Grandparents' Brochure 2021

February 2021

Illuminate HIGHL IGHTS DEDICATED TO UNI VERSI T Y OF SAN DIEGO GR ANDPARENTS AND FAMIL IES

Message from Sister Virginia Rodee Dear families, How I wish we were welcoming you to our USD campus for Grandparents’ Weekend!

Though that is not possible this year given the pandemic restrictions, please know that you are most welcome to visit any time.

I always look forward to this weekend when I offer a tour of Founders Chapel to our grandparents and families. In viewing the chapel —— sometimes called “the hidden jewel of the university” —— the University of San Diego’s history naturally comes into the conversation.

One of these is the philosophy of Mother Rosalie Hill.

Many of you might already know that USD was founded

by Bishop Charles F. Buddy, first bishop of San Diego, who invited Mother Rosalie Hill, a Religious of the Sacred Heart, to collaborate with him in this endeavor.

Shortly after receiving the charter from the State of California in 1949, she began the construction of Founders Hall and Camino Hall. Her philosophy was a simple, yet profound one: that the university would be rooted in beauty, goodness and truth.

Visitors to campus speak of its beauty —— a site overlooking Mission Valley and the Pacific Ocean with buildings constructed in a distinctive Spanish Renaissance style. This

was a deliberate choice on the part of Mother Hill. For her, beauty was a reflection of God, the source of all beauty. She spoke of the importance of learning in a place of beauty, where one was surrounded by a deeply spiritual reality. She was intent that students be immersed in the goodness found in faculty and staff who were dedicated to learning and committed to creating opportunities through which students could grow to their full potential.

According to Mother Hill. truth, the raison d’être of the university was broad and deep. Truth, pervasive in every aspect of the university —— its academic disciplines and programs, student development opportunities and social dimensions —— had a part in the search for truth.

Your children or grandchildren have chosen to attend USD. May they come to discover and experience the fullest meaning of beauty, goodness and truth during these significant years of their lives.

When it is safe to do so, I invite you to join them on campus. We shall begin with Founders Chapel, a place that embodies beauty, goodness and truth —— the “hidden jewel of the university.”

Warmly,

Virginia Rodee

Sister Virginia Rodee, RSCJ, ’57 (BA), ’74 (MA)

Message from the President Dear families, It was about this time last year that the

had the privilege of meeting so many of

world was just starting to take action against

our returning parents and grandparents

the global pandemic we came to know as

who actively share their time and talents to

COVID-19.

enhance our campus life.

Here at the University of San Diego, we were providing members of our campus

Even though the classroom experience is a bit different these days, our students are

community with nearly

still deeply engaged in their

constant updates, connecting

academic pursuits. They are

with our students who

combining their God-given

were studying abroad and

talents with what they’re

encouraging them to come

learning in class and using it to

home. We were also beginning

have an even greater impact

the process of transitioning

as they serve communities

to remote learning and taking

around the world.

stock of our immediate and

That is what the world so

extended family.

desperately needs now and in

If there’s one lesson we’ve

the days to come.

learned, it’s that there’s

One day soon, it will be safe

nothing more important than

enough for everyone to gather

family.

and for grandparents to return to

That’s what makes this year’s Grandparents’ Weekend so special. It

campus and to see the change, the progress and what’s on the horizon for

looks different. It feels different, but at its

the University of San Diego.

heart, it’s still time that we dedicate each

Until then, from the entire Torero family ——

year to celebrate the importance of family

stay safe, stay healthy and ... always cherish

and, specifically, the bonds we have with

family.

grandparents.

Sincerely,

Grandparents are the heart of family. The parents of our parents, they set the course for who we are, what we might become and what we hold most dear.

This is the 17th anniversary of the Grandparents’ Weekend event, and I’ve

James T. Harris, DEd President

Student Spotlight A global pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn have only added to the challenges today’s young people are facing. But new USD graduates have responded with courage, resilience and success.

