco Jonsson ’25

Physics and Computer Science

Sugar Land, Texas

Jonsson works in a biophysics lab studying a unique phenomenon in fluid dynamics called Taylor-Couette Flow. He credits the Semmes Foundation for providing the financial aid necessary to pursue this research, which helped him open doors for graduate school and further professional opportunities.

Marlene Krueger ’28

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on Pre-Med Track

Fair Haven, New Jersey

Krueger has always been interested in analyzing complex graphs and solving intricate math problems. While living abroad in Tokyo, she joined her school’s synthetic biology club to research breast cancer biomarkers. Upon returning to New Jersey, she contributed to exercise science and public health research. Krueger hopes to become a physician or a medical researcher.

Clarissa Cecilia Reyna ’28

Psychology

Mission, Texas

Reyna is deeply interested in psychology, the processes of the human mind, and how it adapts to environmental stimuli and psychological trauma. As a Semmes Scholar, she values high standards of scholarship, intellectual curiosity, community service, and innovative research to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community.

Caroline Westbrook ’28

Biology

Houston, Texas

Westbrook can trace her love for STEM back to her father who, as a cancer researcher and biochemist, always brought home lab equipment for Westbrook to experiment with. An internship she did at Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center inspired Westbrook to want to research cancer drugs, such as IMiDs.

A Look Back at the Beginnings of KRTU

Co-founder Jim Blakemore ‘77 reflects on KRTU’s commitment to quality by Kenneth Caruthers ‘15

Just like Trinity University, KRTU has lived by the value of enduring excellence, long before it even made its first broadcast on January 23, 1976.

Jim Blakemore ’77, one of the founders of KRTU, made his way to the Department of Communication after dabbling in business and computer science. Blakemore describes the communication department at the time as more of a quasi-trade school combined with an academic department because so much of the curriculum was focused on experiential learning using broadcast-quality equipment.

“When I was a student, Trinity University’s communication department had better equipment than the local television stations,” Blakemore says.

Bill Hays, the chair of the Department of Communication at the time, and Don White, the first station manager of KRTU, decided that Trinity needed a radio station. Emilio Nicolas Jr. ’75, director of the Student Activity Board, organized events to raise money for the new station, and Bernard Waterman, president of Waterman Broadcasting, donated funds, equipment, and legal aid to help the station get off the ground. He even allowed Trinity students to go live on the air of one of his radio stations on Sunday nights to give them broadcasting experience.

While eagerly awaiting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to go live, the students literally built the station from the ground up. Blakemore remembers pounding the nails, pulling the wires, and hanging “ugly green carpeting on the walls for soundproofing.” Once the studio was built, the students practiced constantly so that they could be ready to flip the switch when the time came.

That moment finally arrived when Western Union delivered a telegram from the FCC. Ron Zimmerman, KRTU’s first news director, picked up the telegram and brought the broadcasting license back to Trinity, where the students tacked it on the studio wall, turned the transmitter on, and started broadcasting.

Support Independent Listening

In a time when the number of jazz radio stations across the nation is steadily decreasing, KRTU continues to provide a stronghold for all to enjoy and learn about the power and diversity of jazz.

As KRTU approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, KRTU co-founder Jim Blakemore ’77 wants to ensure the future of the independently funded station and build upon its strong legacy of innovation and success. Thanks to a generous $25,000 gift from Blakemore, KRTU has announced a matching challenge that doubles the impact of donations to the station, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

In the station’s early days, KRTU featured a variety of genres, including classical, country, and rock, supplemented by news reporting and in-studio performances. In 2002, KRTU adopted jazz as its primary music format. The radio station now maintains one of the largest in-studio collections of jazz recordings in the country and is a crucial anchor of the South Texas Jazz community. of KRTU’s operating budget comes from individual donations 50% keeps KRTU 91.7 on the air for one hour

$60

Make a one-time gift or fund an annual membership.

Scan the QR code to learn more about donating to KRTU or visit trinity.edu/krtu/donate.

SYLLABUS

Lennox Lecture Series

As part of the Lennox Seminar, four visiting scholars gave public lectures about Taylor Swift and guest lectured the course.

“Swiftie Poetics”

Rachel Feder, Ph.D.

University of Denver

“Why We Love Love Songs: Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Disinterest”

John Dyck, Ph.D.

Auburn University

“Princess, Prince, or Villain? Taylor Swift and the Disneyfication of Pop”

Katie Kapurch, Ph.D.

Texas State University

“Taylor Swift and Queer Politics: Parasocial Expectations and Exceptions”

Ley Cray, Ph.D.

New Mexico State University

Trinity Professors Teach Joint Course on Taylor Swift

2025 Lennox Seminar combines philosophy and English to analyze the works of a global music icon

by Kennice Leisk ’22

This spring, two professors brought Taylor Swift to Trinity University.

Well, not literally. More like literarily—and philosophically.

In their course, “Taylor Swift as Literary and Recording Artist,” Trinity professors Andrew Kania, Ph.D., and Betsy Tontiplaphol, Ph.D., brought together the disciplines of philosophy and English to analyze two central aspects of Swift’s artistry: the literariness of her song lyrics and the aesthetic implications of her “Taylor’s Versions” project.

This interdisciplinary course was the 2025 Lennox Seminar. Made possible by the Martha, David, and Bagby Lennox Foundation, the Lennox Seminar is both a course and a lecture series that invites four visiting professors to campus to offer different perspectives on a chosen theme. And this year, that theme was Taylor Swift.

With a music career that includes 14 GRAMMY awards and the highest-grossing tour of all time, Taylor Swift is one of the most successful music artists and cultural icons in recent history. After both Kania and Tontiplaphol published scholarly works about Swift in Fall 2024, they decided to team up to teach a course inspired by their shared scholarly interest in the celebrity.

“Although courses on Swift have cropped up at universities around the world, our course is unique in its focus on both literary-critical and artphilosophical approaches to Swift,” Tontiplaphol says. “We’ve designed our course to encourage students to think not only about Swift’s artistry but also about the relationship between literary studies and philosophical studies. We’re excited to ask questions about Swift, and we’re excited to ask questions about the questions we ask about Swift.”

The course encouraged students to see the literariness of music and the musicality of literature.

“Listeners can absolutely enjoy (or, of course, criticize) Swift without having studied her work in a university classroom. Art, especially ‘popular’ art, doesn’t require scholarly consumers,” Tontiplaphol says. “That said, however, art—like other human productions, systems, and institutions—often becomes more meaningful, valuable, and even useful when viewed through a scholarly lens.”

Beyond the Books

Five courses of many that expand the Trinity experience by Jeremy Gerlach

From deep-sea exploration to the art of persuasion, there’s always something challenging and unexpected on the class schedules of Trinity University students.

Here, learning goes beyond textbooks and lecture halls. It’s about discovery—of new ideas, unexpected passions, and skills that last a lifetime. While students dive deep into their majors, they also have the chance to explore courses that challenge the ordinary and spark curiosity in surprising ways.

Ever wanted to decipher ancient graffiti? Master the two-step? Chart ocean currents or craft a financial game plan for life? These five unique Trinity courses prove that a liberal arts education is as dynamic as the students who embrace it.

Oceanography

(GEOS-1405)

Taught by Glenn C. Kroeger, Ph.D. & Cait Livsey, Ph.D.

Dive into the dynamic world of oceanography! This course uncovers the forces that shape our oceans, from plate tectonics and deep-sea currents to towering waves and shifting tides. Students explore the chemistry of seawater, the mysteries of marine ecosystems, and the impact of climate change on our blue planet. And yes, there is a field trip required.

Weird Latin

(LATN-4491 Special Topics)

Taught by Tim O’Sullivan, Ph.D. & Thomas Jenkins, Ph.D.

After enough Trinity students expressed interest in a smorgasbord of non-canonical Latin genres/literature, members of Trinity’s classical studies department put together a course in “Weird Latin.” Galloping through three genres—epigram, graffiti/epigraph, and Neo-Latin—students are exploring how these “low” genres work alongside the more elevated genres of epic, forensic oratory, and more.

Persuasion

(HCOM-3434)

Taught by William Jensen, Ph.D. & President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D.

Why do some messages inspire action while others fall flat? This course unpacks the science and strategy behind persuasion, blending rhetorical theory with social science research. From political campaigns to social movements, Tigers are analyzing real-world influence tactics, crafting compelling arguments, and navigating the ethical challenges of persuasion.

Personal Finance

(FNCE-1300)

Taught by James Maxey, MBA & Brian Korb Financial security isn’t just about making money—it’s about making smart decisions. This course provides a comprehensive guide to personal financial planning, covering everything from budgeting and tax strategies to insurance, investments, and estate planning. Students learn how to manage banking and credit, plan for major purchases like a home or car, and make informed choices about retirement and savings.

Country/Western Dance

(PHED-1155)

Taught by Jeremy Zipagan

Kick up your boots and master the moves of classic country and Western dance! From the Texas two-step to the Western waltz, this course covers the essential steps, rhythms, and partner techniques that put a little life in the phrase “lifelong learning.” Learn how to lead, follow, and glide across the dance floor with confidence— whether you’re swinging to Western polka or keeping time to “Cotton Eye Joe.”

A Beacon of Light

Education professor Heather Haynes Smith ’97, M’98, receives San Antonio Express-News “SA Lights” Award

by Molly Barkis ’25

Trinity University education professor Heather Haynes Smith ’97, M’98, Ph.D., has been named one of 12 recipients of the San Antonio Express-News “SA Lights” Award. The honor recognizes individuals in the San Antonio community who make significant contributions through their passion, dedication, and service.

Devoting her career to advocacy for disability rights, Smith is known on campus for her work to make education more accessible for people of all abilities and backgrounds. At Trinity, Smith coordinates the community’s annual Disability Inclusion and Awareness Fair. In the classroom, Smith teaches the technical skills necessary for future educators and the vital importance of empathy, kindness, and action, encouraging students to embrace vulnerability and understanding as tools for meaningful social change.

Smith has served on the boards of local organizations such as The Winston School of San Antonio and CAMP (Children’s Association for Maximum Potential), and she is also an appointed member of the Impact Council for the United Way.

“Education isn’t just about teaching content—it is about teaching our students to care for each other,” Smith says.

Trinity Biology Professor Receives 2nd Place in XPRIZE Rainforest

Competition

Tomas Hrbek and his MOLRA team competed among 300 international teams

Tomas Hrbek, Ph.D., Trinity University’s Cowles Distinguished Professor of Biology, and his fellow Map of Life Rapid Assessments (MOLRA) teammates placed 2nd in the international XPRIZE Rainforest Competition, winning $2 million.

Launched in 2019, XPRIZE Rainforest is a 5-year international competition that fosters the development of autonomous and innovative technologies to map the biodiversity of tropical forests and bring these technologies to the market.

Hrbek joined the Yale-based MOLRA team in January 2024, assuming the role of co-eDNA team lead. His lead teammates include professors from Yale University and Rutgers University and a senior conservation ecologist at the Field Museum of Natural History.

