HNU Today - Spring08

SPRING 2008

VOL. XXV No. 1

FAITH

LEADERSHIP

SOCIAL JUSTICE

DIVERSITY

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEMay 2008

This 140th anniversary year is momentous. We have moved to a new foundation of growth and a c h i e v e m e n t and continue to gain positive momentum in

our progress forward. The three most critical areas in which we need to invest are the assess-ment and reinvigoration of our academic pro-grams, especially in their integration of expe-riential learning and technologically advanced pedagogy; the growth and enhancement of our faculty as many of our revered long time fac-ulty retire and we need to increase our full time faculty to better serve our larger population of students; and the renovation and upgrade of our facilities.

This year our faculty have engaged in a univer-sity-wide academic program review and will soon reveal their preliminary results that will include programmatic transformations and recommended new majors. Even as we are in the process of reviewing programs, several of our faculty are expanding and transforming our present offerings. Dr. Fay Bower, Chair of our Nursing Department, succeeded in acquir-ing Stanford University Hospital as our new-est partner in offering the RN to BSN degree for working nurses through videoconference delivery from our campus directly to hospi-tal sites. We were in a competition with three higher education institutions for this contract and Stanford chose Holy Names. Stanford will join fifteen Catholic Healthcare West Hospitals throughout California and several others. Dr. Bob Lasalle-Klein, Professor of Religious Stud-ies and Philosophy, has expanded our Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries program that was initiated with the Oakland Diocese in 2002 to the Diocese of Fresno, California. This pro-gram is also being transmitted through state-of-the art videoconference technology that was purchased with a foundation grant. He is now in conversation with several other dioceses to begin classes in the next academic year.

At the March Board of Trustees meeting, our Trustees unanimously affirmed our movement

forward to renovate the first floor of Bren-nan Hall into a Student Activity Center that includes upgraded classrooms. In surveying students, faculty and staff, all agree that this is our highest priority capital project and will fully reinvigorate all of Brennan Hall including our newly renovated science laboratories on the sec-ond floor into a 21st century space that engages students academically, socially and civically. The first floor of Brennan is our most trafficked area and is the heart of the campus. We will also incorporate a portion of St. Francis Courtyard in order to use this prime space more comfort-ably and effectively. Plans for the renovation include a wireless internet café with the option of checking out lab tops for personal use, indi-vidual and group study spaces, reconfiguration

and enhancements of classrooms, the bookstore and all key student services, including a new Center for Civic Engagement. Our design is meant to provide an interactive and attractive space for student engagement with each other and faculty and staff in ways that enhance their full educational experience and model our mis-sion as a student focused community of learners. The total cost of this project is $1.25 million and we’ve already raised over $500,000 in lead gifts and challenges. We look forward to keep-ing you updated on our progress.

As we celebrate our 140th anniversary, we realize that we stand on the legacy of numerous stalwart women and men. Sister Ethel Mary Tinnemann, Professor of History, who dedicated her life to Holy Names for over 45 years, was known for her rigorous scholarship, her political activism, her belief in the sacred power of the vote and her devotion to all students. In her retired years she was a fixture at every Hawks basketball and volleyball game. Many assumed that her prayers and presence were the catalyst for our winning athletic program. Eva Rita McLean, alumna of

the class of 1950, who left a donation agree-ment and bequest for Holy Names totaling over $2 million, was a beloved teacher and advocate for positive change throughout her life. Eva set high benchmarks for herself and others – includ-ing the young teachers she mentored who kept her close to the classroom, the medical doctors and researchers whom she challenged in their care for her and their commitment to medical progress, and her partners in real estate whom she held to high standards of management and profitability. She imbibed her passion for mak-ing a difference and her belief in achievements beyond our comfort level through her experi-ences at College of the Holy Names.

The edifices that the Sisters built on the shores of Lake Merritt and then re-located to the Oak-land hills are edifices of hope. Hope is belief in things not seen. The original six sisters be-lieved that their efforts would matter – that the foundation they were beginning would make a powerful difference in the lives of others. Our students gain a sense of identity, values, beliefs and career aims that help them understand the critical challenges of their times and lead them beyond cynicism to hope.

On May 10 – the exact date that the six Sisters of the Holy Names arrived in Oakland from Montreal, Canada 140 years ago to begin the foundation for Holy Names University, we will send forth 250 graduates imbued with the confidence and the commitment to make a positive difference in our world and prepared for the challenges of our times. The Honorable Ron Dellums, Mayor of Oakland, will be our keynote speaker, highlighting our presence in Oakland and our strategic direction to integrate civic engagement as a key component of each student’s educational experience. It is our role together to assure that Holy Names Univer-sity will always be the edifice of hope that was founded in 1868 and that instills in its gradu-ates belief in things not yet seen.

Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, PhDPresident

LIBERATING MINDS • TRANSFORMING LIVES • SINCE 1868

3

Holy Names University is a private, four-year,

co-ed, Catholic university located on 60 wooded

acres in the hills of Oakland, California. An academic

community committed to the full development

of each student, HNU offers a liberal education

rooted in the Catholic tradition, empowering a

diverse student body for leadership and service

in a diverse world.

HNU Today strengthens the shared connection

between alumni, the University and the com-

munity. The magazine is published two times a

year for the University’s alumni and friends by

the Office of Institutional Advancement. The

diverse opinions expressed in HNU Today do not

necessarily represent the views of the editors nor

polices of Holy Names University.

Comments for the editor may be sent via email to:

[email protected]

Or in writing to:

Holy Names UniversityAttn: Alumni Relations3500 Mountain BoulevardOakland, CA 94619

Readers you can also update your information

online at: www.hnu.edu/alumni/idex.html

UNiveRsiT y OffiCeRs

Rosemarie Nassif, ssND, PhD., President

Dav Cvitkovic, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

stuart Koop, Vice President for Finance and Administration

Lizbeth Martin, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Michael Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs

Marcia Nance, Vice President for Enrollment

sr. Carol sellman, Vice President for Mission Effectiveness

Alumni executive Board PresidentMonica satterthwaite ’70, President

Past Presidents Board PresidentMaura Kelly Koberlein ’84, President

HNU TODAy sTAff

Dav Cvitkovic, Senior Editor

susan eggett ’02, Editor

Jo Jackson, Designer

Ricardo Marquez ’07, Photographer

ALUMNi RePORTeRs

John Bowman ’07 MAGregory Coleman ’07Anne Dunlap-Kahren ’88Bora Kara ’06 Ricardo Marquez ’07sr. Carol sellman ’69, ’78 MMClaire Trias ’08Marcos valerio ’06

VOL. XXV No. 1

Spring 2008 Volume XXV no. 1

Contents3 Global Learning Faculty empower students through

experiential learning in Oaxaca, Mexico. By CLAIRE TRIAS ’08

5 Broader Horizons for Two Key Programs

Our Nursing Program begins a partnership with Stanford and Pastoral Ministry is now linking to Fresno thanks to visionary faculty and advanced technology. By ANNE DUNLAP-KAHREN ’88

6 In Memoriam: Sr. Ethel Mary Tinnemann

Reflections on the life of an extraordinary professor, historian, political activist and sports enthusiast. By MARGUERITE KIRK, SNjM

7 A Transformative Vision As HNU Celebrates 140 years in Oakland

Members of the HNU Community Reflect on How the Vision of Mother Marie Rose Continues to Transform Lives.

12 The Vibrant Vision Updates and aspirations for the new stra-

tegic plan by members of the HNU faculty and administration.

17 Measuring Dedication in Miles and Music

How do you measure the dedication of alumni musicians? Graduates of the music department travel back to campus to perform together once again. By MARCOS VALERIO ’06

2 Campus News

3 Student News

4 Hawk Sports Center

5 Faculty News

6 SNjM News

14 Alumni News

18 Class Notes

21 The Last Word

About Our CoverSr. Carol Sellman joins Freshmen Nancy Murillo and Khalid Habib in Saint Francis Courtyard. As HNU celebrates 140 years in Oakland this edition of HNU Today explores how the vision of Mother Marie Rose continues to transform today’s students through the values of diversity, faith, leadership development and social justice.