Chloe Zakhour ’20 (BA) Her father passed away unexpectedly less than two years ago; her mom had then joined the workforce, but was laid off when the pandemic took hold. To help support themselves, the family started a home baking business, using their 80-year-old grandmother’s recipes. Their Orange County neighbors and other customers quickly started snapping up their baked goods.

Between May and December 2020, the business, dubbed Bright Bread Company, had sold hundreds of loaves of bread and banana bread.

“We love being local; our goal is to make the business even bigger,” says Chloe, who earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies in December 2020. She’s used the social media skills she acquired during an internship with USD’s Digital Communications and Institutional Marketing department to promote the business, which has a robust presence on Instagram (#brightbreadco).

The mission of the small, family-run business is to “spread joy through (the founder’s) oldest recipes: homemade bread made with only five ingredients.” The traditions of the company date back three generations, beginning with 80-yearold Mrs. Bright, the mother and grandmother of the women who make up the business.

“My grandmother is all about clean ingredients,” says Chloe. Judging by the glowing reviews, they’ve hit the mark. And for those who believe one cannot live on bread alone? A wide variety of delicious, visually stunning charcuterie boards are also available.

In a word? Yum. Read more at https://sites.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/2020/08/rising-to-the-challenge.

Student Spotlight Momo Bertrand ’19 (MA) Raised in Cameroon, in Central Africa, by a single mother who became widowed when he was small, Momo Bertrand recalls the ways his family banded together to create a better life.

“Every holiday, we would go down to the basement and work in our home-based printing shop. My mom didn’t have any idle time. She told us, ‘If you really want to make it in life, work every moment you can.’”

After graduating from the Catholic University Institute of Buea in Cameroon with a bachelor’s degree in management, Bertrand — who’s fluent in his native French as well as English — saw an opportunity and jumped on it.

“I looked at emerging trends around the world and noticed Cameroon was lagging behind in terms of digital communications,” he says.

“Even the biggest companies didn’t have a Facebook page.”

So Momo opened his laptop and launched a digital marketing agency from his house. He subsequently worked with refugees and became determined to help people share the stories about Africa that we all too rarely hear. In 2016, he decided that a master’s degree in social innovation from USD’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies would give him the skills he needed to do just that. A full scholarship helped it happen.

“It’s my life’s goal to train the next generation of Changemakers and storytellers, and ultimately, change the narrative of Africa,” he says.

Read more at https://sites.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/2019/08/the-power-of-stories.

Student Spotlight Harmony Prado ’24 (BA) What does it feel like when anxiety, happiness and a sense of accomplishment happen all at once?

Well, when the winner of the second Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) was revealed in late October of 2020, the above emotions expressed were in perfect Harmony.

“I am so shocked, eternally grateful, I was feeling so many emotions when I won,” says 18-year-old first-year USD student Harmony Prado. “I saw my competitors and ... oh my gosh, I’m the youngest competitor. But I knew I had a strong community supporting me, an amazing mentor and everyone believed in me, so I believed in myself. But I still can’t believe I won first place!”

Believe it.

Prado’s idea, called Harmony’s Room, is a digital safe space and mental health and well-being platform offering emotional support services for youth. It earned the top scholarship prize of $15,000 from a pool of $45,000 generously provided by Ron and Alexis Fowler. She first thought of the concept when she was just 15.

Clearly, being a teen herself and wanting to help others so they might not have to endure pain is evidence that Prado is wise beyond her years.

“This is my purpose in life. I’m dedicated and determined. Winning this competition really validates my determination,” she says. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you have a passion and you’re rooted in that passion, you can go out and accomplish anything.”

Read more at https://sites.sandiego.edu/usdmagazine/2021/01/in-perfect-harmony-3.

