Hnu Today | Issue 2 2015 585k6c

HNUTODAY

ISSUE 2 I 2015

A M A G A Z I N E F O R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S O F H O LY N A M E S U N I V E R S I T Y

A Virtuous Commitment HNU’s dedication to SNJM values makes the University a model of social responsibility

Contents

HNUTODAY A MAGA ZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS ISSUE 2 I 2015

HNU students have a “ta-da” moment in front of the new Kennedy Arts Center mural.

2

The University uses non-potable water to irrigate campus plants.

6

EDITORS Kevin Hyde, University Communications Manager | Lesley Sims, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

ALUMNI REPORT

­– Message about the social responsibility demonstrated by Holy Names University

­– Patrick Turner ’12 and Bianca Frediani, Co-founders of Bed Bandits, Speak on Taking a Chance and Making a Difference­ – Holy Names University Honors Exceptional Alumni and Faculty at 41st Annual Alumni Awards

– ionate Leaders in Social Entrepreneurship

­– Class Notes and In Memoriam

­– ­HNU Community Raises Funds for Water-Improvement Projects in Tanzania

16

­– ­Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Sonia Nazario Visits HNU

6 STUDENT STORIES ­– Mural Class Paints Kennedy Arts Center and Skyline High School ­– HNU Students Volunteer to Help Beautify Oakland’s Rose Garden

8 FEATURE STORY

­– HNU Celebrates a Successful #GivingTuesday ­– Donor Appreciation Event Brings Together Students, Alumni, and Friends ­– Ever Forward Fundraising Campaign Update

CONTRIBUTORS HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD | Richard Ortega, Vice President for University Advancement | Kevin Hyde, University Communications Manager

A VIRTUOUS COMMITMENT

HNU engages in socially responsible practices in the course of executing its mission. The University not only provides an excellent and accessible education to a diverse community of students, but also has made significant strides in preserving natural resources.

HNU student Shelby Alvarez poses for an “unselfie” photo as part of a #GivingTuesday event on campus on December 2, 2014.

William J. Hynes, PhD | Stuart Koop, Vice President for Finance and istration | Lizbeth Martin, Vice President for Academic Affairs | Michael Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management | Richard Ortega, Vice President for University Advancement | Carol Sellman, SNJM, Vice President for Mission Effectiveness

16

– HNU President Hynes Received as SNJM Associate – Sister Sophia Park Publishes New Book of Essays

10

HNU SCENES

FACULTY WATCH ­– Professor Martivón Galindo Awarded the Irene Woodward Professorship

21

­–HNU Writer-In-Residence Belo Cipriani Publishes New Novella, Midday Dreams

­– HNU reel-to-reel films discovered

LAST WORD

ALUMNI EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT Ana Raphael-Scott ’89

HNU students and Sisters enjoy a picnic on the lawn of the Lake Merritt campus during Mixer Day in 1945.

­– Photos of student activities from the University’s past

Or in writing to: Editors, HNU Today Office of Marketing and Public Relations Holy Names University 3500 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, CA 94619

UNIVERSITY OFFICERS HNU President

SNJM UPDATE

– Sister Pat Parachini, visiting SNJM Scholar, and HNU Faculty Discuss Religion Versus Spirituality­

The opinions expressed in HNU Today do not necessarily represent the views of the editors nor policies of Holy Names University. Comments for the editors may be sent via email to: [email protected]

Update your information online at: www.hnu.edu/alumni

18

20

­– HNU’s Redesigned Creative Writing Program

Maria Theren, University Graphic Designer

GIVING NEWS

– A Virtuous Commitment—SNJM values make the University a model of social responsibility

­– Biology Faculty and Students Collaborate on Research Paper Published in Integrative Biology

DESIGN

Feature

– Alumni spotlight, Kathy Donovan Perez, EdD

CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

­– ­Holy Names University Rated the Most Diverse University in the Nation for the Second Consecutive Year

8

12

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

3

HNU Today is published biannually by the Office of Marketing and Public Relations at Holy Names University.

20 On the cover from left: Mayra Acosta-Villegas, Nancy Acosta-Villegas, Dorian Escobar, and Destany Charles help paint a mural on the Kennedy Arts Center.

Holy Names University is a private, co-ed university located on 60 acres in the hills of Oakland, California. An academic community committed to the full development of each student, HNU offers a liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic tradition, empowering a diverse student body for leadership and service.

President’s Message

Campus Highlights IONATE LEADERS IN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, THE 2014–15 JAMES DURBIN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPEAKER SERIES

IN THIS ISSUE, in his excellent article “A Virtuous

Commitment,” our editor, Kevin Hyde, notes that U.S. News and World Report again named HNU as having the most diverse student body of any U.S. university. Also, for the first time, the New America Foundation named HNU as one of the 24 most affordable private U.S. universities. Affordability was measured by 1) a high incidence of Pell grants (45% for HNU), grants designed to assist the lowest income families, and 2) a net tuition of under $10,000 ($8,752 for HNU). Of the 24 institutions selected, 20 have larger endowments than HNU. Of these 20 institutions, 11 of them have endowments in the billions. HNU’s endowment is a mere $14 million.

Lacking a large endowment, the HNU financial aid that covers 50% of our tuition cost comes largely from our operational budget. We can do this first by being “lean” and emulating the values of the Sisters, especially living modestly, and secondly by being stewards of our resources. During the time that Stu Koop has served as vice president for finance and istration, he and Luis Guerra ’02, MBA ’04, assistant vice president for facilities and events, have led the effort to replace our half-century old infrastructures with more modern ones so that we can use resources, such as water, gas, electricity, etc., far more efficiently, gaining considerable financial savings that help us fund financial aid.

This year’s James Durbin Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, which focused on the theme of ionate leaders in social entrepreneurship, included fascinating discussions with Kat Taylor, CEO of Beneficial State Bank; Father John Baumann, SJ, founder and CEO of PICO; and Patrick Turner ’12 and Bianca Frediani, co-founders of Bed Bandits. “Most people in the world go to bed at night and wake up and see problems. A smaller group of people, when they wake up—they see opportunities. Each problem is something waiting to be solved,” HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD, said. “And, in this way, all entrepreneurs seek to solve problems. However, social entrepreneurs use principles of entrepreneurship to work for social good. It’s common for people to think of their own good, but not as common to think about the good of all, and social entrepreneurs are thinking about that larger good.”

Thanks to our great friends and generous donors, in the quiet phase of our first comprehensive campaign, we have raised $21 million overall, and $8 million of our $15 million goal for the endowment.” HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD

Socially Responsible Banking

FATHER JOHN BAUMANN founded PICO in 1972 to help people redevelop their communities and actively engage in the democratic process. From its humble start in Oakland, PICO now has more than 1,000 member institutions and is one of the largest faithbased community organizations in the U.S.

