The sun and Meade, a team captain for the men’s soccer team and this Sunday to become a University of San Diego graduate with a degree in International Relations, have plenty in common.

When he watched MTV’s “The Hills,” a show set in sunny Southern California, he was 18 and ready to go places. He was still in his hometown of Oxford, England and he had dreams of playing Division I college soccer (called ‘football’ in the U.K.) in the United States and, eventually, professional aspirations.

“I thought I’d like to go to California, find those beaches and the palm trees and live that lifestyle for awhile,” Meade said.

Being from “the working class part of Oxford,” Meade completed high school at age 16. He spent nearly a decade honing his considerable football skills when he signed a two-year youth contract with Oxford United. He chose it, which at the time was a strong Premier League program, over Southampton and Reading because of the travel distance. He was part of Oxford’s unbeaten South West Under-18 league championship squad in 2007-08.

“After winning league, they took us around and had a parade. There was talk of five or six of us being offered pro contracts,” Meade recalled. A strange thing followed, though, as Oxford’s chairman abruptly released players and the program’s fortunes went downhill. It was tough, Meade said, but perhaps, he reasoned, it was a shiny blessing.

“I was fairly academic for a footballer in the U.K. You either played football or go the university route,” he said. “I decided I wanted to get out of England. I wanted a new challenge. When I was released, I sought a scholarship to play in the U.S.”

He was eager for his California dream to be a reality. He searched online, but found out he needed to attend a community college to obtain an associate of arts degree. Though not well off financially, he was determined and figured he’d play well enough to attract Stanford or UCLA to give him a scholarship. Soon, Foothill College in Los Altos, Calif., would become his first stop in the Golden State.

The Nightmare

Then came a nightmare incident in late July 2008 in Bicester, a town in the Cherwell district in northeast Oxfordshire. He and some friends were having a good time, hanging out, but it was getting late, around 3 a.m., and they were ready to leave.

“I didn’t drink as I was very much still an athlete,” he said. “We’d had a great time. My friends went into the pizza shop and I was waiting for them so we could leave. A guy came up to me and started asking me questions. I guess someone had said to him that I wasn’t from the area. I answered his questions. I wasn’t looking for any trouble. I was going to California in one week. I didn’t give him any attitude. He then said ‘nice to meet you’ and shook my hand. And then out of nowhere, totally unprovoked, he punched me in the face. He broke my jaw in three places.”

The Oxford Mail newspaper reported on it in August 2008. The tabloid’s front-page headline, BROKEN DREAMS, showed a hospital bed photo of Meade. The story said “the blow smashed his head into a window and left him needing three metal plates in his jaw and 100 stitches.” Another observation in the story came from Meade’s dentist, who noted that the broken jaw was one of the worst he’d ever seen. He had thought that the injuries came from a road accident.

“I was still bleeding from my mouth for seven hours after it happened,” Meade said. “I felt like my jaw was falling off. It was really swollen, just horrible.”

Meade was in the hospital for three days, endured multiple hours of surgery, had metal plates inserted and was stitched up ear to ear. Doctors told him he couldn’t play soccer for four months. That ended his hope of playing that initial fall for Foothill. He redshirted and it meant he’d only have one year to impress major college coaches.

“It was so frustrating to have everything set up and ‘Bam!’ have everything change. I decided I was still going to California. I didn’t want to be in Oxford any more.”

Coming to California

He flew to California and, without soccer, Meade focused on academics. When he returned to play in 2009, he showed what he could do. He scored nine goals, tallied eight assists and helped Foothill get to the third round of the playoffs. He made the Dean’s List with a 3.7 GPA. Most remarkable was that Meade played much of the year with knee patella tendonitis and ligament foot damage.

Meade turned his attention to Division I soccer. He was well recruited, but ultimately chose USD. As this was happening, his mother, Karen, was pleading her son’s case in a courtroom to get injury compensation from her son’s attacker, who did wind up serving one year in jail. Her emotional testimony convinced a panel to award a sizable settlement that helped Meade with college costs not covered by the soccer scholarship.

Toreros Coach Seamus McFadden and his staff liked what they’d seen of Meade at Foothill and his Oxford credentials solidified him as a quality recruit. But multiple injuries over the next three years — he was even granted a medical redshirt in 2010 — plagued him at USD. Since his initial arrival in California, he’s had five knee surgeries, a wrist injury and a broken fibula. He played only 14 games, seven starts, with one goal and two assists as a Torero. His lone goal came against San Diego State. He didn’t play at all this past fall when USD won the West Coast Conference title and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.