7 Feature

SPRING 2008 | HNU TODAY 1

Silicon Valley Comes to HNU

By Ricardo Marquez ’07

What is the key to success? “To do something you are passionate about.” This was the advice given by Dr. Charles M. Geschke, co-founder of Adobe, to students and guests on September 19, 2007 during his lecture, The Adobe Story: Lessons Learned in Building a Software Company.

This event was the first of a series of the free-to-public lectures to commemorate Holy Names Uni-versity’s 140th Anniversary. In 1982, Dr. Geschke co-founded Adobe with Dr. John Warnock and retired from his position as Adobe president in 2000. Today, he and Warnock are co-chairmen of Adobe’s Board of Directors.

During his lecture, Dr. Geschke described the development of Adobe, one of the most successful Silicon Valley companies. His speech was an evolving personal story about how he channeled his ideas in the right direction, created a product that pleased customers, and managed a company with a worldwide impact. Dr. Geschke communicated an outstanding lesson to HNU students on how he found a way to crystallize his ideas to meet customer needs by always following his deepest axiom: “Believe in what is right.”

The diversity of Oakland on display at HNU

By Ricardo Marquez ’07

The painting Market on 9th Street – July by art-ist Anthony Holdsworth has occupied a space of its own in the lobby of the Valley Center for the Performing Arts (VCPA) for more than 10 years. On December 2, 2007, as part of the series of events celebrating Holy Names University’s 140 years in Oakland, the painting officially became a permanent element of Holy Names University.

HNU President Sister Rosemarie Nassif hosted a reception to celebrate the dedication of the painting. Art Professor Robert Simons, who introduced Anthony Holdsworth, not-ed how the painting’s theme has a direct relationship with one of HNU’s most precious assets: diversity and its value to our community.

The connection between the University, its roots in Oakland, and its commitment to the arts was highlighted in Sister Rosemarie and Anthony Holdsworth’s speeches. Holds-worth also acknowledged some of the people in the painting

who were able to attend the ceremony. The painting’s dedication is a beautiful symbol of Holy Names University’s outreach to art and diversity in the Bay Area.

The painting has been on loan to the University since the earliest years of the VCPA. HNU was able to purchase the painting, thanks in large part, to the generous support of Trustee Jim and Rosaleen Kelly ’55 and Emeritus Trustee Neil W. McDaniel. Now Market on 9th Street – July will forever represent Holy Names University’s proud bond with Oakland

May 10, 2008Commencement

May 17, 2008Preparatory Music Department Festival Concert

May 19, 20087th Annual Red Rose Golf Tournament

May 25, 2008MasterGuild Concert

July 7 – 26, 2008 Kodály Summer Program

July 24: 40th Anniversay Celebration, Hungarian Ministry of Culture Award Presentation

July 17 – 20, 2008Sophia Center Summer Institute:

“Thomas Berry and the New Cosmology”

September 5-6, 2008Homecoming and Alumni Awards

September 7, 2008Joint celebration of 140th Anniver-sary with Holy Names High School

September 17, 2008Convocation

CAMPUS NEWS

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Market on 9 th Street – July

(Left to right) Martin Durante, his daughter Elena Voiron, Byron Fong, Anthony Holdsworth, President Nassif, and Sandro Rossi. Durante, Voiron, Fong and Rossi can all be found in the painting.

2 LIBERATING MINDS • TRANSFORMING LIVES • SINCE 1868

Celebrating a Legacy

By Greg Coleman ’07

This year’s Black History month festivities at Holy Names University culminated with the third annual C.O.L.O.R. (Celebrating Our Legacy in Rhythm) celebration held on February 21, 2008. The event was host-ed by the HNU student club BSU (Brothers and Sisters United). BSU members Ashley Austin ’08 and Yodit Tekle ’10 served as the Masters of ceremonies and organized the line up of performers.

This year’s talent proved to be exceptional as the celebration began with a moving rendition of the Black National Anthem. Other musical per-formances included Priscilla Lizarraga’s ’10 a cappella rendition of Etta James’ “At Last” and Cameron Crump’s ’11 soul-filled original piece en-titled, “We Made It.”

The night became even more entertaining as students, faculty, staff, and alumni presented several spoken word pieces, including a video presen-tation and short reflection by Erika Dansby ’10 on the life and legacy of Sara Bartman. Also contributing to the list of performers was Pro-fessor Rene Sanchez ’90 who shared poems by Langston Hughes and Sonia Sanchez. Concluding the spoken word presentations was Tiana Davis ’06, one of two BSU alumni who originally created this event. She performed an original piece accompanied by Marcos Valerio ’06 who performed one of his original piano compositions. In addition to the wonderful music and spoken word presentations, the night included sev-eral cultural presentations including dance from the country of Eritrea located in the Sudan.

The night was truly a celebration of creative expression. HNU is proud to have a student body which carries forward the vision of the Sisters of The Holy Names ensuring that honoring diversity in education shall live on for another 140 years.

Global Learning

By Claire Trias ’08

This past winter break, twelve Holy Names Univer-sity students traveled hun-dreds of miles away on their highly anticipated immer-sion experience to Oaxaca, Mexico. The students were accompanied by Professors Dr. Lassalle-Klein and Dr. Martivón Galindo. In prep-aration for this trip, stu-

dents complete two academic courses in the following areas: Spanish 197: Mesoamerican Indigenous People, and Religious Studies 197: Religion in Mexico. This educational model is an example of how our faculty is integrating experiential with classroom learning.

During the students’ trip, they were exposed to various eco-nomical, social and political is-sues, which deepened their un-derstanding of the struggles that the people of Oaxaca face. Ryan Fitzpatrick ’08 states, “I gained a good understanding of the culture of Oaxaca and of all the different factors in immigrating.” Since 76 percent of the population who are

employed make less than seven dollars a day, approximately 15,000 people migrate yearly out of Oaxaca seeking employment elsewhere.

During their travels the students were inspired by the people of Oax-aca. They met staff from La Clínica Del Pubelo, the only hospital pro-viding Oaxaca’s low-income Latino community with free health-care services. In addition to keeping their community healthy, the people of Oaxaca also work to improve the health of their native land. Their determination for change has led to a community Ecology Project. Over 1,000 trees have recently been planted to help revive the land that is so important to the people’s livelihood.

After venturing into the Oaxaca community students were grateful for the life-changing experience. Ana Maria Mejia ’09 says, “The expe-rience made me grow as a person. It opened up my eyes to another world.” Through their exploration, all student participants returned back to the Bay Area transformed by the people of Oaxaca’s persistence towards building a better future for their community and families.

BSU Officers Yodit Tekle, Danielle Aaron & Ashley Austin are joined by Alumni (Left to right) Marcos Valerio ’06, Greg Coleman ’07, Marrisa Brown ’05, Tiana Davis ’06, Bora Kara ’06, Ricardo Marquez ’07, Rene Sanchez ’90 and Susan Eggett ‘02

Edwin Pouzeaud joins a group of children from San Sebastian Tutla Parish after attending the Mass of the Epiphany

Seated on the steps of Monte Alban, famous Zapotec ruins, are students (Rear) Jonathan Vega, Elishia Giordani, Ryan Fitz-patrick (Front) Edwin Pouzead, Elizabeth Oishi & Eric Sanchez

STUDENT NEWS


HAWK SPORTS CENTER

It is very difficult to predict how a student will be transformed during their HNU edu-cation, but one thing is certain, it has truly been a joy to sit in the Tobin Gym and watch as student athletes learn skills on the court that help them in the classroom and as they prepare to graduate. Skills like drive, focus, teamwork, and dedication. The Alumni As-sociation will soon welcome some very dedi-cated new members. Troy Cotton, Josh Doz-ier, Alex Heumann and Martha Spivey, all began their HNU journey as Freshmen four years ago. Each has appeared in nearly every game the Hawks have played since then and each will be graduating this month.

This season Martha Spivey was named Cal Pac De-fender of the year for the 3rd straight season and most notably the Most Valuable Player of the entire Califor-nia Pacific Conference! She is only the 7th women’s play-er to score 1,000 points in a career and ranks 6th overall for the women in career

points and 2nd in career rebounds. Martha also broke a record everyone said would never be broken. This season she grabbed 325 rebounds breaking Hawk Alumni Mikki Elftmann’s record of 324 set in 1999. Martha will graduate with a bach-elor’s in Liberal Studies.

