1950s
[1958]
JAMES MARINOS (JD) was allowed by the state bar to take the bar exam while still a student at USD’s School of Law. He passed in 1957 and was sworn in as a lawyer. James then graduated with the first law class in 1958 and received his law degree. He has practiced for 53 years and currently has a solo practice in downtown San Diego. James is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, past president of the San Diego chapter, a Diplomate- and AV-rated attorney and “a very lucky guy,” he says. “When I grow up, I plan to retire and stay right here where I live in La Jolla.”
1960s
[1962]
HERLINDA RODRIGUEZ BELCHER (BA) serves on the Imperial County Board of Education, the Carnegie Technology Committee and the board of a New Education Foundation. Her daughter, Catherine, earned a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania and teaches in the education department at Loyola Marymount. Herlinda’s son, Roland, earned a master’s degree at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif. Herlinda has three grandchildren: Aitana, 9; Nathan, 4; and Alfonso, 2.
JIM DELANEY (BA) retired in January 2010 after 48 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, half on active duty followed by 24 years as the chief operating officer of the Air Force Aid Society in Arlington, Va. “Barbara and I plan to remain in our Springfield, Va., home,” he says.
DICK WILBUR (BA) retired after spending almost 40 years in the printing industry. He retired again after three years as the dean of students at a small Catholic school in Concord, Calif. “Keeping busy traveling and being a very active member of the Knights of Columbus,” he says. “I’d like to hear from my old friends from USD.”
[1963]
VICTOR BIANCHINI (JD) is a retired San Diego County Superior Court judge, a retired U.S. magistrate judge and a retired colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps. Recalled to work, today he serves the western and northern districts of New York as a U.S. magistrate judge and the central district of California on a special settlement project. During his 31 years of service in the Marine Corps, Victor earned 24 military decorations. His judicial honors included Judge of the Year by the San Diego Trial Lawyers. Victor is the vice chair of the Veterans Village of San Diego, and he has served in numerous adjunct professor positions.
ART WICAL (BBA) and his wife, Carol, have traveled to 58 countries so far. Last year, they revisited mainland Greece, then visited five Greek islands and also Turkey. They still hope to visit southern Africa and Antarctica soon. “Geography has always been a pet subject, and my studies at the University of San Diego further fueled my desire to travel,” he says.
[1964]
LARRY CAMPBELL (JD) is a published poet, with his poem, “Appeti-zers,” included in the “2009 Osher Learning Institute Journal.” He also is proofreading his personal/family memoir, “G-Man’s Journey,” a legacy to his children and grandchildren.
ATILANA RAMBAYON (BA) raised three kids, worked as a teacher and volunteered with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity in Guam and Gawad Kalinga (which means “giving care”) in the Philippines. She retired from Guam Community College in 1989. In 2006, she donated one hectare of land in Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines, to Gawad Kalinga to honor her late son-in-law, Cmdr. Willie McCool, who perished with his crewmembers in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident on Feb. 1, 2003. The GK McCool village is for the poorest of the poor in Moncada, Tarlac.
[1965]
JO ANN FRITSCHEL (BA) retired from San Diego City Schools in 2003 after 38 years. She still teaches on request at the American Language Institute at San Diego State University, volunteers in the visitor center gift shop at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and has been on the board of the park’s interpretive association, which furthers the mission of the park. Jo Ann plans to move to Descanso, in San Diego County’s backcountry, this year.
[1966]
BENTON BECKLEY (BA, JD ’76) spends summers at his house at Lake Arrowhead, Calif., where he sails. He’s also been active in the local Corvette Club and has been showing his V-8 Boss Hoss Cycle at statewide shows. “Everything is great,” he says.
RICARDO GRAY (BA) and his wife, Marli, returned to La Quinta, Calif., in January. “The Foreign Service still mandates retirement at 65, so we will begin our new life looking for new things to do: politics, home business, teaching, maybe even golf,” he says. “After 11 years living overseas, it will be a challenge and a lot of fun to live again in sunny Southern California. And we’ll finally have time to get to know our grandchildren!”
[1968]
DONALD CLINE (JD) has a law practice in San Diego, where he represents injured parties in workers’ compensation, personal injury and Social Security disability appeals.
MIKE STRADA (BA) sailed his 50-foot trimaran from Lake Ontario, Canada, through the Erie Canal (with 30 locks), down the Hudson River and into the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. During one storm, he was surfing down waves at 20-plus knots. He planned a stop in St. Lucia, West Indies, after hurricane season. Mike lives in Kailua, Hawaii; he is a senior vice president with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
[1969]
MARY ERIN WALSHE HERRON (BA) is finishing her last year as a special education teacher for the Orange County Department of Education. She plans to retire in October. She lives in Dana Point with her husband of 40 years, J.R. Their oldest son, Tom, is a fourth-year medical student at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; their middle son, Taylor, is a photographer and graphic artist; and their youngest son, John, just graduated from USD and is preparing for the LSAT.