There were, however, positives. Meade, now 25, was named as a senior team captain, giving him a role to motivate his young teammates. He kept up his academic success — he’ll graduate with a 3.2 GPA overall — and was a two-time WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and named to the USD Alumni Association’s Alcala 100 in April.

“It was disappointing from a soccer-playing perspective,” said McFadden of Meade’s USD career. “But Daniel’s really a great kid. If not for all his injuries, in reality, he would have been a very big cog in the wheel for us. It was just one step forward and three backward with the injuries. He was always a good role model. If the measure of a man comes in how he conducts himself, then Daniel has done it well, always in a first-class manner.”

So what’s next? Sunday’s graduation will be special because his mother is here for it.

“I’m so proud of him,” Karen gushed. “Daniel’s been through so much. He’s done so well and the university has really supported him.”

Meade credits his mom for her unwavering love and support and believes his graduation is a shared accomplishment. He now hopes to gain U.S. employment locally. Perhaps he’ll pursue something tied to his passion for music, poetry and sports. He could be valuable to someone’s coaching staff or maybe he’d consider sports psychology as a career. He’s created a spoken-word message that touches on the Bicester attack but also about his ability to rise above it and rise again. He’s determined to be a strong and vibrant soul.

Just like the sun, Meade will shine every day.

— Ryan T. Blystone

Sullivan’s hope, she said on Sept. 22, 2005, was to define it in two ways: “One is to continue to improve our academic excellence and reputation, and two is to enhance our passionate commitment to articulate and live our values.”

Nearly eight years later, Sullivan’s actions to support her vision have been numerous and substantial. Her proactive and collaborative approach with others at USD has significantly raised the university’s profile locally, nationally and internationally.

So it’s fitting that the person who has overseen increases in freshman student averages for GPA, SAT and ACT scores, a 90 percent freshman-to-sophomore student retention rate, a rise in underserved, first-generation and international student enrollment and, among other important milestones, has championed USD’s designation as an Ashoka Changemaker Campus, is embarking on a new legacy.

Sullivan, effective July 1, will become the 15th president of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., the largest private college in Minnesota. The university, founded in 1885, has hired in Sullivan, its first female president and first lay president at a Minnesota Catholic university. She replaces Fr. Dennis Dease, who is retiring from the role after 22 years.

“I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen,” Sullivan said. “St. Thomas is an outstanding university, which enjoys a wonderful history and legacy that is firmly rooted in its commitment to Catholic values and the liberal arts while looking forward with an entrepreneurial spirit.”

But, she added, “Deciding to leave USD, a Catholic university committed to academic excellence, leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service, ethical leaders working and serving in our complex and changing world, has been very difficult.”

Sullivan’s leadership style, work ethic, and more were celebrated at a reception last week. She was lavishly praised, presented with special gifts and was even serenaded with a performance by the USD music department’s Mariachi Ensemble.

“The words used to describe Julie are encouraging, supportive, energetic, wise, fair, smart, aspirational and gracious,” said Paula Cordeiro, dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, who spoke on behalf of USD’s deans. “Julie’s leaving is a big loss to USD and a great gift to St. Thomas.”

Following heartfelt speeches by Student Affairs Vice President Carmen Vazquez, Interim Provost Andy Allen, USD President Mary E. Lyons, PhD, and USD Board of Trustees member Constance M. Carroll, PhD, Sullivan talked about “the best job I’ve ever had.”

“I extend my gratitude to President Lyons, who gave me the opportunities, the space and the support to expand my horizons and to be involved with so many facets of university life,” she said. “This has allowed me … to realize the personal growth and to achieve experiences that make me better prepared for this next adventure.”

Sullivan praised the work of colleagues across the campus, including vice presidents, deans, faculty and staff. “You’re the best colleagues I’ve ever worked with, you’ve supported me and I’ve learned so much from you and so much with you.”

Said President Lyons: “Dr. Sullivan’s contributions to the growth and development of our university are abundantly evident. We can thank her for guiding us through the great fiscal crisis of 2008 while continuing our commitment to students and investing in our faculty. As our chief academic officer, Julie established the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and the launch of the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. Under her leadership, USD has significantly increased the number of tenured and tenured-tract faculty on campus, improved the academic profile of our freshman class, and we’ve become the No. 1-ranked doctoral serving institution for undergraduates studying abroad.”