MOLRA was one of more than 300 teams from different countries that participated in the initial phases of the XPRIZE. After five years of intense stages, six teams reached the final, held in July 2024 near Manaus, Brazil.

The finalist teams were challenged to map the biodiversity of 100 hectares of rainforest in just 24 hours without entering the forest. They used innovative technologies, such as drones, to map the vegetation and to collect forest sounds and environmental DNA, and they employed portable sequencers to read environmental DNA. Then, over the next 48 hours, the teams analyzed the data using technologies such as artificial intelligence and bioinformatics, transforming the data into detailed insights and highlighting the potential of tropical forests for conservation and bioeconomy.

“This (competition) made me realize we already have all the tools necessary to carry out efficiently and rapidly standardized and comprehensive biodiversity surveys,” Hrbek says. “The only thing we lack is the political will to actually conduct these surveys and then to turn them into actionable conservation and climate mitigation policies.”

Biology professor Tomas Hrbek worked alongside leading ecologists from across the nation as a member of the Map of Life Rapid Assessments team.

CELCS Wins Handshake Career Spark Award

Award recognizes CELCS as one of the top 2% of career centers in the nation

Trinity University’s Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS) has been recognized with a 2024 Handshake Career Spark Award.

Handshake is an early talent network that connects U.S. college students with more than 950,000 actively recruiting employers. Out of more than 1,500 schools that use Handshake, CELCS is one of only 35 career centers that were recognized this year as a Career Spark Award winner, placing it in the top 2% of Handshake partner institutions. Trinity is also one of only nine private schools to receive the award this year.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to empowering students through innovative engagement strategies, comprehensive programming, and strong employer partnerships,” says Katie Ramirez, director of CELCS.

CELCS’ resources prepare students for their careers and post-graduate pursuits, directly contributing to Trinity’s 98% positive outcomes rate.

Philosophy and Literature Circle Project Receives $1.8 Million Grant

Funding supports program that brings together Trinity students and incarcerated scholars

by Cal Siewart ’22

The Philosophy and Literature Circle at Trinity University received a $1.8 million “Imagining Freedom” grant from the Mellon Foundation to support the continuation and expansion of the initiative.

Led by Judith Norman, Ph.D., Trinity philosophy professor, with Elly Gonzales ’23, assistant program director, this program brings Trinity students together with incarcerated scholars to foster meaningful dialogue about classic and contemporary literature and philosophy.

This grant will help the program expand programming to new carceral sites, support incarcerated scholars’ writings, enhance teaching resources, strengthen program accountability, develop culturally sensitive evaluations, support alumni and system-involved individuals, and integrate new faculty fellows through training and assessment.

“Trinity’s support of this program intentionally extends our networks far beyond our own institution and puts students in communication with communities and perspectives they may not otherwise know exist or would not otherwise have a chance to learn alongside,” Norman says.

Trinity Research Fights Alcohol

Use Disorder

San Antonio Medical Foundation grant adds SwRI, UT Health SA as collaborators by Jeremy Gerlach

Alcohol use disorder remains a persistent and complex challenge for millions across the United States, a condition often exacerbated by stress, anxiety, and trauma.

With a $200,000 award from the San Antonio Medical Foundation, a team of Trinity University researchers is aiming to redefine how stress impacts addiction relapse, potentially advancing treatment options. Kah- Chung Leong, Ph.D., the Trinity psychology professor heading the project, says the research specifically looks at the repurposing of oxytocin to address stress-induced alcohol relapse behaviors therapeutically.

“Stress interacts with addiction behavior quite dramatically,” Leong says. “Periods of stress often drive individuals to relapse into drug-seeking behavior. Our research hopes to diminish the effect of stress on addiction behavior and break the cycle between stress disorders and relapse.”

In a brand-new collaboration for the institutions, Trinity will work alongside the Southwest Research Institute and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio on the project. Trinity is the lead institution, which is significant, Leong says, because “it increases our visibility as a research institution, (specifically) as a biomedical research institution, and enhances our capabilities.”

IMPACT: Accolades and Achievements

Welcome to the dedicated space that features scholarship, creativity, community engagement, and accomplishments of faculty and staff at Trinity University. These entries were submitted from October 2024 through February 2025.

Victoria Aarons, Ph.D. | English received the 2024 Jordan Schnitzer Book Award in Jews and the Arts: Music, Performance, and Visual for the publication of her monograph, Memory Spaces: Visualizing Identity in Jewish Women’s Graphic Narratives.

Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D. | Trinity University President has joined College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a consortium convened by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, reflecting her dedication to defending free expression, civil discourse, and critical inquiry as essential civic norms.

Chartwells, the Trinity University Police Department, Residential Life, and all of Trinity’s essential staff helped keep our students safe, warm, and fed through this season’s winter weather!

Graham Edwards, Ph.D. | Earth and Environmental Geosciences had his paper, “Uranium-series isotopes as tracers of physical and chemic weathering in glacial sediments from Taylor Valley, Antarctica,” accepted for publication in Chemical Geology

Eddy Garza | TUPD was honored with the 2024 Larry W. Fultz Memorial Award for Excellence, a prestigious award given annually to an exemplary university police officer.

Andrew Kania, Ph.D. | Philosophy co-published the sixth edition of Writing Philosophy Papers, a book designed to help students master the art of writing philosophy papers. This new edition includes insights and materials Kania developed during his time teaching at Trinity.

Kevin McIntyre, Ph.D. | Psychology has had three papers with student co-authors accepted recently. The papers examine how romantic relationships shape individuals’ selfconcepts for better or worse.

Andrew Porter, MFA | English has been longlisted for the 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. This annual award honors a mid-career author of fiction in the midst of a burgeoning career, a distinguished writer who has emerged and is still emerging.

Katie Ramirez | Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success was honored with the prestigious Southern Association of Colleges and Employers President’s Award.

Lorenzo Sanchez, Ph.D. | Emergency Management obtained the Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP) certification from DRI International. This is the highest certification level globally in the BC industry, and only a small percentage of professionals have achieved the MBCP.

Orange You Glad We Have a Cool Chaplain?

Chaplain Alex Serna-Wallender ’08, M’09 unpacks his tradition of giving away oranges to students by Layal Khalil ’27

Since the beginning of his time as Trinity’s Chaplain, Alex Serna-Wallender ’08, M’09 has regularly handed out clementines to people around campus.

Kathryn Vomero Santos, Ph.D. | English was recently on Texas Public Radio’s Fronteras to discuss Volume 2 of The Bard in the Borderlands

Jimmy Smith | Athletics was selected as the head basketball coach of the 2024 USA 3x3 Men’s U23 National Team and led Team USA to win silver in Mongolia.

Lauren Turek, Ph.D. | History published an edited volume, The Routledge History of Religion and Politics in the United States since 1775, which brings together essays from 48 scholars from history, religious studies, American studies, sociology, and other disciplines. Turek and her co-editor also contributed a chapter to the volume.

The Trinity University Police Department (TUPD) front-line supervisors, Roberto Lopez, Darin Wilde, Eliseo Sandoval, and Rod Lewis, attended the Texas Police Association’s 161st Law Enforcement Leadership Conference. TUPD also brought the community together in a spirit of unity and collaboration for the National Faith & Blue Weekend.

“I carry clementines on me at most times, and the opportunities they create to pause for just a moment and be grateful for the person before me is always a gift,” he says. “My favorite part about handing out clementines is the unexpected joy that it brings in the brief moments of passing.”

Serna-Wallender takes inspiration from stories related to clementines, namely the Tangerine Meditation from Thích Nh^a ´ t Ha nh, a Vietnamese Thi^e ` n Buddhist monk, peace activist, and writer. The clementine’s origin also inspires Serna-Wallender. Brother Marie-Clément, who worked in the citrus groves of an orphanage in Algeria, is credited with creating the clementine variety of mandarin oranges in an effort to make it easier for the kids to eat.

“The origin of the clementine is an invitation to think about how we use our gifts and interests to care well for those around us,” Serna-Wallender says. “I would love for the clementines to inspire each of us to think about ways we can create small moments of joy, care, and hospitality for those in our communities.”

Octavio Solis ’80 Returns to Campus for Residency

Award-winning Latino playwright directed students and gave public events by Layal

Khalil ’27

Playwright Octavio Solis ’80, MFA, returned to campus this spring for a residency with Trinity University’s human communication and theatre department and to host several public events related to theatre, politics, and his forthcoming play, In the Clearing

Since his time as a student, Solis has been passionate about theatre. “The years I spent at Trinity were deeply influential and immersive,” he says. “I thought, ate, and drank theater practically the entire time.”

“Once I hit the streets, I realized I wasn’t going to get the parts I wanted. So, I started writing plays that featured myself in order to audition for other directors and also to keep my chops up,” he says. “Somebody had to cast me, so I cast myself.”

Throughout his career, Solis has authored more than 20 plays, earning him consideration as one of the most prominent Latino playwrights in America. During his residency and as a Stieren Guest Artist with the Trinity theatre department, Solis directed the world premiere of his new play, In the Clearing, in

“The years I spent at Trinity were deeply influential and immersive. I thought, ate, and drank theater practically the entire time.”

After graduation, Solis continued pursuing his interests in theatre at the Dallas Theater Center in an offsite Trinity graduate program. While Solis originally intended to pursue acting, he found himself sucked into playwriting.

collaboration with Trinity students. The premiere ran April 4-12 in Stieren Theater.

In addition to directing this play, Solis discussed “Plays, Politics, and the Power of Story” as part of Trinity’s The Conversation series, and he gave the 2025 Madrid Lecture, “Memory: My Faulty Muse.”

left Octavio Solis ‘80, MFA, discussed the intersections of theatre and politics with Trinity professors Roberto Prestigiacomo, MFA; Kathryn Vomero Santos, Ph.D.; and Norma E. Cantú, Ph.D. insert Solis directed the premiere of his new play, In the Clearing, with Trinity students.

The Conversation Continues

Spring 2025 lineup focuses on constructive dialogue

Initiated in Fall 2024, The Conversation is a dynamic series dedicated to fostering constructive dialogue and productive disagreement. The event series underscores Trinity University’s commitment to promoting thoughtful and respectful exchanges, enhancing collective insight, and reinforcing our role as a vibrant hub for intellectual and democratic engagement.

While the Fall 2024 lineup held a political focus because of the presidential election, this spring’s events created intentional spaces for students, faculty, and staff to discuss how to navigate complex issues impacting our world. The events were held in a range of formats, such as discussions, workshops, screenings, roundtables, and public debates, each designed to expand understanding and enrich our community.

The spring events included reflections on the election, a film screening for Exile of the Musicians, a discussion between Mike Capuano (D-MA) and Joe Heck (R-NV) (former members of the U.S. House of Representatives), a faculty panel about the ethics of artificial intelligence, a discussion of poetry’s place in times of uncertainty, a conversation about theater and politics, a panel on the separation of church and state in Texas, a forum for high school students to engage with San Antonio mayoral candidates, and a public debate on AI legal personhood.