EDWARD MILLER (JD) writes, “After recently selling most of our businesses, I’m beginning a partial retirement and enjoying spending more time with my wife, three daughters and grandchildren.”
LAUREEN GRAY REID (JD) retired in 2001 after 29 years as a senior attorney with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. “A wonderful career where I helped many people improve their lives,” she says. Her husband, Ron Reid, is a retired Santa Ana homicide detective. They have 10 grandchildren, with two more on the way and all are “gifted, witty and beautiful,” she says. “I do miss friends who have passed away, but I know they are happy on the other side.”
1970s
[1970]
MARY SEARCY BIXBY (BA, MA ’86) received the 2009 Women Who Mean Business Award from the “San Diego Business Journal.” Mary was chosen from 167 nominees for their outstanding contributions to business, government and the San Diego community. Mary was recognized for her commitment to education reform and for the design and implementation of education programs for disengaged students and students at risk. Mary is the founder, president and chief executive officer of The Charter School of San Diego, which earned a California Award for Performance Excellence in 2005 and 2007. She is also chair of the board of Audeo Charter School, 2009 CAPE recipient.
EDWARD SMITH (BBA) is retired and “enjoying the slow, quiet moments and company of acquaintances, along with senior moments that I call fun times.” He recently had open-heart surgery to replace a valve and reports that he has a new lease on life.
[1971]
MARIAN KELLY DONOVAN (BA) lives in Hartford, Conn. Her husband, John ’71, is deceased, and Marian raised two children by herself. Her son, John, lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a computer engineer. Her daughter, Frances, is an information technology professional for Partners Health in Boston.
[1972]
MYRON CAGAN (BA) has spent most of his career in the micro-electronics industry. Between 2002 and 2008, he taught chemistry part time at Foothill College. Myron now works at a microelectronics start-up in Goleta, Calif. In 2010, Myron’s daughter expects to graduate from Macalester College and his son from high school. Myron and his wife hope to do some traveling soon.
MARGARET CARDWELL retired in 2007 from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, where she was the director of the library. Still active in the community, she works with the Memphis Literary Council and various other projects. Her husband, Craig, is the president of Allen & O’Hara Education Services, a student-housing corporation. Both of their daughters work in education: one teaches seventh-graders in Memphis City Schools and the other is the associate dean of students at Connecticut College.
GARY GRAMLING (JD) is chairman of the board of trustees for Meals on Wheels in Greater San Diego, and he is a commissioner on the city of San Diego’s Housing Commission.
[1973]
JIM BOSTWICK (JD) was certified as a specialist in appellate law by the California State Bar in 2004. He has been representing defendants in criminal appeals for more than 20 years. His wife, Yoko, is a ceramic artist and has exhibited pieces at the L.A. County Fair, at the Japanese Museum of Art in Los Angeles during Nisei Week and at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Jim became a grandfather with the birth of his grandson, Matthew Bostwick II, on June 10, 2009.
TIMOTHY HERMSEN (BA) and his wife, Mary Deirdre (Kennedy) ’72, live in Kennewick, Wash., where she works for Washington State University and Timothy is retired from private practice as a licensed mental health counselor.
TERESA MAHER (BA) has been a Sister of the Precious Blood since 1980. She ministers as associate manager of the spiritual care department at St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino, Calif.
THOMAS STUBBS (BA, MBA ’75) is retired from the U.S. Navy, Second-ary Education. He is an adjunct professor at National University and volunteers as an administrative assistant in the Phoenix V.A. Health Care System. Thomas also is enjoying his grandchildren and creative hobbies.
[1974]
DONALD STARCHMAN (JD) practices real property and estate planning law half-time with his daughter, Anita Starchman Bryant. Anita received her JD degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2001.
JOSEPH VECCHIO (MA) retired from the oil industry at age 55, about six years ago. “Love it, don’t miss it,” he writes.
[1975]
JACK DOHERTY (JD) is the police lieutenant in charge of field operations for the San Diego Community College District Police Department. He also was recently named the president of the Supervisory and Professional Administrator’s Association, representing 165 college administrators in the district.
BRUCE GINSBURG (JD) writes, “It has been an amazing year for me. I became a grandfather recently to a great little baby boy, Jacob. What could be better than this?” Bruce continues to represent injured plaintiffs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey courts. He visits Los Angeles, where his son manages actors, writers and directors. Bruce’s daughter is completing her senior year in the business school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
[1976]
DAVID ROSSI (BA) and his wife, Penny (Dingman) ’76, have two grandsons from their eldest daughter.
RUSSELL WATTS (BA) is an accredited sign language interpreter and works with deaf students in Melbourne, Australia. He also recently coached the Australian deaf tennis team in the Deaf Olympics in Taipei. “I have wonderful memories of my days in San Diego on a tennis scholarship, and I am always happy to hear from my ex-classmates,” he writes.