This season Troy Cotton earned 1st Team All Con-ference honors. He holds the HNU record for most consecutive games played at 128 and scored over 1,000 points in his ca-reer. He is currently ranked #5 in career games played and will graduate with his bachelors in Business Management.

Alex Heumann left his Juneau, Alaska home to join the HNU community. He has scored an amazing 110 career 3 pointers and ranks in the top 10 of every single 3 point category. He ranks #6 in career games played and will

graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

Josh Dozier also earned 1st Team All Conference honors this season. He has been a dominant force under the basket and holds al-

most every rebounding record at HNU! Josh is also the first player in HNU history to score 1,000 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds in his career. He ranks #4 in career games played and will graduate with a bachelor’s in Computing and Communications.

It is hard to say if Mother Marie Rose ever envisioned students diving for loose balls in bright red jerseys that read Holy Names, but one can be most certain she is applaud-ing their dedication to their studies and the manner in which they proudly represent Holy Names University.

Coach Spencer Receives Coach of the Year Honors

Coach Steve Spencer earned the Cal Pac Con-ference Coach of the Year award after leading the Hawks to a 14-2 Confer-ence record. Spencer is in his third year at the helm for HNU and has com-plied a 55-38 record.

“The award was extremely well-deserved,” re-ported Men’s Head Coach Dennis Jones ’98. “To go 14 and 2 with such a young team is truly a testament to the quality of his coach-ing.” Ever the team player, Steve Spencer re-marked, “It truly is a great honor. However I wish the award read, ‘Coaching Staff of the Year’ because our success this year is a result of the dedication of my assistant coaches as much as my leadership. To be considered for this award you also need a great team. I am very proud of this year’s team, and look forward to continued success next season!” The future of Hawks women’s basketball is very bright as Holy Names sent 14 players to Iowa, with half of those being freshman. The depth and experience garnered by the Na-tional Tournament showing will have long term benefits as the Hawks look toward next season’s Cal Pac battle for the Conference title and a return to the National Champion-ship Tournament.

Coach Spencer (left) and the Lady Hawks basketball team upon winning the 2008 Cal Pac Tournament Championship Game

Josh Dozier

Congratulations to our

2007-2008

California Pacific Champion Teams

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Basketball

Women’s Volleyball

Go Hawks!

Coach Steve Spencer

Martha Spivey

Troy Cotton

(Left to right) Dennis Jones ’98 (Men’s Head Coach) Alex Heumann & Omar Sanchez ’02 (Men’s Assistant Coach)

Scholar Athletes Shine in 2008 Season


FACULTY NEWS

Professor Pete

Peter Liebowitz, popular Holy Names University Business professor, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2007. Professor Lie-bowitz taught several courses in the Business

Department at HNU, including Mar-keting Research and Survey of Global Business. “He was a beloved teacher, mentor, and advisor who made the world of business exciting and chal-lenging. He brought excellent speakers to his classes, linked students to great internships, and brought out the best in each one,” according to Business Department Chair, Marcia Frideger, SNJM, PhD.

One of his students, Erin K. Twomey, ’08 said, “Professor Pete is so very much a part of my success during my time at HNU. He made academic theories come to life with real business situations. His classes were made up of case studies, and called us all to be “subject matter experts” or as he called them ‘Sme’s.’ Professor Pete wanted us to succeed in life and he did whatev-er it took to help us do just that. He cared so much about us and in return we cared and always will care about him. Many people remember him as a sports fan but in reality Professor Pete was a fan of life. He supported every single one of his students as strongly as he supported his A’s, Cal Bears, and Hawks athletic teams. I will truly miss Professor Pete and will never forget the important lessons of business and life that he taught me.”

Broader Horizons for Two Key Programs

Nursing Program Partners with Stanford and

Pastoral Ministry Now Links to Fresno

By Anne Dunlap-Kahren ’88 Our RN-to-BSN program for working nurses, delivered via videoconference mode to 15 hospital sites through out California, will expand to Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto in September. Fay L. Bower, DNSc, FAAN, chairperson of the HNU Nursing Department, says, “Adding Stanford is significant as it is a large medical center that serves many patients and their families. It is extremely important for these nurses to have the opportunity to fur-ther their education. I am pleased and honored that Stanford selected HNU as a partner for this important task.”

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to our Nursing De-partment establish a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration in education to educate clinical nurses who want to become clinical educators. By December 2008, 66 nurses will have graduated from this program that is designed to provide more clinical sites for nursing students and thus significantly help alleviate the nursing shortage.

We proudly announce Dr. Bower’s appointment as chair of the Leadership and Mentoring Task Force for 2007-2009 for Sigma Theta Tau International. Twelve nurses worldwide are selected to serve on this task force. Congratulations also to two of our nursing faculty, Edith Jenkins-Weinrub, EdD, who was selected to participate in the Thomas Edison State College School of Nursing Minority Educator Grant program and Maria Mangini, PhD, FNP, who published an article in the Journal of the California Cannabis Medical Group with Dr. Frank Lucido entitled “Implementation of the Compassionate Use Act in a Family Medical Practice.”

Last summer, the Diocese of Fresno joined the Diocese of Oakland as Program Partners for the HNU Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries program. In January, 16 students in Fresno joined via videoconference with 11 students in Oakland to form Cohort IV of this program. Congratulations to Robert Lassalle-Klein, PhD, Professor of Religious Studies and Philoso-phy, for successfully obtaining a grant for the technology that supports this expansion and for the new partnership with the Diocese of Fresno.

This expansion furthers the regionalization of the HNU MA in Pastoral Ministries via live videoconferencing with the dioceses of Central and Northern California. HNU now has virtually exclusive access to all Catholic diocesan candidates who wish to study for an MA in Pastoral Ministries from the outskirts of Los Angeles to the northern end of San Francisco Bay. Discussions with other dioceses in the West are ongoing.

The HNU lay ministry formation program is built around leading certifica-tion standards of the National Association for Lay Ministry. Dr. Lassalle-Klein said the Fresno program is designed to “accommodate the lives of full-time pastoral ministers who also have family obligations.” Classes are offered via state-of-the-art, face-to-face videoconferencing between Saint Agnes Medical Center, Fres-no, and HNU classrooms. Other sites throughout the Diocese of Fresno will be added later.

I N M E M O R I A M


SNJM NEWS

The Alumni Association extends its congratulations

to these Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

who are graduates of Holy Names University and are among the jubilarians of

the U.S. – Ontario Province who celebrate their

anniversaries of religious profession this year:

70 YearsSr. Mary Seraphica McClean ’63

60 YearsSr. Jeannette Marie Bolce ’63

Sr. Collette Carroll ’62

Sr. Colleen Kern (Miriam Patrice)’62

Sr. Julianna Lucey (Mary Aloyse)’54& Assistant Professor of Mathematics,

1965-1969

Sr. Miriam Jeanne Murphy ’46& Assistant Professor of Music, 1963-1970

Sr. Barbara Williams (Roberta Marie) ’52& Assistant Professor of Political Science

and History, 1968-1992

50 YearsSr. Grace Briare ’68

Sr. Jo’Ann De Quattro ’66

Sr. Diane Denke (Marian Virginia) ’65

Sr. Mary Mackessy ’66

Sr. David Emmanuel Paula ’56

Sr. Marianne Viani ’66

25 Years Sr. Bathilda Heqoa

(Sister attended HNU’s Master of Education Program before returning to serve her com-

munity in Lesoto.)

Sr. Ethel Mary TinnemannSister Ethel Mary Tinnemann, professor, historian, political activist, researcher, author, cat lover, gardener, athlete, and cham-pion of the underprivileged passed on March 11, 2008.

Sister Ethel was born in Oakland, on September 8, 1916 and raised in Oakland and Berkeley. She was proud of the fact that she spent 84 of her 91+years of life in these two cities. Sister Ethel attended junior high at the Lake, and went on to Holy Names High School. Upon graduation from high school Ethel enrolled at the University of California. She graduated with honors in 1938. She earned an M.A. in history and a teaching credential at U.C. before entering the Sisters of the Holy Names.