KAT TAYLOR and her husband, Tom Steyer, founded Beneficial State Bank with a triple bottom-line mandate to be financially sustainable, to produce meaningful social justice results, and to enhance environmental health. After raising a family with her husband, Taylor decided, in 2004, that the time was right to start the bank. She and her husband did extensive research by visiting several prominent socially responsible banks throughout the U.S. and the world.

Father John Baumann, Founder of PICO

Baumann opened the discussion by speaking about some of the experiences that influenced his decision to create PICO. After his first year of theological training was over, Baumann was assigned to the field in Chicago, where he encountered Saul Alinsky, the man regarded as the father of modern community organizing.

At the same time, we are seeking to double our endowment. Thanks to our great friends and generous donors, in the quiet phase of our first comprehensive campaign, we have raised $21 million overall, and $8 million of our $15 million goal for the endowment. Most endowment gifts are bequests that will come to us only after the donor’s death. When these gifts are all in hand, they will be invested with each $1 million yielding $50,000 annually. Going forward, this will help us move some of the cost of financial aid from the operational budget to being covered by the income from our larger endowment.

Baumann story continued on page 7

Providing a Good Night’s Sleep

HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD

2 I HNUTODAY

Community Organizing

PATRICK TURNER ’12 and BIANCA FREDIANI’S company, Bed Bandits, manufactures fire-resistant and hypoallergenic mattress toppers and donates one custommade topper to a homeless shelter for every three that are sold. The couple spoke about their personal journeys and described the transition from being college students to becoming social entrepreneurs. Turner and Frediani discussed their inspirations, their goals, and why they felt it was important to take risks in order to make a difference in the world. (See more of their story on pg. 12)

Taylor spoke in detail about the mission of Beneficial State Bank and the bank’s efforts to provide economic resources both to socially responsible businesses and to individual customers who might be disregarded by mainstream banking. She also discussed how the bank has sought to provide the community a helpful alternative to local check-cashing establishments and payday loan lenders. Taylor story continued on page 7

Kat Taylor, President, Beneficial State Bank

HNUTODAY I 3

CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR SONIA NAZARIO VISITS HNU

This fall, the Asia Pacific Peace Studies Institute (APPSI) and the Associated Students of HNU (ASHNU) organized a fundraiser to accompany the University’s Water Justice campaign in cooperation with the nonprofit WaterBridge Outreach: Books + Water. Chiho Sawada, PhD, assistant professor of history and executive director of APPSI, and MariaFernanda Cuevas, an HNU senior and religious studies and philosophy major, led the effort to raise funds for WaterBridge Outreach to expand its waterimprovement projects in Asia and Africa.

Sonia Nazario, the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Enrique’s Journey, visited campus on November 6 to discuss her book and its themes. Enrique’s Journey, the 2014 Common Reading selection, chronicles the quest of a young Honduran boy traveling to the United States in search of his mother.

Ministry, the Peace and Justice Club, students in the Intercultural Peace and Justice Studies classes, the Student Success Center, the Integrative Studies Across Cultures program, and from HNU Athletics, the campaign raised over $2,000 to donate to WaterBridge Outreach. The money raised by the campaign will be pooled with funds from other organizations and used by WaterBridge Outreach for projects in Tanzania, Africa. The proposed projects include repairs for an existing water system at one school and the establishment of a new rainwater catchment and purification system in another— an improvement that would provide access to healthy water for more than 600 children.

Cuevas had the idea to sell reusable HNU-branded water bottles to students, faculty, and staff as a way of driving the fundraising campaign. As an added Above: HNU’s new hydration benefit, the environmentally friendly stations around campus help bottles could be used with HNU’s newly save the environment by using installed hydration stations throughout Water bottles from the campaign are still less plastic. campus to reduce the number of available to purchase at the Student Success disposable plastic bottles used at HNU. Center in Brennan Hall and any additional funds raised APPSI and the students in ASHNU set the initial goal will be used to a program for an HNU student for the campaign at $1,000. With help from Campus internship with WaterBridge Outreach.

Holy Names University Rated the Most Diverse University in the Nation for the Second Consecutive Year

as one of the top five western regional universities in its diversity rankings multiple times

We are honored to be recognized once again. Because of our diversity, our students have the advantage of understanding different cultural perspectives, enabling them to be more effective global leaders.”

since 1998, when the diversity rankings were implemented.

HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD

U.S. News and World Report has again recognized Holy Names University as the most diverse university in the nation for the 2013–2014 academic year, the second consecutive year in which HNU has achieved this distinction. HNU has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to diversity. U.S. News and World Report has included Holy Names University

Nazario spoke first about her childhood, her experience with immigration, and the struggles she faced in becoming a journalist. The inspiration for Enrique’s Journey came from a conversation Nazario had with Carmen, her housekeeper, who had emigrated from Guatemala. Nazario was moved by the dilemma faced by women like Carmen—who must leave their families in order to provide for them—and she decided to investigate.

I think this moment is a true test for the U.S. How does a great nation behave? Will we rise to the level of humanity that is required of us? I know that we are capable of amazing things in this country if we come together with a shared purpose to change things for the better.” Sonia Nazario Author of Enrique’s Journey

During her investigation, she encountered Enrique, a 16-yearold Honduran boy who was on his eighth attempt to cross into the U.S.

To more fully understand what Enrique and other migrants had endured, Nazario took the same journey—twice—from Honduras to the border, riding the same freight trains that Enrique and others had used to come north. Along the route, she encountered gangs and bandits, corrupt police officers, and dangerous conditions on top of the freight train. Nazario concluded her presentation by discussing the current immigration crisis and the solutions that she believes the U.S. government should pursue. Nazario believes that the traditional means of curbing illegal immigration—guest worker programs, border patrol, and amnesty—have not been successful and that a different approach is needed to address the current crisis. “I think this moment is a true test for the U.S.,” Nazario said at the end of the evening. “How does a great nation behave? Will we rise to the level of humanity that is required of us? I know that we are capable of amazing things in this country if we come together with a shared purpose to change things for the better.”

Author Sonia Nazario speaks to the HNU audience.

HNUTODAY I 5

CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS

HNU COMMUNITY RAISES FUNDS FOR WATER-IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN TANZANIA

Top: HNU students and other volunteers spread new mulch. Below: HNU students Ashley Brice-Dignam, Sydnee Leveston, MariaFernanda Cuevas, Maribel Gutierrez, and Luke Chesworth prepare for their day of volunteering at Morcom Rose Garden.

STUDENT STORIES

Student Stories

To create the Kennedy mural, Lang’s class began by brainstorming visual representations of the Bay Area and Oakland; students in the class also discussed their own inspirations. “As soon as one of the students came up with an idea that was tangible, we grabbed that and we started working around it,” Lang said. “One of the students came up with the oak tree, for Oakland. We had an idea of what we wanted to do and we decided on the go what were going to be the colors.”

time that might stay there.” After finishing the Kennedy mural, the class embarked on another ambitious project—working with students at Skyline High School to create a mural for one of their campus buildings. Lang explained that the project originated from wanting to help a local school with their art program.