[1977]
KATHERINE FORTINASH (BSN, MSN ’80) left teaching about three years ago to write and update two psychiatric nursing textbooks. She is now consulting with colleagues and lecturing on tapes regarding mental health. Last year, Katherine delivered lectures to a national insurance women’s group on empowerment and stress reduction during a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. She recently had knee surgery and plans to travel with her husband now that her knee has improved.
VIRGINIA GRIMES KINZER (MA) and her husband, John, were married in 1978. They have three children: Nicole, who is married and enrolled in the doctor of pharmacy program at Shenandoah University; Catherine, a doctoral candidate at West Virginia University; and John, who is married and a graduate of Virginia Tech. Virginia and John also have a grandson, Johny, born on Oct. 31, 1999. Virginia has a master’s degree in nursing and a post-master’s degree as an adult nurse practitioner. She works at Kaiser Permanente in the internal medicine and nephrology department.
MARY PATRICIA (DOUGAN) SHINSKY (MEd) retired from the Vista Unified School District in 2003. She writes, “Life is good! Fourteen grandchildren, one great grandson and one more on the way. We have just returned from a wonderful trip to Greece, Croatia, Turkey and an unexpected overnight in Munich. Lots more traveling in our future.”
[1978]
VIRGINIA (AUSTIN) FELLOWS (BBA) recently celebrated 31 years of marriage to her husband, Jeffrey, whom she met when he was a USD campus policeman. Jeffrey retired from the San Diego Police Department in June 2009, after nearly 35 years in law enforcement. Their daughter, Jessica, is a biology major at Stonybrook University in Long Island, N.Y. Virginia and Jeffrey live in Alpine, in San Diego County, with their sons, Jeffrey Jr. and Christopher. “Other good news is that Christopher (diagnosed with cancer at 3 1/2 years old) has passed his 10-year survival mark,” she writes.
FRANCES GALLIANI (JD) has served in Los Angeles as an assembly fellow, deputy city attorney, criminal defense attorney and executive director of alternative defense counsel. She returned to San Diego briefly to start up a conflict dependency panel and then back to Los Angeles in 1996 to commence private practice in criminal defense and family law.
DAVID NEWLON (BS) moved to Palm Springs after selling his Hollywood Hills home. He starts his days with three hours of tennis before work.
BERNADETTE PROBUS (JD) is the lead housing attorney for the Legal Aid Society of San Diego. She assists homeowners and tenants facing foreclosure, and tenants facing eviction, utility shut-offs or the loss or transfer of subsidized housing. “I’m at it over 20 years now and no nearer retirement, although my husband is retired from the county now,” she says. “Enjoying our 10-year-old granddaughter very much.”
[1979]
FLORENCE LUTZ (MEd) is a middle school teacher in Rialto, Calif., for a special day class with 24 students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
1980s
[1980]
ROBERT GALLARDO (MEd) retired from the San Diego Unified School District. His assignments included teacher, vice principal and principal. He also has served as an adjunct professor at the University of California, San Diego. Robert is an ESL instructor for integrative studies at San Diego State University. He also recently met the qualifications to be an ESL adjunct faculty member in the San Diego Community College District.
SUSAN MITCHELL (BSN) became a school nurse in October 2008 at a Title I elementary school with a multiracial population of 350 students in grades one through five. “I thoroughly enjoy giving first aid and teaching the children good health habits,” she says.
[1982]
LAWRENCE CAMPBELL (LLM) retired on Jan. 1, 2010, after more than 25 years at Solar Turbines.
[1984]
TAS PANOS (JD) is general counsel of Affiliated Computer Services in Dallas. ACS provides business process outsourcing and information technology services to businesses and governments worldwide. As executive vice president and general counsel, Tas leads the 100-member legal department and is responsible for the company’s global legal affairs.
THERESA PHILLIPS-THOMPSON (BA) has been teaching in Temecula for 12 of her 25 years in education. Her daughter, Natalie, is a graduate of Biola and was recently married. Theresa is enjoying golfing, going to the lake, reading and being with family and friends. She and her husband continue to visit San Diego as much as possible and recently drove through the USD campus. “It has really changed from 1984!” she says. “I always enjoy my memories of attending USD.”
ELIZABETH SKELDING (BSN) reports that the eldest of her seven grandsons, Kyle Mueller, graduated from high school in 2008 and is now on full scholarship at Miramar College. Her nephew, John Marfield, has been called to Iraq for a second tour of duty with the U.S. Army.
[1986]
RICK PADRNOS (MBA) is a mergers and acquisitions specialist with Business Acquisitions. He packages, markets and sells businesses with valuations between $200,000 and $5 million. He is also a director for First Colorado National Bank.