For the Congress to Campus event, Mike Capuano (D-MA) and Joe Heck (R-NV), former members of the U.S. House of Representatives, held a discussion in Dicke Hall on political disagreement and working across the aisle.

TIGER PRIDE

Fall 2024 Athletics

Cross Country

The Tigers secured second place in both the men’s and women’s divisions at the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championships. William Salony ’25 earned All-Region honors and qualified for the NCAA Championships. He finished 64th in the race, marking the second-best finish in school history. Charlotte Martin ’28 was named SCAC Newcomer of the Year after being the top first-year finisher at the SCAC Championships. Both the men’s and women’s teams were recognized as All-Academic teams by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the Fall 2024 semester, an honor requiring a team GPA of 3.1 or higher.

Football

The Tigers secured their fifth Southern Athletic Association Championship in 2024 with an 8-3 overall record, including a

6-1 mark in conference play, and advanced to the NCAA Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Twenty Tigers earned spots on the All-SAA list. Four players received D3football.com All-Region honors: kicker Tyler Huettel ’25 (First Team), linebacker Cade Rabson ’24 (First Team), defensive lineman Jonathan Nwobodo ’25 (Second Team), and offensive lineman Caleb Bayer ’26 (Third Team). In addition, two players were named D3football.com All-Americans: Huettel (First Team) and Rabson (Third Team). Huettel was also named Special Teams Player of the Year by the SAA, Associated Press (AP), and College Football Network (CFN), and he earned All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association, AP, CFN, and the Walter Camp Division III Team.

Golf

The Trinity golf teams enjoyed success in their brief fall seasons. The women’s team claimed first place at the Alamo City Classic, led by All-American Jessica Mason ’26, who secured the individual title with a score of 147 (73-74). Mason also recorded a careerlow round of 68 at the Golfweek October Classic. On the men’s side, the Tigers earned two podium finishes and a team title. They opened the season with a victory at the SCAC Fall Preview, where All-American Jacob Mason ’24 captured the individual

championship. The team wrapped up the fall season with runner-up finishes at the TLU Bulldog Invitational and the Alamo City Classic.

Men’s Soccer

Head Coach Paul McGinlay led the 2024 Tiger soccer team to a 19-1-3 record, winning the SCAC regular season for the third time in the last four seasons as well as the SCAC tournament championship for the first time since 2018. With 571 career wins, McGinlay advanced from sixth to fifth on the list of the winningest coaches in Division III soccer history. This season also marked the 21st time in the last 22 years that the Tigers made the NCAA playoffs, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in six years. JonConnor Rule ’24 and Louis Instrall ’24 were joined by Hunter Cain ’25 and Adam Knutson ’26 on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team. Knutson’s standout season also earned him SCAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Rule was also recognized as a Second Team All-American and earned himself a spot as a First Team Scholar All-American alongside Instrall, who earned Second Team Scholar All-American honors.

Salony

Huettel

Mason

Knutson

Women’s Soccer

Head Coach Dylan Harrison ’02 led the Tigers to an 18-2-3 record, winning the SCAC regular season for the ninth time in the last 10 years as well as the SCAC tournament for the 10th time in the last 11 years. This season also marked the 15th season in a row that the Tigers have qualified for the NCAA tournament. They advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. First-year Kylie Harris ’28 made an immediate impact as she swept the SCAC Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors—the first player in conference history to win both awards in the same season. Michaela Bosco ’25 and Lauryn Lewis ’25 were joined by Bri Werner ’26 and Harris on the Region 10 First Team, while Abby Schneider ’25 landed a spot on the Region 10 Second Team. In addition to their All-Region honors, Lewis and Bosco were both recognized as AllAmericans, with Lewis earning a spot on the Third Team and Bosco on the Fourth Team. Lewis and Bosco went on to earn Scholar All-American honors while Schneider earned Scholar All-Region honors.

Serving Success

For Louise Allen ’84, success is not confined to a single court by James Hill ‘76

At Trinity, Louise Allen ’84 didn’t just play tennis —she dominated. Competing on the international circuit as an amateur, Allen played in four Grand Slam tournaments and reached a professional singles ranking of No. 65 in the world. She earned All-American honors each season, achieved an outstanding 115-11 singles record, helped lead the Tigers to the national collegiate team finals twice, and remained undefeated in singles and doubles at home. And, Allen somehow found time to participate in every intramural sport with her teammates. In 1984, she received the Broderick Award, honoring her as the nation’s College Tennis Player of the Year.

One of her most memorable accomplishments came in 1983 when she and Gretchen Rush ’86 captured the NCAA Doubles Championship and, later that year, a gold medal for the United States at the Pan American Games. For her accomplishments, Allen has been inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, the Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame, and, most recently, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2022.

But Allen’s success didn’t end when she hung up her racket. She seamlessly transitioned into the corporate world, working in various management positions for software companies before joining Planview, Inc. in Austin, Texas, where she has been the chief product officer since 2021.

“Working in product management is very similar to sports in that you’re constantly strategizing to beat the competition,” Allen says. “It requires quick thinking, adaptability, and the same dedication that drives success on the court.”

Whether she’s leading in the boardroom or competing on the court, Allen proves that hard work, determination, and a passion for excellence can take you to the top.

Former Trinity women’s tennis players join Louise Allen ’84 (center left) at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame Ceremony in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Harris

TIGER PRIDE

trinity.edu/live

Tiger Network is Trinity’s livestreaming network, covering athletics and special events for a worldwide audience.

Tiger Network showcases #TigerPride in full HD with real-time replays, color commentary by professionals and student-athletes, and on-demand options.

Watch events ON DEMAND

On-demand videos include:

• Tiger Enrichment Series webinars

• Concerts and performances

• Archived speakers and lectures

• Commencement exercises

• And more!

Tennis

In September, both the men’s and women’s teams excelled at the ITA Regional Championships, sweeping the singles and doubles titles. On the men’s side, Ryan Warren ’28 claimed the singles championship in a hard-fought three-set match, while Kishan Kersten ’27 and Rocco Mendez ’28 secured the doubles title. For the women, Ruth Hill ’25 defended her singles title, winning for the second consecutive year, and teamed up with Olivia Kim ’25 to capture the doubles championship.

Volleyball

Trinity finished their season with a 26-7 overall record and a 14-1 mark in SCAC contests. The Tigers secured their 22nd overall SCAC Championship and qualified for the NCAA Playoffs for the eighth straight season, advancing to the NCAA Regional Final before falling to Emory University. Three players were named American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans: Maddie Fate ’24 was on the Second Team, while Mackenzie Logan ’24 and Courtney Pope ’27 were honorable mentions. Fate was named SCAC Player of the Year, and Taylor Starr ’28 earned SCAC Freshman of the Year honors. Head Coach Julie Jenkins and assistant coaches Maggi Linker ’20, Brad Bulycz, and Marisa Amarino earned SCAC Coaching Staff of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Fate Hill

From the Gridiron to the Canvas

Warren Irwin ‘98 credits Trinity for growing his passions for art and football

by Kenneth Caruthers

’15

For Warren Irwin ’98, the process of his work means so much more than the end result.

Irwin, a physical education teacher and athletic director in Metairie, Louisiana, most recently experienced this through the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s statewide art exhibition, Louisiana Contemporary. For the past 11 years, jurors rejected Irwin’s submissions, but he broke through the competition on his 12th try. His submission, “Pierce Street Sparkle,” was displayed alongside 40 other selected works in the fall of 2024.

New Orleans is at the heart of almost everything Irwin creates. Irwin showcases both the good and the bad of the Big Easy, refusing to promote a strictly idyllic version of the city. In one of his works, for example, he scattered across the picture plane shards of broken glass he picked up from the aftermath of vehicle break-ins.

“New Orleans just gets in your bones,” Irwin says. “I’m spending my entire life trying to resolve all the constant back-and-forth emotions that you experience living here. This city is the cause of so many of our joys and, unfortunately, so many of our sorrows.”

An art major who played college football, Irwin transferred to Trinity midway through his career, swayed by regional football rankings, the city’s warm weather, and conversations with Steve Mohr, the head football coach at the time.

“I could not get Trinity out of my mind,” Irwin remembers. “In your 20-year-old brain, you don’t make really wellthought-out decisions, but this was one I was determined to do, and it worked out. Trinity Football will forever be right up there with all the greatest things I do in life.”

Off the field at Trinity, Irwin focused on his art, connecting with professors such as Bob Tiemann. John Hutton’s museum studies course fascinated Irwin and led to him volunteering at the New Orleans Museum of Art, which then asked him to stay on full-time as the outreach coordinator. He later left to get his master’s degree in teaching art from Jacksonville University and pursue a teaching and coaching career.

Irwin, who has hosted students in New Orleans as part of Tiger Breaks, Trinity’s alternative spring break program, recalls one of his favorite Trinity memories as being rather ordinary.

“I remember a night I ran into some friends in Coates. We ended up hanging out there for four hours until they had to kick us out to lock the building,” he says. “Those impromptu moments—when you had nothing planned and no expectations, but you walk away feeling great about the company you keep and the high-quality group of people you are part of as a member of the Trinity community—these normal moments in your Trinity experience can turn into something you’ll treasure for the rest of your life.”

TRINITY UNIVERSITY PRESS

Satellite: Essays on Fatherhood and Home, Near and Far Simmons Buntin

In Satellite, Buntin crafts a powerful journey through essays that explore belonging, resilience, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature, offering fresh insights on thriving together in a shared world.

Attached to the Living World: A New Ecopoetry Anthology

edited by Ann Fisher-Wirth and Laura-Gray Street

With over 150 powerful voices, Attached to the Living World explores the intersections of ecological awareness, social justice, and challenges in the world today.

Pan Dulce: A Celebration of Mexican Sweet and Savory Breads, Pastries, Conchas, Empanadas, and More Ellen Riojas Clark ’74

Pan Dulce is a delicious dive into Mexico’s sweetest traditions, mixing recipes, stories, and history to honor the vibrant culture of panaderías and the beloved breads that bring generations together.

Los Muertos: Day of the Dead Fiction

edited by Adela Pineda Franco

Hauntingly beautiful tales of memory, tradition, and death come alive in Los Muertos, as Mexican and Mexican American writers celebrate El Día de Muertos.

The Mexican Jack London

In The Mexican, a fearless young boxer fights for survival and revolution, turning his fists into weapons for freedom in this graphic adaptation.

Hometown Texas Joe Holley

Blending compelling stories with striking photographs, this vivid journey through Texas captures the grit, charm, and soul of its people and landscapes, revealing a fading yet unforgettable world in Hometown Texas

Outside: Stories by Barry Lopez Barry Lopez

Exploring the deep connections between humans, animals, and the landscapes they share, Outside showcases six mesmerizing stories that transform simple prose into something sacred and full of wonder.

Trinity University Press is committed to civic engagement with ideas. Published books, public programs, and related media focus on helping us all understand our place in a crowded world with a particular focus on the following areas: bilingual early childhood literacy; the human relationship to the physical environment ranging from wilderness to constructed, urban life; social equity and justice; the interdependence of animal and human life; and Southwestern U.S. and Mexican regional studies. For more information, visit tupress.org

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

by Tom Payton, director of Trinity University Press

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. As publishers focused on being in the “word business,” some of my colleagues might bristle at that adage, but there is something to it for certain.