Sullivan most recently led USD’s successful 2011 bid to become a designated Ashoka Changemaker Campus. The university now has an active Changemaker Hub, recognizes current students who embrace the concept and seeks prospective students who want to be Changemakers while receiving a solid USD education. In February 2013, the university hosted the third annual Ashoka U Exchange, which brought 650 social entrepreneurs from around the world to campus to learn from, discuss and share ideas.

“During my tenure, I have found that a USD education inspires and empowers students to be Changemakers — to make the difference they seek — to become individuals with self-fulfilling lives who are proactively creating positive, social, environmental and economic value. This philosophy is deeply woven into USD’s DNA.”

It’s part of a lasting legacy Sullivan can be proud of because it will continue to demonstrate USD’s academic excellence, reputation and a passionate commitment to articulate and live its values.

— Ryan T. Blystone

I’m not a very big believer in fate. I think the cards we are dealt do shape our direction in life, but when opportunity presents itself, we have to be active agents of our own destiny.

Working under this premise, I’ve done more things on a whim during my time at USD than I probably should admit. This includes quitting my job (which I had for one entire day) for an opportunity to intern at the United Front Multicultural Center, a job that shaped my passion and desire to work for racial and socioeconomic social justice. I learned German and moved to Vienna for my semester abroad after my advisor told me “Vienna is quite beautiful in the spring,” leading to an experience that completely changed the way I not only view the world, but my responsibility as a global citizen. I picked up an application for the McNair Scholars’ program just two days before the application was due, dropping all of my summer plans to do psychological research on color-blind racism that shaped my desire to earn a PhD in psychology. And, even though I have always avoided opening myself up to others, I took a risk and let my heart be broken by heart-wrenching stories of the Salvadorian people during an immersion trip and to be put back together, not quite the same, by their love and faith.

For each of these and all of the other wonderful decisions I made in the past four years, however, I made just as many mistakes. I’ve failed, experienced rejection, made bad decisions, missed opportunities, let people down, and lost sleep over all of them. But now, as I reflect of these bumps in the road, I only find myself grateful for them. Life is the most intimidating teacher I’ve ever had, and while my psychology courses have taught me a lot, I’ve learned more about myself from my experiences outside the classroom than from any book or lecture. Letting my heart take the lead in life has both burned and blessed me. But because of both, I developed a sense of self-assurance and, in the words of a professor, “the confidence of a person much taller than myself.” I couldn’t have asked for anything more just four years ago, writing for Seventeen from my freshman year dorm room.

USD as a whole, my mentors, and my professors gave me a space to royally screw up, pick myself back up, and ultimately become a much better version of myself. This doesn’t go to say that I’m not scared about my next steps in life. Terrified doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about moving to Kansas City five days after graduation to be part of Teach for America. I’m excited for the opportunities and the challenges ahead, but chances are that at some point, I’ll fail. And you know what? That’s okay.

For these opportunities to succeed and fail, laugh and cry, and grow academically and personally, I am forever indebted to USD.

— Jessica Gomes ‘13

Aside from having identical near-perfect GPAs the two share a couple more similarities. They both developed their skills and networks as Boy Scouts before enrolling at USD and both members of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

As the fourth Brandon to graduate from USD (behind Mark, Donald and Christie) Milan has accomplished quite a bit. Upon arrival he was designated as a USD Trustee Scholar and has gone on to receive several academic awards, hold various internships, serve as president of the Economics Council, compete on a student team that finished third in USC’s 2012 International Real Estate Case Competition, and captained USD’s inaugural team at the National Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament at Breneau University in Gainesville, Ga., to a third-place finish.

When asked what he learned in his time at USD outside of the classroom, Milan Brandon (pictured, left) said, “USD has taught me further lessons simply by being a member of its amazing community. As a student leader I learned of the powerful confidence one imparts on others simply by sincerely believing in their abilities. Learning to listen intently before speaking myself, and to consider and appreciate the insights given, is an important lesson that will take a lifetime of practice to fully master. However, it is one that USD, more so than any other university that comes to mind, has provided an opportunity to nurture. And that is because USD, for all its beauty, academic rigor and ambition, remains a community first and an institution second — a place where individuals matter and the lessons we learn run far deeper than the scratch of a pen across paper.”

Tressel’s career at USD is nothing short of impressive, too. During his time, he was recipient of the Bishop Maher Catholic Leadership Scholarship and earned departmental honors in mathematics. He took part in several undergraduate science conferences and was a member of an award-winning team in the poster presentations for the applied mathematics section of the 2012 National Conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. Tressel (pictured, at right) was also a tutor in the Math Center, participated in University Ministry’s Tijuana Spring Breakthrough service and immersion trips, and was a member of the UM, Students for Life, and Founders Club.