[1987]
SUE (BURKHALTER) BALDWIN (MA) sums up her 22 years after USD: She worked with handicapped residents of San Diego and Annapolis, Md.; stayed home with her children, homeschooling them through the eighth grade; worked and volunteered at their high school until both graduated; and is now a substitute teacher. “By the time this is printed, my husband, J.D., and I will have traveled to South Africa,” she says. “Our first big adventure as empty-nesters!”
[1988]
ROBERT ROCHELLE (JD) recently joined the American Board of Trial Advocates. He reports that his four children have all graduated from college, each in less than four years.
JOSIE GABLE RODRIGUEZ (MA) and her husband, Al, plan to teach a workshop, “The Open Book and the Moving Pen,” in Cortona, Italy. The session will help participants “make a variety of journals in the morning, then fill them with your own poetry in the afternoon.” Details on the June 19-26, 2010 workshop can be found online at http://toscanaamericana.com/openbookmovingpen.html.
[1989]
MONICA (FOLTZ) PARSONS (BBA, MBA ’03) has been busy with her newest bundle of joy, Dillon Slater, born on Jan. 11, 2008. Dillon joins big brother Devon, and big sister Savannah. Monica is an information technology project manager at Solar Turbines and recently celebrated 20 years with the company. She volunteers at her children’s school and serves on the PTA executive board. The family is looking forward to traveling to China soon and to opening their new business, Parsons’ Palace of Memories.
CLAUDIA SLUIS STEVENS (MA) is retired and living in a very active senior citizen mobile park. She plays cards two days a week, bingo four times a month and serves on the board of the recreation committee for the park. She and her husband, Ken Powers, have a dog named Maggie who has been in several ads for Petco.
1990s
[1990]
CONN FLANIGAN (BA) lives in Denver with his wife, Monica, and children: Delaney, 8; Eleri, 6; and Lachlan, 2. Conn is general counsel for eBanker USA, an investment and management firm. Conn still rows competitively, having raced in the alumni boat at several recent San Diego Crew Classics and at last year’s U.S. Masters.
JOYCE LAMB (JD) was elected to the board of trustees of her undergraduate alma mater, Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.
[1993]
BRENT HODGES (BAcc) is assistant head of schools for Rancho Solano Private Schools, the largest private K-12 school system in Arizona. Brent received his master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University. He lives in Phoenix with T.J., his 14-year-old son. Brent and T.J. love to spend weekends in San Diego and visit their friends from USD.
[1994]
ROB BARDIN (BA), his wife, Joanne Pasternack-Bardin, and their daughter, Kira, 2, are thrilled to announce the arrival of Reid Oliver Bardin. Reid was born on Nov. 17, 2009, at 9 pounds, 5 ounces, and 21.5 inches, with red hair and blue eyes. The family lives in Sunnyvale, Calif., where Joanne and Rob both work in sports. Joanne is the community relations director for the San Francisco 49ers, and Rob is the corporate partnership director for FC Gold Pride of the Women’s Professional Soccer League.
SHAWNA (GARBERICH) SUCH (BBA) was named by “San Diego Metropolitan Magazine” as one of the “40 Under 40” deemed the brightest and most enterprising young people in San Diego County. A wealth management adviser at Merrill Lynch, Shawna is a certified financial planner and a certified financial manager; she manages a Merrill Lynch branch in Del Mar. She also made the list of 2008 five-star advisers in “San Diego Magazine.” Shawna and her husband co-founded the No More SIDS Foundation, and she is a founding member of the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation.
PATRICIA VELEZ-FRANKLIN (MSN) has worked for UCSD Medical Center for more than 30 years and has been a nurse practitioner for 15 years, specializing in HIV/AIDS.
[1995]
CHRISTINA (THEISS) KNIGHT (BBA) and her husband, Mike, welcomed their third child, Tanner, born on May 15, 2009. Christina is an office manager for their architecture firm, Calhoun and Associations, in Escondido.
[1996]
EDWARD BRYANT (BAcc) has been admitted into the partnership of KPMG, the audit, tax and advisory firm. Edward joined KPMG in 1996, after graduating from USD. He also earned an MBA from the University of Southern California and is a certified public accountant. He is on rotation in New York City at KPMG’s Department of Professional Practice, specializing in consumer markets and information, communication and entertainment practices.
[1997]
LISA (BERESFORD) BRIDGMAN (BA, JD ’01) and her husband, Dan, welcomed their second child, Chase Alexander, on June 18, 2009. Their first child, Dylan, is 4. Lisa continues to work as an attorney at a San Diego law firm.
LORI (SUTHERLAND) DEMIRDJIAN (BA) and her husband, Ryan, were married on April 18, 2009, at an oceanfront location in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Members of the wedding party included alumnae Kathryn (Britt) Kuechle, Chrissy (Measley) Piller, Nikki Graves and Stephanie (Mascott) Mansolino. Lori and Ryan live in San Diego, where Lori is a Realtor with Keller Williams. Ryan is a firefighter for the city of Santa Monica.