Sister Ethel entered the Community in July 1941 and made vows in August 1943. She taught high school classes for 13 years before returning to the University of California, where she earned a PhD. in Modern European History in 1960. For the next 45 years she devoted her life to Holy Names College. During those years, she also did extensive research on the Nazi period of German history, and came to the conclusion that citizens must protest the policies of their governments, which seem to violate human rights.

So with Sister Ethel Mary’s passion for accurate history came a second passion, one for the power of the vote. Early on she joined the League of Women Voters and walked the neighborhoods of Oakland to register new voters. In 1999 the Secretary of State, inducted her into the Voters Hall of Fame. She brought many political speakers to campus including Ethel Kennedy and journalist Roger Mudd. She sponsored student debates on current issues, led walking tours of historic Oakland areas, and lectured to the Oakland Police on the history and multiculturalism of Oakland. She was appointed by Mayor Wilson to three terms on the Land Marks Preservation Advisory Board, and was included in the San Francisco Exam-iner’s 1992 story on the Bay Area ’Movers and Shakers’.

Images that come to mind of Sister Ethel are: swimming laps in the College pool at 7am every morning; washing a line-up of college cars parked outside the convent back door early every Saturday; turning out lights and locking doors in every building at the college, cultivating roses and vegetables in her patio garden, and distributing her tomatoes making sure that each person received at least one.

In 1997 Sister Ethel retired from full-time teaching and received the title Professor Emeri-tus. She continued to keep office hours and interact on a regular basis with students. It was during this time that she published her history of Holy Names College. She was an avid fan of Holy Names Athletics becoming one of their most ardent supporters.

In the fall of 2005 Sister Ethel was asked to move to Los Gatos, which she did rather reluc-tantly, with her cat Suzie. Very special days for her were those when her niece or nephews came to visit, or when someone offered to take her to see a basketball or volleyball game at Holy Names. After a slow steady decline she gave up her life just after midnight on March 11.

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S I N M E M O R I A M

Sr. Maureen Hester with Sr. Ethel at Homecoming 2005

Sr. Ethel Mary Tinnemann


FEATURE

By Susan Eggett ’02

Holy Names University continues to provide a transformative edu-cation based on the vision of foundress Mother Marie Rose. By ex-ploring 4 core values of HNU Today: faith, social justice, leadership development and diversity we can see how Mother Marie Rose’s vision continues to guide our community.

The vision of HNU’s founding sisters supports education that is truly transformative, both for the individual and the society around them and is part of the essential mission of today’s Holy Names University.

The University’s foundation was built 140 years ago on the vision of Mother Marie Rose (1811-1849) when six Holy Names sisters arrived in Oakland. From the original 30 foot by 40 foot school building on the shores of Lake Merritt to our current 60 acre campus many elements of a Holy Names education have evolved since our found-ing in 1868, but there is one that has remained constant. Mother Marie Rose’s vision of transformative education is still a constant component of HNU today.

Since 1868 the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary have established a unique record of achievement in California: they were the first Catholic Sisters in the city of Oakland; there they built the first Catholic High School and there they established the first Catholic College. They were true pioneers and their successors have established many landmarks and achievements of which the State of California and the City of Oakland are proud and grateful.

The resolute touch of Mother Marie Rose lovingly blesses the handi-work of our community. From her quiet nineteenth-century begin-nings in Canada and our ever expanding Oakland California Uni-versity, compatibility of aims might appear impossible. Yet were she to ascend the stairs from the Paul Cushing Library to the McLean

ATransformativeVision “Holy Names

University lets me know I have something to contribute to the world.”Dr. Kimberly Mayfield ’94 CRED


Chapel, Mother Marie Rose would know at once that she is home. The University has remained dedicated to her vision and the spirit and charism of the SNJM’s remain the soul of the institution.

Young Eulalie Durocher might indeed be astonished to see the transformation taking place at HNU in 2008. The University today stands as a tribute to a woman of great spiritual and religious stat-ure, and one whose dedication to God’s work knew no limits and demanded no rewards.

HNU Today staff asked current students, staff, faculty, alumni, Re-gents and Trustees to reflect on the vision of the founding sisters, how that vision has impacted them and how they see that vision alive today in our university community.

Personal Transformations Impacted by the Sisters’ Vision

Holy Names University has transformed many individuals. Because of HNU, Dennis Jones ’98, Men’s Basketball Coach and Senior As-sociate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, sees his community and the world in a whole new light. “Sr. Ethel Mary Tinnemann was my advisor so it is nearly impossible for me to not be impacted by the sisters. I think the first thing she did was make sure I was registered to vote in Alameda County! I met my wife at HNU, and then we started our family while I have been working here. The sisters im-pacted me early on and their message continues to guide me as a coach, father, husband and leader in my community.”

Senior, Tiffany Ho ’08, feels much the same. “HNU has transformed the way I see myself and the world. I came to HNU not knowing if I could make a differ-

ence. However, coming to HNU helped me to grow as a person by giving me opportunities to expand my horizons. Because of HNU I participated in a protest for peace and built houses in one of the eco-nomically poorest parts of our country. I was also able to work on my leadership skills by becoming a Resident Assistant and participating in the Asian Pacific International club. HNU also transformed me to think about the greater world and what I can do for it.”

Holy Names University makes a difference in people’s lives. Mau-reen Holmes, Accounts Payable Manager, recognizes the sisters’ im-pact in her life. “When I came to HNU 29 years ago I was a divorced mother with little work experience. The sisters gave me a chance to provide for my family. I will always be grateful to the Sisters of the Holy Names. They nurtured me and gave me the opportu-nity to succeed!” If the Holy Names sisters had a fan club then this man would be the club’s President. Regent, Cornell Maier, rec-ognizes the impact Holy Names University has had on his life. “I hope Holy Names University has made me a more generous and considerate person.”

Dr. Kimberly Mayfield ’94 CRED, Assistant Professor in the De-partment of Education, was impacted during her days as a creden-tial student. “I was taking courses that were directly applicable to teaching in the linguistically, racially, culturally, religiously, socio-economically diverse Oakland Unified School District.” Now as a professor she feels validation from HNU. “On the most basic level Holy Names University lets me know I have something to con-

tribute to the world.”

Commitment to Continue the Vision

There is a demonstrated commitment from everyone in the Holy Names University community to serve where he or she is most needed. Sr. Cynthia Canning ’68 reflects on her work. “I am so fortunate to be a part of Next Step Learn-

ing Center, the youngest of the SNJM-sponsored institutions in California. Our mission is to

strengthen Oakland families and commu-nities through intensive, personalized

tutoring and other programs in basic literacy and GED preparation. Locat-ed in West Oakland, every day we serve

Oakland youth and adults who have already failed in our local public schools. One person at a time, one day at a time, Next Step Learning Center lives out the SNJM values of community, leadership develop-ment, diversity, and social justice.”

FEATURE

From top left Murad Dibbini ’05 MBA, Dennis Jones ’98, Tiffany Ho ’08, Sr. Chris Patrinos ’81 CRED

The sisters’ vision tran-scends when we least ex-pect it. Catherine O’Dea Plocki ’62, who went on to receive her teaching cre-dential in 1963 from Col-lege of the Holy Names is reminded of the sisters’ vision daily through her work. “You know it’s a little funny. When I was an undergraduate English major I must have taken 7

courses by Sr. Claire Mad-eleine. Now, I teach English, and I hear her words come out of my mouth on a daily basis! Every time I hear myself say, “Avoid vague-ness in your writing!” I know I am helping to pass on the Holy Names tradition! The sisters also taught us to how to use litera-ture to study what is right and just in human relationships. This study led to a greater understanding and acceptance of people as they are. I try to carry that use of literature on with my students.”

Betty Woo ’78 MED, Assistant Professor of Music takes time to foster leadership in her students. “I always encourage and recom-mend students that have shown leadership qualities to partici-pate in leadership opportunities here on campus. Over the years, the Music Department has also tried to promote worthy students to teaching positions within the department. We always try to promote

talent.” For senior Ashley Austin, the memory of his mother keeps him on the right path. He also relies on the sisters. “The man the sisters’ chal-lenge me to be is exactly the man my mother wanted me to be.” His educational experience has empowered him to become a leader and advocate for social justice who appreciates diver-sity and calls on his faith to guide him.