The Skyline mural is larger than the Kennedy mural, and more than 50 Skyline students were involved in the painting process. Students in the HNU mural class began the collaboration by deg a From left to right: Destany Charles, Dorian Escobar, Mayra Acosta-Villegas, Nancy Acosta-Villegas, and Carmen Lang questionnaire to ask the Skyline pose by their campus mural. students for their ideas about the project. The Skyline students created sketches for the mural and the HNU students came up with a visual motif to unify the mural—a BART train ing through the s and stopping at stations Two students in the class, juniors Mayra Acosta-Villegas named for HNU and Skyline. and Dorian Escobar, spoke about the experience of painting the Kennedy mural. “It was nice because this is Lang remarked on the cooperative dynamics of mural the first time HNU has created this class for us to paint painting. “You start painting and people walk by you and a mural,” Acosta-Villegas said. “Although the mural is they want a brush, they want to participate,” she said. “All in a secluded area, there are a lot of people who know of a sudden you’re sharing a story or listening to someone about it now, so they want the class to continue.” Escobar else’s story. Right there you’re building up a community explained that, “It was cool to paint something for the first and getting to know your neighbor better.”

6 I HNUTODAY

Baumann, continued from page 3

“The experience in Chicago really opened me up too. I reflected on my studies and on theology. Part of our spirituality as Jesuits is the whole notion of seeing God in all things and that became much clearer to me,” Baumann said. In 1972, Baumann started his first communityorganizing group in California, the Oakland Training Institute. That group later expanded and, as a result of the expansion, the organ­ ization changed its name to the Pacific Institute for Community Organization, or PICO for short (while the organization’s name is no longer an acronym, it still retains the name PICO).

MURAL CLASS PAINTS KENNEDY ARTS CENTER AND SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL HNU’s new mural class, led by Carmen Lang, painted a mural on the north wall of the Kennedy Arts Center and partnered with students at Skyline High School in Oakland to paint a new mural on one of the high school’s buildings.

IONATE LEADERS IN SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

HNU STUDENTS VOLUNTEER TO HELP BEAUTIFY OAKLAND’S ROSE GARDEN Several HNU students spent the morning of October 26 spreading mulch and weeding the grounds of Oakland’s Morcom Rose Garden. HNU’s Center for Social Justice and Civic Engagement (CSJCE) and the Associated Students of HNU (ASHNU) helped to organize the volunteer opportunity for the students. HNU students Ashley Brice-Digman, Luke Chesworth, MariaFernanda Cuevas, Nadine Ghammache, Maribel Gutierrez, Sandra Lacayo, and Sydnee Leveston were among the volunteers. Maribel Lopez, a graduate assistant within the CSJCE, helped with the arrangements and participated in the service event as well. MariaFernanda Cuevas, a senior religious studies and philosophy major, enjoyed the time spent maintaining and repairing the Morcom Rose Garden. “It was great to connect with other organizations and go out in the community to help out,” Cuevas said. “While we were helping out in the Rose Garden, it started to rain and my first instinct was to run for shelter, but then slowly I started to realize the beauty of nature. This community service project made me mindful of different things around me and how important it is to connect to others.”

At the end of the evening, Baumann reflected on what he sees for the future of the organization. “Over the next six years, PICO’s priority is to restore the role of religion as a force for inclusion and equality, and to place economic dignity and racial equity at the center of our work,” he said. “PICO is multicultural, it’s faith-based, it’s about the promotion of justice, it’s non-partisan, and it makes democracy work.”

Taylor, continued from page 3

When asked about her outlook for the future, Taylor was optimistic. “We’re hurtling through space on the same planet, almost 9 billion of us now, and without some coordination and some commitment to the common purposes that we all have, it’s going to be really unpleasant,” she said. “ in social enterprise, make it your career—not just after you work or after you retire.”

HNUTODAY I 7

Feature Story

HNU offers a path to a great education that does not come with harmful financial burdens.” HNU is a member of the Yes We Must Coalition, which strives to increase degree attainment of low-income students by promoting the work of small, independent, notfor-profit colleges and universities committed to this purpose. HNU Trustee Sister Kathleen Ross, PhD, is the board secretary for the Yes We Must Coalition.

The VA solar array will generate

162,000 kWh annually. This is enough energy to provide power for

15

households for an entire year.

Part of what makes an HNU education so accessible is the University’s effort to keep costs low by utilizing sustainable practices in campus operations.

A Virtuous Commitment BY KEVIN HYDE

Stuart Koop, vice president for finance and istration, has led HNU’s sustainability efforts, along with Luis Guerra ’02, MBA ’04, assistant Top: Installing the vice president for new boiler. facilities and events. Middle: Drought“The campus resistant plants on community, campus help HNU individually conserve water. and collectively, Bottom: Students continues to enjoy the new Frank and Rosa DeLuca embrace the values Rose Garden, which of the Sisters of the is landscaped with Holy Names of Jesus drought-resistant and Mary to care for plants. the environment,” Left: New solar Koop said. s on the VA

“This is a new chapter in the University’s journey to steward our resources, respect nature, and lighten our footprint upon the earth.” HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD

roof.

IT IS ONE of the enduring truths of Holy Names University

history that, regardless of external or internal challenges, the University remains dedicated to operating in a socially responsible manner. HNU provides an outstanding education to all who desire it and it is able to achieve that feat because of its continued adherence to SNJM values. The University maintains a virtuous commitment not only to offer a firstrate education, but to do so while maintaining a respectful relationship with the environment and its natural resources. This past fall, the New America Foundation, a public policy institute and think tank, named Holy Names University as 8 I HNUTODAY

one of the top private nonprofit colleges that demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that higher education remains accessible to low-income students. In its report, Undermining Pell, Volume II: How Colleges’ Pursuit of Prestige and Revenue is Hurting Low-Income Students, the New America Foundation examined the enrollment data from the 2011–12 year for 828 private nonprofit four-year colleges. The foundation listed HNU among the nine colleges that both enrolled a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients and kept the average net price per year below $10,000 for low-income students. For the 2011–12

year, HNU’s student body included 45% Pell Grant recipients, and the University maintained an average net price of $8,572 for those students and their families. “This report highlights our ongoing dedication to ensuring that a Holy Names University education is accessible,” HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD, said. “In keeping with the values of the Holy Names Sisters,

Since 2007, HNU has successfully increased the efficiency of its on-campus systems by installing new boilers and replacing piping insulation; reviving the on-site spring water storage and irrigation systems; installing low-flow showerheads and toilets; switching to droughtresistant plants for landscaping; using LED lights for street and parking lot lighting and by moving towards a compact fluorescent lighting minimum standard.