STEPHANIE (MASCOTT) MANSOLINO (BBA) married Ray Mansolino on Aug. 1, 2009, in La Jolla. Many of the guests were USD and Gamma Phi Beta alumni, so it was not only a celebration, but also a reunion. Guests included Lauren (Boaz) Jones, Andrea (Callen) Porter, Colleen (Henley) Rodriguez, Sarah (Skibba) Burchetta, Chris Skibba, Jeana (Allen) Jorde, Kacky (Britt) Kuechle, Lori (Sutherland) Demirdjian, Nikki Graves, Amanda Lomont and bridesmaid Kate (Zaia) Sinclair.
[1998]
STACY (MILAZZO) CAMPBELL (BAcc) and her husband, Christopher, welcomed their first child, Emily, on April 23, 2009. Chris, Stacy and Emily live in San Diego.
[1999]
KEITH ALEXIS (MA) is vice president of sales — Americas, SMB and enterprise markets — at SMC Networks in Irvine. He was named a CRN Channel Chief for 2009 and 2008. Channel Chiefs are recognized as influential executives who consistently defend, promote and execute effective partner programs and strategies.
JOHN CU (JD) was elevated to partner at Hanson Bridgett. His practice focuses on business litigation, commercial transactions, intellectual property and product liability in the firm’s San Francisco office.
CARLY (NAEVE) REICH (BA) and her husband, Reuben ’99, welcomed their second child, Brigitta, into the world on March 12, 2009. She joins big brother Liam, 3. Reuben is a third-year medical student at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., where the family lives. He expects to graduate in 2011.
2000s
[2000]
ERIN ELEXIS (BA) graduated in March 2009 with a PhD in psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego. She is a child psychologist for the Center of Autism Research, Evaluation and Service in San Diego.
DEVER LAMKIN (BAC) and Kelly Murphy were married on Oct. 3, 2009, at the Dana Hotel on Mission Bay in San Diego. Attendees included fellow alumni Chris Bradish, Zack Olmstead, Paulo Elias, Blake Stockstad, Mike Reid, Tyler and Erica (Klein) Huebner, Matt Moye, Ben Schafer, Chad Iafrate, Cordell Hansen and Bobby Donnelly. Dever and Kelly live in San Diego and are in the process of buying a home.
TOM TARANTINO (BA) married Summer Sassen, his high school sweetheart, on April 25, 2009, at the historic Rancho Camulos in Piru, Calif. Among the 16 attendants were alumni Dara Greaney, Dave Lazo and Ronnie Zuccaro. Tom and Summer got a special dispensation from the bishop to have a Catholic ceremony at the chapel on the ranch grounds. They live in Camarillo with a puppy named Pete. Summer completed her teaching credential at California Lutheran University, and Tom continues to manage at Emergent Game Technologies, where they are developing software engines for next-generation gaming consoles.
[2001]
BRIANNA BARR (BA) is in her second year of dental school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Brianna and her husband, Troy, were married recently. Troy is an engineer at Black and Veatch.
JIM BRITT (BA) and his wife, Cari, celebrated the birth of their son, Colin, on July 24, 2009, just two days after their three-year anniversary. The family lives in Seattle, where Jim recently became a gang detective with the Seattle Police Department after seven years of patrol work.
ELISA (WIECH) CADWELL (BA, MEd ’03) is the training manager at the regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Mission Valley. In her spare time, she volunteers as an English language instructor for the Van Hahn Temple in Santee. Elisa presented a paper and slideshow at the 11th annual Sakyadhita Conference in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
ELIZABETH (COTTER) DONAHUE (BSN, MSN ’02) is the mother of “two beautiful boys” and a nurse practitioner in a busy primary care office in Reading, Mass.
PAULA (CHAPMAN) ISHAM (BA) and her husband, Jeff, joyfully welcomed their first son, Eli, on Jan. 21, 2009. “Eli loves playing with all of his USD aunties,” Paula says.
LISA PETERSON (BBA) married Matthew Willmon on May 16, 2009, at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley. Serving as bridesmaids were fellow USD graduates and Gamma Phi Beta sorority sisters Denise (Ryan) Peek, Heather (Cole) Brinkley, Liza (Osbun) Pinard, Paige (Patterson) Kratz and Colleen (Martin) McGuinness. Lisa and Matthew live in Carlsbad and both work at Life Technologies, the biotechnology company where they met three years ago.
MICHELLE (RICHMAN) SU (BA) and her husband, Kevin, welcomed a baby boy, Sean, on May 27, 2009. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 20 inches long. The Su family lives in the Washington, D.C., area.