For years, we have sought opportunities to stage exhibits of the art contained in or related to the books we publish, but appropriate venues are hard to find. In opening our new offices last summer in the Monte Vista neighborhood near the Trinity University campus, we discovered a rare opportunity to make this dream come true. Our sunlight-drenched space includes the Libros/ Arte Gallery, which is open to the public. In this gallery, we are now staging four major shows a year (each for more than two months). These shows are derived, in some cases, from the books we will or have published, as

well as other work that is related to our editorial focus and organizational mission.

Recent shows have featured mouth-watering food photography by Joel Salcido from a forthcoming book on pan dulce, the “revolutionary women” art of Kathy Sosa, and botanical paintings by Kari Englehardt that focus on the role of native landscape in reclaiming damaged land (due to fracking) accompanied by ekphrastic poems by Jean Hackett. Our shows allow us the opportunity to not only celebrate the visual elements of the work we publish but also to engage in meaningful discussion about the vital role of the visual arts in celebrating, documenting, interpreting, and pushing us to think about the world around us. Please visit!

Trinity University Press hosted an art exhibit in its Libros/Arte Gallery featuring art by Kathy Sosa from her book Mestizaje

IN MEMORIAM

This issue’s obituaries include Trinity community members who passed away between November 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025.

KIMBERLY ANDERSON

Kimberly Timmons Anderson, wife of Trinity University’s 19th president, Danny Anderson, died on December 13 after a three-month battle with glioblastoma. She was 69.

A lifelong learner, Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from Pittsburg State and worked as an art teacher in Kansas before completing her master’s degree in library science at Emporia State University. Anderson’s career took her to Utah, Alaska, and Illinois before she returned to Kansas to provide youth services for the Johnson County Public Library system. In Lawrence, Kansas, she established a program offering library experiences to pre-school children from low-income families, and she volunteered at Small World, an English-language acquisition program for international women and children.

During her husband’s time at the University of Kansas, Anderson actively participated in the campus community and walked with the Jabber Walkers group. She also substituted and volunteered at numerous Lawrence schools.

In 2015, Anderson stepped into the role of first lady with grace and excitement when her husband was named president of Trinity University. She served on the steering committee for Trinity’s 150th Anniversary celebration, and she opened her Oakmont home to numerous campus events and traditions.

In 2022, the Andersons retired to Redlands, California, to be near their two children and to welcome the birth of their granddaughter. Of all the roles in her life, being a mother and grandmother gave her the greatest joy.

Anderson is survived by her husband; her son; her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter; her brother and sister-in-law; and her niece.

DIANE PERSELLIN

Diane Cummings Persellin, Ph.D., professor of music and longtime director of the Trinity University Handbell Ensemble, died on December 15 after a battle with pharyngeal cancer. She was 72.

Persellin earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in education from the University of North Dakota, followed by a doctorate from Arizona State University. She joined Trinity in 1982, and over her four decades at the University, Persellin held numerous crossdisciplinary leadership roles, co-authored two books and wrote more than 100 publications on music and education, co-founded and directed Trinity’s Orff-Schulwerk music teacher certification program, and helped establish the University’s annual Christmas Concert.

Persellin was the recipient of multiple University awards, including the prestigious Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship in 2017. Two of her proudest accomplishments were leading the Handbell Ensemble in performances at Carnegie Hall and at Radio City Music Hall.

Off campus, Persellin volunteered with the San Antonio Symphony and served on the boards of the San Antonio Symphony and the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio. She was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1997.

A dedicated Christian, Persellin served as a church organist even in retirement. She and her husband, Robert, delighted in international travel, and she also found time to bicycle and to take part in the San Antonio Road Runners Club.

Persellin is survived by her husband, mother, four siblings, two step-daughters and their children, and many nieces and nephews.

GORDON MacALPINE

Gordon MacAlpine, Ph.D., Charles A. Zilker Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics, died on October 13 after a five-month battle with brain cancer.

MacAlpine earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Earlham College and a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Wisconsin. He taught at the University of Michigan for 28 years, then spent the next 13 years as the Charles A. Zilker Distinguished Professor of Physics at Trinity University, where he developed a class on environmental physics for non-science majors.

A 10-year resident of Estes Park, Colorado, MacAlpine dedicated his time to many local organizations and causes that supported the preservation of the environment. Known for being ardent and articulate, he spoke and wrote about his fight for the environment not for himself, but for his grandchildren.

MacAlpine is survived by his wife, daughter, son, two granddaughters, son-inlaw, brother, sister, and large extended family.

RUBY MILLER

Ruby Evelyn Miller, professor emerita of Coates Library, died on December 20. She was 88.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Miller was the daughter of Carlyle Henry “Red” and Ruby Ella Burns. She married Robert Allen Miller Sr. in October 1964 in Bexar County, Texas.

Miller received her master’s degree in library science from Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas. She enjoyed a distinguished career at Trinity University, where she retired after 33 years. She was widely respected in her field and published numerous library science articles focusing on technical services. A dedicated Lakehills United Methodist Church member, Miller contributed immeasurably to both her profession and her community.

Miller is survived by her four children, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, two brothers, and sister.

RONALD PRATHER

Ronald “Ron” Eugene Prather, Ph.D., Caruth Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Computing and Information Science, died on January 9. He was 91.

Prather began his academic career at the University of Denver before joining Trinity University, where he penned numerous academic papers and several books. He retired in 1999.

Prather contributed deep knowledge to mathematical theory in computer science, program and software testing, and software complexity. He established a computer and music curriculum at Trinity and created the Structured Musical Language, a technique for encoding musical scores in a clear way. One of his proudest achievements was his scholarly article, “The Popular Songs of Alec Wilder,” published in The Musical Quarterly

Prather was an avid sports fan and possessed a deep appreciation for music, particularly jazz, big band, and the Beatles.

He is survived by his wife as well as his son and daughter, both from a previous marriage.

top Physics professor Nirav Mehta, Ph.D., conducts experiments live on stage as part of his “Speaking Physics” course. left University Archivist Abra Schnur and Seb Mora ’26 review materials in the Coates Library Special Collections and Archives. top right Students participating in a science lab. bottom right Engineering science professor Jack Leifer, Ph.D., works with student researchers to use photo measurements to examine how car seat positioning affects vehicle ergonomics and safety.

Trinity Joins Inaugural Carnegie Classification for Research Colleges and Universities

Designation recognizes sustained research activity from colleges and universities spending more than $2.5M annually on research

by Jeanna Goodrich Balreira ’08

Trinity University has been designated by the American Council on Education as a Research College and University in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. This new designation recognizes institutions historically overlooked for their research contributions, including those with limited or no doctoral programs. Trinity is among 216 non-R1 and non-R2 institutions that invest more than $2.5 million annually in research and is one of only 40 Baccalaureate Arts and Sciences institutions in the United States to receive this new designation.

In 2023, the most recent year for which data are publicly available from the National Science Foundation, Trinity managed nearly $5.3 million in research and development expenditures, including $1.2 million committed from the University’s own operating and endowment funds. This funding supported projects that examined Shakespeare as told from the U.S. Borderlands, uncovered the potential of artificial intelligence in gene function prediction, enhanced local nonprofits

through data-driven consulting, showcased artifacts connecting Trinity and San Antonio history, and so much more.

“Research is central to who we are and what we do at Trinity, and this designation honors decades of commitment to creative inquiry,” says Megan Mustain, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We know that learning how to discover is at least as important as learning about what has been discovered. Whether advancing scientific innovation, uncovering new historical perspectives, or analyzing emerging trends, Trinity has a deep history of excellence and innovation that suffuses the work that goes on in our classrooms, labs, studios, and beyond.”

And that inquiry is woven into Trinity’s DNA. For more than a century, students and faculty have pursued cuttingedge discoveries that push their fields forward. From early investigations to today’s groundbreaking studies, Trinity undergraduates have consistently contributed to the global research

community, presenting at national and international conferences for decades. This legacy of scholarship continues to define the Trinity experience, empowering students to ask bold questions, think critically, and create lasting knowledge.

“Creating knowledge is something that happens at Trinity pretty commonly: an undergraduate paper or thesis becomes the seed for a major, peer-reviewed

publication—perhaps even one that can shift the way research is done in an entire field,” says Benjamin Surpless, Ph.D., earth and environmental geosciences professor. In partnership with the Keck Consortium, Surpless and several undergraduates are using a combination of drones and classic geologic field mapping to interpret the evolution of complex fault systems.

Discover more about Trinity’s storied research program, which intersects across all 27 of the University’s academic departments:

SHAKESPEARE IS HERE

English professor Kathryn Vomero Santos, Ph.D., works with Trinity undergraduate researchers and professors from Texas A&M University-San Antonio to study the reception and remaking of Shakespeare in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. Her team received a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation in 2023, which supports their Borderlands Shakespeare Colectiva, and also published The Bard in the Borderlands, a collection of 12 plays that adapt Shakespeare in the context of the Borderlands.

Benjamin Surpless, Ph.D., and geosciences students collected field data by flying drones armed with high-tech cameras across a major fault zone in south central Utah.

Kathryn Vomero Santos, Ph.D., has worked alongside several Trinity students for The Bard in the Borderlands including Paloma Díaz-Minshew ’24 (right), who helped transcribe, study, and annotate these unique border plays.

FUNCTION JUNCTION

Computer science professor Matthew Hibbs, Ph.D., biology professor Bethany Strunk, Ph.D., and Cole McGuire ’25 conduct interdisciplinary research on gene function prediction using artificial intelligence. Their project aims to speed up the understanding of the roles of the 20,000 genes in our bodies, a process that would take 100 lifetimes to do manually but is made possible now with AI. This bioinformatics research could have significant implications for fields such as cancer research.

NONPROFIT KNOW-HOW

The Neidorff School of Business has partnered with local nonprofits to provide human resource management capstone experiences for students, allowing them to serve as consultants for organizations in need of HR support. This hands-on learning involves students conducting audits, designing performance systems, and offering tailored HR solutions to nonprofits. The program, which has seen notable success with a 100% SHRM-CP certification rate, underscores Trinity’s commitment to blending business expertise with a liberal arts education to produce socially conscious leaders.

TRASH OR TREASURE

In the “Archaeology of Trinity University” course, students and faculty have been uncovering and researching historical artifacts found on campus, such as Pearl beer bottles and pearlized oyster shells. The campus, built on an abandoned limestone quarry that once served as an illegal dump, holds a rich history of 19th and 20th-century items. Led by sociology and anthropology professor Jennifer Mathews, Ph.D., and University Archivist Abra Schnur, this ongoing project offers insights into Trinity’s history and its connection to the development of San Antonio.

top Bethany Strunk, Ph.D., and Cole McGuire ‘25 examine a yeast sample as part of their research. below Human resouce managment majors Katie Hoang ‘24 (second from left) and Brayden Espinoza ‘24 (back) conducted a comprehensive HR audit for Say Sí for their capstone. bottom Anthropology major Claire Sammons ’24 inspects an artifact of historic trash found on campus.