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USD Grandparents Support Their Grandchildren —— and Yours It’s natural for grandparents to dote on their

if they can afford it. They were among the first

grandchildren.

to donate to a new Grandparents Endowed

When Pat Whalen shares updates about her

Scholarship Fund at USD and now urge other

granddaughters –– Erica, a current master’s student in the teaching

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program at USD and Holly

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support. Raised to respect the importance of education, Whalen has been pleased with what

’08 (BBA) –– there’s a

USD offers.

tremendous amount of pride,

“We love the passion the educators and the staff

especially when it comes

have for the students,” she says. “From the time

to knowing their education

when Holly first interviewed with them, we’ve

fuels the path to successful futures.

been impressed. This university is very in tune

Similarly, grandmother Esther Rodriguez is excited

with the students.”

when the conversation turns to her grandson,

Whalen, credited with

W. Taylor Cottle ’17 (BA), who was a double

giving USD officials the

major in biochemistry and music. The important

idea to host an annual

scientific research he’s doing –– first at USD and

event for grandparents

now as a PhD candidate in the Biochemistry,

of students in 2005,

Cellular and Molecular Biology program at Johns

hopes current

Hopkins University School of Medicine –– is

grandparents, as well

praiseworthy.

as grandparents of

“I will always be a goodwill ambassador for USD,”

alumni, will share her goal of supporting

Rodriguez says. “My grandson graduated with

students’ dreams.

honors. He’s in the fourth year of his doctorate now, and I’m so grateful for the education he

Rodriguez is already on board, noting that

received at USD. He was

Whalen’s determination and her message during

groomed for success while

a recent lunch meeting was persuasive.

at USD, and his mentor,

“Think of the value there is to help others,” says

Chemistry Professor Joe Provost, was wonderful.”

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grandparents to grow the fund with their own

But Whalen and Rodriguez

Rodriguez. “Even if it’s only $15 or $20 a year, that accumulates, and we can give students help who might be struggling to make it. We can

are grandparents who aren’t content to just

contact parents and ask if they’ll donate in the

dote; they have a broader vision. They’d like to

name of a grandmother or grandfather. It’s a

see other people’s grandchildren attain a USD

great opportunity to help.”

education, while spending less time worrying

The New Learning Commons and Copley Library Renovation Provide Innovative and Flexible Learning Spaces In more ways than one, the University of San

are learning. It couldn’t have happened at a

collaborative study spaces, classrooms and is

Diego has experienced a Renaissance.

more opportune time.

home to the Honors Program and USD’s Writing

Initially, it was due to an endeavor known

The renovated Copley Library provides places

Center.

as the Renaissance Plan, a plan to not just

for active learning, teaching, collaboration and

“As we work to manage physical distancing,

renovate some of the original and most

research, as well as spaces for classes, group

these extra classrooms and study spaces

cherished spaces on campus, but to also

projects, discussions, events and exhibits.

help us meet this new challenge,” says Chief

construct new buildings to enhance learning

“My hope is that the entire campus community

Operations Officer and Vice President of

and the overall student experience.

A key phase of that plan was already in motion when COVID-19 hit, which included the renovation of Copley Library as well as the

will be awed by the new environment and

Operations Ky Snyder.

spaces we’ve created to support their studies,

“These teaching options will allow USD to open

their research and their quest for knowledge,” says Theresa S. Byrd, EdD, dean of Copley

in a careful and safe manner while continuing to provide a meaningful educational experience

construction of the Learning Commons, USD’s

Library.

newest academic building. Both buildings

Located adjacent to Copley Library is a new

“We all have a shared responsibility to prioritize

opened in the fall of 2020, and will transform

two-story, 36,000 square-foot building known

our commitments to health, safety and the

how professors are teaching and how students

as the Learning Commons, which features

well-being of our community.”

for our students,” adds Provost Gail F. Baker.