[2002]
REBECCA VARDA CONDON (BA) and her husband, Matt, were married on July 3, 2009, in Chicago. In the wedding party were fellow USD alumnae and Alpha Phi members Meghan Kain and Sara Ford. Also in the bridal party were USD alumni Marissa Ontiveros and Victor Ramos. Rebecca and Matt moved back to Chicago and will be teaching middle school in the city.
ILEA DORSEY (BBA) has been living in East Africa since 2006. She started in Uganda with Restore International, serving vulnerable youth in Kampala and the war-torn northern towns of Gulu and Atiak. In January 2008, she moved to Rwanda to work for Keza, a luxury fashion label in the Unites States representing African-made products. “We are a business consulting and development firm, developing the small locally owned businesses that create our products,” Ilea says. More information is available at www.keza.com. (See story on page 32.)
MALTE FARNAES (JD) opened his own firm, The Law Office of Malte L.L. Farnaes, in Solana Beach on Jan. 1, 2010. His practice focuses on trademark and trade secret management and protection for medium and small businesses. His secondary focus is commercial litigation and commercial landlord/tenant disputes.
DANIEL LICKEL (JD) and Clinton Rooney started a San Diego law practice in January 2009 focusing on bankruptcy, auto fraud and consumer finance litigation.
ERIK NAGEL (BA) recently returned from his second combat tour of duty in Iraq as the battalion surgeon for the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif. Erik moved back to California to begin a new job as general medical officer for the Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One in Imperial Beach.
NATASHA (RADWAN) RAHEL (BBA) became a real estate broker in California and Florida after graduating from USD. She then attended Whittier Law School, became an attorney in 2007 and started her own practice in real estate and business law. Natasha and her husband, Akbar, were recently married, after reuniting at their 10-year high school reunion. Natasha is also active in the community working with Muslim youth.
ANNA SALUSKY (JD) and her husband, Kevin, welcomed their daughter, Leah, into the world on June 3, 2009. She weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 18.5 inches long. Anna is an associate attorney in the litigation department at Woodruff Spradlin & Smart in Costa Mesa, Calif.
KELLY (GLASER) SCHREINER (BBA) and her husband, Mark, were married on Oct. 11, 2008, in Portland, Ore. The wedding party included USD alumni Jen (Nelson) Nichols, Samantha (Cannon) Burton and Anjelica Durazo.
MARVIN SERHAN (MSGL) has more than 40 years of leadership and management experience in the military and private sector. He left active duty as a Naval flight officer in 1997 and has since worked in the utility, telematics and security industries at such firms as Motorola and IBM. In addition to his master’s degree from USD, Marv holds two other post-graduate degrees. Marv and his family live in Camas, Wash.
KAYE STAMBAUGH (MSEL) and her team from HD Supply Facilities Maintenance captured the gold award at the 24th International Team Excellence Awards competition held at the 2009 American Society for Quality Conference on Quality and Improvement. The competition featured 27 companies from around the world.
AUBREANNE (SPEAR) VALENTINO (BBA) and her husband, Scott, were married on May 2, 2009, at Founders Chapel.
[2003]
ELISABETH BIEBL (BA) lives in Vail, Colo., where she is the communications manager for Vail Mountain. In her free time, she enjoys skiing Vail’s 5,289 acres of terrain, mountain biking and traveling. She went to Machu Picchu in June 2009. “As always, can’t wait for my next adventure!” she says.
ROBERT BITONTE (LLMG) was elected president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, with his term beginning on July 1, 2009.
CRISTINA CHIRIBOGA-HAHN (MEd) retired as interim president of Cuyamaca College, part of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, in August 2009. This position culminated a 35-year career in teaching and administration in California community colleges. Today, Cristina teaches at National University and continues to volunteer on projects for the Association of California Community College Administrations.
CORRIE (VAN DEN AKKER) COLEMAN (BA) is attending The Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate School. She is working toward an MBA with a marketing emphasis and continues to work full time for an advertising agency.
JOSE DALPRAT (BA) and his wife welcomed their first child, Ilan Alcalá, on Nov. 3, 2009. Ilan weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long. Jose expected to graduate from medical school in May 2010.
JESSE FARRIS (BBA) and Patricia Hafner were married on June 13, 2009. Jesse recently accepted a position at Haskins and Associates practicing real estate law and litigation. Jesse and Patricia, who is from Bayville, N.Y., plan to move to Panama in the next few years.
CAROLINE (TAYLOR) FLOREA (BA) and her husband, Colby ’03, were married in October 2007 in Malibu. They live in Charlotte, N.C., where Caroline works in event management. Caroline and Colby and have a Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
CHRISTINA (MUSCARELLA) GOOCH (BA) earned a JD degree from the University of New Mexico in 2008 and practices law with the firm of Keleher & McLeod in Albuquerque, N.M.