Where Learning

Meets

Living

From state-of-the-art classrooms and science labs to residence halls with skyline views and Adirondack chairs surrounded by lush greenery, Trinity University’s campus is full of spaces for learning, collaboration, relaxation, and community connections.

Tigers from all generations know firsthand that Trinity is not just a place to learn—it’s a place to belong, to create, and to rise together.

New Home, Same Traditions

Coates Esplanade renovations enhance accessibility and enliven the space

The renovated Coates Esplanade reopened in Spring 2025 with the well-loved annual Chocolate Fest as its debut event. A longtime site of community engagement and belonging on campus, the Esplanade’s newly flattened ground, ramps, and improved lighting have made the space more accessible for all, especially at night. The added seating, wifi access, and sound systems have unlocked new opportunities for bigger and better events for Tigers to connect, gather, and have fun.

Then and Now

1980s ▲ The Esplanade featured a reflecting pond, a central water feature around which students, faculty, and the occasional goldfish would gather.

2020s ▲ Sir Henry Moore’s 16-foot bronze sculpture, “Large Interior Form,” replaced the reflecting pond as the Esplanade’s primary centerpiece after its installation in the late ’80s.

2025 ► The shape of the reflecting pond has been retained in the accessible surface, continuing to evoke the organic forms and movement within the space.

Fiesta Facelift ▲ The Fiesta Room now opens onto a large patio overlooking the Esplanade, inviting indoor events into the outdoors for further fun and fellowship. ▼

Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University and the Ready. Set. Rise. strategic plan prioritize access, opportunity, and excellence for generations of students to come.

Trinity Launches Historic Comprehensive Campaign and Strategic Plan to Shape the University’s Future

Trinity University and its Board of Trustees have publicly launched Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University, a $300 million campaign that will define the institution’s future by providing access to a Trinity education and advancing excellence on our campus for generations to come. Through our most ambitious comprehensive campaign yet, Trinity will attract exceptional students, enrich the campus community, spotlight our faculty, and position our institution for national recognition centered on student success.

This historic effort is guided by Ready. Set. Rise., Trinity’s new strategic plan, which provides a roadmap for strengthening student-focused education in an interconnected world. While Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University invites our alumni and friends to support our students and engage with our campus, Ready. Set. Rise. lays out actionable steps the University will take to keep students at the center of our mission, cultivate leaders, integrate academic and residential life, and become an anchor institution for San Antonio and the region.

A Bold Vision, A Strong Start

Trinity has already secured more than $240 million, 80% of its $300 million goal, thanks to the generosity of early donors who have invested in key priorities. Philanthropic support has already fueled initiatives such as the naming of the Michael

Neidorff School of Business and the D. R. Semmes School of Science, the construction and renovations of Dicke Hall and the Chapman-Halsell Complex, the construction of Beneski Parkway, renovations of Parker Chapel’s formation wing, and generous support for scholarships.

These bold commitments, complemented by the thousands of individual annual gifts that alumni have shared in the last nearly seven years, demonstrate the lasting impact of philanthropy on Trinity’s students and faculty. These gifts also enable Trinity to emerge as a rising force in the national higher education landscape.

“As we launch Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University, we celebrate both our history and our future,” says Trinity University President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D. “This campaign ensures that the nation’s brightest students can have access to a Trinity education, itself increasingly recognized as one of the best in the United States, while we also build on the excellence and innovation that have long been associated with our University.”

Engaging the Trinity Community

Beyond its financial goals, the campaign seeks to rally Trinity’s alumni and supporters. With a target of 33% alumni participation and 65% alumni engagement, measured cumulatively over the course

of the campaign, Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University emphasizes that every member of the Trinity community has a role to play.

“Trinity’s success has always been built on the strength of its people, its students, faculty, alumni, supporters, and friends,” says Ted Beneski P’11, P’14, chair of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. “It is our time to come together as a community to secure a bright future for the University we care for so deeply.”

Participation and engagement goals reflect the many ways our community contributes—whether through time, talent, or philanthropic support. Increasing giving participation signals strong community backing, attracting philanthropists, enhancing institutional prestige, and strengthening Trinity’s long-term success. Engaged alumni are more likely to stay involved, volunteer, give, advocate, and amplify Trinity’s impact. These goals strengthen Trinity’s national brand and bolster the support for our students, faculty, and alumni.

Rising to the Challenge

The launch of this historic campaign marks a turning point, shifting focus from early fundraising momentum to broader community involvement. As the campaign progresses, Trinity invites all alumni, supporters, and friends to join in shaping the University’s next chapter.

“It is our time to rise to the challenge,” says Michael Bacon ’89, vice president for Alumni Relations and Development. “Every gift, every connection, every act of support strengthens Trinity’s ability to transform lives through education.”

With Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University fueling the vision and Ready. Set. Rise. guiding the way, Trinity stands at a pivotal moment— one defined by ambition, opportunity, and the collective power of its community.

EXPLORE MORE

Ready. Set. Rise.

Trinity University is poised to leverage more than a century and a half of distinctive excellence, all in support of the students who choose Trinity as the place to nurture their growth and discovery.

Trinity is ...

Strengthening Student-focused Education

Trinity cares about our students, nurtures their curiosity and inquiry, and prepares them for post-graduate success.

Cultivating Character-driven Leaders

Trinity immerses students in the conversations, research, cultures, and communities where they will have impact as leaders of high integrity.

Reimagining Spaces and Connection

Trinity designs its spaces to promote connectedness, wellness, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.

Sharing a Destination of Choice

Trinity engages with the vibrancy of San Antonio’s history, culture, and economy to drive impact on Trinity and the surrounding community.

EXPLORE MORE

Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University

In this defining moment for Trinity University, every student we choose should choose us, ready to forge a path as a learner and a leader.

Access

Trinity invites students to cultivate a dynamic toolkit for lifelong learning and critical thinking. As more highachieving students commit to Trinity, it is our time to commit to them in return. Philanthropically funded scholarships and financial aid will open Trinity’s doors to all admitted students.

Opportunity

Opportunity invites us to accept the challenges and growth that define our time at Trinity and strengthens our ties with San Antonio, a city on the rise and a gateway to the world. Connections and dedicated resources for the whole Trinity experience will ensure opportunity knocks for all of our students.

Excellence

Trinity’s longstanding commitment to distinction is revealed in the innovation and tenacity of our graduates. It is our time to continue this legacy, raising the standard for our University and propelling us ahead through generations of future students and their impact on the world.

Trinity seeks to build a culture of philanthropy and community through three goals: philanthropy, alumni participation, and alumni engagement.

$300M Fundraising Goal

Through our most ambitious comprehensive campaign yet, Trinity will attract exceptional students, enrich the campus community, and position our institution for national recognition centered on student success.

33% Alumni Participation Goal

Increasing participation signals strong community backing, attracting philanthropists and enhancing institutional prestige. It also cultivates future donors and strengthens Trinity’s long-term success.

Learn more and support the campaign at gotu.us/our-time.

65% Alumni Engagement Goal

Engaged alumni are more likely to stay involved, volunteer, give, advocate, and amplify Trinity. For our goal, engagement will be measured cumulatively throughout the campaign.

CAMPAIGN VISUALS

Mid-century and Modern

The shapes and patterns developed for the comprehensive campaign are modern interpretations of Trinity’s iconic mid-century details from notable doors across campus. These doors symbolize the pathways that bring students to Trinity, guide them through their education, and truly immerse them in a top liberal arts experience. The icons explore these familiar campus masterpieces, many hand-carved by Lynn Ford, master wood craftsman and brother of O’Neil Ford, the original architect of Trinity’s skyline campus. Bright colors reminiscent of the natural palette of our campus evoke light accenting beloved spaces and places, anchored by Trinity’s tried-and-true maroon.

Front doors to the Chapman Center

Sun rays from the Trinity University seal

Doors to the Trustee’s Board Room, originally the east door of Northrup Hall

Door to the Mach Long Gallery in the Korbell Great Hall

Front doors to the Margarite B. Parker Chapel

Latticework inside the Parker Chapel Narthex

CAMPAIGN FOUNDATIONS

Fundraising Milestones Fuel Momentum

Some of the largest, most innovative gifts in Trinity’s history have laid the foundation for this campaign. Now, it is up to each of us—all of us—to continue opening doors to future students.

Dicke Hall

In 2022, the University opened Dicke Hall, the home for the humanities at Trinity. Named in honor of Trustee Janet S. Dicke ’68 and Trustee Emeritus James “Jim” F. Dicke II ’68, construction was made possible by a $10 million gift from the Dicke family and more than a dozen gifts from alumni and supporters. Dicke Hall houses the Departments of English and Religion as well as the Humanities Collective, and its innovative mass-timber construction and design celebrate O’Neil Ford’s architectural legacy, supporting Trinity’s designation as a National Historic District.

...and more to come.

Michael Neidorff School of Business

In 2021, Noémi and Michael Neidorff ’65 named the AACSBaccredited Michael Neidorff School of Business with a $25 million gift from Michael Neidorff and the Neidorff Family Trust. At the time, the gift was the single largest in the University’s history. The funds ensure that Trinity continues to offer exceptional business education by providing multiple scholarships, an endowed faculty position, and enhanced learning spaces that benefit the entire campus community.

D. R. Semmes School of Science

In 2024, the Semmes Foundation named the D. R. Semmes School of Science through what is currently the largest gift in Trinity’s history, totaling $26.5 million. The gift endows the dean of science position and two science faculty positions, provides dedicated funding for undergraduate research opportunities, and supports professional development. The School cements a Semmes family legacy: nearly a dozen members of D. R. Semmes’ family are counted among Trinity’s past and current students and faculty.

Trinity supporters continue to rise to the challenge through gifts of time, talent, and treasure—and you can read more about this on page 51. Every single gift makes a difference. By pledging support to programs, challenges, and initiatives, Trinity alumni and donors like you are ensuring access, opportunity, and excellence for generations of students to come.

Ready, Set, Launch

Trinity University launched Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University and Ready. Set. Rise. at the 2025 President’s Dinner in February. Leadership donors, faculty, staff, and students gathered for a memorable night of celebration, recognition, and eager anticipation for what’s next for the future of Trinity.

1 Friends old and new gathered before the event to catch up and share stories. More than 400 Trinity supporters were in attendance for the evening.

2 The dinner program was led by student emcees Anna Kate Vaughan ’26 and Pierce Jackson ’25 who bonded over a shared love of music. “We each find inspiration in the rhythms and harmonies that come together to create a great piece,” Jackson said, “and in many ways, that’s what tonight is about—recognizing the moments, experiences, and people who come together to create something extraordinary.”

3 Ted Beneski P’11, P’14, chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed guests and celebrated Trinity’s vision for the future.

4 Honorary campaign co-chairs Jim Dicke II ’68, P’93 and Steve Mach ’92, P’25 shared how Trinity came to be at this historic moment, including a nod to the rise in our national rankings. National campaign chair Jim Dicke III ’93 joined the program by video, sharing progress updates on campaign goals and recognizing foundational contributions.