When asked what he learned in his time at USD outside of the classroom, he responded, “I have learned to always ask questions whenever I am unsure, to listen for answers, even if they don’t come to me the way I expect. I have also learned to be grateful for all of the blessings in my life. Above all, I have learned that true friends are always there for me when I need them most.”

The future looks bright for both valedictorians. Brandon will attend University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law with an emphasis in Real Estate or Corporate Law, and Tressel is attending the University of Washington in pursuit of a PhD in BioStatistics.

— Kevin Wright ‘13

“I was always good at math,” said Nobles who, fast-forwarding to present day is an impending USD graduate with degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. “I remember being in elementary school and my brother, who is five years older, was having trouble with Algebra and substitution and elimination. I remember my mom, who was helping him, say to me ‘why don’t you come over here and learn his homework, too.’ So I did. I learned it in third grade.”

At age 13, Nobles spent idle time at the convenience store where his parents worked, not far from where they lived in San Diego. To pass the time, one thing he’d do was to see what was tossed in the trash dumpster. On one particular day, he and a friend discovered two discarded computers. “We saw those computers and we each took one, put them on our skateboards and pushed them up the hill.”

Nobles’ family’s old desktop computer, one he often used to play a baseball video game, had stopped working. He tried to start up the computer he’d found, but no avail. He then got an idea to solve the problem. “I decided to open up both computers and I basically ‘Frankensteined’ them with parts from both to get one working computer out of it.”

When he graduated from Patrick Henry High School, Nobles had done so through A.P. classes in subjects such as Biology, English, Government and Spanish, but not Calculus.

“(San Diego) Mesa College offered Math 150 and 151 and they brought a professor over to the high school to teach it, so I got college credit,” Nobles said.

He then accepted a generous financial aid package to attend the University of San Diego. True to form, a program that suited his advanced-for-his-age intellect piqued Nobles’ curiosity. He was selected for USD’s Pre-Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) program, one that allows a limited number of students the chance to work with a USD professor on a research project in the summer prior to their freshman year.

“That’s how I got into computer science, through Dr. (Eric) Jiang,” Nobles said. “I’d thought initially thought about majoring in (electrical) engineering, but there were no research projects for me to work on (through PURE). When I heard about the ones in computer science projects, Dr. Jiang’s interested me.”

Nobles wrote a document query system using Matlab. In the first few weeks, Nobles said he did tutorials to teach himself about programming. He soon got the hang of it, did some college-level research and “was able to make a decent working system out of it,” he said.

It was a good introduction to college. Equally important was his need to master a socially compatible element, one that was as supportive and nurturing as he had in an academic setting. He found it through Student Support Services (SSS). This federally funded program for first-generation college students, students from qualifying low-income families and students with disabilities have a committed staff to work with and to help students adjust to and succeed in college.

Nobles’ adjustment went smoothly as he participated in SSS’ Summer Bridge program (pictured, left, with 2009 Summer Bridge alumni), one that has students move into residential halls early, meet people, take group field trips, participate in fun activities and experience sample courses with USD professors to prepare for the academic rigor.

“It was a big benefit for me,” said Nobles. “It set me off on the right foot. I met people and made friends. I was able to focus on my classes, while knowing, too, that I had a base of friends I could go to, too.”

The support system he’s carried at USD also has been reciprocated. At last week’s SSS Recognition Ceremony, Nobles was named SSS’ student tutor of the year for the third consecutive year. He also received the SSS Director’s Award (pictured below), one he said made him realize that his time as a USD undergrad is really winding down.

“I’ve not taken too much time to sit back and really think about it,” Nobles said. “It’s cool (to win), but it’s a little sad, too, knowing that I’ll be leaving USD soon.”

He won’t soon forget the friendships and camaraderie he’s enjoyed through SSS, the Mathematics and Computer Science Department’s professors, staff and students and more. He’s been a member of the USD Math Club, the Association for Computing Machinery, which is essentially a USD Computer Science Club, and the Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization (FUSO).

Nobles has presented research project at three USD Undergraduate Research Conferences, including this year’s when he debuted a badminton game app for Android. He participated in USD’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), again with Dr. Jiang, on a data mining and network security project. Nobles attended research conferences in Philadelphia and, last summer, presented at one hosted by University of California, San Diego, through USD’s McNair Scholars program. The latter is another federally funded program whose goal is to prepare undergraduates for doctoral study through research and scholarly activities.

Being a USD McNair Scholar has introduced Nobles to the next chapter of his life. He will attend the University of California, Riverside’s Computer Science PhD program. Nobles said he’s intrigued by UCR’s computer graphics discipline.