DANIELLE HARWAY (BBA) writes, “Nov. 16, 2008, was the happiest day of my life! I married my soul mate, Rick Harway, at the Grand Del Mar. There were many USD alumni in attendance at the wedding, which made the day even better!” Danielle’s best friend and fellow alumna, Marissa (Martin) Holdorf, was the matron of honor. Danielle says she has the two most beautiful stepdaughters — Ashley, 10, and Hailee, 7 — who loved attending homecoming at USD. Ashley is now looking forward to attending USD herself, Danielle reports.
DEBRA JOHNSON (MEd) is a PhD student at USD’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences. She defended her proposal and received approval to move forward on her dissertation. Debra traveled to Mondragon, Spain, with SOLES Global in July 2009, teaches part time for Southwestern College and works one day a week in clinical practice.
MARIA KELLY (BA) works at the Community Coaching Center, a community-based socialization program for children with autism. During the summers and winters, Maria conducts research and observes nonhuman primates. Most recently, she conducted research on the island of Ometepe, Nicaragua, and on Broke Island, Equatorial Guinea. Maria is also enrolled in a master’s program at USD for teaching history and social sciences. (See story on page 34.)
ASHLEY KILLIN (BA) graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in May and has entered a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
DAVID LEATHERBERRY (JD) is counsel for the San Diego Psychological Association. He is a regular contributor to the “California Psychologist Magazine” and this year published the “2009 California Laws for Counselors and Psychotherapists.”
ANTONIO LOPEZ (BA) manages $65 million in clients’ assets at Merrill Lynch. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were married on Sept. 27, 2009, and they honeymooned in Venice, Croatia and on the Greek Islands. They live in Santa Fe, N.M., which he says is “an optimal place to live and grow.” Antonio has run in seven marathons in the past five years with times ranging from 2:32 to 3:04. Antonio and Elizabeth have run in five marathons together, including the Boston Marathon in 2009. Antonio won the New Mexico Marathon in 2009.
WILLIAM MONCHER (BBA) married Raluca Chiriac in November 2008, and they celebrated the arrival of a son, Timothy, in April 2009.
JULIA (SMITH) RICE (MA) graduated from Willamette University College of Law with a JD degree in 2007. She and her husband, Daniel, were married on Nov. 23, 2008, and they welcomed a daughter, Autumn, on April 1, 2009.
ELIZABETH RUNYEN (BA) and Colin Gilbert ’03 were married on May 10, 2008, in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. They met during a USD study abroad program at St. Clare’s, Oxford. The couple lives in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
CATHRYN (BRUEN) SANTAMBROGIO (BA) and her husband, Michael, were married on June 20, 2009, in Vail, Colo., where they live. She also completed a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Regis University.
DEAN SHORT (JD) and Kathleen Jean Clancy were married on Nov. 7, 2009, in Indian Wells, Calif.
JAMES SMEDLEY (JD) opened his own law firm, Law Offices of James J. Smedley, Esq., in Las Vegas. His areas of practice include criminal defense, personal injury and family law. More information is available at www.smedlaw.com.
KRISTIE SOARES (BA) has been a fourth-grade teacher for five years in the Solana Beach School District.
ANTHONY SOLINA (MEd) and his wife, DeAnna, celebrated the birth of their son, Ricky, on March 21, 2009.
FRANK TODDRE (BA, BA) graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a JD and MBA in December 2008. He passed the Nevada bar exam and is working as the judicial clerk for the chief criminal judge in Las Vegas until September.
[2004]
LEA PARVEEN ARCE (MEd) is a high school biology teacher on the Kapalama campus of Kamehameha Schools on the island of Oahu. She also coaches girls cross country and girls track and field for Kamehameha. In 2008, the girls track and field program won its first state title. Lea established the KS Surfers Give Back Club in September 2008, and she is establishing the school’s first competitive surf team in the hopes of competing for the national title in Dana Point, Calif.
GEORGE CHAMMAS is the divisional vice president of the San Diego branch of AXA Advisors, a financial services firm with offices in 60 countries. George oversees employees in San Diego and helps clients build and protect their wealth through estate planning tools. “I often recruit associates from USD and continue to be involved when time permits,” he says. “I look forward to greater things to come for USD graduates and love being involved.”
ALICIA (GETCHELL) DEARN (JD) and her husband, Simon, were married on Dec. 20, 2008, and they quickly started two businesses. GoodSharks.com is a Web site that helps match clients with attorneys; it has a resource center, articles and a blog. Dearn Law Group opened its doors on June 15, 2009, specializing in business and employment law.
JIM ELLIS (EdD) and his wife, Julie, recently returned from a year in Hanoi, Vietnam, where they served as humanitarian missionaries. During the year, they provided 1,750 wheelchairs to needy individuals, upgraded two hospitals that serve patients with eye maladies, and arranged for an eye surgeon from Salt Lake City to come demonstrate the most current eye surgical procedures. The doctor also performed more than 40 eye surgeries on patients who had been previously screened out.