5 Pierce Jackson ’25, Gabriela Salgado ’25, and Cole McGuire ’25 shared what the campaign pillars of access, opportunity, and excellence mean to them through the campaign launch video.

(Read more about their experiences on the following pages.)

6 President Vanessa Beasley encouraged attendees—and the entire Trinity community—to move boldly into the future together, embracing our shared responsibility to provide these possibilities for Trinity students. “Our decision to support Trinity and our students,” Beasley said, “can transform this moment into something much larger than ourselves, in this, our time, and also well into the future.”

7 After the program, supporters enjoyed more time to reconnect and imagine the possibilities ahead.

BEHIND THE SCENES

My Time, Your Time, Our Time

Trinity students were the driving force behind the creation of the campaign launch video. They share what participating in this effort meant to them and their hopes for future generations of students like themselves.

Pierce Jackson ’25

STUDENT TALENT

Business Analytics and Technology, Sport Management, and Data Science

Addison, Texas

“It was an honor helping Trinity launch this campaign. Being chosen as an individual who could help portray Trinity’s values is, in my opinion, the highest praise. My hope is that students will see this video and be inspired that, at Trinity, it is their time to succeed.”

Gabriela Salgado ’25

STUDENT TALENT

Marketing, Strategic Communication, and Spanish

São Paulo, Brazil

“It was a privilege to be selected to help with such an important campaign. Recording the video was so much fun, and I hope it inspires future students to choose Trinity and make it their home away from home, just like I did.”

Cole McGuire ’25

STUDENT TALENT

Computer Science, Biology, and Philosophy

Santa Fe, Texas

“I’m grateful to Trinity for all the opportunities it has given me, and it was gratifying to contribute to a campaign that will give these same opportunities to future students. I hope this campaign will provide confidence and security to students in a time of great uncertainty in higher education.”

Ethan Brown ’25

MUSIC COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE

Music Composition

Waxahachie, Texas (yes, Trinity’s previous home!)

“I’m helping bring in resources and financial support that can give future Trinity students things that weren’t available to me in my time. I hope that Trinity’s future curious and creative minds find a home here and that the school can stand out as a place for people like that to grow into themselves, allowing their creativity to blossom in its fullness.”

Caleb Aguiar ’25

MUSIC COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE

Computer Science

San Antonio, Texas

“As a non-music major, helping create this song was a fruitful and intellectually stimulating experience. Ethan and I were up late for many days creating, arranging, and deciding what sounds really work for this campaign. What we put together expresses what Trinity has accomplished in the last decade and articulates how it will impact our students positively in the long run.”

Watch the launch video to hear from Pierce, Gabriela, Cole, and President Beasley about how Trinity is on the rise.

Scan the QR code to watch the video or visit gotu.us/our-time

The launch video was produced by Strategic Communications and Marketing in partnership with these students, with production led by Mason McLerran and Anh-Viet Dinh ’15

Rising to the Challenge

Donor-driven initiatives are making all the difference for Trinity students by Jeremy Gerlach

Philanthropy at Trinity University is all about transforming lives when it matters most.

Donors have been stepping up to ensure that every student who chooses Trinity can thrive. From gifts that sustain Trinity’s future to scholarships that open new doors, the generosity of our supporters is reaching every corner of campus.

Catch up on some of the most dynamic initiatives that are making a direct impact on students today as well as boosting the long-term strength and footing of the University for the future: the Trinity Commitment, the Cortez Challenge, the Hurd Challenge, and the Walls Challenge.

Each of these initiatives unlocks powerful matching opportunities, encouraging more donors to get involved and amplifying the impact of every gift. Here’s how these four challenges are shaping the future for Trinity students.

The Trinity Commitment

Announced in Spring 2024, the Trinity Commitment is a $25 million endowed scholarship initiative that strengthens financial aid offerings for students while fostering a stronger sense of belonging on campus. One year later, $15.8 million has been invested in scholarships by 74 new donors, including current and retired faculty, staff, alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and Trinity’s Greek organizations.

Through this challenge, donors contribute $50,000 (or more) to establish or enhance an endowed scholarship, ensuring that talented students can choose Trinity without financial constraints. Each gift receives a dollar-for-dollar match from Trinity’s endowment and bolsters Trinity’s existing 360+ endowed scholarships, pushing the University closer to its goal of providing financial support to 100% of students in need.

For students such as Jose Ayala ’25, a computer science major and Skyline Scholar from Corpus Christi, Texas, scholarship support has been life-changing. During his time at Trinity, Ayala has made connections across disciplines and served as a resident assistant, president of the Association for Computer Machinery, and a student supervisor for Phone-a-thon with Trinity’s Office of Alumni Relations and Development. Last summer, Ayala had the opportunity to study abroad in Vietnam.

“This scholarship has allowed me to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will always cherish and will help me break generational barriers,” he says.

With every gift matched, the Trinity Commitment ensures that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of a transformative education.

The Cortez Challenge

For Miles Cortez ’64 and his wife, Jan, Trinity isn’t just a place—it’s a defining chapter of life. That’s why they created the Cortez Legacy Challenge, encouraging alumni and friends to include Trinity in their estate plans.

The Cortez Challenge has committed $100,000 to unlock 100 new and updated estate gifts of $1,000 each. The one

guideline for the Challenge is simple: If you name Trinity University to receive a gift of $10,000 or more in your will or estate plans, you will unlock $1,000 from the Cortez Legacy Challenge for immediate use on campus today.

This effort has already secured more than $15.2 million in future planned gifts while directing $57,000 in immediate funds to vital initiatives across campus, from academic departments and programs to athletic teams and scholarships.

Having already made Trinity a beneficiary of their own estate, Miles and Jan firmly believe in securing a top-notch experience for future generations of Trinity students.

“My Trinity experience set the course for the rest of my life,” Miles says. “I am especially excited about the multiplier effect and hope it encourages those who love Trinity to give back to their alma mater through their estate plans.”

The Hurd Challenge

First-generation students enrich Trinity’s community with diverse perspectives and ambitions. Recognizing this, philanthropists J.R. and Joanie Hurd launched the Hurd Family First-Generation Student Scholarship Matching Gift Challenge to expand financial aid for these trailblazing students.

The Hurds have pledged $250,000 in matching funds, challenging donors to create five new endowed scholarships of $100,000 each. For every $50,000 gift, the Hurds contribute an equal match, doubling the impact and ensuring that more first-generation students can access a Trinity education.

This initiative builds on the Hurds’ longstanding commitment to the University. In 2009, they established Trinity’s first privately funded endowed scholarship for first-generation students. Now, they’re calling on others to join them in making a difference.

With each new scholarship, more students can break barriers and embrace opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.

The Walls Challenge

Trustee Emerita Lissa Walls Cribb ’80 has long believed in the power of education to change lives. Through the Walls Scholarship Match, she has pledged $1 million to establish 20 new endowed scholarships for first-generation students with financial need.

The challenge offers a 1:1 match. For every $50,000 gift, Walls contributes $50,000, ensuring that each fund reaches the $100,000 endowment level required for long-term scholarship support. With a total impact of $2 million, this initiative is expanding access for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

By investing in first-generation students, the Walls Challenge strengthens Trinity’s commitment to excellence, ensuring that every deserving student can dream big—and achieve it.

10 Years of 1869

Trinity recognizes a decade of philanthropy and community

This year, Trinity University proudly celebrated the 10th anniversary of the 1869 Challenge. The annual event brings together our community for 1,869 minutes of giving, with Tigers rallying to give to any area of the University they choose. Over the past decade, donors have raised more than $5 million for Trinity students. Hear from three dedicated alumni who have given to every 1869 Challenge since its inception:

“I am proud to support Trinity every year to give back to a place that has been such a meaningful part of my life. Supporting student success means making sure that students have the resources they need to take full advantage of the opportunities that Trinity provides, both inside and outside of the classroom.”

– Leslie South

’04

“Supporting student success means ensuring that every student has the chance to thrive, regardless of their background. It’s about creating an environment where they can explore their passions, overcome challenges, and prepare themselves for meaningful careers and lives.”

– Jenny Childers ’06

It’s our time to open doors. It’s your time to rise to the challenge. trinity.edu/give-trinity

“I support Trinity to help Trinity support students. Trinity’s generous approach to merit scholarships helped me, and I want to help the next generation of Tigers as well. Every little bit helps. Don’t worry about the amount, but make a regular practice of giving here and there. It all adds up!”

– T. W. Brown ’09

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

A Lifelong Love of Learning

left Dr. Homero Garza ’71 with his wife, Sandee Marion. right Garza as a Trinity senior.

In giving back, Dr. Homero Garza ’71 honors his family’s emphasis on education

by Jeremy Gerlach

As one of four children in a military family, Dr. Homero Garza ’71 changed communities countless times throughout his youth.

But one thing that remained constant, he says, was his parents’ love for learning. “My family believed in the habit of lifelong learning and reading. They felt an education could fundamentally change the trajectory of a family,” Garza says of his parents, Remedios L. Garza and Alicia U. Garza. “That vision kept me going and ultimately led me to Trinity University.”

Garza served as Trinity’s student body president, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1971, and then shone as a medical student at Harvard, where he attained his M.D. and M.P.H. “Even though I have two degrees from Harvard, I still value that one degree from Trinity because I think that’s really the bedrock, the foundation upon which the other ones were based,” he says.

from marginalized communities. “The professors really kept me on campus during my time at Trinity,” Garza says. “They believed in me. And several of my professors actually became my patients later in life.”

Garza also became a veteran like his father and retired from the U.S. Army and Army Reserves as a colonel. He also attributes his success and perseverance to a lifelong commitment to faith and family values.

Now in retirement, Garza remains connected to the at-large Trinity community, especially to his sister, Maria Groussman, who graduated from Trinity in 1974 (and also graduated from Harvard). His daughter,

“I still value that one degree from Trinity because I think that’s really the bedrock, the foundation.”

That Trinity foundation—particularly the close, personal faculty relationships Garza enjoyed with professors of all stripes—would serve him well throughout a nearly 50-year career in gastroenterology, where Garza has been beloved by patients across San Antonio and other parts of Texas, many of whom came

Nicole ’07, M’10, M’17 and her brother Abe ’13 also attended Trinity. Garza says he has donated to Trinity at the senior associates level ($2,500) for at least 45 years now and, along with his wife, Sandee Marion, recently endowed a scholarship in the name of his parents. This scholarship, Garza says, is aimed at helping local kids from Bexar County make it to Trinity.

“I’m hoping that the students who accept this scholarship will want to not just personally benefit from the scholarship, but they will also feel that there’s something bigger than themselves that they can contribute to: the community.”

Try Everything

Zoe (Lainson) Thompson McDaniel ‘93, P’25, P’28 gives back to help Trinity keep the horizon “limitless” for new generations by Jeremy Gerlach

For alumna Zoe Thompson McDaniel, the wellroundedness of her Trinity experience keeps getting more and more valuable.