The Capacity to Reinvent Itself

“For all that has been Thanks, for all that will be Yes!” Sr. Chris Patrinos

’81 CRED, Professor of History quotes Dag Hammarskjold when she reflects on what has remained constant and what has been the most significant change during the 140 year history of Holy Names University. Both past and present have been a gift – changing and yet the same. Sr. Chris goes on to say, “The most significant change has been the students. Each one is different and each brings their own joy and laughter, sorrow and frustration; always changing. What has remained constant is also the students. They have given us their trust and their loyalty for 140 years as we have tried to make a positive difference in our community though education, leadership development, and social justice.”

Many significant changes have decorated the past 140 years. One of the most important is a student body that continues to diversify. Men first entered the undergraduate programs in 1971. Adult students be-gan attending classes is the Weekend College program in 1981. The de-velopment of the Athletic Department in the early 1990’s, expansions in the Nursing and Pastoral Ministry programs, increased outreach to first generation college students and increased outreach to interna-tional students have all contributed to the increasing diversity of our student population.

Continuity has also contributed to the University’s identity. Bril-liant faculty, commitment to service and the love of the sisters are some that are brought up most often. Another element of continuity that Murad Dibbini ’05 MBA, Director of Undergraduate Admis-sions, values is the warm family environment of the campus. “When I work with prospective students and their families I try to embody that value. I want them to understand our community is a family and they will be empowered and cared for by Holy Names Uni-versity for the rest of their lives.”

Sr. June Kearney served the Department of Education in many in-tegral ways for many years and she loves Holy Names University! “Being a member of the HNU community is always exciting! I love the enthusiasm of our students and the dedication of our faculty, staff and administration.”

According to Jim Conlon, Director of the Sophia Center, it is the Holy Names story that has remained constant. “The school has been built on a great narrative. That narrative is the story of the found-ing sisters’ courage and their vision to create something new. That narrative has endured. What else has endured is the capacity for this institution to reinvent itself. HNU has grown and developed to meet the needs of every generation of students who have graced our campus.”

For Loretta Smith ’87, a member of the Holy Names University Board of Trustees, working with the Holy Names com-munity is “enjoyable, up- lifting and gratifying. The vision of the sisters is central to all interac-tions. You find that their vision strengthens your beliefs and becomes a part of who you are.”

After 140 years we celebrate and thank Mother Marie Rose and the 6 founding sisters for their vision and courage. Now it is up to us, the Holy Names University community of today, to ensure that their vision continues to provide a transformative education for the next generation of leaders.

FEATURE

Loretta Smith ’87, Trustee & Cornell Maier, Regent

Ashley Austin ‘08

Catherine O’Dea Plocki ’62, ’63 CRED


After 140 years, there are many compelling HNU alumni stories like Anne’s 49 years of giving to the annual fund! Loyal alumni like Anne make a difference because their

gifts contribute to scholarships, faculty development, technology and capital improvements. Every gift is an investment in the value of an HNU degree.

Gifts like Anne’s are the key to many students’ success. Over 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid. Join Anne this special anniversary year and make a gift to the annual fund

by June 30th. Your gift will continue the tradition the sisters began 140 years ago.

Ways to Give• Make a gift over the phone by calling the Office of Annual Giving at (510) 436-1014

• Participate in the Employer Matching Gift Program

• Make a gift of securities (stock, bond or mutual funds)

• Give online with a credit card through our secure giving website: http://www.hnu.edu/alumni/waystogive.html

• Or use the enclosed envelope to send your gift in the mail. Please make your gift payable to Holy Names University Annual Fund and send it to:

Holy Names University Office of Institutional Advancement

3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619

Alumni Giving Identified as the Key to Holy Names University’s

140 Years of Success!

Anne Sanchez Fleming ‘59 Annual Fund Donor for 49 Years!


Eva McLean ’50 was described by HNU President Rosemarie Nassif as “a woman who believed in deeds.” On the surface her life may seem simple: educated at College of the Holy Names, a 45 year marriage to her husband Glenn and 30 years of teach-ing in the Clover Park School District of Washington, but she understood that it is our deeds that truly make a difference. And oh what a difference her deeds have made!

The life of Eva was celebrated in the McLean Chapel (named in recognition of Eva and her husband Glenn McLean) with a Memorial Mass on December 7, 2007. During the Mass Sister Rosemarie commented on Eva’s many deeds that “give others

the tools to transform their own lives.” Eva supported and encouraged many children to be-come more than they ever dreamed they could through the many scholarships she provided for high school students. She also aided emotionally disturbed children through her direction of outreach programs for them and their families. Her generous donations to the Eva McLean Diagnostic Imaging Center at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, Washington, the Lakewood Firefighters and Holy Names University are other examples of her remarkable deeds. Eva McLean’s legacy will live on at Holy Names University thanks to her transformative lega-cy gift of over $2million that will benefit Holy Names students for generations to come.

Sister Rosemarie believes that much of Eva’s spirit and values were developed during her years at College of the Holy Names. “Her belief in the highest goals for others and their achieve-ments beyond their own comfort level and her passion for projects that would have an impact on altering the future in a positive way for others are both intangible components of her Holy Names education.” Throughout her life Eva has displayed a passion for these components in all her deeds. Eva McLean was a woman with a generous heart. In a life full of great deeds her greatest deed is quite possibly “her passion for making a difference that will positively change the future for others.”

Eva Costa Rita McLean

December 29, 1926 – October 19, 2007

A Transformative Gift


TheVibrant Beth Martin

Vice President for Academic AffairsIn the year 2012, graduates will share a signature Holy Names University experience. During their education at HNU, each will have had experiential learning throughout their courses, research in their major field, a unified 4-year core experience, and a variety of community-based learning classes.

Dav Cvitkovic Vice President for Institutional AdvancementHNU will benefit from strengthened alumni and community support that will be a powerful catalyst for growth in 2012 and beyond. Our first comprehensive capital campaign supporting faculty, facilities, technology and endowment investment will be underway to ensure HNU continues to build on its achievements. Increased funding will serve as a magnet for recruiting faculty at the top of their field. Endowment growth will solidify HNU’s commitment to access and affordability. Facilities transformation and technological advances will be the keystone to supporting a growing student body and building a thriving campus community.

VisionRosemarie Nassif, SSND, PhDPresident

As Holy Names University celebrates its 140th anniversary it also looks to the future with the implementation of a new strate-gic plan. Developing a strategic plan is the easy step, delivering its goals is the part that requires commitment, per-sistence and dedication from all who believe that our university is worthy of a thriving future. By 2012 HNU will serve a larger population of students with a revitalized curriculum, exciting technological advancements, personalized customer service and community based learn-ing that models a culturally competent diverse community imbued with the values and spirit of the Sisters of the Holy Names.


Marcia NanceVice President of EnrollmentHoly Names University is engaged in a quest to build overall enroll-ments to around 1700 by academic year 2012-2013. Success will be a result of very intentional retention that begins with solid academic advising and mentoring and is bolstered by meaningful experiences both inside and outside the classroom that secure the bond between students and the University.

Michael MillerVice President for Student Affairs

By 2012 I hope to see students as they prepare to graduate who are able to pull

together their entire academic experience and reflect on what they’ve learned.

Laura LyndonAssociate Dean of Students

The class of 2012 will have benefited from a four year comprehensive under-graduate experience. We are working to ensure that all HNU students, by the

time they complete their junior year, have taken part in both a service learning experience and an internship.

In 2012 we will have new student space that will support the kind of program-ming and dialogue that are an integral part of an HNU student’s educational

experience. The Student Center of today’s vision will be bustling with activity in 2012 as it creates opportunities for our students to engage with, learn from and

connect with other members of the HNU community.

Sr. Nancy TeskeyAssociate Academic Dean

In Academic Affairs we are currently engaged in studying the responses of twenty-four academic programs. The end results of this work will lead us to make the best choices about our majors and offerings for graduate and

undergraduate programs for the future.

By 2012 the students who graduate from Holy Names University will have the vision of a Hawk, the red-tail of experience and the talons to seize their life to become a person who lives as an educated seeker in service of others.