One can only imagine the possibilities awaiting Nobles.

— Ryan T. Blystone

“The process of acquiring art, whether for public or personal collections, remains a mysterious thing for most people,” explained Derrick Cartwright, who is the director of University Galleries at USD and who taught this seminar in the College of Arts and Sciences during the spring semester.

“Thanks to a generous grant from the Legler Benbough Foundation, USD students are being given the opportunity to study the process and to better understand responsibilities associated with identifying, selecting, and purchasing works of art for the benefit of a diverse public.”

Students in Cartwright’s seminar first spent 10 weeks studying histories and theories of collecting art before dividing into smaller groups tasked with researching works that they wanted to see come to USD on a permanent basis.  Cartwright expects to teach similar courses in the future aimed at demystifying collections for young scholars.

Works acquired through these courses will bear a credit line acknowledging both the Legler Benbough Foundation’s critical funding role and the names of all students who participated in the selection process.

Shahzia Sikander was born in Pakistan in 1969.  Although she first studied art at the National College of Art in Lahore, she later attended the Rhode Island School of Design and lives today in New York.  Her work combines a deep appreciation of traditional Islamic and Hindu iconographies and representational techniques with a contemporary sensibility for layering and collage.

Major installations of Sikander’s art have been shown at the Museum of Modern Art and the Asia Society in New York, the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC., and at the San Diego Museum of Art.  In 2006, Sikander was awarded the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, sometimes referred to as “the genius award”, for her widely admired creative practice.  Orbit is part of a series of delicately layered prints that the artist created at Crown Point Press in San Francisco, in 2012.

A primary goal of the course was to share insights into the art world with students.  “This process has been such an interesting and eye opening experience,” remarked Kat Ayd ‘13. “Most of us are used to considering works of art in terms of our own personal preference, and this project forced us to apply a completely different set of criteria in relation to a specific place–USD. In addition to gaining an insider’s perspective, we were able to develop a close relationship with a work that will remain here for others to experience after we leave.”

“It will be splendid to have this work at USD,” said Sally Yard, Professor of Art History. “This powerful image by Shazia Sikander links our collection with important works at the San Diego Museum of Art and will be an important resource for a broad range of courses–from the history of Asian Art to Contemporary Art. It will be put to work right away by our faculty and students.”

Yard was a member of the selection panel together with Bill Kelly, professor of Printmaking and Founder of San Diego’s own Brighton Press;  Mary Whelan, director of University Design and Jo Hannah Hoehn, a former art history student whose family has supported the increasingly renowned print programs at USD.

In pursuing this project, the University Galleries are fulfilling a goal of offering the USD community singular experiences with art and culture. “We are among a very few campus-based museums that involve our young constituents directly in acquisitions decisions. This experiment promises to distinguish USD’s program for years to come, thanks in no small part to the support of the Legler Benbough Foundation and to our bright students,” concluded Cartwright.

– Inside USD Staff

Photo Credit: Shahzia Sikander (b. 1969), Orbit, 2012, Color direct gravure, 27 x 21 ¼ inches (image size), Published by Crown Point Press, San Francisco, CA, Print Collection, University of San Diego, Purchased through the Legler Benbough Student Acquisition Fund by Katherine Ayd, Jerome Bwire, Cesar Chavez, Catherine Childs, Virginia da Rosa, Hannah Day, Ross Ehren, Brittany Ford, Anthony Graham, Dominique Kourie, Morgan Likens, Monika Marambio, Liam Richards, Sean Rivera, Joseph Seiler and Jake Zawlacki.

So, really, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’s something else new in 2013. The inaugural four-team, double-elimination West Coast Conference Tournament opens Thursday, running through Saturday’s title game, at the Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, Calif.

“We’re excited about being in it,” said USD Coach Rich Hill. “It’s great for the conference. It will be a postseason atmosphere with the four teams who are in it. All four are worthy teams. It’ll be a dogfight.”

The Toreros, with a 32-22 overall record, enter as the tournament’s second seed. They’ll face No. 3 seed BYU in a 7 p.m. first-round game Thursday. Top seed Gonzaga, the regular-season WCC champion, plays fourth-seeded San Francisco at 3 p.m. Thursday.

From there, the two winners meet at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Thursday’s losing teams meet in a noon elimination game Friday. The winner of that contest advances to a 7:30 p.m. game Friday to determine who will play the lone unbeaten team for the WCC Tournament championship at 7 p.m. Saturday. The title game will be televised by ESPNU.