“I loved Trinity because I got to experience so many different things,” says Thompson McDaniel ’93, P’25, P’28. “I just remember feeling like anything that interested me, I had an opportunity to pursue.”

A religion and economics double major at Trinity, Thompson McDaniel felt just as at home in her opera appreciation course as she did studying abroad in Shanghai, just as stimulated by discussing Eastern mysticism as she was writing papers about global sugar consumption. She joined the Spurs sorority and participated in the University’s student government. “I really loved my liberal arts approach to school,” she says. “And my mom felt that a degree from a place like Trinity would just continue to mean more and more.”

A career consultant (who serves as the lead client partner for a global Fortune 15 account), Thompson McDaniel says she regularly leans on skills honed at Trinity, from critical thinking skills and conflict resolution to studying people, processes, and organizations. Now at a major professional services and accounting firm, Thompson-McDaniel says she “didn’t know when I was a student just how well Trinity was preparing me to be a consultant.”

Thompson McDaniel says she reconnected with Trinity in a more meaningful way after seeing the campus through the eyes of her kids: Henry ’25 (an accounting major who serves as the manager for Trinity’s men’s basketball team) and Phoebe ’28 (a first-year Spur who’s already inherited her mom’s ’90s sorority jersey). “To see that my kids have found their people, I just love it,” she says.

Now, Thompson McDaniel wants to give back to the other students taking the same road as her children. A donor at the associate level, she has also been Trinity True for four years—a University distinction that recognizes consecutive years of giving.

“Trinity is going to make sure we not only get students to campus, but that they’re successful, and we support them throughout the beginning of their careers and beyond,” Thompson McDaniel says. “Trinity is focused on preparing its students to be leaders and compassionate citizens, and I find that inspiring.”

“I look back on Trinity, and I felt limitless,” Thompson McDaniel adds. “I just felt like I could do anything. I remember thinking, ‘This is what college is supposed to be.’ When I see what Trinity is trying to accomplish, I really want to be part of it. I want to see new students try everything, any topic that they want to explore. I want everybody to find their people.”

left Zoe (Lainson) Thompson McDaniel ‘93, P’25, P’28 with her daughter Phoebe Thompson ’28. right Thompson McDaniel with her son Henry Thompson ’25. bottom Thompson McDaniel as a first-year in Herndon Hall.

Taking the Pulse: Reviewing HCAD’s Semester of Growth

HCAD program delivers a healthy dose of fall events

by Emily Melton M’27

Students in the Health Care Administration (HCAD) program enjoyed a fall semester filled with transformative experiences, collaborative service, and meaningful alumni engagement.

1 Alumni Weekend

HCAD hosted several successful events during Trinity’s Alumni Weekend. Students attended sessions and panels with alumni and concluded the day with the Alumni Awards Dinner, where Jared Shelton M’10 received the Momentum Award and Doug Lawson M’93, Ph.D., received the Duce Award.

2 Community Impact Project

First-year students are working on a Community Impact Project focused on improving health outcomes in local communities through targeted interventions.

3 Patient Experience Project

First-year students have gained hands-on experience working with nurses and patients in their assigned hospital unit, strategizing ways to improve patient-centered care.

4 Friday Site Visits and Guest Speakers

Every Friday, first-year students hear from guest speakers or visit hospitals across the San Antonio and Austin areas. These experiences have been both inspiring and insightful, helping students begin to identify their own passions and potential career paths within the field.

5 HCAD Family Forever!

HCAD students took time to connect outside of the classroom, supplementing their hard work with plenty of fun. Students competed in volleyball, kickball, and basketball intramurals, boogied at the first-years’ Halloween party, and joined Ed Schumacher, Ph.D., department chair, in his home for a beginning-of-semester dinner and a memorable Friendsgiving celebration.

Students in Trinity’s HCAD program pose for a photo at one of their fall events.

Crossing the Finish Line

Trinity alumnus contributes to cancer research that helped his cross-country teammate and her mother by Kenneth Caruthers ’15

In what she calls “quite the roller-coaster,” Kristy Davis Bonet ’01, M’02 was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in 2022 shortly after qualifying for the Boston Marathon, her dream race. Despite her diagnosis, Bonet remained determined to run in Boston in 2023.

Bonet’s Trinity cross-country teammate, Thomas Pillow ’00, has been researching antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at Genentech for the last 15 years. In simple terms, while chemotherapy kills healthy cells alongside cancer cells, ADCs make targeted chemotherapy possible, aiming to take out the bad cancer cells but leave the healthy cells alone.

“There’s something so powerful about knowing what you’re doing could have a vital impact on people,” Pillow says. “It brings me to tears when patients come to speak at Genentech because I feel like we are making a difference.”

After six rounds of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation, and 14 rounds of Kadcyla (an ADC like the ones Pillow researches), Bonet entered survivorship alongside her mother, now 85 years old, who had also been diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer back in 2004. And on April 17, 2023, Bonet ran the Boston Marathon in 3:58. (Her goal was under 4:00.) Now, she is participating in a clinical trial that is assessing the effectiveness of a vaccine in treating HER2-positive breast cancer.

“It was an easy decision for me. If I can move the science forward in any sort of way and help other women, I want to do that,” Bonet says.

Lasting Legacies and Living History

Albert Bazaldua ’54, M’58 returns to campus 70 years later by Molly Barkis ‘25

Seventy years after graduating, Albert Bazaldua ’54, M’58 returned to Trinity University for a journey down memory lane.

Bazaldua toured Trinity’s (much expanded) campus with Kris Howland, director of Gift and Estate Planning, stopping by Coates Library, the Dicke-Smith Building (Bazaldua was an art major), and the Storch Memorial Building (the library during his time).

Seeing the bronze Bengal tiger statue near the Bell Athletic Center took Bazaldua back to memories of when he was a live tiger handler. He was part of team that transported LeeRoy—not the fuzzy mascot, but a 600-pound live Bengal tiger—to and from the San Antonio Zoo for major campus events and football games.

Revisiting campus reminded Bazaldua that Trinity is a place where the past, present, and future intersect, creating a living legacy carried forward by each new generation of students and alumni. “One of the main things we were taught at Trinity was that education will always be continuous,” he says. “It never stops.”

Kristy Davis Bonet ’01, M’02 crosses the finish line at the 2023 Boston Marathon.

Albert Bazaldua ’54, M’58 poses with Trinity’s bronze Bengal tiger statue and visits the Dicke-Smith Building.

CLASS NOTES

1966

At age 80, Jay Gamel is enjoying life as much now, if not more, than ever before. He has had a full and fulfilling life in Northern California and is still pursuing photography, music, and website construction. Upon selfreflection, he regards his years at Trinity as formative and preparatory to a variegated and expansive life pursuing his heart and learning, always learning. He says, “While liberal arts may be on the wane in most places, I cannot emphasize enough the value of a wide base of knowledge to success in the parts of life—at this end of it—that truly matter.”

1979

As of January, Mike Opelka now hosts the morning show “Daybreak with Mike Opelka” on 92.5 FOX News Radio out of Fort Myers and Naples, Florida. The show runs from 6 to 9 a.m. Eastern, and you can listen online at rightallalong.net.

1980

Agustin Orozco was ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church in 2023.

1983

Susan Watson Case met a Traveling Tiger classmate named Patricia Bratten M’82 in Rabat, Morocco, while on a cruise. They didn’t know each other when they attended Trinity, but they are now friends and retired.

1984

Sam Ayers, Ed.D., was named the inaugural Best-BuchananWynn Endowed Chair in the College of Education at Lubbock Christian University.

1986

After almost 30 years in the art business, Gesa MeyerOhlert Kraft will retire in 2025. She says, “Fondest memories of my time at Trinity and of my mentors: Liz Ridenhower and Phil Evett.”

1988

Diqui LaPenta and David Rodriguez got married on October 8 with their dog, Jackson, as best man and their mothers as witnesses. LaPenta was promoted early to associate professor of instruction at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Rodriguez operates his own law practice, The Law Office of David J. Rodriguez.

1990

Gwynne Ellen Ash, Ph.D., was named the 2024 International Literacy Association’s Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading. She has been a professor at Texas State University for 20 years, working with preservice teachers and reading specialist candidates.

2000

Annalisa M. Bloodworth was selected to be president and chief executive officer of Oglethorpe Power, one of the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives and one of the largest energy producers in Georgia. She began her position in February.

2014

After several years working in Houston, Jonathan Moore moved across the country for a new position as the production stage manager of the Seattle Opera.

2019

Sabrina Archer Steelman received the 2024 Trinity University Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

Diqui LaPenta ’88 to David Rodriguez ’88 October 8, 2024

Sabrina Archer Steelman ’19 to Joe Steelman

Behind the Scope

Kim Sayles ’02 is the first female Secret Service counter sniper by James Hill ‘76

Kim Sayles ’02 provides protection for some of the most important people in the world as a member of the United States Secret Service Special Operations Division. Specifically, she is one of the highly trained, precision marksmen of the Counter Sniper Team, which provides longrange observation and real-time information gathering at exterior sites visited by Secret Service protectees.

“Working for the Secret Service has allowed me to visit many different places and countries around the globe,” Sayles says, who counts the White House as one of her assignment locations. “I have been fortunate enough to accompany former and current presidents to over 40 countries.”

Sayles was hired by the Secret Service in 2003, and by 2010, after completing advanced training, she had earned the distinction of becoming the first female counter sniper.

She cites John Hermann, Ph.D., Trinity political science professor, Sharon Jones Schweitzer ’75, former Trinity public relations director, and Becky Geyer, former Trinity women’s head basketball coach, as influential during her time at the University. Sayles was a two-sport student-athlete in basketball and softball, earning conference awards for both sports. She had planned to go into coaching up until the 9/11 terrorist attacks during the fall of her senior year.

“As a political science major, I always wanted to do something in public service,” Sayles says. “At that time, I was leaning into a possible future in coaching, but September 11 changed my mindset and influenced me to apply with the Secret Service.”

Sayles credits her experiences at Trinity as invaluable to her career.

“There are limitless lessons I’ve applied since my athletic career ended,” Sayles reflects. “One of the major lessons is that failure isn’t fatal. Ultimately, the reward and the education come with the struggle and perseverance to keep going, to keep trying until you are successful.”

Counting on Success

Brette Thornton ’23, M’24 is first Trinity grad selected for Governmental Accounting Standards Board position by Layal Khalil ‘27

Brette Thornton ’23, M’24 has made history as the first Trinity University graduate selected for the prestigious Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program. The highly selective one-year program provides an in-depth understanding of the roles played by preparers, auditors, and users of financial information. Thornton began the program in January.

She is excited to be working with other postgraduate technical assitants nationwide, such as her classmate, James King ’23, M’24, and also to see another side of accounting. “It requires research and writing skills that I haven’t often used in accounting specifically, but I know I have a passion for, based on classwork and my graduate assistantship,” Thornton says.