Dr. Kimberly MayfieldAssistant Professor, Department of Education & Coordinator of the Education Specialist Mild Moderate Credential ProgramBy 2012 Holy Names University will bring the classroom to the community. I see HNU reaching out to make all of Oakland our campus

Stuart KoopVice President for Finance and Administration

Thanks to our technological developments the HNU community will be able to access their information via the web. This will mean customer service will be avail-

able to students 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Sr. Carol SellmanVice President for Mission Effectiveness

With an added emphasis on consciously incorpo-rating the SNJM values in our hiring and orienta-

tion processes, the faculty, staff, and students on campus in 2012 will visibly express these values.


Class of 1947Top Row Elizabeth Brennan Wade, Patricia Bradbury Meyer, Jackie Blanquie Moran, Mary Sexton Hutton Bottom Row Stephanie Veselich Enright, Betty Scanlon Sammon, Mary Beth Bent-Rooney, Sheila Dowd, Marianne Pedersen Lammon, Dorothy Rossick Bachand

Class of 1957Top Row LoEtta Fredinburg Cadman, Constance Ryan Stefani, Mary Helen Schuette Boex, Maureen Hester, snjm, Barbara Heeg DePaoli, Elaine Sherwood Feeley, Mary Ann Marich Marinak Bottom row Elizabeth Micke Sarina, Camille Clarke Giglio, Joanna Maze Woelffer, Patricia Feeley Michelini, Ramona Laureys Wick Simpson, Elizabeth Mullen Selfa, Mary Doumitt Reiser, Arlene Senger Fox, Patricia Canty Zavadil

Class Of 1962Top Row Ruth Redding Murray, Ann Nunes Coakley, Mary Louise Schuster, Carole Angeli Benjamin, Barbara Domyancic Ruane, Cecelia Tutt, Judith Gorman Vinci, Carolyn Harley Hathaway, Suzanne Thoreson, Diana Sawin, Esther Shiras Cox, Bonnie Danielson, Rita Felix, Susan Burke Gonsalves, Barbara Wisnewski Smith, Eileen Bronson Weston, Joanne Archibald Hawke, Ellen Schnur, Maureen Cramton Monahan, Cathy O’Dea Plocki Bottom Row Margo Bargiachi Jacklich, Charlene Silva Delfino, Lily Dragicevich Preiner, Iris Leonard Davey, Mary Burke Morris, Michele McCormick Lewis, Saloma Guesnon Cordero, Mary Patricia Lasky Lambing, Lorraine Fraga Holton

Class of 1967Top Row Judy Kempe Singler, Diane Zinsky Middaugh, Francie Pahl Alling, Meline Anzalone Giannini, Shelia Ryan Deering, Mary Maguire Pult, Kathy Grandi King, Helen Terlin Sutton, Paula Pardini Bottom Row Patty Homan Francoeur, Eileen Leo Hesch, Carol Sellman, SNJM, Dr. Doreen Ferreira Jones, Barbara Mezini Dillman, Regina Hesse Paulus, Carol Melka McKinstry, Kathy Dombrik, Mary Meagner King, Kristen Schnieders

ALUMNI NEWS

2007Homecoming1947

1957

1962

1967


ALUMNI NEWS

2007HomecomingClass of 1972Top Row Marcy Villa, Anne Smith Togneri, Mathilda Ignacio, Stephanie Christian Scordelis Bottom Row Roberta Duenas Fogerty, Natalia Lie, Catherine Hawkins, Luciann Cuneo Ler-aul, Mary Jean McLaughlin, Roseanne Gaumer Chamberlain

Classes of 1982 & 1987Al Gales, Leslie Garcia, Terrence Scott, Gloria Cain Seward, Sheila Pope

The 1990s Top Row Erika Woods, Michael Ho, Alexandra Brichacek Krider, Karen Lowden Abude Bottom Row Rebecca Hinkley, Karen Lavell, Heather Hodge, Tina Lowden

The 2000sTop Row Megan Norwood, Ricardo Marquez, Melissa Chan, Gregory Coleman, Camilio Alcomendras Bottom Row Chris-tina Mejia, Susan Eggett, Robert Cakebread, Bita Ghasemian

1972

1982, ’87

1990’s

2000’s

Mark Your Calendars for

Homecoming Weekend 2008!

September 5, 6 and 7, 2008

Introducing the

140th Anniversary

Alumni Honor Ball

Claremont Country Club

Friday, September 5, 2008

More exciting details are coming soon!


2008It’s time to nominate for the

Holy Names University

Alumni AwardsWhat are the Alumni Awards?Each year the Holy Names University Alumni Association honors outstand-ing alumni and members of the faculty who provide service and leadership to our University. If you know a deserving alum or faculty member who has greatly benefited the University and our community please nominate them in recognition of his/her service, dedication, and achievements.

I’m not sure who to nominate?There are many deserving members of the Alumni Association and University Faculty. Please use this magazine as a resource and check out the alumni featured on alumni page of the University’s website. Go to www.hnu.edu and click on the alumni link.

How do I submit my nomination?you may make copies of this form to fax or mail to the Alumni Associa-tion. Please send faxes to (510) 436-1233 or mail to Holy Names University, Attn: Alumni Relations, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619.

you may also submit your nomination online or simply send an email to [email protected].

Nomination Form

I nominate

Nomination submitted by: (must be complete)

Name Class year & Major

Home Address

City, State Zip

( ) Phone Email

Statement of SupportPlease prepare a brief statement and attach any of the following:

• The nominee’s outstanding contributions or achievements• Professional and/or volunteer activities and recognition• Letters of support (recommended, not required)

Categories:Faculty Award – selected for outstanding loyalty and service to

the university

Alumni Award – selected for outstanding achievement in profession or service to church and community.

Alumni Award – selected for outstanding service to the Alumni Association and the university

All nominations must be received by July 31, 2008 ✁

✁Dr. Duygu Demirlioglu

Alumni Faculty Award

Betty Jean Bloom Hopkins ’61

(not pictured)

Alumni Recognition Award for

outstanding achievement in a profession

or service to church and community

Eileen Bronson Weston ’62

Alumni Recognition Award for

outstanding volunteer service and

loyalty to the alumni

association and the university

2007Alumni Awards


Measuring Dedication in Miles and MusicBy Marcos Valerio ’06

6,612 miles. If you could measure the dedication of our alumni in distance it would be 6,612 miles for at least one of them. That’s about 10,640 kilometers if you’re in Taiwan. Candy Liwen Chen, who received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Holy Names University in 1995, flew from Taiwan to Oakland be-cause she was asked to perform on campus for the alumni concert. This level of dedication is one extraordinary example of the eight successful members of the Alumni Association who performed in the Alumni Concert last fall and now hail from across the nation and around the world.

The Alumni Concert, held on the evening of November 18, 2007 in the beautiful and welcoming Valley Center for Performing Arts, was a showcase of three vocalists (Jennifer Ashworth ’08 MM, Suzanna Mizell ’02 BM, Anthony Russell ’05 BA), four pianists (Candy Chen ’95 BM & MM, Grace Edwards ’95 MM & MME, Joy Tsai ’05 BM MM, Pam Viebeck ’01 MM) and a cellist (Katherine Baird ’93 BM). They performed works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Debussy, Kapus-tin, de Falla, Donizetti and Head. Although these famed composers made for an exceptional program it was truly the musicians, our alumni on stage, that made the show unforgettable. The diverse group of alumni musicians spanned a variety of ages, cultures and ethnicities, fully representing the HNU spirit of diversity.

The performances included classic and contemporary pieces all of which seemed to captivate the audience. Alumni musicians were ex-cited and comfortable performing on their familiar alma mater stage. With the pressure of juries and recitals behind them, they were now

Candy Liwen Chen ’95 BM, MM

Anne Laskey receives 2008 Outstanding Educator Award

Organization of American Kodály Educators OAKE National Conference

Anne J. Laskey received the 2008 Outstanding

Educator Award from the Organization of American

Kodály Educators at the OAKE National Conference

held in Denver, CO, March 27-29, 2008. The award

is given to an OAKE member who has demonstrated

years of superior music teaching in which the Kodály

philosophy has been used extensively and has pro-

duced students who exhibit outstanding music skills.