The tournament, at first glance, may seem to take something away from Gonzaga’s regular-season run in conference play, but USD players, such as sophomore first baseman Connor Joe, are excited to play after a nine-day layoff due to final exams.

“I think it’s going to be a really fun weekend,” he said. “It seems like a cool place to play and the atmosphere will be good. It doesn’t matter where we play as long as we just go out there and play our game.”

The Toreros’ game plan revolves around solid offensive production and combining it with effective pitching. Thursday’s scheduled starter, freshman lefthander PJ Conlon (9-0, 1.54 ERA, 62 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched) looks to continue his strong season when he faces the Cougars. Bryant, meanwhile, is USD’s centerpiece hitter, but it’s equally important for players around him to contribute.

Joe (pictured, at left) is among a group who’ve surrounded Bryant, a Golden Spikes Award contender with not only the 30 homers, but also a nation-leading 61 RBI and 57 walks, 72 runs scored, a .338 batting average in 201 at-bats, 12 doubles and three triples.

Joe (.322 in 202 at-bats, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 11 doubles), A.J. Robinson (.339 in 165 at-bats, 34 runs, 8 doubles, 5 triples, 27 RBI), Austin Green (5 HR, 11 doubles, 31 RBI), Dillon Haupt (10 HRS, 17 doubles, 44 RBI), among others, have produced at the plate.

“We’re an offensive-minded team, we have a power lineup. It’s not just one person,” Joe said. “When you take the pressure off of yourself and you play for others, that’s when it’s good. You don’t have to think as much about it. Everyone contributes.”

Hill believes USD’s pitching staff is getting better and is ready to go heading into postseason play. After Conlon, the Toreros have several starter options among a group that consists of Michael Wagner, Max Homick, Dylan Covey, Max McNabb and Louie Lechich. Homick, Wagner, McNabb and Trevor Bayless each have a few saves this season.

The Toreros are also shoring up their defense, Hill said. “The difference is night and day. Everyone has settled down.”

The team as a whole seems quite comfortable with each other, too, but a post-game team meeting after a tough 10th-inning 9-8 WCC loss at San Francisco in late April removed any doubt.

“Our season has changed course since then, we’re a different team now,” Hill said. The Toreros won six of seven WCC games after the meeting. “We stress to our players about playing in the moment. They all know the goal. You need to have a fire in the belly to win a championship.”

The WCC Tournament will determine the conference’s automatic bid into the 64-team NCAA postseason tournament. The Toreros, who have a 6-1 record against teams with a top 50 RPI and 18 wins against those in the top 100, have plenty to play for in Stockton. The Toreros swept BYU conference play at Fowler Park, but lost two of three games each against Gonzaga and San Francisco. Hill expects all four teams to battle as there won’t likely be four NCAA spots available for WCC teams.

The NCAA Tournament’s 16 four-team regional brackets will be announced at 9 a.m. (PDT) on Monday, May 27 on ESPNU. If USD can get into a regional, the next goal is to win it, something that would be a first in Hill’s 15 seasons as USD’s head coach.

Joe said he’s confident about the Toreros’ chances, both this weekend and beyond.

“I believe our team’s potential is still ahead of us,” he said. “I feel we haven’t hit our peak yet and that’s a really good thing for us. I’m excited about our chances. It’s going to be fun.”

— Ryan T. Blystone

Photos courtesy of USD Athletics

Batnitzky, one of the newest sociology professors on campus, was recently awarded a grant from Collaborative Fisheries Research West to examine direct seafood marketing in San Diego. The study, entitled “Testing the feasibility of urban coastal direct seafood markets,” will be conducted over a one-year period alongside California Sea Grant Coastal Specialist Theresa Sinicrope Talley, a marine biologist who is currently based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla.

At first glance, it may seem odd that a sociology professor would want to examine seafood marketing, but this project is less about sea life and commerce and more about “locovores,” the people that eat locally produced food not sourced from a distant market.

The specific locovores that brought about this study are those that make up the East African Community in San Diego. Batnitzky has worked closely with the United Women of East African Community Cultural Center and discussed their changing diet as a result of migration. Upon sharing her experiences, Talley’s first question was: Does this community eat a lot of fish? Despite mainly being from coastal Somalia, the answer is no and the reason is limited access to sustainable local seafood.

San Diego boasts many farmers markets and community-backed agriculture programs, however, San Diego does not have a single fish market in a city with 70 miles of pristine Pacific coastline. As a result, many fishermen have taken to selling their catch right from their docked boats. Batnitzky’s goal is to raise awareness of the issue and to establish a sustainable local fish demand in San Diego.