Faculty Spotlight

Working It Out —— Unsolved math problems subject of professor’s book Satyan Devadoss, PhD, Fletcher Jones chair and professor of mathematics Nobody is good at math, even math professors.

characters like Excalibur, the Knights of the Roundtable and Merlin, along with a narrator, Maryam, whose name was inspired by the first

That’s something that Satyan Devadoss wants you

female Fields medalist, Maryam Mirzakhani.

to embrace. “When people get disheartened and

“Merlin is sort of like MacGyver. Arthur, Guinevere

say ‘I’m really not good at math,’ I actually want

and the knights called him to solve problems and

to say, ‘I agree with you, you’re not good at math.

figure out puzzles nobody else can. Merlin keeps

But neither am I,’” says Devadoss.

a journal of problems that even he couldn’t solve.

He’s hoping to level the playing field in a book

This is a collection of those stories.”

he recently co-authored, titled Mage Merlin’s

Merlin and Maryam guide readers through the

Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries.

math problems, allowing them to see that stories are everywhere, including in

The richly illustrated, story-

and the arts deal with

there are math problems even

beautiful stories and beautiful

mathematicians can’t figure

images, but math is on the

out –– which doesn’t mean

about cold facts and formulas.

puzzles are accessible to

We want to change this, and

anyone with basic math skills,

bring these worlds together,”

and the book’s audience and older children, puzzle lovers and educators

Mage Merlin’s Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries is

looking for ways to improve math education for

meant for just about anyone; the puzzles inspire

K-12 and beyond.

readers to collaborate, think outside the box and

“Mathematicians have been trying to crack some

just have fun.

of these problems for hundreds of years, but we

“This book is about you playing with these little

might be looking at it the wrong way,” he explains.

math pieces and building things no one has ever

“Maybe you –– as an artist, musician, political

built before,” says Devadoss.

scientist or plumber –– can think of a fresh

“It’s not about following the instructions, but

story of Camelot. Readers work alongside famous

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he says.

includes parents of junior high

with 16 unsolved math problems woven into the

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opposite end of the spectrum,

that people can’t try. The

Readers are transported back in time to play

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math. “We think humanities

driven volume shows that

approach.”

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going off road and having an adventure.”

Learn more at sandiego.edu/magemerlin.

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Get to know your Torero lingo! Search and soak up these fun facts.

1. Torero: The USD mascot whose first name is Diego, sparks spirit across campus.

He wears USD’s colors of blue and white.

Translates to “bullfighter” in Spanish.

2. Knauss Center: USD’s new School of Business building, which will open in 2022. The full name is the Knauss Center for Business Education.

3. Immaculata: The most iconic building on campus, this parish is run by the Catholic Diocese of San Diego and is open to the surrounding communities. The Immaculata church is a prominent USD landmark and is featured in the USD logo.

4. Founders Chapel: Known as “the hidden jewel” of USD, it is the main chapel for university Masses, designed by Mother Rosalie Hill herself!

5. Copley Library: The main library on campus saw a complete renovation in 2020. Its full name is The Helen K. and James S. Copley Library.

6. Alcalá Park: The formal name of USD’s 180acre campus.

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7. SLP: Acronym for the Student Life Pavilion,

is home to USD’s nationally-accredited

the main dining location on campus and

Torero

SLP

programs including leadership, teaching

student life hub.

and counseling, both at graduate and

Knauss Center

Diego

Immaculata

Linda Vista

Founders Chapel

SOLES

Copley Library

Rosalie Hill

Alcalá Park

Bishop Buddy

8. Diego: The first name of USD’s beloved bullfighting mascot, Diego Torero.

9. Linda Vista: The campus is located in the beautiful community of Linda Vista in San Diego.

10. SOLES: Acronym for the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, which

undergraduate levels.

11. Rosalie Hill: A member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill was one of the founders of USD. 12. Bishop Buddy: The first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Charles Francis Buddy helped found the University of San Diego in 1949.

Love WE

OUR USD GRANDPARENTS!

OFFICE OF PARENT AND FAMILY RELATIONS 5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110-2492 (619) 260-4808 www.sandiego.edu/parents