An accounting major and sport management minor, Thornton played varsity volleyball and participated in the Catholic Student Group and in Residential Life. She worked as a statistician and photographer for Tiger Athletics’ sports information, as a facility manager for the Bell Athletic Center, and as a graduate assistant for Jacob Tingle ’95, Ed.D., sport management program director.

Thornton calls accounting professor Julie Persellin, Ph.D., one of her biggest mentors at Trinity. “She helped me decide to declare accounting as my major, navigated class schedules with me, willingly wrote reference letters for a number of internships, and nominated me for this position, along with Professor (Sunita) White,” she says. “Dr. (Amy Foshee) Holmes also took the time to help me prepare for my interviews, and Mr. (James) Maxey provided me encouragement and advice throughout the process. They all played a special role in my selection for this position, and I will forever be grateful for them, their hard work, and their kind words.”

CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

Terrance Stadheim ’62

September 28, 2024

Douglas Conner ’63 May 16, 2024

Melvin Schneider ’63 September 27, 2024

Donna Day Hubbard ’64 October 2, 2024

Barbara Burgess McCauley ’69 September 23, 2024

Margaret Martin Goldau ’70 September 21, 2024

Joseph Melchiorre ’71

September 25, 2024

Thompsene Johnson Ikona ’76 October 5, 2024

James Gibson ’77

September 6, 2024

David Hickman ’90 January 19, 2024

This issue of Class Notes includes notes submitted from September 2024 through January 2025.

For more recent Class Notes, visit gotu.us/classnotes.

Dancing Through Life

Alana Watters O’Connell ’92 fosters supportive community through dance fitness

by Kenneth Caruthers ‘15

On a November morning, Alana Watters O’Connell ’92 arrives at the office, flips on the lights, hits play on “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, and gets ready for another day of work. Only this isn’t a typical office— this is Dallas Dance Fitness, owned and operated by O’Connell, and she’s busy choreographing a dance fitness routine to the popular song.

O’Connell and her friend Michelle Mann originally had no aspirations of teaching, instead regularly attending dance classes at a Dallas fitness center. But after a favorite instructor left, their classmates asked them to take over leading the class. Just a little over a year later, and with growing attendance and official group exercise certifications in hand, O’Connell and Mann founded Dallas Dance Fitness in 2014.

“We wanted to create choreography that makes you feel like a real dancer and that continues to challenge you as a dancer, as opposed to more of a calisthenics focus,” O’Connell explains.

Dancing since she was 4 or 5 years old, the Rochester, New York, native was an officer for her high school drill team. Then at Trinity, two of her Gamma sorority sisters, Shobie Partos ’91 and Amy Carr Supak ’91, started the Trinity University Dance Team, now known as the Prowlers. They elected O’Connell as team captain.

“This gave me an opportunity to start doing some choreography, which I didn’t get a chance to do in high school, so that opened up a whole new creative pathway,” O’Connell says.

After graduation, O’Connell worked in public accounting for PwC and was corporate controller of Blockbuster, Inc. and Michaels Stores. When Michaels went private, O’Connell retired from corporate America. She’s now all in on Dallas Dance Fitness, sharing her passion with a community of dancers that brings together people of all ages and stages of life looking to work up a sweat, shake off their stress, and build connections.

Stay

connected with Trinity’s latest alumni news, events, and more!

Find an Alumni Club Network, volunteer, and attend events with Tigers in your area. There are Alumni Clubs throughout the United States—visit gotu.us/alumniclubs to find one near you!

Rose Minutaglio ’15 is the senior editor of Features & Special Projects at ELLE magazine. Before ELLE, she worked at People magazine, covering major events such as the Pulse nightclub shooting, the Zika outbreak, and the music artist Prince’s death. At Trinity, Minutaglio reported for the Trinitonian, served on the Board of Campus Publications, studied abroad in Rome, and worked in the San Antonio Spurs’ public relations department and for the San Antonio Book Festival. She held an internship with Sports Illustrated through the American Society of Magazine Editors’ National Magazine Internship Program and was also a features intern at Seventeen magazine. Minutaglio’s career has seen her sit down to interview several powerful, influential subjects, such as Kamala Harris, Miguel Cardona, Bill Gates, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, and Greta Thunberg. She credits her mentor, Trinity communication professor emerita Sammye Johnson, and Johnson’s magazine writing class for putting her on a journalism path.

The Man Behind Mr. NYC Subway

Andreas Verrios ‘08 sees subway commuting through a different lens

by Rose Minutaglio

‘15

With 39.7 million likes and counting on TikTok, Andreas Verrios ’08 captures happiness in an unlikely place: the subway.

Known as Mr. NYC Subway on social media, Verrios registered for “Introduction to Theatre” on a whim during his first year at Trinity. “That class made me realize I might have some artistic talent,” he says. At the end of the semester, then-Trinity professor Steve Gilliam pulled Verrios aside, telling him, “You have so much energy, passion, and drive.” “He saw something in me,” Verrios recalls.

Verrios graduated in 2008 with a degree in political science and business. After earning his juris doctor and a Master of Laws, he held inhouse legal positions at Goldman Sachs and then Deutsche Bank in New York City. On paper, his life was perfect. “But I was like, ‘This isn’t why I came to New York,’” Verrios says.

One morning, during a mundane subway commute, he noticed everyone staring at him and the large pillow under his arm, which he was bringing into the office for lumbar support. “I realized how easily I could take everyone out of their normal commuting funk,” Verrios says. He texted a musician friend and set up a performance on a train. The reactions were mixed, according to Verrios, with some passengers clapping or crying happy tears. “You don’t need to bring positive energy to the subway; it’s already there,” he says. “You just need to look for it.”

Verrios finally found what he had come to New York City for, and for the first time in his life, he saw what Professor Gilliam had recognized in him all those years ago. Inspired by the untapped joy that can come from a morning train ride, Verrios bought a professional camera and began taking photos of subway commuters. Since launching Mr. NYC Subway in 2017, he has racked up hundreds of millions of views with his videos and has collaborated with celebrities such as Ed Sheeran, Matchbox 20, and James Blunt.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

1 The Albuquerque Alumni Club celebrated the start of 2025 with newly admitted students, current students, and alumni at their New Year Mingle event.

2 The Atlanta Alumni Club helped beautify their community by planting trees at the John Lewis Flowering Forest.

3 The Denver Alumni Club supported the Trinity men’s basketball team at Colorado College (pictured). Members also gave back to their community by unloading and wrapping gifts for the Volunteers of America Adopt a Family program.

4 The Houston Alumni Club hosted a holiday party complete with cookie decorating and an ugly sweater contest.

5 The New York Alumni Club hosted a Trinity Men’s Soccer Watch Party, explored First Friday at the Museum of Modern Art, and enjoyed the holiday season with a happy hour followed by Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (pictured).

6 The North Texas Alumni Club helped feed their community by serving lunch at Stewpot (pictured) and cheered on the Trinity men’s and women’s soccer teams at the University of Dallas.

7 The San Antonio Alumni Club attended a San Antonio FC game, gathered for an afternoon of bowling at Oak Hills Lanes, and partnered with the Office of Alumni Relations for the annual Alumni Holiday Party and Christmas Concert (pictured). Club members also put together goody bags for Trinity students and passed them out during reading days.

8 The Seattle Alumni Club cheered on the Tigers with a Trinity Football Watch Party (pictured) and enjoyed delicious BBQ together at the 4th Annual Texas BBQ Bash.

9 The St. Louis Alumni Club hosted current students, newly admitted students, and alumni for a Making Connections event.

Regional Club Nominations

Looking for a fun way to stay connected with Trinity and your fellow Tigers? Get involved with your Regional Alumni Club! Nominations for Regional Alumni Club Board positions are now open. Step up, make an impact, and help lead the fun in your local alumni community.

Our Time to Shape What’s Next

Jim Dicke III ‘93, his wife, Katy ‘94, and his parents Janet ’68 and Jim ’68 Dicke attended the grand opening of Dicke Hall in 2022.

by Jim Dicke III ‘93

Trinity University is more than just a place—it’s a legacy, a connection, and a family. For me, it’s quite literal. My parents met at Trinity. My wife Katy and I met at Trinity. My extended family and closest friends are intertwined with this institution in ways that feel less like a family tree and more like an ever-expanding vine—one that has strengthened and shaped my life in countless ways. And while nostalgia is a powerful force, this moment is about something even more important: the future.

As the national campaign chair for Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University, I am honored to be part of this historic moment for our University. Trinity has publicly launched the largest fundraising campaign in its history, with an ambitious goal of $300 million. For nearly seven years, Trinity’s Board of Trustees and dedicated staff have been laying the foundation, quietly securing the support needed to set us up for success. As that groundwork comes to light, I am thrilled to share that we have already raised more than $240 million, 80% of our total goal.

This campaign wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of those who have stepped forward to invest in Trinity’s future. Our Board of Trustees hasn’t just approved this campaign—they have personally committed to it, with Board support representing 40% of all gifts given so far. Some of the largest gifts in Trinity’s history have laid the foundation for this campaign: Noémi and Michael

Neidorff ’65 named the Michael Neidorff School of Business, the Semmes Foundation recently named the D. R. Semmes School of Science, and my family was honored to support and name Dicke Hall, a new home for the humanities at Trinity.

And the generosity continues through you. While these large gifts are inspiring, let me be clear—this campaign is for all of us. Every single gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. Every act of generosity strengthens Trinity’s future. In the coming months, you will hear more about ways to get involved, to stay connected, and to be part of this transformational moment for our university.

Now is Our Time—for our students, our legacies, and our shared future. Trinity is on the rise, and it’s happening because of you. Thank you for stepping forward to shape what’s next.

Jim Dicke III ’93 is the national campaign chair for Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University. The Dicke family has a strong legacy of dedication and generosity at Trinity, including leadership on Trinity University’s Board of Trustees and decades of continued philanthropy.

“This scholarship has allowed me to be an active member of the student body. When I can, I volunteer my time to the admissions office in order to help the next generation of Tigers.”

- Graycen Hall ’25

“When I learned of the Board of Trustees’ decision to create the Trinity Commitment, I was overjoyed knowing that students will be able to live the Trinity experience that will prepare them for the future. Without financial aid, I could not have attended Trinity, so I am thrilled to give back and be a part of the Trinity Commitment.”

- Linda Peterson ’66, P’90

“We are grateful for the remarkable liberal arts education that we received at Trinity and the professional doors that it opened for us. Finances should not be an obstacle for those wishing to attend Trinity, and we are thrilled to pay it forward to a new generation of deserving students.”

- Jeffrey ’98 and Reka (Mozsgai) ’97 Osborne

Trinity University has launched a $25 million endowment matching initiative for student scholarships. We’ve made the Trinity Commitment. Will you?

1 Trinity Place

San Antonio, TX 78212-7200

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

The Official Scent of Trinity

Once you catch a whiff of grape soda in the breeze, you know the mountain laurels have returned to campus to herald the arrival of spring! Planted originally by Gretchen Northrup, these purple flowers now thrive thanks to Trinity’s facilities team— from Cardiac Hill to the soccer field.

Get a glimpse of campus in the spring on page 32.

Photo by Jeanna Goodrich Balreira ’08