While Batnitzky is focused on the people involved, Talley is most interested in the health of the ocean. She believes a more diverse pull of fish may improve both the fishing industry in San Diego and the ecology of our ocean. Of the collaboration, Batnitzky said, “Our overlapping interests seemed like an ideal interdisciplinary project!”

While emphasizing both locovores and the health of the ocean, “Our project is essentially community-based,” said Batnitzky. She hopes to work with San Diegans to better understand and unite two different populations. The first population, she said, “is already connected to the ocean and has some knowledge of the local seafood industry. The second population, the East African immigrant community, has relatively little interaction with local sustainable seafood.”

Over the next year, Batnitzky and Talley hope to gauge the feasibility of a direct seafood market based on the responses they receive from these two populations. Their project is already underway and if the project is well received, local fish markets may be on the menu for San Diego.

— Kevin Wright ‘13

But some of Copley Library’s biggest fans are the students who are required to be there.

Chelsea Kamai calls it “a place where I feel like I belong.” Lizeth Juvera’s experiences at the library help “prepare me for the future.” Ophelia Augustine “learns something new each day.” Levor Ross, quite frankly, believes Copley Library has contributed mightily to his personal pathway to a milestone event on May 26.

These four undergraduate students, along with Danielle Bertolero, Julie Le, Sean Ricucci, Dominic Spencer-Avarado and Brittany Swicord and graduate students Kim Buford, Cecilia Gong and Katharine Petrich, comprise the 12 Copley Library work-study USD students among the Class of 2013.

“Our work-study students are the crown jewel of our workforce,” University Librarian Theresa Byrd said. “They assist us in keeping the library open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. They work in Access Services, Technical Services and Special Collections. All 12 graduating students have contributed to the excellent service Copley Library provides to faculty, staff and students.”

The 37 work-study students in Copley Library, a widely diverse group, is second only to the 80 represented within the Center for Community Service-Learning.

The students contribute plenty during the 112 hours that the facility is open per week, but the benefit back to the student is equally vital. Augustine, Juvera, Kamai (pictured above, left to right) and Ross spoke of the fun environment, potlucks, precious study time and camaraderie among them while also focusing on processing and performing quality control of new print materials and more in the downstairs Technical Services Department.

“If we didn’t have (a work-study program), I don’t know what I’d be doing,” said Kamai, an English and psychology double major from Hawaii, who has worked in the library for three years. “Working here has helped me grow as a person. I feel I have a place where I can be myself. Sometimes, on campus, it’s hard when people surround you, especially when you come from a minority group and it’s a culture shock. The library has helped me learn about myself and to work well with others.”

Ross (pictured, at right), a sociology major from Gaffney, S.C., and a defensive lineman from 2010-12 with the Toreros’ football team, struggled to balance academics, football and an off-campus job.

“I had no time to study, no time to sleep, nothing. I was taught not to quit, but I almost did because I couldn’t get my grades up and I was working at a bar as a bouncer until 2 a.m.,” he said. Working at Copley Library and having a much more flexible work schedule made a big difference.

“My experience here has been great,” said Ross, who will walk in the graduation ceremony but is taking a summer class to complete his graduation requirement. “In the library you work your hours, but they understand your class schedule. They work around your classes and if you need to study for a test. It’s no big hassle. They’ve been very supportive.”

A supportive environment has been invaluable for Augustine, a 30-year-old mother of two children. She transferred to USD in 2010 from Southwestern College. She expressed overconfidence when, after a successful community college academic stint, that didn’t translate to the same due to USD’s academic rigor.

“Most of these kids are 18-19 and I felt like, ‘I’ve got this. I can do this. I was an A student.’ But my first semester at USD I fell flat on my face. It was the worst college semester I’ve ever had. It was so rough. It was hard to keep up with the curriculum, I was working off campus, I had my kids and we were living in South Bay. It was horrible,” she said.

But she sought help from campus resources such as Student Support Services staff and a mentoring program with high-ranking administrators and staff. Her mentor was Theresa Byrd. When Augustine initially looked for a work-study job and couldn’t find one, she turned to Byrd. The decision to put her to work in the library provided immediate stability. Academically, she gravitated toward psychology, which included a class with Associate Professor Adriana Molitor that Augustine said broadened her perspective as a student and as a parent.

“The reason I’m walking across the (Jenny Craig Pavilion) stage this month is because of the wonderful faculty and staff here at USD,” Augustine said. “They genuinely want you to succeed. I’ve felt their love and concern. People want to reach out and help you. It’s really been like a community.”