[Average therms usage for winter months in Illinois: 953 therms. Source: Citizens Utility Board of Illinois] [Average U.S. annual household kWh usage (for 2012) : 10,837 kWh. Source: U.S. Energy Information istration] [Modern water tower average capacity: 500,000 gallons. Source: survey of available nationwide water tower data]

HNU’s natural gas use during 2013 was down 47 percent overall and 58 percent per capita from 2007 levels; its East Bay Municipal Utility District water use was down 36 percent overall and 40 percent per capita from 2007, with an estimated further drop in usage this year; and its electricity use was up one percent overall but down 17 percent per capita from 2007.

In addition to these changes the University, in cooperation with Solar Technologies and Pacific Gas & Electric, installed a solar array on the roof of the Valley Center for Performing Arts (VA) and connected it to the power grid in early October 2014. The solar s will produce approximately 162,000 kilowatt-hours for the University and will ensure that the VA is energy self-sufficient. Water usage has gone

DOWN by 14,480,000 gallons, which is the equivalent of

29 average water towers. The solar array project is the latest step in the University’s long-term sustainability plans. “This is a new chapter in the University’s journey to steward our resources, respect nature, and lighten our footprint upon the earth,” President Hynes said.

Natural gas use has decreased by 124,000 therms, an amount that would be enough to heat approximately

130 homes

through an entire Chicago winter.

HNUTODAY I 9

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

PROFESSOR MARTIVÓN GALINDO AWARDED THE IRENE WOODWARD PROFESSORSHIP Holy Names University Professor MARTIVÓN GALINDO, PhD, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the University and was awarded the Irene Woodward Professorship during a reception in the Cushing Library in August 2014. The Irene Woodward Professorship provides an award for a faculty member to use in pursuit of scholarly or creative interests. The professorship was initiated by the Class of 1970 in honor of Irene Woodward ’55, PhD, professor emerita of philosophy and president of Holy Names College from 1972 to 1982. Professor Galindo is the second recipient of the professorship, after Sister Sophia Park, who received the award for the 2013–14 academic year. “It is a great honor for me to accept the Woodward award,” Professor Galindo said. “I am grateful to Holy Names for this opportunity to have some extra time to work on my creative projects in art and writing.” Vice President for Academic Affairs Lizbeth J. Martin, PhD, said, “Martivón is a true renaissance woman. Since she has been on the faculty at HNU, she has brought her artistry, writing, literature, history, and language talents to each student she touches.”

Martivón Galindo, PhD, and Irene Woodward ’55 in front of McLean Chapel.

Anything that makes us grow as human beings will come back to our students through our teaching.”

Martivón Galindo, PhD Professor Galindo, who has Professor of Latin American taught at HNU since 1996, is a and Latino/a Studies professor of Latin American and Latino/a Studies. She began her professional life in El Salvador as an architect, but went on to earn a Licenciatura en Letras from the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas, in San Salvador, El Salvador and has been publishing both poetry and prose since that time. After immigrating to the United States, she received her master’s degree in Spanish and Latin American literature from San Francisco State University and her doctorate in Hispanic languages and literatures from the University of California, Berkeley. Her most recent book is Para amuestrar un tigre, a collection of short stories.

10 I HNUTODAY

FACULTY WATCH

Faculty Watch HNU WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE BELO CIPRIANI PUBLISHES NEW NOVELLA, MIDDAY DREAMS

BIOLOGY FACULTY AND STUDENTS COLLABORATE ON RESEARCH PAPER PUBLISHED IN INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY

BELO CIPRIANI, HNU’s Writer-InResidence and the author of Blind: A Memoir, has had his new novella, Midday Dreams, published as an e-book. The novella is about the relationships among the of a family living on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores, and Cipriani wrote it while at HNU.

LAURA MCLAUGHLIN, PhD, assistant professor of biological science, and two students from her undergraduate biology research class, Samantha Fisher and Monique Reyes, collaborated on a research project about Salmonella and its ability to inhibit immune cell migration, along with scientists from Stanford University and the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. Their research was published as an article entitled “A microfluidic-based genetic screen to identify microbial virulence factors that inhibit dendritic cell migration” in the April issue of the peer-reviewed journal Integrative Biology (issue 4, 2014).

“During the first year of my appointment, my office used to be housed in the school library,” Cipriani said. “So, I had the wonderful staff help me find movies, music CDs, and books about the Azores. Despite the fact I had visited Sao Miguel (the island where Midday Dreams takes place) as a teen, I was hoping that immersing myself in Portuguese content would jog my memory. After all, it had been more than a decade since I set foot on the tropical island.” The novella represents a chance for fans of Cipriani’s work to experience his aesthetic in a different form, and Cipriani is hopeful that readers will take something positive from Midday Dreams. “We live in a society that’s data driven—people like to make decisions based on quantifiable figures,” Cipriani said. “However, not all decisions should be made with your head. I hope Midday Dreams reminds people that some decisions are to be made with their hearts.”

The impetus for the research project arose from the work that McLaughlin did with Denise Monack, PhD, during her postdoctoral period at Stanford University. McLaughlin and Monack had discovered that Salmonella can block cell migration and they wanted to characterize the effect in more detail. In order to observe the effect, it was necessary to use microfluidic chambers to culture and infect mammalian cells in a stable and neutral environment. McLaughlin was able to make time-lapse microscopy videos of the relevant cells. Using the videos, students Fisher and Reyes were able to help track the cells that had been infected with Salmonella and compare those with uninfected cells. The research showed that there were several Salmonella-specific factors that were responsible for inhibiting immune cell migration. McLaughlin explained that the research is an important step in the development of more durable vaccines. “If we can figure out how Salmonella inhibits immune cell migration, the next step would be to disable this pathogenic mechanism and develop a better and longerlasting vaccine,” she said.

The Writer’s Craft HNU’S REDESIGNED CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM Holy Names University has reopened its creative writing program, The Writer’s Craft, under the interim direction of ANNE F. WALKER, PhD. The Writer’s Craft includes a redesigned curriculum and offers a program for students to pursue This program will a master’s degree in English with create a space in which concentrations in creative writing, professional writing, and the teaching of students can choose writing.

how to develop their writing and where they want it to go.” Anne F. Walker, PhD Interim Director of The Writer’s Craft

“I am delighted to direct the newly redesigned Writer’s Craft program. Being able to create this individualized experience in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, within the Holy Names University environment, is just amazing,” Walker said.

Walker earned her MFA in creative writing from Mills College and her PhD in American culture and literature from UC Berkeley. She has published four books of poetry, Six Months Rent, Pregnant Poems, Into the Peculiar Dark, and The Exit Show, and a critical poetics text, American Urban Poetics. Walker previously taught as a member of the writing faculty at UC Merced. The Writer’s Craft provides a flexible curriculum to ensure that students can choose the area of emphasis for their degrees, meet their personal and professional goals, and prepare themselves for writing careers, teaching careers, or for further graduate studies.