Ms. Laskey is director of the Kodály Center for Music

Education at Holy Names University.

able to simply have fun. As the night came to an end, student and teacher were reunited and congratulations, hand shakes and hugs were given. There was a feeling of pride and accomplishment in the air.

Among the overwhelmingly moved audience that night were mem-bers of the Alumni Executive Board, including Board Vice President Michael Mosby who remarked, “The concert was an amazing dis-play of alumni talent! Our music department is doing a beautiful job of nurturing our students’ talent as they transition to become successful music professionals.”

The evening showcased how dedicated our alumni musicians are to their passion for music and the institution that helped them refine their talent. Musical education for these performers is deeply rooted in their HNU degree but continues to blossom and bring joy to audiences around the world.


07 Camilo Alcomendras ’07 is prepar-ing for the UCSF MEPN program.

He wrote, “I love the prospects of getting in-volved in Gerontological/Oncological Nurs-ing. I’d like to help in programs geared to helping foreign nurses get supplemental train-ing and in helping them that first year they are here from their home country. So I will still in school for a good many years more!

Sylvester Okoro ’07 announced the publica-tion of his first co-authored book: Birds With-out Wings.

03 Mary Delbridge ’03 is currently teaching preschool – grade 2 music

classes at Casleton Hill Movavian Church where she serves as Co-Pastor. She gives thanks everyday for her Kodaly training at HNU!

02 Hajnalka Bardos-Klieman ’02 her husband Lee and sons Joseph and

Thomas welcomed a new baby boy, Peter, on August 26, 2007 to their family.

Carrie Wiesenmeyer ’02 was appointed coor-dinator of Adolescent Chemical Dependency Services at Kaiser Santa Teresa/San Jose in 2007.

01 Brissa Sotelo ’01 was recently ap-pointed to the University of Southern

California’s School of Public Policy, Planning and Development’s Alumni Board. She re-ceived her Masters in Public Policy from the University of Southern California in 2006. That same year she took a position with Shell Oil-Los Angeles Refinery as the Manager of External Affairs and Communications. In 2007, Shell Oil sold its Los Angeles Refinery to Tesoro Corporation, where Brissa serves as the Manager of External Affairs for the Los Angeles Refinery.

97 Juliana Raskauskas ’97 returned in August from three years researching

youth violence in New Zealand to become Assistant Professor in Child Development at Sacramento State University.

93 Sharon Abercrombie ’93 is a certi-fied leader for the Dances of Universal

Peace (simple circle dances which incorporate the sacred chants, prayers and music from all of the worlds’ spiritualities.) She frequently leads dances at both the monthly Walnut Creek and Berkeley dance meetings. Her coverage of the 2007 Sophia Center Summer Institute on Cosmology appeared in the Na-tional Catholic Reporter last August.

Miguel Bustos ’93 served as Deputy District Director for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and is currently working as the Director of Inter-governmental Affairs for Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums.

Sarah Phalen Nichols ’93 has been busy teach-ing in Antioch for the past three years. She is happily married and enjoys spending time with her children Brittney (13), Elizabeth (8) and Christopher (3). She writes, “After a dear friend of mine had to have her leg amputated dut to diabetes, I took up running. I have learned to appreciate the two legs I have and have used them in a handful of races so far.”

Christine Lavallee Reed ’93 wrote, “I’m still enjoying my job as a special education teacher working with student who have behavioral and emotional disabilities. I am also very ex-cited about my new name! I got married on August 4, 2007 in Oregon. My husband and I are now back home to start a new chapter in our lives in North Carolina.

86 Thomas Payne ’86 welcomed a new member to his growing family in De-

cember of 2007. Baby Mary Clare joins Nata-lie (5), Sofia (3) and Charlie (2). The financial planner that he is Tom has already started sav-ings accounts for each of his children to some-day attend HNU.

79 Elaine Fauria ’79 has worked in New York City for 25 years as an arts consul-

tant teaching voice and speech in numerous venues. Currently she is working with chil-

Class Notes

Anthony Russell ’05

Anthony Russell ’05 has been con-tinuously engaged in performing ever since he graduated from Holy Names University in May of 2005. since gradu-ation, Anthony has been featured in the widely-acclaimed West Coast pre-miere of Anthony Davis’ groundbreak-ing opera X: The Life and Times of Mal-colm X with Oakland Opera Theatre.

He performed two full Mozart roles this past year. He was brilliant as Don Alfonso in Cosi fan Tutte, in New york City in conjunction with soprano Mar-tina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance program, where he was reviewed by the New york Times. An equally magi-cal role was his portrayal of Masetto, in the east Bay Aria Club’s concert pro-duction of Don Giovanni.

Melissa Young Jones ’05

Melissa young Jones ’05 and her hus-band shiloh Jones welcomed their first child into the world. Jordan Leigh Jones was born on January 4, 2008 and attended his first Hawks basketball game on february 7th.


dren with special needs in the Bronx.

74 Cynthia Ontiveros Fessler ’74 and her family appreciate prayers and support

from the Holy Names University community after the death of her husband John. John was killed on January 30, 2008 in a car accident. Cynthia and John were married for 32 years and have four children and one grandchild.

71 Katherine Perez ’71 will publish her latest book this month titled More

Than 100 Brain Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy Instruction. She crossed the Pana-ma Canal this past December with family and is currently the Director of Teaching Leader-ship at St. Mary’s College.

67 Mary Ann Murphy ’67 celebrates her 21st year as principal at Immaculate

Conception School in Los Angeles and her 32nd year working in Catholic education.

66 Carolyn Girard Cassayre ’66 will be traveling to Africa with her hus-

band to visit one of the couple’s four sons who works as a diplomat at the Embassy in Namibia. They plan to volunteer and bring much needed supplies to local schools.

64 Kathi Cummings Jordan ’64 Pro-fessor Emeritus is teaching at Contra

Costa College two days a week. She is con-tinuing to study Spanish and French and en-joys hiking and yoga, but her favorite activity is taking care of her 20 month old grand-daughter Kaiya.

Deanna Louie ’64 retired from her life’s work on the top of her game. She received the award for Excellence in community college teaching this past May in Austin, Texas after 40 years of full time teaching.

Deanna taught English, philosophy and ac-counting for 20 years at the University of Great Falls, Montana. While there she served the University as an Associate Professor and Head of the Humanities Division. She spent the next 20 years teaching English, philoso-phy, speech, leadership, and humanities at the Anoka Ramsey Community College Cambridge Campus in Minnesota. Deanna

held many leadership roles on the faculty and developed two on-line courses in philosophy. She will continue as an adjunct faculty mem-ber teaching Ethics and Comparative World Religions on-line after retirement.

63 Diane Gilfether ’63 was named the 2007 Realtor of the Year on January

18, 2008 by the Contra Costa Association of Realtors.

Sandra Judicini Miraglia ’63 after 33 years as an Oakland educator, Sandra “retired” al-most 12 years ago to pursue her hobby of dancing. Studying International Standard ballroom and Argentine tango she has com-peted in both styles in San Francisco. She is currently a member of LiberTango Dancers, a performing Argentine Tango dance troupe. Her volunteering includes Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville, various Oakland public schools and Christ the Light Parish in Oakland.

62 Marice Bezdek ’62 has retired from the horse business and from teaching

at Cabrini College. She has sold the farm and is now living in a more conventional house with lots of room for anyone who wants to visit the Philadelphia and Brandywine Valley area.

Maureen Cramton Monahan ’62 recently traveled to New Zealand to visit her daugh-ter Sarah. She lives with her husband Paul in Central Washington State where she volun-teers with the local library.

61 Carole Rebeiz ’61 retired from her volunteer work as Food Manager at St.

Jude Catholic Worker’s House in Champaign Illinois. She enjoys visiting her three children and six grandchildren in Wisconsin, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates with her hus-band Tino.

60 Luz Guerra ’60 is enjoying her retire-ment from elementary school teach-

ing. She says, “it is amazing to be 70!”

59 Cathy Laub Ghidini ’59 has retired to Lake Como in Italy. She invites us to

drop in for a visit!