Juvera has worked in the library all four years, even intersession and summer sessions. She’s a double major in business administration and marketing, a French minor and she’s successfully balanced school, work and she has a passion for fashion and modeling. She’s also done study abroad. She went to Florence, Italy as a sophomore through the Second-Year Experience and last summer visited eight countries and took courses via the popular Semester at Sea program.

Juvera said her time at USD and in the library has been well spent. She started out doing customer service tasks upstairs on the main floor and frequently interacted with students, faculty and staff. Moving downstairs her second year — Byrd’s first at USD — was a slight adjustment at first, but Juvera is fine with it.

“It’s been the best thing for me,” she said. “I wound up being very happy. When I’m done with my tasks I do homework and I’ve made some very good friends here.”

All 12 graduating students are about to close a chapter of their lives and open a new one. Kamai has applied for a job in New York to work with underserved, at-risk kids. Ross wants to start a local nonprofit organization to help kids from low-income areas get to college. Juvera and Augustine are both looking for job opportunities. Having a degree will open doors, but working in the library certainly gives them all an enhanced skills set for the job market.

“It’s a great environment. Working in the library has also let me be a student, become a well-rounded student. I’ve learned a lot of new things just by working here,” Kamai said. “At USD you can always find your niche somewhere. You just have to be yourself.”

— Ryan T. Blystone

Some 2,100 new University of San Diego Changemakers, graduates in business, education, law, liberal arts, nursing, and peace studies, will receive their degrees this month. Law School graduation takes place this Saturday, May 18 at 9 a.m. Three other graduation ceremonies will be held May 25 and 26.

Graduate commencement ceremony is Saturday, May 25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
College of Arts and Sciences ceremony is Sunday, May 26 from 9 to 11 a.m.
School for Business Administration ceremony is Sunday, May 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
All ceremonies take place in USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion and will be streamed live.

Hundreds of graduates are San Diego residents whose family and friends will join them for the celebration. Many graduates are the first in their family to earn a college degree. “We are proud to honor our graduates, knowing that they have acquired the knowledge, skills and ethics to be leaders and Changemakers in their chosen professions,” said USD President Mary E. Lyons.

Notable speakers, students and features include:

• USD graduate (’96) and San Diego entrepreneur James Brennan, the driving force behind “Rockaway Beach,” a disaster relief fund created for communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, is the speaker for the College of Arts and Sciences’ ceremony on May 26. Immediately after Hurricane Sandy devastated his hometown of Rockaway Beach, NY, Brennan sprung into action raising more than $1m for relief efforts, relocating families to San Diego where children have enrolled in schools and tried to resume a normal life. Brennan was featured on “60 Minutes” last fall.
• College of Arts and Sciences valedictorian William Tressel earned a 3.99 grade point average in mathematics and will enter a PhD program in biostatistics at the University of Washington this fall. School of Business Administration valedictorian and San Diegan Milan Brandon also has a 3.99 GPA and will attend the USC Law School.
• First-generation graduates include Nick Nobles and Diana Velazquez. When his family’s computer stopped working, a young Nobles found another one in the trash and used the parts to make the family’s PC run again. This fall Nobles will enter a PhD program in computer engineering at UC Riverside. Velazquez will enter a master’s program in Latin American Studies at Indiana University.

A full graduation schedule follows:

Saturday, May 18 at 9 to 10:15 a.m.
School of Law
360 Juris Doctor and master of laws degrees
Speaker: Michael Streit, 1975 USD law graduate and former associate justice of the Iowa Supreme Court

Saturday, May 25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Graduate Commencement from schools of Business, Leadership and Education Sciences, Nursing and Peace
460 master’s and doctoral degrees
Speaker: Scott Sherman, executive director of the Transformative Action Institute, whose work on nonviolent social change projects has been praised by such Nobel Peace Prize Laureates as the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and the late Mother Teresa.

Sunday, May 26 from 9 to 11 a.m.
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation
703 bachelor’s degrees
Speaker: James Brennan, 1996 USD graduate, currently manages Enlightened Hospitality Group which holds Stingaree, the Fabric Family restaurants and Campine Catering. Driving force behind Rockaway Beach, a fund raising more than $1 million for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Sunday, May 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
School of Business Administration and Engineering Programs
582 bachelor’s degrees
Speaker: Paul Rice, president and CEO of Fair Trade USA, the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S.

For more information, go to the University of San Diego Commencement website.

– Inside USD staff