Anne F. Walker, PhD Interim Director of The Writer’s Craft.

“This program will create a space in which students can choose how to develop their writing and where they want it to go,” Walker said. “In the program, I’ll have the opportunity to work with students one-on-one, to facilitate their work in the Holy Names University community, and to their growth within the world of writing.” In addition to Walker, Belo Cipriani, HNU’s Writer-InResidence, will teach within the program, along with other visiting faculty and writers. HNUTODAY I 11

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Patrick Turner ’12 and Bianca Frediani

BA ’71 I ELEMENTARY TEACHING CREDENTIAL ’72

ALUMNI REPORT

Alumni Report

Kathy Donovan Perez, EdD MS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY,

CO-FOUNDERS OF BED BANDITS, SPEAK ON TAKING A CHANCE AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

EAST BAY, 1977 I EDD, CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, 1983

For the third installment of the 2014–15 James Durbin Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, PATRICK TURNER ’12 and BIANCA FREDIANI, co-founders of Bed Bandits, spoke with HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD, on November 6. Bed Bandits manufactures fire-resistant and hypoallergenic mattress toppers, and Turner and Frediani donate one custom-made mattress topper to a homeless shelter for every three that are sold.

[We] are helping someone in our community, we’re doing our business, we’re doing it ourselves, and this is what we stand for.”

“On the plane ride back to Oakland, I was reading this book called Start Something That Matters, written by the guy who started the shoe company TOMS, Blake [Mycoskie],” Frediani said. “I couldn’t figure out what I could create though. But then I ed this mattress topper that Patrick had come up with when he was in college.”

Frediani was excited about the possibility of giving back to the community through product donations, and when Frediani told Turner majored in marketing and sports Bianca Frediani Turner about her idea, they worked together management at HNU and, when he started his Co-Founder of Bed Bandits on figuring out their next steps. Turner went marketing classes, decided to pursue a solution back to the research he had done as part of his to the problem presented by the flimsy mattress marketing class at HNU. toppers he had seen in the dorms. Turner’s family owns and operates FloBeds, a mattress company based in Fort Bragg, In short order, the couple quit their jobs and moved to Fort California, and so he had some familiarity with the bedding Bragg, where they worked flexible hours at FloBeds in order industry. He decided he would formulate a better product. to learn the bedding industry and have time to devote to “So, in my marketing class, I wanted to design a topper that their own company. Bed Bandits has signed contracts with could be secured to your mattress and not fall off. That was both HNU and Dominican University; the company will also my original concept,” he said. partner with both universities to donate its mattress toppers Frediani majored in marketing and minored in retail studies at Santa Clara University. She said that she was convinced that she wanted to go into retail as a career, and after graduation she quickly found a job at the Gap, Inc., working within the finance department of the company’s San Francisco offices. It was during a trip to visit one of her sisters at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles that Frediani had the inspiration that provided the catalyst for the founding of Bed Bandits.

to nearby homeless shelters. Frediani explained that, although she and Turner were excited about giving back to the community by donating one mattress topper for every three they sold, many of their business advisors tried to dissuade them from giving away profit. “It took a lot of courage for us to say to people who have a lot of experience, ‘This is going to work and this is why, and you’re going to have to trust us and have a little faith,’” Frediani said. “All our products are handmade and handsewn in the U.S. by a local business, which means our prices are higher. But we are helping someone in our community, we’re doing our business, we’re doing it ourselves, and this is what we stand for.”

“At HNU you get much more than an education— you get a way of life—transforming yourself and others!” Kathy Donovan Perez, ‘71, HNU Alumna

KATHY DONOVAN PEREZ, EdD, is a tenured professor of education at Saint Mary’s College and an acclaimed international education consultant. At Saint Mary’s, she serves as director of the master’s program in teaching leadership and as director of external relations. She is the author of the best-selling books More Than 100+ Brain Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy!, The Co-Teaching Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Teachers, and The New Inclusion: Differentiated Strategies to Engage ALL Students!, and she has been contracted by Solution Tree Press to write two new books on strategies for struggling readers. The International Reading Association recently inducted Perez into the Reading Hall of Fame.

How do you feel your HNU education has changed your life?

My education at HNU transformed my life personally and professionally. On a personal level, I learned true comion to reach out to underserved communities and individuals less fortunate than I was. On a professional level, my education at HNU inspired me to become an agent of change in my classroom, school, district, and broader community.

special education at the University of Swansea in Wales. I was one of three recipients in the U.S. Last year I was a featured presenter at the International Conference on the Education of Teachers at Cape Coast University in Ghana, Africa. And this past February, I was an invited presenter at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University, England. 

How do you feel your HNU education has impacted your career?

There were so many influential mentors at HNU. Irene Woodward stands out as particularly influential. She was our “dorm monitor” and I really got to know her as a caring and dedicated professional. As my philosophy teacher she was amazing! Her perspectives on life and learning really opened my mind. Other notable faculty that made a real difference for me: Dr. Velma Richmond (English), Dr. Richard Yee (Philosophy), and Sister Mary Luke (Art).

My education at HNU was the “launch pad to my learning” for life. So many of life’s lessons were learned from my years at HNU. My degree in English helped propel my career as a best-selling author of three books on education. The innovative and relevant curriculum of the teaching credential program set me apart early on as a curriculum leader and a champion for struggling students. What professional achievement are you most proud of?

There are so many milestones in my career that make me proud. In 1979 I was awarded an International Rotary Fellowship to do post-graduate studies in counseling and

Who is the person who influenced you the most at HNU?

What excites you most about HNU?

I am thrilled with the continued growth and development of HNU. I am so proud of the diversity of the campus community and the recognition that HNU has received because of this. The focus on social justice is also very exciting. At HNU you get much more than an education—you get a way of life—transforming yourself and others!

Bianca Frediani and Patrick Turner ’12, co-founders of Bed Bandits.