BROOKE MARADA (BA) was married in March 2009.
SEAN McCLINTON (BBA) and his wife, Yuri, announced the birth of their first daughter, Mia Lily, on March 19, 2009. Sean works for a small business in Seattle that sells Aloe Cure, an aloe vera juice. The family lives in Kirkland, Wash.
KELLY (BLAGOF) MEINECKE (BA) and her husband, David Meinecke ’03, were married in August 2005. They live in Dana Point, Calif., and have a son, Wyatt, who is 2.
DAVID ORTIZ (MSEL) was recently promoted to senior vice president, sales and marketing, for Orange County Container Group. He has been with the company for 10 years and now has sales and marketing responsibilities for nine corrugated and packaging plants in Southern California and Mexico. OCCG produces 100 percent recycled linerboard, industrial and retail packaging for many industries.
KARA RICKS (BA, BA) is in an accelerated bachelor of nursing science program at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. Kara and her husband, Jason, have a child, Jakar.
SALVADOR RIVAS (MA) is the director of the Office of Industry and Outreach Relations in the electrical engineering department at the University of California, Los Angeles. His position includes marketing, creating industry research partnerships, alumni outreach, faculty support and strengthening industry relations. He received an EdD in college administration from the University of Southern California in 2008.
MASASHI YAMAZAKI (MA) is on a three-year overseas assignment with a U.S. government agency.
[2005]
MERIDITH MILLER (BA) graduated from the University of San Francisco Law School in 2008 and passed the California bar exam on her first try. She is an attorney with the Morgan Lewis law firm in San Francisco, specializing in corporate litigation.
CHAD MURPHY (BA) spent a year teaching English in Thailand and then graduated from Gonzaga University in May 2009 with a master’s degree in organizational leadership. He joined the Army ROTC at Gonzaga and is now a second lieutenant in the Army.
DEREK WATTENBARGER (BBA) started Surfside Developers Inc., a full-service construction company that focuses on new construction, home remodels, room additions, commercial tenant improvements, and more. He is a third-generation contractor and comes from a legacy of homebuilders in central and Southern California for more than 75 years.
[2006]
ERIC BENSON (BBA) passed the Colorado bar exam in July 2009 and will begin practicing law in the Denver metropolitan area.
SHANNON (SULLIVAN) BROWN (BA) is working toward a master’s degree at San Diego State University and will begin work on a PhD soon after graduating.
LINDSAY RHINE (BA) and Adam Petersen were married in San Diego on Aug. 9, 2009. They honeymooned in Hawaii and are living happily in Pacific Beach.
[2007]
MELANIE (McFARLAND) ALLRED (BA) married her high school sweetheart, Tyler, on June 15, 2008, in Fullerton, Calif. They both work in campus ministry: Melanie at USD and Tyler at California State University, San Marcos, Intervarsity. Melanie is still involved with her sorority and is an adviser to the USD chapter.
BRANDON HANCOCK (MSRE) founded GreenShoots Real Estate in October 2009. As president, Brandon oversees development, acquisition and consulting activities for the Texas-based company. The firm offers such services as consulting, financial analysis, market studies and due diligence for developers, investors and property owners. More information is available at www.greenshootsrealestate.com.
KENDRA QUINTANA (BA) and Dave Galante ’05 were married on July 31, 2009, at Balboa Park. They live in the Washington, D.C., area.
[2008]
JULIA BECHERER (BA) is a dental student at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry.
LAUREN (GYLLENBORG) GOLDEN (BA) and her husband, Justin, were married on Aug. 1, 2009, in Prairie Village, Kan. Justin is a financial adviser for Edward Jones, and Lauren is an event planner for “The Kansas City Star.” They live in Leawood, Kan.
MELISSA MIRANDA (BA) is a second-year law student at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento.
[IN MEMORIAM]
HILARY (SCHMIT) CEJKA ’82 (BA, MA ’89) died on Sept. 20, 2009.
JERRY DOMINELLI ’69 (BA) passed away on August 2, 2009. His youngest daughter, Jennifer Dominelli ’98, says he “absolutely loved USD and remained proud his entire life long to have studied here.” She says he gave generously to USD when he could, and laments that “the inner man who was my dad was nothing like the outer image portrayed to the public.” In the end, she says, he “understood deeply what life was really all about.”
WILLIAM McCARTY ’64 (JD) has passed away.
GAIL (GIULIANI) ZADOW ‘87 (BA) passed away December 27, 2009 after battling cancer. After graduating from USD, Gail moved to Alta, Utah to teach skiing. She and Jeff Zadow then moved to Montana and had two children, Ellie, 10 and Hayden, 8. After attending the Waldorf teacher-training program in Hawaii, they moved to Boulder, Colo., where she joined the Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Gail will be remembered as an amazingly beautiful and loving person who loved life.
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