55 Priscilla Price Barrow ’55 is most grateful for your prayers for her hus-

Olivia Mendez-Alm ’03

Olivia Mendez-Alm ’03 has had a very busy 2007. she married victor Alm on June 24 in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at The Gardens at Heather farm in Walnut Creek. Then she traveled with victor to Africa as a representa-tive for the Oakland Zoo. The couple also traveled to Costa Rica for their honeymoon.

Peter Weston ’93 and Annelise Weston ’96

Peter Weston ’93 and Annelise Weston ’96 are proud parents of stella Baylee (1) who Peter lovingly refers to as, “the joy of our lives.” Annelise finished her MsW through Portland state and is now employed part-time as a social worker and Peter stays busy as the Director of Career Development ser-vices at sothern Oregon University in Ashland. The couple recently bought a home in Medford and love living in Or-egon. Peter says, “there are four distinct seasons, no traffic and no sales tax!”


Loya Hunt Mott ’36July 2, 2007

Mary McMahon Albanese ’60July 14, 2007

Robert Summers (University Regent)August 26, 2007

Eve Wakkebstein (Friend of the University)September 9, 2007

Betty Duignan Maloney ’49September 29, 2007

Elizabeth Geers Cranston ’44October 8, 2007

Eva Rita McLean ’50October 19, 2007

Margaret Halligan Stratman ’56October 21, 2007

Shereen Wilson ’78November 9, 2007

Ann Wright Farias ’55November 21, 2007

George Ruxton (Friend of the University)December 24, 2007

M. Gregory McLean, SNJM, ’37December 26, 2007

Thelma Ferrario Garin ’32January 19, 2008

Nadine Paolino Franceschini ’52January 29, 2008

June Thayer (Friend of the University)February 18, 2008

Ethel Mary Tinnemann, SNJM (Professor Emerita)March 11, 2008

Adelaide Burch Jenike ’41

Adelaide Jenike left for heaven on February 3, 2008. She grew up in Oakland’s Fruitvale District and was a proud alumna of College of the Holy Names. She married Gilbert Jenike in 1945 and the two had two daughters. Mrs. Jenike loved her 37 years teaching in the San Lorenzo Unified School District. She then filled her 30 years of retirement with bridge, Eucharistic ministry, NPR and the companionship of her dear grandchildren.

She was a confident, faith-filled woman who always found something for which to be grateful.

I N M E M O R I A M

Nadine Paolino Franceschini ’52Nadine Paolino franceschini ’52 passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, January 29 after a short battle with leukemia. Her greatest love of all was her family; she was its heart and soul. Nadine had an extraordinary enthu-siasm for life. Her positive attitude was admired by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her total devotion to family, friends and the charities close to her heart was legendary. Her amazing sense of hu-mor and good nature carried her through-out her life and illness.

Thelma Ferrario Garin ’32

On saturday, January 19th at 4 am, Thelma ferrario Garin ’32 quietly slipped away from this earthly life. she would have been 97 years old on March 6th. Thelma’s life was dedicated to her family and she shared her enthu-siasm for literature and language with all who knew her. she was also an ac-complished violinist and she enjoyed a lifelong love of music. she moved from san francisco to fresno in 1990, fol-lowing the death of her husband Paul Garin, in order to be near her only child Paul Garin iii and her grandchildren. Her spirit lives on in all who knew her and learned from her.

band Keith who passed away on November 8, 2007. Priscilla and Keith were married for 51 years. They have 7 children, 18 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

54 Dorinne Foley Ricci ’54 reports that she and her husband Dick live in San

Jose. They enjoy spending time with their five sons, daughter, and 13 grandchildren. They plan to visit Minnesota in June to meet their first great-grandchild! Dorinne says,

“life is good!”

Janet Steffani ’54 sends her love to everyone at the University. She has been living in the beautiful city of Auburn for 10 years now. She supplies home care for her son David who re-ceived a liver transplant and also enjoys spend-ing time with her 12 year old granddaughter. She continues to attend the “Purple Lady Family Picnics” with classmates Joan Mac, Rita Bucher, Millie Muller and Angie Musco.

53 Bebe Faas Rice ’53 is enjoying living at Falcons Landing Retirement Com-

munity for military officers in Virginia with her husband Duff. She is involved in a local Head Start program and will be teaching a writing course at George Mason University’s Continuing Education Department.

52 Diane Mento Filice ’52 sends greet-ings to the Class of 1952! She reports,

“Whether you call it The College of the Holy Names or Holy Names University the spirit is still the same!”

Joanne Cabitto Sciaroni ’52 and Elisa Scia-roni ’93 are most grateful for your prayers for their family as they mourn the death of Rinaldo Sciaroni. He was a loving husband, a devoted father and an adored grandfather.

46 Flo Ann Hackim Connors ’46 is grate-ful for your prayers as she mourns her

husband Dr. John Conno1rs. The couple was married for 58 years.

39 Anges Conrad ’39 celebrated her 90th birthday in Hawaii with Pat Sullivan

’39 and Kathleen Sullivan ’59.


There is no doubt that he is the voice of the Hawks. There was nothing like hearing him calling the game. The way he said my daughter’s name was so cool. I know the few games I was at when he was

not there, it was not the same, not even close. He will be missed.

Mr. Rob Spivey Father of Martha Spivey ’08

A home game wasn’t a true home game without him. My teammates and I would always try to mimic his tone. Aaaannnnd nooowwwww for your Holy Names Lady Hawks!

His was the voice of the ath-letic department.

Tiana Davis ’06 Former Capitan of HNU Women’s Basketball team

David’s sonorous voice has added an element of elegance to HNU games every season for the last 14 years. We will miss his gentle presence and warm sense of humor, but as with many of our loyal alumni I am sure that he will grace our campus again. So we say “A Hui Hou” until we meet again.

Sr. Chris Patrinos ’81 CRED Associate Professor of History

Dave has been outstanding — he is always extremely posi-tive and his passion for HNU Athletics and the University is truly unparalleled. We will miss his energy and profes-sionalism and wish him much success with future endeavors!

Dennis Jones ’98 Men’s Basketball Head Coach & Senior Associate Director

of Undergraduate Admissions

I feel that having “The Voice” at the games all these years has made them feel like a family experience. It is nice to see alumni players come to the games and always appreciate seeing David there and want

to talk to him. The players change over the years, the score table has gotten bigger, the banners on the walls have multiplied – but David has been a constant fixture in the gym.

Rebecca M. Hinkley ’97 Database Manager / Programmer, Information Technology

Dave not only announced players’ names but also created a thrilling atmosphere with his amazing gift. When I think of Dave I think of a great per-son - someone who will always have a smile on his face and a caring handshake to fans and

athletes alike. I am happy to say that he made my athletic experience a very memorable one.

Sean Palmer ’08 Student Athlete

By Bora Kara ‘06

‘The Voice’ has been echoing in the Tobin Gym for 14 years and it has a

name; David Greene. David, a member of the Class of 1997, has been serving

the Athletic department as game announcer for Hawks Volleyball and

Basketball games since 1994 and also played on the first competitive Men’s

basketball team during the 1992-1993 season. David’s contributions to

Athletics are a great example of the many ways our alumni show their

dedication to this institution. David recently moved to Southern California

for work so we asked a few members of the HNU Community to reflect on

how ’The Voice’ has impacted HNU Athletics. Here is what they had to say.

THE LAST WORD

‘The Voice’ David Greene ’97, (second from right) is joined by the Men’s and Women’s Basektball teams’ coaches


Office of Alumni Relations3500 Mountain BoulevardOakland, CA 94619-1699510-436-1240

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The Sophia Mosaic Mural Created by Louisa Jenkins. Assisted by Sr. Maria Luisa Wolfskill and art students.

“There is immortality in kinship with wisdom, good pleasure in her friendship and unfailing riches in the works of her hands…”

The Book of Wisdom 8:18

The Sophia Mural on the East Side of Brennan Hall is a mosaic symbol of wisdom and the work pursued by a Catholic Liberal Arts Institution. For 140 years Holy Names University has existed as a diverse combination of people, ideas,

and events all contributing to the formation of the whole person — just like stones to a completed mosaic.

HNU Today - Spring08

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