12 I HNUTODAY

HNUTODAY I 13

ALUMNI REPORT

HNU held its 41st Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on October 3 to recognize exceptional alumni and faculty for their service to the University and the community. The Faculty Award was bestowed upon DOLORES GRUNBAUM, PhD, professor of chemistry, for outstanding service and loyalty to the University. Grunbaum, who lives in Berkeley, taught at HNU from 1975 until her retirement in June 2014. She was recognized for her consistent excellence in teaching and for her contributions to the field through her research and publications. The Alumni Recognition Award for Professional Achievement was given to two alumni, JOSEPH J. DEVNEY ’93, a linguist and writer from Oakland, and PAT MCDOW ZONCA ’51, a teacher and counselor from Santa Cruz. The award for professional achievement is presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves through professional service to church or community. Devney is a technical writer and communications consultant, and has also been named as an Associate Fellow in the Society for Technical Communication. Zonca is a teacher and counselor at the Santa Cruz Adult School. She also helped start the Gemma program in Santa Cruz, which assists women in reintegrating into the community after incarceration. The Alumni Recognition Award for Service to the University was bestowed upon KATHY KUSTERS HERRINGTON ’64, a retired teacher and volunteer from San Jose. Herrington was recognized for her exceptional devotion to her class, and for her service both to the HNU Alumni Association and the University. The University is grateful to all the of the Alumni Awards Committee for the work they did to recognize outstanding HNU alumni and faculty at the ceremony. The Alumni Awards Committee are Anne C. DunlapKahren ’88, chairperson of the committee, Julie Nelson Echaniz ’75, Beth Harris Hoenninger ’88, Patricia McLoughlin McMahon ’64, PhD, and s Renty Williams, director of alumnae/i relations at HNU.

Pictured from top: Dolores Grunbaum, Joseph J. Devney, Pat McDow Zonca, and Kathy Kusters Herrington.

Class Notes

IN MEMOR I A M

EVELYN KOHL LATORRE ‘64 can now

RACHEL JUNE HISCOCK VIXIE, MM ’06 would

share her love of travel in her new position as Independent Travel Consultant with Overseas Adventure/Grand Circle Travel (OAT/GC). OAT/GC is a leader in adventure and discovery travel. Evelyn has traveled with the highly rated company 13 times (fellow classmate Pat Taormino ’64 has gone on 48 trips with OAT to over 100 countries). Evelyn’s goal is to help everyone check off travel destinations from their bucket lists.

like to share God’s newest blessing to her family: Ezra Samuel Vixie, born Sept. 24, 2014, on Rachel’s birthday. Ezra s brother Thaddeus Douglas Vixie and sister Clara June Vixie. She and husband William Douglas Vixie are building a home in Walla Walla, Washington. Since the birth of her daughter, Rachel has been a stay-at-home mom, supervised student teachers from Walla Walla University, taught an occasional music course at Blue Mountain Community College, and served as an accompanist for a local middle school choir. Rachel misses her wonderful year of study at the Kodály Center and sends best wishes to the faculty as they continue to enhance the skills and lives of music teachers.

DIANNE FAGAN, SNJM ’66 turned 80 this year and celebrated 60 years of consecrated religious vows in her religious community of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. In addition, nine days before Christmas, her stored furniture was moved to her new one-bedroom apartment in Santa Clara. Three days a week she is committed to driving her elderly and frail Sisters to doctors’ appointments, and she is on a roster to do ER driving or visiting on weekends as needed.

REMIE ORQUIZA, MA ’11 has been spending time in Melbourne, Australia, with her 92-year-old mother, her youngest sister, Rose, and her family. Remie is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in pastoral community counseling at Argosy University. She hopes that she can her comprehensive exams before the end of this year so that she can continue her dissertation courses.

KIMBERLY ERTEM ’12 found a job that she loves

sworn in as a council member for the City of Albany.

after graduating from HNU. She’s been working for U.S. Bank in Pleasanton as a small business specialist since July 2013. Her position allows her to assist business owners with all of their financial needs.

BARRY COSTA ’74 retired from

NINA DIAMZON ’13 serves as a Right of Way

teaching due to a severe injury and an extended convalescence in the hospital. He is in physical therapy now and enjoys visits from Shirley Sexton, SNJM ’52, Toni Vella ’76, Marianne Landis ’75, and Ben Grace ’76, and he enjoys interacting with his HNU friends on Facebook.

Agent with Caltrans, which means that she is a realtor for the state of California.

PEGGY MCQUAID ’71 was recently

Class Notes have been edited for length and style. For more Class Notes go to: hnu.edu/classnotes

IN MEMOR I A M

MARY LOU BYRNE DAWE ’75 has enjoyed a wonderful career as a speech and language pathologist thanks to Sister Paul Francis, who directed the undergraduate program at HNU. Her bachelor’s degree led to a master’s degree at The University of London, where she met her husband of 37 years. Although she is still working, she finds time to relax with her daughter Hannah, who is a yoga instructor, and walk her dog along the beaches in Laguna.

THOMAS H. PAYNE ’86 celebrates 15 years as a financial advisor and the owner of Prosperitas Wealth Management. He and his wife recently welcomed their seventh child, Olivia Therese.

Betty Bertaux, MM ’75, was a talented musician,

conductor, and teacher. She was a faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory and, in 1976, she founded the Children’s Chorus of Maryland to provide sophisticated singing instruction to students in the Baltimore County area. Later, in 2001, she established the American Kodály Institute at Loyola University Maryland. Bertaux was awarded the Organization of American Kodály Educators’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 for her outstanding work in the field of music education. She ed away on October 10, 2014.

HNU fondly re longtime friend and generous er of the University Leah Bigelow ’50 September 3, 2014

Eleanor Matson Camara ’38, July 4, 2012 Harold Moore, January 20, 2013 (father of Vicki Tom–HNU staff, grandfather of Robyn Tom ’04) Roy J. Shaw, November 14, 2013 (husband of Margaret A. Martin Shaw ’51) Carmel Kelly Ross ’52, December 1, 2013 Alberto Anselm Benzi ’67, December 22, 2013 Patricia Watts Ceely, February 1, 2014 Thomasine McMahon, SNJM ’59, February 20, 2014 Richard Yee, PhD, March 9, 2014 (former faculty) Audrey Erlene McElroy Gross ’48, March 10, 2014 Betty Caryl Campbell Montgomery, March 22, 2014 (former student) Alicia Ramirez Brewer ’64, March, 2014 Jacqueline Y. Sowers, MA ’95, April 15, 2014 Marilyn Murphy, SNJM, April 18, 2014 (former student) Sylvia Magallanes Baroni ’69, April 21, 2014 Kathleen Johnson Dullum ’31, April 21, 2014 Patricia Papachristos, April 23, 2014 Diane Wertz Lawson ’50, April 27, 2014 Josepha Rose Thompson, SNJM ’56, April 29, 2014 Winifred McKinnon ’65, May 14, 2014 Melba DeMingo Fazzio, May 19, 2014 (former faculty) Mary Theresa Vinson Anderson ’44, May 20, 2014 Rose Eleanor Ehret, SNJM ’56, May 21, 2014 (former faculty) Annamarie Vierra Barros ’53, May 21, 2014 Albert H. Donabedian, May 26, 2014 (husband of Marie Nichles Donabedian ’73) Sally Thompson, SNJM ’58, June 2, 2014 Sumiko Kusumoto, June 2, 2014 Doris Thrall Ross, July 6, 2014 Marie Patricia Souza Penland, August 13, 2014 Judith Sherrill Yarbrough ’56, August 18, 2014 Florence Lenihan McHugh ’90, August 22, 2014 Patricia Mary Dooley Murphy ’45, September 4, 2014 Alice McGrath Frayne ’55, September 14, 2014

Elizabeth Ann Cox Scott ’77, September 14, 2014 Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Phillips Fulgham ’47, September 16, 2014 Barbara Carroll, SNJM ’62, September 18, 2014 (sister of Collette Carroll, SNJM ‘62 and Rosemarie Carroll, CSJ) Felice Marie Kolda, SNJM ’53, September 27, 2014 Margaret Ann Schwarz Puccioni ’54, October 4, 2014 Regina A. Tabacco Mastrantonio ’53, October 21, 2014 Greg Alemania, November 2, 2014 (father of Benjamin Alemania ’16) Gerald Walker, November 2, 2014 (father of Anne Walker–faculty) Marian Reardon O’Connell ’50, November 4, 2014 Barbara Jean Hutchinson O’Connell ’67, November 5, 2014 Jeanne Vargas, November 8, 2014 (former staff) Carol Hestikin Ehlers, November 20, 2014 (former student) Mary B. Looney Cale ’54, November 21, 2014 Margaret Ann ‘Marge’ Riordan Bader ’53, November 22, 2014 Joanne Quinlan Meloni, November 22, 2014 (former student) Shirley Marie Lilienthal Freeberg ’43, November 28, 2014 Leo Dinneen, November 30, 2014 (brother of Anne Dinneen, SNJM ’65 †) Ellen Maffit Buckley ’87, December 1, 2014 Ann Griffin Adams ’76, December 10, 2014 Rosalie Isabelle Rogers Rienzo, December 15, 2014 (former student) Beatrice Bedoya, December 23, 2014 (mother of Rita Bedoya Shue ’79) Florence Olivera ’49, December 30, 2014 (sister of Arlene Olivera Vetlesen ’58 †) Neil Moran, December 31, 2014 (brother of Virginia Moran Rarig ’48 and Nancy Moran Buckley ’54, brother-in-law of Margaret Connolly Moran ’47 and Jacqueline Blanquie Moran ’47) Patricia Pinnick ’54, January 7, 2015 Michael V. Forese, January 8, 2015 (father of Anita Forese Waldron ’76) Toni Locke, February 8, 2015 (former faculty) Sheila Dowd ’47, March 2, 2015 Della Stanton, SNJM ’58, March 6, 2015 Mary Gabriel Kennedy, SNJM ’37, March 8, 2015 † deceased

continued next page 14 I HNUTODAY

HNUTODAY I 15

ALUMNI REPORT

HOLY NAMES UNIVERSITY HONORS EXCEPTIONAL ALUMNI AND FACULTY AT 41ST ANNUAL ALUMNI AWARDS

GIVING NEWS

Giving News HNU Celebrates a Successful Holy Names University participated in the global #GivingTuesday campaign on December 2 as a way of bringing together the University’s community in a partnership of philanthropy and service. HNU’s designated project for #GivingTuesday was a scholarship for first-generation HNU students. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students, more than $11,000 was raised on #GivingTuesday.

DONOR APPRECIATION EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND FRIENDS HNU’s donor appreciation event on November 16 honored alumni and friends who have contributed to the HNU Fund. More than 50 donors attended the event, which preceded an HNU Orchestra performance of works by Bruckner and Saint-Saëns. Several HNU students, many of whom work in the University’s phonathon program, assisted with the event and welcomed donors to the reception.

In addition, on December 2, the University held a #GivingTuesday event to celebrate the importance of philanthropy. More than 100 students, faculty, and staff attended the event in the Mealey Living Room to contribute to the #GivingTuesday campaign, enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee, and share in the celebration. Many attendees also took “unselfies” during the event to highlight their reasons for giving back to the community. #GivingTuesday at HNU was organized by Maureen Nikaido, director of the HNU Fund, who helped coordinate HNU’s outreach efforts. “It was wonderful to see such great participation from alumni, friends, faculty, and staff on #GivingTuesday,” Nikaido said. “There was a lot of enthusiasm among the students and everyone who came to the event that day. #GivingTuesday is a great initiative and it provides a counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.” HNU ed 15,000 nonprofits in 68 countries in the 2014 #GivingTuesday movement, and it is estimated that $45.7 million was given on #GivingTuesday this year.

16 I HNUTODAY

#GivingTuesday is a great initiative and it provides a counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.” Maureen Nikaido Director of the HNU Fund

Ever Forward Campaign Update Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends of Holy Names University, the University’s first comprehensive campaign has received significant to endow scholarships,

Director of the HNU Fund Maureen Nikaido thanked donors for their generous contributions to the University and spoke about the importance of philanthropy. “Your contributions to the HNU Fund the highest priorities of the University, including scholarships,” she said. “And your donations help us to make a Holy Names education available to all students.”

complete a new nursing simulation laboratory,

Nikaido also spoke about the enduring positive influence that donors have upon current HNU students. “Through your giving, you’re an inspiration and a model of generosity and giving back, and you’re setting that example for our students and for generations to come. And really, that’s priceless. So thank you so much.”

an aging campus infrastructure and emerging

HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD, also thanked the donors and provided an update about both the University and the Ever Forward campaign. President Hynes highlighted the early success of the campaign and spoke about the importance of increasing the University’s endowment.

and make a promising start on the campaign’s main capital project, The Gateway Commons. Including gifts, pledges, new estate intentions, and federal grant , over $21,000,000 has been received in of the campaign’s initiatives. Through the construction of The Gateway Commons, HNU will address the challenges of shifts in both academic programs and student demographics. The Gateway Commons will house innovative learning spaces alongside student services that will help guide each student’s experience at HNU. Top to bottom: Patricia Walsh, Christine Bonavolonta ‘93, and Domonic Bonavolonta. HNU students Danniela Duran, Kristal Harrison, and Taylor Barajas assisting at the event. Donors mingle at the reception.

It has been over 20 years since Holy Names has built a permanent addition to the campus. The original 1957 campus was designed to accommodate 300 students. Today, the student population has grown to 1,200 students. This building is in keeping with the campus master plan to build a multifunction building that meets immediate demands and anticipates future growth. A key design element of the building is to reflect the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and perpetuate their effort, involvement,

Above: HNU students write about why they give back. Left: Students pose in prop hats and costumes for their “unselfie” photos.

love, and caring for the University.

HNUTODAY I 17

Sister Pat Parachini

HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD

VISITING SNJM SCHOLAR AND HNU FACULTY DISCUSS RELIGION VERSUS SPIRITUALITY

RECEIVED AS SNJM ASSOCIATE ON SISTER MARIE-ROSE DUROCHER FEAST DAY

as religiously und. This is up from 15% just five years SISTER PAT PARACHINI, DMin, this year’s Visiting SNJM ago and the percentage goes higher the younger you are, Scholar, was welcomed to campus during the week of up to 72% for generation Y.” October 6. Sr. Pat, an professor of pastoral studies at Loyola University in Professor Conlon offered a nuanced Maryland, offered lectures to students perspective on the difference between The word religion means we during the week and participated in the roles of religion and spirituality in our bond ourselves together in a special , “Are You Religious or lives. “The word religion means we bond Are You Spiritual?” along with two HNU a community. We dissolve ourselves together in a community. We faculty , Jim Conlon, PhD, dissolve loneliness. We challenge our loneliness. We challenge our professor of culture and spirituality, fears. We feel the impact of the great fears. We feel the impact of and Sister Sophia Park, PhD, assistant dramas of our lives. Religion is a place professor of religious studies and the great dramas of our lives. to stand; a community of people held philosophy. together in a common trust. Religion is a

ON OCTOBER 6, the HNU community celebrated the feast day of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, SNJM, Foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, with a special evening Mass held in McLean Chapel.

institutionalization, in order to it on to others,” Sr. Pat Sr. Sophia likewise discussed the state of religion and said. “So I don’t think the problem of religion is institution. spirituality in the U.S. and spoke about how demographics I think the problem of religion have influenced the shift away is the way that institutions are from organized religion towards a embodying the religious tradition.” more general spirituality. “Today, one of the most popular themes Sr. Pat earned her MA in religion in our society is being spiritual and religious education from but not religious—in fact, this is LaSalle College in Philadelphia, even referred to by the acronym Pennsylvania, and her doctorate SBNR,” Sr. Sophia said. “A of ministry from the Catholic significant and growing number University of America in of Americans are not identifying Washington, D.C. Her research themselves as of any and teaching interests include religion. According to a 2013 the ministry of spiritual direction, From left to right: Sister Sophia Park, James Conlon, and Sister Pew report, 20% of Americans, retreat ministry, and pastoral Pat Parachini. The listens to comments from the audience. which means one-fifth of the supervision. population, describe themselves

18 I HNUTODAY

community through prayer and action. Sr. Maureen then presented President Hynes with his Associate pin, and Sister Mimi Maloney presented Friedrich with her Associate pin.

Sister Sophia Park PUBLISHES NEW BOOK OF ESSAYS Beauty of the Broken, a new book of essays by Sophia Park, SNJM, PhD, assistant professor of religious studies and philosophy at HNU, was

Religion is a place to stand;

gift ed on to each of us,” Conlon said. Sr. Pat opened the by discussing a community of people held the urgency of the topic and why the The central discussion of the together in a common trust. relationship between spirituality and came to a close with Sr. Pat’s analysis religion is such a complex issue. “I’ll tell Religion is a gift ed on to of the causes and possible remedies you why the question came up for me for the perceived conflict between each of us.” first,” Sr. Pat said. “I had several students institutionalized religion and individual Jim Conlon, PhD come up to me through the years, almost spirituality. “Religions are born in an Professor of Culture apologetically, saying, ‘You know, I’m in intense revelatory experience of a and Spirituality a course about spiritual direction, but founding figure or group who encounter I’m not really religious, I’m just spiritual.’ the divine, and it usually implies a In the U.S. today, it is common to hear community of people that is involved people speaking about spirituality as something positive in this foundational experience, and to share this and religion as something negative.” experience, they have to have some structures, some

SNJM UPDATE

SNJM Update

recently published by Marianist Publisher, in Seoul, South Korea. The book collects essays that Sr. Sophia wrote, in Korean, about her spiritual reflections and her daily life for Catholic News in South Korea. Sr. Sophia also contributed a chapter to a Korean-language anthology called Social Spirituality, published by Hyun Am in Seoul, South Korea. In her essay, “Social Spirituality: Definition and Methods,” Sr. Sophia provides a rigorous analysis of the “social justice spirituality” and “social spirituality” and proposes a HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD, receives a hug from Sister Marcia Frideger.

methodology for better defining those concepts.

During this celebratory Mass, HNU President William J. Hynes, PhD, and Stephanie Friedrich, of Santa Cruz, were received as SNJM Associates. Associates are lay women and men who share the SNJM dedication to the full development of the human person through spirituality, education, social justice, contemplation, and the arts.

Sr. Sophia continues to write

President Hynes reflected upon his reasons for wanting to become an SNJM Associate. “Sr. Maureen Hester asked me why I had never ed the third orders of any of the other religious orders for whom I had worked, and I responded that, in knowing that grace builds upon nature, I had been waiting for one that was a custom fit.”

Contemplative Encounter” and

The Associates declared their promises to strive to live the spirit and charism of the Congregation of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in their daily lives and to share in the mission of the

the Global Sisters

reflections for the Global Sisters Report, a publication of the National Catholic Reporter. She is working on a new essay that will be published soon. Her previous essays, “Global Sorority: a “A Reflection on Religious Vocation: the Wine Is Ready, but the Wineskin Is Not” are available to read on the website of Report.

HNUTODAY I 19

Last Word

HNU Scenes Historical HNU IN two additional still frames taken from the newly discovered HNU reel-to-reel films, students engage in recreational activities—far from Oakland in one instance, and right next to campus in the other. In the top picture, HNU students swim in a pool located near Rancho Higuera Historical Park in Fremont, California, during a picnic in the fall of 1941. In the bottom picture, a group of HNU students are shown canoeing, in the fall of 1945, on the placid waters of Lake Merritt, which was only a short stroll from the Holy Names campus.

Still frames from the HNU films. Left: Looking out at Lake Merritt from the roof of the old campus. Right: the sign at the entrance of College of the Holy Names.

Reels of HNU History Last year, Sister Carol Sellman found a cache of HNUrelated 16mm reel-to-reel films in the Bay Vista room, but since the University does not have a reel-to-reel film player, she was unable to check the content of the films. She reached out to Susan Eggett ’02, who works at Pixar, to determine whether Pixar might have the necessary equipment. They did. Sr. Carol was able to watch all the films, which contained footage shot at the old Holy Names campus near Lake Merritt.

The films are composed of short segments of ceremonies on campus, student field trips and picnics, weddings, and other gatherings from the 1940s and 1960s. Sr. Carol sought out Movette, a film transfer company based in San Francisco, to digitize the reel-to-reel films for preservation purposes. The University is working to edit the footage to make it more easily viewable.

Do you have an idea for an HNU scene, whether historical or modern, that you think should be featured in HNU Today? Email your thoughts to [email protected] or post your idea on Facebook at www.facebook. com/HolyNamesUniv.

20 I HNUTODAY

HNUTODAY I 21

3500 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, CA 94619-1699

www.hnu.edu

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Holy Names University